USD widely accepted?

Ive seen some older posts, but am wondering about current experience on a full Panama Canal transit, including for example Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia. Are USD widely accepted?

Ive seen some older posts, but am wondering about current experience on a full Panama Canal transit, including for example Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia. Are USD widely accepted?

While I have not been to Nicaragua, I never had any problem using USD in any of the mentioned countries. The only advice would be have smaller denominations so you can get near to the asking price, because you will likely receive change in local currency.

Since you are on a full transit you may not be stopping in Panama, but if you do, there is absolutely no problem with USDs there. Even though their monetary unit is called the Balboa, all paper currency is USD which is the legal tender. Panama does issue their own coins, but they are interchangeable with US coins.

We've had no problems using US dollars in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia.

There is that a joke about currency in Panama -- something to effect that the exchange rate for one Balboa is US four quarters.

We've had no problems using US dollars in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Colombia.

 

There is that a joke about currency in Panama -- something to effect that the exchange rate for one Balboa is US four quarters.

LOL:D Something else that will cause strange looks... is to inadvertently try and pass a Panamanian quarter to a store clerk here in the States!

Yes, the USA Currency will be widely accepted in each of these countries.

Keith