Mexican currency: Cash, Credit cards, ATM´s

Cash

If you are flying into Cancun airport and your destination is Cancun, Riviera Maya or Tulum area, you will find that pretty much US dollars are well accepted. However, I do recommend you to get some cash at your arrival to the airport in Mexico, at least certain amount of mexican pesos, let´s say at least some $ 2,000.00 pesos which is about $ 100.00 USD.

At the airports you will not get the best exchange rate but that is better than buying pesos at your country.

Once you are already installed at your hotel or accommodation, then you can go and change a bigger amount depending on how many days or route you are spending in Mexico.

 I recommend to have various small bills ( notes) for small expenses and tips.

Some $ 20 and $ 50 pesos bills will do very good.

Also by bringing some $ 1.00 USD bills will be very handy.

ATM´s

These can be found very often in cities and big towns.

I recommend to use ATM´s that are inside the banks or that they belong to a known bank as they are safer and charge a lower commission for withdrawing than other ATM´s found around.

In most of the big supermarkets you can find ATM´s too.

Generally the ATM´s deliver mexican pesos MXN and the symbol of mexican pesos is the same as USD: $. So, don´t get confused and when you see at the screen that the commission they are charging is $ 65.00, don´t be afraid, it´s pesos, not dollars, around $ 3.00 USD.

But there are some ATM´s that give away US dollars, but it is well indicated in the ATM, and these are mainly in the touristic areas.

Changing money do work at some banks (opening hours: from 9 am to 3 pm), and also you will find Bureau exchange offices at the commercial areas where they will display what their exchange rate is.

In both cases, either bank or office, they will require your passport.

Credit and debit cards

Though Mexico still is pretty much a cash country, in many places they will accept credit cards, more often Visa and Mastercard than American Express.

Credit cards clonations exist in the country and so my recommendation is that if you are paying with your card somewhere, may this place to be a well stablished business or restaurant. Ask the waiter or person in charge to bring the terminal to you and do the charge in front of you, don’t let them take your card away from your watch. 

Anytime, when you make a withdrawal from an ATM, or pay either with your credit card or debit card, print a copy of your receipt for any further need.

Before your trip is done, and you are going back home, try to spend all your mexican pesos left before leaving, as they will not be too much wanted at your local banks, so is better to spend them in Mexico, even at the airport.