What kind of small bills . . .?

[nynewfies]

I have been reading that plastic is not accepted in town and the nearest bank is many miles away. Do places like Tapas accept US currency? If so, are the menus printed with prices in US or do you need to do the conversion?

[Lynda S]

We were there in Dec, and I found that even though I had pesos, USD was the currency of choice of the shop owners! Tapas graciously accepted my pesos, at a very fair rate of exchange, but one shop owner said 'oh no, please USD if you can.' All shops that we were at gave me prices in USD, as well as Tapas' menu is in USD.
There is an ATM at the cruise ship 'resort' on the pier - but what it dispenses I couldn't really tell you!
Now on the other hand, we found Cozumel had their prices mainly in pesos.
Conversion is easy though - or was at the time in Dec - 1000 pesos was USD 1.00. (hope I have my decimal right....)

[nynewfies]

Thanks so much for the information. I'm happy to do what's easiest in whatever port I'm in, so I guess USD will be the way to go. I'm looking forward to visiting your restaurant willy&laviuda. After all I've read on these boards I wouldn't miss it.

[mukluk]

The peso is worth 11.2 pesos to $1.00. Linda you were off by 2 decimals. 1000 pesos=$89.But most stores would post the product at 1000 pesos or $100.00. You always get a better deal when you buy in pesos. Better yet if you can use a credit card you will get the peso to $ rate at the time.

[Beach Boy]

Good idea to pay in pesos. The problem is that there aren't places to exchange US currency for pesos. Seems that the tourism phenomenon is making local people prefer dollars. Everywhere you go they'll accept dollars. I wouldn't worry about conversion they'll give you all prices in dollars.

[nynewfies]

Thanks Beach Boy. It's probably similar to when we go to Canada each summer. If you exchange currency at a bank or government currency exchange, you get the true rate. However, if you use US dollars at a store, you get a less favorable exchange rate. Since I am only buying incidentals or a fast food meal when I first cross the border it isn't a big deal one way or the other. For large purchases I use a credit card or head to a bank first.