$$ in Mexico

[suziehmkr]

Hello fellow sailers!

Haven't been to Mexico for years, and when we did it was simply Ensenada.

Do most restaurants in Mexico take US$$ or will we need to trade out? Mainly wondering about CaboWabo in Cabo and restaurants in Puerta Vallarta. I know that Victors in Maz does accept US$ It seems to me that most will, but I thought I would check. I am more than a little leary using my credit card in Mexico.

Thanks!
Tina

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Legend of the Seas 06/13/04

<font color=purple>Viking Serenade 6/1992

</font>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=885107111"]Roll Call Legend of the Seas 06/13/04 Click Here![/url]

[This message was edited by suziehmkr on 05-20-04 at 04:41 PM.]

[tinydancer21]

OH! Good question! I was wondering the same thing! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[karfest]

Everyone will GLADLY take your dollars! You may get pesos for change, though. We had no problem using dollars at any restaurant, store, bar, cab, etc. that we went to. Most figure a 10-1 exchange rate, you will get about 11-1 if you use your credit card.

Karen
Carnival Inspiration
RCCL Grandeur of the Seas
NCL Sun
Dawn Princess
up next- NCL Star to Mexico!

[suziehmkr]

Thanks karfest!!

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Legend of the Seas 06/13/04

<font color=purple>Viking Serenade 6/1992

</font>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=885107111"]Roll Call Legend of the Seas 06/13/04 Click Here![/url]

[tinydancer21]

I know I am a complete idiot but what do you mean by 10-1/11-1? Is that 10 pesos to every one dollar? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

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9/04 Pride Second Anniversary, First Honeymoon!

[suziehmkr]

You are not a complete idiot. That IS what it means, so you got it right. Makes it easy to figure out. When you see something that is 700 pesos, it will cost you $70US.

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Legend of the Seas 06/13/04

<font color=purple>Viking Serenade 6/1992

</font>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=885107111"]Roll Call Legend of the Seas 06/13/04 Click Here![/url]

[SweetEmi]

Last time I was in Mexico it was like 3000 pesos per US dollar...something like that.

Anyway....couple of questions...

1) Why don't you want to use your credit card in Mexico?

2) Why do you get more pesos/dollar if you do use the credit card (or I'm I backwards on that?)

3) Does your dollar go further if you use your US dollars or exchange to pesos and I am assuming that in So Cal it would be pretty easy to exchange to pesos in the banks there, right? OR for that matter, would it be better to exchange at a bank in Mexico?

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Thanks!

Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[suziehmkr]

SweetEmi - the only one that I can answer is #1 - I am leary in a foreign country. It is just too easy for people to get the card info and use it as they wish. I know that cc companies are good about not charging you for misuse, but who wants to go thru that and deal with the mess? And across international lines even. I know I don't. Cash it will be for me... unless necessary.

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Legend of the Seas 06/13/04

<font color=purple>Viking Serenade 6/1992

</font>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=885107111"]Roll Call Legend of the Seas 06/13/04 Click Here![/url]

[SweetEmi]

Suzie: That is a very good philosophy. I've never used my credit cards in a foreign country either, though I know some who say you get more bang for your buck sometimes for reasons that are "beyond my pretty little head." lol!!

Who knows...I may find something I MUST have and don't have the cash for - but I doubt it. I'm not a big impulse buyer.

BTW: The current peso/dollar system is much easier. Before I remember it was pretty tough trying to figure out what to tip on a 85,000 peso meal...had to carry the calculator with me everywhere!

Thanks!
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[Palomino]

I have used credit cards in Mexico many many many times as we travel there frequently. I have never had any problem with fraud. I worry more about fraud here at home. By using my credit card I get the best exchange rate (from the bank), and I don't have to worry about having a lot of cash with me. I stopped paying in cash, especially on longer trips to Mexico, when I noticed the terrible exchange rate some restaurants were giving.

[karfest]

They use the 10-1 system just because it's easier to figure out and it works in their favor. My husband bought a shirt that was 250 pesos so for us mathematically challenged people, we knew it was about $25.00. We used a credit card so it was actually a little less. This only applies in the big stores and restaurants, everything else you will baragin on the price. I think they did well when I shopped becasue I don't haggle well.
We used a credit card for most purchases and had no problem. Remember to take a lot of small bills for tips, etc. Most cabs will not make change for anything larger than a 5.

A good book is "Mexican Beaches for Dummies" I used it alot for reference before and during our trip.

Karen
Carnival Inspiration-So Carib
RCCL Grandeur of the Seas-East Carib
NCL Sun-West Carib
Dawn Princess-Mexican Riviera
up next- NCL Star to Mexico!

[SweetEmi]

Karen: Good idea on the Dummies book - if only I had time to read. I got a book on Disneyland and have looked at some of it when I can. Maybe I'll go and see if Amazon.com has it and how much.

Thanks!
Emi

NCL Star-08/31/03 in Hawaii!
NCL Star-11/13/04 to Mexico!
Alaska summer 2005!

[sdl]

A few helpful pointers for those going to PV (might apply to other stops, but not sure):

-The current exchange rate is well over 11-1, and the ATMs will generally give the same or better rates than using your CC.

If you choose to use your CC:
Many CC companies charge a fee for converting from international currencies, so check with yours before you choose to use it.
There is a very serious cloning problem in PV with Credit Cards in stores and restaurants, etc. I highly recommend against using one at all, but if you need to do so or choose to do so DO NOT use the one linked to your checking account as you have no recourse for fraudulent charges.
Also, don't forget to tell the CC co. that you will be in Mexico, and the dates to-from so they will not lock your card on you.

-For those that would like to use pesos:
There are ATMs at the banks, pharmacies, etc that will give you pesos.
You will need to have a 4-digit PIN to use them, and memorize the numbers as they use no letters.
Make sure the ATM is either inside a business and/or has a glass enclosure that requires sliding your ATM card to enter and the door WORKS- do not trust any that are broken that are stand-alone, or if the machine is not inside a business if free-standing.
Exchanging pesos back to USD$ is a losing proposition, so try and only get an amount you expect to spend.

For those that choose to use USD$:
Cabbies have trouble making change of as little as 10-20 pesos, which is only 1-2US$, so you could have a real problem even if they accept USD$.
US Coin money are not accepted, PERIOD.
Many businesses in the off-season (not from Dec-April) have very little cash indeed in the stores, and that's in pesos- although maybe those close to the port may have more.
You may find your money refused at some places and by some cabbies-in fact, some businesses have signs saying they only take Pesos...
The reasons:
the peso is stable, inflation is gone, and the horrid lines in the banks they need to stand in to exchange them into Pesos are all incentives to avoid taking USD.

Just some food for thought,
S

[suziehmkr]

Wow! Thanks for the great info!!

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Legend of the Seas 06/13/04

<font color=purple>Viking Serenade 6/1992

</font>
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=885107111"]Roll Call Legend of the Seas 06/13/04 Click Here![/url]

[rkr]

Thanks for your sound advise. We plan on bringing pesos with us and using our credit card at "name" places. We called Amex and told them we were in Mexico and to monitor excessively, suspicious spending. Today's exchange rate ( 8/6/04) is 11.45 pesos to 1 US dollar. When you use your credit card, you will be given that day's exchange rate which is better in most cases than the store's exchange rate. They round it out to 10 to 1 or 11 to 1 for their reason which is more $$ for them. Beware! Be careful ! Use good sense...that's the key.
Have fun and drink lots of tequila.
Kathy

[quote name='sdl']A few helpful pointers for those going to PV (might apply to other stops, but not sure):

-The current exchange rate is well over 11-1, and the ATMs will generally give the same or better rates than using your CC.

If you choose to use your CC:
Many CC companies charge a fee for converting from international currencies, so check with yours before you choose to use it.
There is a very serious cloning problem in PV with Credit Cards in stores and restaurants, etc. I highly recommend against using one at all, but if you need to do so or choose to do so DO NOT use the one linked to your checking account as you have no recourse for fraudulent charges.
Also, don't forget to tell the CC co. that you will be in Mexico, and the dates to-from so they will not lock your card on you.

-For those that would like to use pesos:
There are ATMs at the banks, pharmacies, etc that will give you pesos.
You will need to have a 4-digit PIN to use them, and memorize the numbers as they use no letters.
Make sure the ATM is either inside a business and/or has a glass enclosure that requires sliding your ATM card to enter and the door WORKS- do not trust any that are broken that are stand-alone, or if the machine is not inside a business if free-standing.
Exchanging pesos back to USD$ is a losing proposition, so try and only get an amount you expect to spend.

For those that choose to use USD$:
Cabbies have trouble making change of as little as 10-20 pesos, which is only 1-2US$, so you could have a real problem even if they accept USD$.
US Coin money are not accepted, PERIOD.
Many businesses in the off-season (not from Dec-April) have very little cash indeed in the stores, and that's in pesos- although maybe those close to the port may have more.
You may find your money refused at some places and by some cabbies-in fact, some businesses have signs saying they only take Pesos...
The reasons:
the peso is stable, inflation is gone, and the horrid lines in the banks they need to stand in to exchange them into Pesos are all incentives to avoid taking USD.

Just some food for thought,
S[/QUOTE]

[srphnx]

[b][color=black]As an aside, I live in Phoenix, am always annoyed I have to tell the ATM I want to transact in English insead of Spanish, when I am in Mexico, I LOVE that I have the English option. :D I use the ATMs and do business in pesos, you get more for the buck.[/color][/b]