Mexico - Peso vs USD
 

Hi All - I am going to MX for first time in years. Playa Del Carmen to be exact.
Is it better to exchange money @ the airport or wait until I get to PDC - or just use ATM's ?
Thanks

Wait until you get to PDC. Use ATM's only that are inside of banks not the ATM's on 5th ave. There has been a rash of skimming going on.

always use www.capitalone.com no FE fee visa CC

for all transactions and ATM from big banks only

not small ones because of "skimming"

www.coinmill.com will get you correct rate

You always get this with CC never with airport money changes

Avoid if possible...

There is at least one ATM right at Cancun airport, and the fee is under a dollar. Most but not all restaurants and shops now take credit cards. Nearly all will take US dollars, but you'll loose a little that way. No need to exchange money.

Wait until you arrive your destination and get peso from a bank ATM machine (not the kind you see freestanding in stores) or change cash at a cambio. If you need peso for some reason before getting to PdC, I'm sure there are ATM's at the Cancun airport.

I just walked into my local bank in Iowa and walked out ten minutes later for several thousand pesos. Couldn't be easier.

There is a new law in Mexico which has severely curtailed the amount of U.S. currency that any shop will accept. Plus, if you're in a foreign country you should use their currency at least in my opinion. Local stores (small mom and pop) and many restaurants will not take credit cards and even if they did I would not use them at all. Do not use your credit cards there as you would at home.

Sure it is easy enough to get peso from a bank in the U.S. but it is more expensive than getting them from an ATM machine once you are in Mexico. To determine the true cost for getting them at home you need to consider the fee (if any) AND the rate of exchange you are being given.