glk2009 Posted December 17, 2009 #1 Share Posted December 17, 2009 My first cruise and first time to Mexico... we're going for a weeklong cruise with 3 stops in Mexico (PV, Mazatlan and Cabo)... how much would you recommend bringing in pesos? Or should I just plan to use my credit card? I apologize if this is a super dumb question. =) TIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ula Posted December 17, 2009 #2 Share Posted December 17, 2009 None as far as Pesos, those ports always take US dollars. Just bring small bills, since your change will be in Peso's. Never used a credit card in those ports. The vendors all speak English. And they like to barter for prices. It is fun, and Cabo has really been fixed up nice. They have a couple big market places right off the ship to visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glk2009 Posted December 17, 2009 Author #3 Share Posted December 17, 2009 Thanks! That's good to know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry's Girls Posted December 17, 2009 #4 Share Posted December 17, 2009 We've been about a dozen times - I always bring a credit card for transactions in shops/restaurants and small bills to use for the street vendors. You don't want or need pesos for anything. As the previous poster said, use small bills to avoid getting change, which will be in pesos. I'm not sure why not to use a credit card - just make sure to call your credit card company ahead of time to let them know you'll be travelling. Best, Mia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted December 18, 2009 #5 Share Posted December 18, 2009 US dollars, always appreciated. ;) To add to Mia's suggestion, if you do use your credit card, just be sure to keep an eye on it after the cruise. There have been a number of posts lately complaining about card fraud after the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted December 18, 2009 #6 Share Posted December 18, 2009 You do NOT need pesos!!! US dollars are fine...and preferred. Bring smaller bills ashore, so you don't risk getting pesos in "change"....the ship will break down larger bills for you...You don't want to carry a wad of small bills...too bulky...bring hundreds, and have the ship change them for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitty9 Posted December 18, 2009 #7 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Be very, very careful with using credit cards in Mexico. My sister uses one card for cruise purchases, never for anything else. She purchased some jewelry in Huatulco, using that card, and everything was just fine, UNTIL..... A couple of months later, she had a charge for some very expensive shoes on that credit card, ordered online and shipped to an address in Huatulco. Someone at that store kept the CC info and used her card for the online purchase. I know of three others who've had similar experiences--one in Puerto Vallerta and two in Acapulco. Make sure you get any carbon papers used in the transactions, and NEVER let them take your CC to another room to run the charge. Keep an eye on your CC at all times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted December 18, 2009 #8 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I agree with Kitty on the use of credit cards. We have learned from our travels to minimize using Credtic Cards in certain places and Mexico is one of them.For most purchases in Mexico I would just stick with USA dollars. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsulin Posted December 18, 2009 #9 Share Posted December 18, 2009 You do NOT need pesos!!! US dollars are fine...and preferred. Bring smaller bills ashore, so you don't risk getting pesos in "change"....the ship will break down larger bills for you...You don't want to carry a wad of small bills...too bulky...bring hundreds, and have the ship change them for you! The Casino is your best bet for getting smaller bills, but you have to do it when it's open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ula Posted December 18, 2009 #10 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I just said we never used a credit card in Mexico but the high fraud risk is a reason why we do not. The ship is good for small bills. But we attempt to never use credit cards in any port we visit so it is not just Mexico. We do not make major purchases in ports so it is not a big issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relin711 Posted December 22, 2009 #11 Share Posted December 22, 2009 However, if you have pesos, you would have gotten them at a 12.5/13 to 1 exchange rate. My understanding is that if you use US dollars, you'd likely only get a 10 to 1 exchange. Doesn't sound like much, but since it's so easy to get pesos, why pay 25% more right off the bat if you don't need to. I plan to have about $200-$300 USD worth of pesos (for a family of 6). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leighuf Posted December 22, 2009 #12 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I'd bring my VISA and US cash. If needed, use an atm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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