I've been everywhere in Mexico except Cancun, which I am going to next month. Everytime I go to mexico it is a different story with the currency. Ixtapa wants you to use the peso, Cabo wants U.S money and if you try to give pesos they don't like it. What does Cancun want me to use? Should I just bring American cash or travelers checks and exchange then for pesos?

Most stores and restaurants there give you the option of paying by dollars or pesos but if you pay by dollars and you have a change, they'll give it to you in pesos. You can bring your dollars and just have it exchanged there.

Peso is the official Mexican currency. I would have gone off on any Mexican that wouldn't want to accept their own currency (Greedy suckers). They know that they can get a better rate of exchange with dollars. Of course they want dollars. <BR><BR>Just take your travelers checks to the nearest "Casa de Cambio" (they're everywhere) and they'll give you the best rate on exchanging your dollars to pesos. Of course they take a very small commission on the excange, but it's minimal. If you go shopping with dollars, they give your change back in pesos and you'll lose money as they round down the change. That's also minimal but I would still change your dollars to pesos when you get there. Have fun.

is there a place you can go to to exchange currency without a charge? Can you also change your money back to dollars before you leave there?<BR>M

Anyplace is going to charge at least a minor commission. Even if you choose to change your money here in the United States, the banks will take a commission. It's unavoidable. But if you go to the Exchange Houses in Mexico, you'll get the best rate and lowest commissions. <BR><BR>Yes, you can change your pesos back to dollars. However, they'll also take their commission on that exchange. So you get hit on both ends when you do that. Just try to calculate what you need so you don't have to change pesos back to dollars.

For best exchange rates or lowest fees use ATMs and credit/debit cards as much as possible. Take some cash to excahnge for those situations where you can't use plastic.