Best exchange rate w/o ATM
 

We do not use ATMs because we always have enough cash on hand, plus we don't want to start having to investigate ATM fees. What do you suggest for getting best exchange rate on US$ to pesos either before we leave for Cancun area or upon our arrival? We are going to Puerto Morelos. Thanks.

I know Puerto Vallarta not Cancun but assume it's the same.

It's a better rate if you wait until you are in Mexico than you would get from banks in the U.S.

Once you arrive you can exchange cash at a bank or "casa de cambio" (exchange booth) daily rates are posted.

(You carry ALL cash for your entire vacation with you?)

OK, thanks, that's what I needed to know.

p.s. We do carry cash, but we always prepay our vacations and often stay in AIs, so we don't have to carry all that much.

I found the opposite to be true, suze. In Puerto Morelos the exchange rate was 100 pesos for $10.50. Here in the States I was able to buy 100 pesos for $8.60.

I'm surprised to hear it is so different on the other coast. I have never heard of being able to exchange cheaper at home (US) than in Mexico.

Also realize rates do change all the time. Right now, as example, bank rate showing on XE is $1USD to 13.32 peso (rather than the approx. 1 = 10 it's been for several years).

We go to Puerto Morelos several times a year and always use the ATM at the grocery store. A screen comes up saying it's going to charge us a fee, but the fee doesn't appear on our bank stmt. The bank must just build the fee into the total. We always check the exchange rate (including the built in fee) we get in these transactions and it's always as good or better than the rates available elsewhere. It's also very nice to not carry a lot of cash.

The atms at Ojo de Agua and the little mall next to Martins, do charge an additional fee. I can't remember the amount but it's a significant fee just for using that machine, not a bank fee.

There's also an ATM at the airport that doesn't have an additional machine fee.

Always know the correct

daily FOREX rate...

1 U.S. dollar= 13.2399476 Pesos

Usually go to biggest bank I canfind

change large amounts get this FOREX

rate plus small exchange fees.

Avoid casasdecambios usually ripoffs

Also use a no ATM fee CapitalOneVisa

Get this FOREX rate plus can

contest charges if bad experience..

1 Mexican peso = 0.075529 U.S. dollars

so 100 pesos for $7.55 or so plus

small exchange fee

would be correct as of today...

You can check daily. Peso a bit stronger today.
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency/co...submit=Convert