Subjective Port day Question

[habsfan4ever]

I realize there are many variables, but as a first time Cruiser to Mexican Riviera I would appreciate your opinions on how much to plan for with regards to daily cash requirements in port.
No excursions planned, just a couple of taxi rides, a meal for two, a couple of drinks, maybe a tchotchke or two.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[wheezedr]

2 hours ago, habsfan4ever said:

I realize there are many variables, but as a first time Cruiser to Mexican Riviera I would appreciate your opinions on how much to plan for with regards to daily cash requirements in port.
No excursions planned, just a couple of taxi rides, a meal for two, a couple of drinks, maybe a tchotchke or two.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

I generally carry around $100USD just because that is a nice number to cover.  Should we make a bigger purchase it would go on a CC.   Most important is to bring small bills.  Pre trip, whether by sea or land based, I will get 25 to 30 ones and then 60 or 70 dollars worth of 5’s and 10’s.  It is better to build up from small bills than get a pocketful of pesos in change.  For anything which is “less than a buck” it is just simpler to leave the dollar and not worry about change.

Just realized you are from the great white north, but the same concept holds true.  I have no knowledge of whether CAD are as well accepted but I always meet lots of your countrymen when I visit Mexico in the winter.

Edited February 9, 2020 by wheezedr
Additional

[riffatsea]

I agree about having small bills.

I doubt if I'd spend $100 for just wandering around in a town and having a drink.

If you tell us exactly where you are considering we may know more about taxi prices.

For example in Puerto Vallarta to get to the malecon(boardwalk) you'll pay about $6-8USA in a taxi outside the port one way. More if you use the taxis right in the port.

On the way back it may be more expensive because you may have walked into the next area beyond the pier.

There are 2 for one margarita drinks for maybe $5USA.

We don't usually get a whole meal but you can get the idea.

Having $100 would be waaay plenty . We don't buy "tchotchkes".

We only buy local craft items and I'd spend more for those but use my credit card for anything really expensive.

[Mike45LC]

When I leave the ship for a day in port on the Mex Riv without any excursions booked, I normally carry about US$100 worth of pesos, and about US$200 cash in $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills.  If I am running low on pesos, I will go into an OXXO store (the Mex equivalent of a 7-11) and will use a US$20 bill to pay for a couple of sodas and chips, taking my change in pesos.  That is a convenient way for me to replenish my peso supply.

 

I will also carry several hundred dollar bills in case my wife decides there is a jewelry or art piece she wants or if she wants to play in a casino.  Those large bills are in my hidden money belt and do not get exposed unless needed.

 

My non-hidden funds are enough cash to pay for taxis, water taxis, admission fees, beach lounge/umbrella rentals, food and beverages, any cute t-shirts, hats/sunshades, other touristy attire, whatever else we might enjoy that day in port.   If we are going to rent a jet-ski, we need to bring more $$.

 

Note, I said that this is if we have no excursions booked.  Zip lining, boat trips, ATV trips, fancy meals, or … -- which are generally over US$100 for the two of us -- are dealt with otherwise.  Some excursions require cash payments at the time of the tour instead of credit cards, so I bring cash for the tour and tip.  Some people on this Forum only take tours that they pay on the day of, rather than credit cards in advance, so that if there is a problem (ship is delayed, itinerary has to be changed, whatever), they have not pre-paid for the tour -- for non-pre-paid tours, you need to bring money to pay for the tour.  

 

For art or jewelry that we might discover in port, I prefer to pay cash.  How can I bargain and urge that my funds are limited, and then put it on a credit card?  And the sight of cash tends to improve the prices, sometimes.  

 

[habsfan4ever]

Thanks everyone, lots of great information.