Money

[mpffls]

I was finally sucessful in securing a driver ..........but now I wonder about $$$.........

should we change some $$$$ to pesos before we leave....

we will need to tip the driver........would he mind $$$$

what about in the smaller towns on our road trip........will they take $$$$..........

shopping in merida............$$$$........or pesos........

thanx

[hdawson]

US dollars are just fine and welcomed. The exchange rate is about 10 to 1. In some businesses you may only get 9.5 but that is so insignificant you really shouldn't be concerned. At currency exchanges I've gotten 11 or 11.5 but why bother? Carry small denominations. Sometimes your change will be in pesos.

[srphnx]

US $ are universal, but there is an advantage to doing business in local currency, buses, vending machines etc. You can go either way.

[hdawson]

Funny, I never thought about vending machines. In an eight day stay in Merida, I don't remember seeing a single vending machine of any kind.

[StellaRN]

We always carry both $$ and pesos. Small denominations is a very good idea especially when bargining to buy things, so you don't need to get change. Only off the beaten track have we not been able to use dollars. They didn't know how to figure the exchange rate and my spanish is only okay. When I shop in local places for groceries I always use pesos.