tene

I am going to Cancun in about 4 weeks, and I've been checking the exchange rate online. It's about 9 pesos to 1 US dollar right now, but will it be more economical for me to exchange some money in Cancun and pay for everything with pesos, or pay in US dollars?

Robert

You will get much different advice on this. I am in Mexico often and always use the peso. I find it much less confusing--and , in the long run, more cost effective. And, after all, it is the local currency!
Do exchange at local exchanges in Cancun or use banks or ATM's (my choice). Avoid the airport exchanges and hotels.

Robert

Jean Valjean

You'll get a better exchange rate if you pay for your purchses with your bank card (credit or debit). If you need pesos, maybe the best thing you can do is go to an ATM.

Clarisa

From other posts I know that Cancun is more willing to accept both charge cards and US dollar (than other places in Mexico; I vacation on the Pacific side). BUT you are in Mexico so I think it is polite, and usually more economical, to work in pesos only. Change at a bank or use an ATM. It couldn't be easier.

Mandy

It isn't necessary to change US $$ to pesos while in Cancun. 90% or better of merchants will accept US $$ or credit cards. I find using my debit credit card much easier and more economical because you don't have to mess with carrying a bunch of cash or exchanging money and you get a better exchange rate for your purchases when you use a credit card.

You will need to change a small amount of money into pesos to use for riding the bus and perhaps some small incidentals. That's one nice thing about Cancun, you don't have to worry about using foreign currency unless you want to.

Patty

If you're just staying in the Cancun area, it's not really necessary to change USD into pesos. We used our credit card to pay for just about everything (best exchange rate). What little cash we spent (taxi's, etc.), we paid in USD. It didn't seem to make much of a difference whether you pay in dollars or pesos.

joe

But if you use U.S. dollars in Mexico, people will use the exchange rate, correct? I just don't want to deal with people saying that something is 50 pesos but they will be glad to take 50 U.S. bucks instead.

D

I was just travelled in northern Mexico and it was definateley more economical to use pesos. For example a taxi ride I took was 10 dolars or 100 pesos. By using pesos I saved over a dollar. ATM's will get you the best rate of exchange, except for changing cash.

Lupe

WHAT EVER YOU DO, DON'T TAKE A DISCOVER CREDIT CARD! WE LEARNED THE HARD WAY, THAT NOBODY IN THE CANCUN AREA ACCEPTS THIS CREDIT CARD!!!

Celine

I think that you should carry some pesos (get them from an ATM), and if you can use your bank card somewhere, then use it and save your pesos from smaller vendors,etc...

As for the Discover card comment, I would never use Discover card, let alone apply for one, especially since I get 1-2 mailings A DAY from them!!

Debert

To get the most for your money bring a couple of hundred U.S. to covert to pesos on arrival- wherever you find a good exchange rate. Then use credit cards for major purchases and get more pesos from the ATM' S as needed. This is the cheapest way. Just make sure in transactions people know you are talking pesos and not dolares. This will save money.

peso

I don't understand why people resist using the peso in Mexico. Would you travel to Europe and refuse to exchange to Euro? Even if people *will* accept US dollar you will not get the best prices, believe me. Again, I keep wondering why this is such a hard concept for many on this BB. It wa a breeze to get 9.90 peso to $1US dollar most everywhere in Puerto Vallarta last month (casa de cambio, ATMs, even my hotel front desk).