Question about mexican money

[Banshee16]

I'm planning a trip in Mexico in the next few weeks, and, never having been there before, I'm wondering whether it's better to bring U.S. money or Pesos. How much do things cost? I know their money isn't as highly valued as Canadian funds.....but does that just mean it will cost me 80 Pesos to buy a hamburger?

Can anyone shed light on this?

Banshee

 

[jgbrowning]

Generally when traveling overseas there will be a currency exchange counter. Go there and exchange whatever cash you think necessary upon arrival. Also, you may want to pre-empitively call the credit card company you'll be using overseas to let them know you're traveling so they don't lock your card. Happened to me once and it sucks.

As far as Canadian or US funds, I'd pick Canadian. You'll lose % in converting to US and your going to loose another % in converting to Pesos. If you stick to Canadian you'll only lose a % once.

joe b.

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

I'm planning a trip in Mexico in the next few weeks, and, never having been there before, I'm wondering whether it's better to bring U.S. money or Pesos. How much do things cost? I know their money isn't as highly valued as Canadian funds.....but does that just mean it will cost me 80 Pesos to buy a hamburger?

Can anyone shed light on this?

Banshee

If you stay in Tourist Areas.

They take US. Dollars.

They Prefer US Dollars.

If you are close to the US Border.

They take US Dollars

If you go elsewhere, they MIGHT still take US Dollars.

And....

Most places take plastic.

It'll show up on your Credit Card with a sur-charge for the Exchange.

Of course this depends on how you feel about flashing credit cards while in another country

 

[Infiniti2000]

I'd try not to flash money at all, especially US dollars. As far as currency exchange, note that the best rates will likely be in the 4- or 5-star hotel you are staying in. I don't recommend 3-star or less (a US 1-star hotel is like their 3-star). So, make sure the hotel does currency exchange. If not, you'll lose some % at the airport.

Using a credit card is usually the safest, but the % is really bad AND they get to charge some high fee that doesn't always show up on the receipt they give you.

 

[Edheldur]

Well, being from Mexico (and living in Mexico) I think I can be of some help here. The conversion rate is about 10.5 pesos for 1 dollar (give or take, changes daily and it depends on where you trade your currency). Airport exchange rates are, as some have already said very high.

Now, the issue about bringing pesos or dollars depends greatly on waht part of Mexico exactly you are visiting. Yes, there are a lot of places that accept dollars (although they usually use their own currency exchange, which may be even worse than airports), but there are also places where dollars won't be accepted. Tourist areas prefer dollars, yes, but only because they are gaining more they would if you use pesos.

I do trust you know about certain political issues happening right now in Mexico if you're planning on visiting Mexico City or Oaxaca. (And since Eric's Granma doesn't like politics, I'll just leave the subject off of this and all my responses here).

Joe's advice is great, BTW.

Still, if you need more help feel free to drop me a PM or an e-mail (edheldur at yahoo dot com)

 

[Banshee16]

Well, being from Mexico (and living in Mexico) I think I can be of some help here. The conversion rate is about 10.5 pesos for 1 dollar (give or take, changes daily and it depends on where you trade your currency). Airport exchange rates are, as some have already said very high.

Now, the issue about bringing pesos or dollars depends greatly on waht part of Mexico exactly you are visiting. Yes, there are a lot of places that accept dollars (although they usually use their own currency exchange, which may be even worse than airports), but there are also places where dollars won't be accepted. Tourist areas prefer dollars, yes, but only because they are gaining more they would if you use pesos.

I do trust you know about certain political issues happening right now in Mexico if you're planning on visiting Mexico City or Oaxaca. (And since Eric's Granma doesn't like politics, I'll just leave the subject off of this and all my responses here).

Joe's advice is great, BTW.

Still, if you need more help feel free to drop me a PM or an e-mail (edheldur at yahoo dot com)

What's going on in Mexico City? That's where I'll be going. I wasn't aware of any situations of Mexicans having a hate on for Canadians at the moment, but maybe I missed something in the news, with all the stuff about the middle east lately...

Banshee

 

[Edheldur]

What's going on in Mexico City? That's where I'll be going. I wasn't aware of any situations of Mexicans having a hate on for Canadians at the moment, but maybe I missed something in the news, with all the stuff about the middle east lately...

Oh, it's got nothing to do with Canadians... it's got more to do with a presidential candidate that just didn't win and can't accept it. Please drop me an e-mail so I can tell you more about it (since it's about politics).

 

[BOZ]

before you exchange your cash, it might be a good idea to find out what the exact current official exchange rate is, to make sure you're not getting ripped off. keep in mind, of course, that there is probably a fee for the service though...

 

[frankthedm]

What's going on in Mexico City?

Do you Yahoo? http://news.yahoo.com/i/734

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060906/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_elections



Gunmen make grisly visit to Mexican bar Wed Sep 6, 10:36 AM ET

MEXICO CITY - Gunmen barged into a bar in central Mexico early Wednesday and tossed five human heads on the dance floor, Mexican media reported. A group of heavily armed men shot their guns in the air as they entered a bar in Uruapan in central Michoacan state at about 1:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. EDT)and ordered patrons to the ground before tossing the heads in plastic bags onto the center of the dance floor, according to reports.

Police were still trying to identify the victims, according to the reports by the newspapers Reforma and Milenio.

Drug violence has escalated in Mexico in the past year and gangs have turned to more gruesome and brutal methods in their battle for control of lucrative routes after the arrest of major cartel leaders. So far this year, at least six human heads of police and rival drug smugglers have been found in the Pacific resort of Acapulco.

 

[Edheldur]

MEXICO CITY - Gunmen barged into a bar in central Mexico early Wednesday and tossed five human heads on the dance floor, Mexican media reported. A group of heavily armed men shot their guns in the air as they entered a bar in Uruapan in central Michoacan state at about 1:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. EDT)and ordered patrons to the ground before tossing the heads in plastic bags onto the center of the dance floor, according to reports.

To be fair, that didn't happen in Mexico City, but in Uruapan. Sad thing is that it's starting to happen in some other states.