use credit cards in cabo?

[jdemps]

Anyone have experience with using credit cards in cabo at the restaurants/bars? Do we have to ask to be charged in pesos or is that automatic? Our card has no foreign transaction fees. Thx.

[Ine]

You are better of paying cash, either in US$ or in Pesos. Bring small bills as change will be in Pesos. Maybe you pay a little more in US$ but not all places accept creditcard and sometimes they have a surcharge for using creditcard.

[CruiserBruce]

If you do use credit card, have them charge the card in pesos, then allow the bank to do the exchange. That gets you the best rates. This is common advice worldwide.

 

Otherwise, I would agree with Ine. Cash (pesos) is the best way to go, overall.

Edited October 26, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[jdemps]

If you do use credit card, have them charge the card in pesos, then allow the bank to do the exchange. That gets you the best rates. This is common advice worldwide.

 

Otherwise, I would agree with Ine. Cash (pesos) is the best way to go, overall.

 

Do you have to ask to charge in pesos or is it automatic? I have never had to ask in other countries to be charged in their currency but it seems like comments suggest you have to ask for it.

[islacruzer]

Any restaurant in Mexico that uses an HSBC bank for credit card terminals, will spit out a receipt that has the amount in pesos and the amount in dollars. The hard part would be to have to determine which restaurants have these card machines. I have yet to travel to Cabo but I've been to a lot of places on the Baja Peninsula and this is what I can attest to

 

 

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[Hlitner]

We live in Mexico for the winter months (for the past 10 years) and can offer some guidance. Many restaurants and bars, especially the ones that cater to tourism, will accept MC or Visa. Your transaction will be in Pesos (keep in mind that Pesos use the same $ symbol as the US Dollar). If your credit card has no foreign transaction fees (such as Capitalone) you will get a terrific exchange rate. But many cards do charge a foreign transaction fee ranging from 2-4% so you might want to check this out for your card and act accordingly. Personally, when we are in residence in Puerto Vallarta, we minimize our credit card use in favor of getting lots of Pesos from ATMs. This is because there have been too many credit card issues in Mexico. Twice, in the past 5 years...we have had our credit card number stolen (likely by waiters) and used for unauthorized charges. Not a major problem in the USA because the credit card companies take care of it...but then have to issue you a new credit card. This can also happen anywhere in the USA....but it seems to happen more in Mexico. So just be aware..and if you do use your credit card...make sure to watch your credit card account for the following few months.

 

Just another important hint. Many Mexican shops and restaurants will accept US Dollars for payment, but the exchange rate they give you will vary all over the place. So check the current international rate of exchange (xe.com is a great place for this info) and no that rate. If a merchant is giving you something close to the real rate (these days we would want about 18:1) then all is fine and pay with dollars. But many merchants will give you a lousy rate (perhaps 15:1) in which case you do not want to pay in dollars. If they do not display their exchange rate...either ask....or do your own calculation before you pay. Some places will display prices in both dollars and Pesos....but many do not!

 

Hank

Edited October 26, 2016 by Hlitner

[LondonTowner]

We find that throughout Europe these days we are asked if we wish to pay in GBP or local currency. It is always best to pay in local currency.

 

When you insert your card in the machine it recognises in which country it was issued. The machine then asks you to choose the currency. I imagine it works the same way in Mexico.

[filthybeagle]

Not sure where you all live, but check with your local AAA office to see if they sell pesos. Ours in Southern California does and at a fairly favorable exchange rate. Makes things very easy. The only caveat is that they sell in increments of $100 USD.

 

 

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[CWcruisers]

Another Mexico snowbird here, I live in Cabo in the winter and I do not use credit cards in restaurants, only at Wal Mart & Costco.

 

Also, be sure to check you bill if running a tab, there have been a few incidents lately at one particular beach restaurant, where people are being charged for things they did not order.

[igraf]

Just pay in US dollars for small expenditures. Don't worry too much about the exchange rate as the extra buck they get from you is better than going through the hassle of fixing credit card fraud while on vacation. Bring an extra supply of US $1s, $5s and $10s.

 

igraf

[pulledporky]

OP: You did not ask for opinions about using a CC in Mexico, but...

I would never hand a card over to someone in Mexico who will walk away and scan it. That is just not a good idea. Follow the advice from those that spend a lot of time in Mexico (Ine, CW, Hlitner). Leave the CC in the safe in your cabin.

 

 

 

 

Plenty of discussions on this board about getting pesos before you go.

 

Where I live AAA charges 20% more than BofA for exchanges. AAA has a $8 service fee, BofA is $7.50. If you want to get pesos, shop around a bit.

 

Lots of folks on here just use a trusted ATM machine in Mexico, but I don't know where any of those are (in Cabo there is one in or near the mall?).

 

Unless you're going to make a major purchase, or just enjoy getting pesos ahead of time as part of your vacation experience (like me), follow igraf's advice: just take good 'ol USD (in small denominations).

Edited November 2, 2016 by pulledporky
added first line

[CWcruisers]

There is a trusted ATM machine in Cabo in the Win Win Casino which is one block back from the marina on Marina Blvd, across and down the street from Diamonds International.

 

Also, behind the Tesoro is a bank ATM machine that is also a trusted ATM.

 

Do Not use the ATM's that line the marina, the green ones, they are the ones that are the easiest to put a card reader in.