Hello,

Looking to find out from others who have traveled to all-inclusive resorts in areas of Cabo San Lucas, Cancun and Playa del Carmen if you exchanged some of your US dollars into pesos? Also, if you did, did you exchange them in the US before going or did you somewhere in Cabo San Lucas, Cancun or Playa del Carmen? Any other infromation regarding money and exchange is appreciated as well!

Thank you.

I always get pesos, my small community bank does not carry any foreign currency. Usually I have some left over from my last trip and then get pesos from a bank owned ATM. Let your ATM card issuer know you will be in Mexico and your dates so they do not block your card. Have also exchanged at hotel but they will not give you a very good rate, one place on Isla Mujeres only gave me 11-1 2 years ago.

I've never gone to an All Inclusive resort, but I vacation in Puerto Vallarta every year (and have been to Cabo once).

I order peso from my home bank sometimes, but there is a fee and not the best exchange rate, but it is convenient.

I use a bank ATM once I arrive Mexico, that will give you the best exchange rate, any fees depend on your own home bank.

You can change cash-for-cash at your resort front desk (some give fair rates, some don't, you just have to check) or at a "cambio" (these are exchange booths or windows you'll find around downtown areas, daily rates posted.

To know approximate rates I look at www.xe.com knowing those are the daily bank rates, so you'll never get quite that much, but it will give you a ballpark of what is the going rate.

When you use an ATM once you get in Mexico to exchange currency, do you use one at the airport or an ATM at the resort?

I use the ATM at a bank only or my resort.

You are not "exchanging" anything, you are using your debit card to withdraw peso directly.

You want an actual Mexican Bank ATM (Scotia, Santanders, Bancomer, etc.) - so probably not one at the resort (which is likely a stand-alone type with extra fees).

I don't know Cancun, but when I arrive PV there is a line of 4 of them (different banks) in the airport's main lobby.

Or they are in downtown, might be inside or outside their associated banks, just like you'd see at home.

I've never arrived in Cancun, but at other Mexican airports where I have arrived, I have always used a bank ATM at the airport, just as I exit immigration and customs. Then to get more cash as I need it, I use an ATM at a bank.

I always use the ATM when I arrive at Cancun airport. You will see them as just before you exit the terminal. Just FYI, dollars are usually accepted at the resorts and a lot of other places, but you won't get the best exchange rate. There are a few things to look out for - some machines only have Spanish, and the fees vary considerably, usually higher in resorty places. If I remember correctly, the airport ATM fees are not too bad - a dollar or two. Also realize the amounts are usually in pesos, so $500 is about $50 in US dollars.

Good advice, like the others said be sure to use only bank owned ATMs and not private ones like Cashola if they are even around any more and do NOT use ATMs that dispense USD as you will get a nasty surprise when you get your bank statement at how much you are charged.

I have used ATMs in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. I seem to recall they were actually hard to find in Cancun, at least where I was (Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, a hotel I loved). I mean real bank ATMs were hard to find although I thikn I did finally somewhere.

In PDC, a lot of merchants (stores and restaurants) actually do give you a very good exchange rate, which surprised me, as they don't in other countries where I've been (like Europe). Meaning if you pay in USD, their conversion rate was actually fairly close to bank rate. And so do some of the kiosks on 5th ave or Constitucion. Some places did not, however, so you really have to know the rate if you go that route. I was with someone who hadn't traveled abroad much at all, so she wanted to pay USD and that's why I saw the various exchange rates posted by stores and restaurants. I wouldn't count on that unless you just really don't want to use ATMs for some reason. You do have to go a block or two off the main drag to find them in PDC, also, but I checked online where they were near my hotel ahead of time (bank ATMs).

Another thing you can do is send yourself money via your local Wal-Mart. Check and be sure there is Wal-mart where you are going there are several in mexico. Example:
Take $500 to wal-mart fill out form, they will give you the day rate say 15x1 would be 7500 pesos. On arrive go to local wal-mart with ID (service desk) show them receipt
bingo you have 7500 pesos and the cost is nil it is like $5.00 for under 1000.00. Much better than what bank does.
I have done this several times in Puerto Vallarta.

Wow Joanne, thanks for the tip!

Thank you everyone!

The Walmart idea is clever, but I would think it's a lot simpler to just use the ATM at the airport or wherever than to go thru the hassle of going to a Walmart.

Some people who are in Puerto Vallarta for long stretches use the Walmart method, I've read about it over on the Trip Advisor PV forum).

For me for a short vacation (two weeks) it would be very inconvenient and no cheaper than using an ATM closer to where I stay.