San Miguel Allende-lots of bank machines?
 

Is this the best way to go? Put $$ into our Canadian bank account and withdraw at ATM's in SMA? Are there lots of ATM's around the town? Do stores, restaurants etc. accept debit cards or do you have to pay with credit card and/or pesos? Thanks.

There are scores of ATMs: I use the Banorte on Calle San Francisco since it is a swipe machine and I never let go of the card.
Many places (more than a few restaurants) take cash (MXN peso) only and many stores will give serious discounts for cash.
No/low fee ATMs for cash and CC's are always the best choice(s).
We have not used debit cards for direct purchases so I don't know if many merchants accept those.
M

thanks for info..when we're in Europe I think the ATM is hooked into your chequing account only. Do you know if the ATM in Mexico is hooked into just one of your banking accounts? Thanks.

I think that is your call with your bank.

I have not had any bank savings acc'ts in many decades.

Oh! Muy Importante: Be sure to call and tell the banks you will be in Mexico, otherwise they may not "honor" any transactions.

M

My recollection is that you can access both savings and checking accounts when using Mexican ATM's - similar to what options you have back home.

mikemo, do you have an update on the problems some people had with the ATM machine at Banamex across from the Jardin? Still bad reports? Or does it seem to have been resolved? Thanks.

gm,
Banamex replaced all their ATM machines a couple weeks after the bad press reports. I have not seen nor heard anything new since maybe late April as I recall.
The lines at Banorte are always a few + deep, but the swipe machine seems to always have cash available.
M