Mexico Adventure

Your Mexico Information Connection

Money and Banking in Mexico

We recommend changing $20-$30 into pesos before leaving the U.S./Canada so that you will arrive in Mexico with pesos to pay for cab fare or bus fare to your local destination.  Carrying $20 or so in one dollar bills is also great for tipping.

Credit cards (Visa and MC) are widely accepted at most major tourist destinations, but not so much in smaller towns or towns off the beaten path.  When checking into hotels, customers are often asked to sign a blank charge slip for incidental expenses.  This is normal and shouldn't be viewed with suspicion. Visitors can access ATMs throughout Mexico (Bancomer, one of Mexico's largest banks is in the Cirrus and PLUS systems).  Some visitors choose to keep their money in the U.S. and make withdrawals via ATM while in Mexico.  Keep in mind that there may be daily limits on the amount of money you can withdraw.

Dollars are accepted throughout most of Mexico, but we recommend using pesos during your stay.  The worst exchange rates are often at hotels and the best at casa de cambio (exchange houses) that are open longer and offer quicker service.  There are no exchange fees.