Which credit cards do they accept in Mexico, specifically Playa Del Carmen?

MC, VISA, AMEX

how about in Oaxaca and PE? should i have the cash with me when i arrive or should i just use ATMs when i get there?

Can't say specific, Oaxaca or Puerto Escondido (or Playa) but I would never travel anywhere in Mexico without at least some cash (US, Canadian, Euro) to be able to change. Sure ATM's are the best, when you can find them, when they work, when they have money in them (they sometimes run out).<BR><BR>Regarding credit cards (this is true in 'old town' Puerto Vallarta) many smaller restaurants and shops don't accept them because of the high costs to them.<BR><BR>Summary, I take US cash and change it to peso, later withdraw peso from ATM as I need it, have a charge card for emergencies or hotel bill.

thanks, are there any good places to shop near Playa Del Carmin?<BR>

Unless I know that I specifically have to pay cash for something big (like my accommodation), I just take a small amount of US cash (usually no more than $100 USD) as a backup. I use my credit card whenever I can and when I can't, I withdraw cash from an ATM. Sayulita, where we spent a week in February, doesn't have a bank or ATM - we had to go to Bucerias to get cash, but we knew that ahead of time and just planned a little trip there. I don't like to carry a lot of cash with me - first of all, I don't like to convert from CAD to USD in Canada and then pesos in Mexico. Secondly, it's never safe to carry a lot of cash anywhere. So we tend to withdraw cash as we need it. <BR><BR>It is true that lots of smaller places don't accept cards.