Pesos

How many pesos do I need to take to port if I just want to do some very light shopping ( couple t shirts or clothing items, a few trinkets Keychain magnet mug etc) and lunch for 2 people?

How many pesos do I need to take to port if I just want to do some very light shopping ( couple t shirts or clothing items, a few trinkets Keychain magnet mug etc) and lunch for 2 people?

Only you know your own spending habits. Visa and MC are accepted at many stores and restaurants and are an OK option (especially if you have a card like CapitalOne that imposes zero foreign exchange fees. If you pay for anything with US dollars (widely accepted) pay particular attention to the exchange rate (if it is not posted you can ask). The Peso has lost a lot of value in recent months and the official exchange rate is now about 16.7 Pesos to $1. So you would ideally want to get at least 15:1. Beware of some merchants trying to use old rates (we have seen some as low as 10:1). In Puerto Vallarta (our winter home) both Walmart and Sams (across the main road from the cruise port) give very favorable exchange rates if you make purchases.

Hank

We never get any Pesos for short visits.

I would just pay in USA dollars for any small purchases.

Keith

It depends on the port and business whether we will use pesos or dollars.

We have no problem using dollars in a store, street vendor or restaurant in the tourist area. The further out we go, the more likely we'll use pesos.

We use $US at the supermarket and get change back in $Mex. They'll do a reasonable amount but not $100US for a $5 purchase.

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

How many pesos do I need to take to port if I just want to do some very light shopping ( couple t shirts or clothing items, a few trinkets Keychain magnet mug etc) and lunch for 2 people?

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

 

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

You don't "need" pesos. I know you will lose value when you buy $USD's and again when you use them in place of $Mexico pesos. There quite a few Canadian that live full time or for extended period in Mexico. I know they have Canadian affiliated banks in Vallarta.

Most visitors that prefer to use pesos will get them at a local ATM. Your bank, no matter if US or Canadian, will list in their fee section if the charge a foreign currency exchange fee. My bank doesn't have for credit card purchases but does charge a fee for ATM withdrawals. Even with the ATM foreign currency exchange fee, the fee rate is cheaper than buying pesos from my bank.

So, check with your bank to find out if they charge fees, what those fees are and see if you will retain a greater value by using an ATM to get your pesos vs. buying USD's and/or Pesos.

For budget planning purposes . . . "Stuff" made in Mexico is generally cheaper, but not that much. Transportation services are generally much cheaper. Everything else, in the tourist areas, cost about what you would pay at home. The real savings if found off the beaten path, in the stores and restaurants the local use.

Enjoy

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

 

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

Those ports are relatively cheap. If you move away from the most popular tourist areas, the food and trinkets (and exchange rates) become much cheaper and more reasonable. My family and I usually bring around 500 pesos (around $30 US) off onto each port which is enough for us to buy some street food (costs the four of us less than 150 pesos) and do some shopping (not including jewelry).

If you don't go to Mexico often, I would exchange $75-100 at most for three ports. A lot of small restaurants and street food vendors will give you a much better price if you pay with pesos.

However, my suggestions are based off of my spending habits, which aren't too high since my mom loves bargaining in Mexico :p. Another note, my numbers don't include alcohol as my family and I don't drink much in Mexico.

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

 

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

Not sure if you are aware that you can book and pay for your cruise directly with NCL at a great exchange rate (in Canadian dollars instead of U.S. dollars). You can also pay for the DSC in Canadian and get OBC in Canadian dollars. I think right now their exchange rate is 1.19 (I paid $1.11 when I booked with NCL last winter for my upcoming October cruise. The $1.11 exchange rate stays with my booking and anything I purchase is at that rate.

If you already booked with a US based web site you can't do it. You have to book with NCL directly or maybe a Canadian TA? We ended up cancelling our booking with the US TA and booked directly with NCL and we are saving a lot of money.

If you can't do any of the above then you can figure on spending about the same amount for food and drinks as you do at home. Bus fares are only 7.5 pesos (about 50 cents). Taxis are also reasonable. I don't bargain too much when buying local wares because I figure they work very hard for very little money. If I find the stated price reasonable I don't bargain at all. If it seems a little inflated I offer a lower amount.

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

 

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

Not sure if you are aware that you can book and pay for your cruise directly with NCL at a great exchange rate (in Canadian dollars instead of U.S. dollars). You can also pay for the DSC in Canadian and get OBC in Canadian dollars. I think right now their exchange rate is 1.19 (I paid $1.11 when I booked with NCL last winter for my upcoming October cruise. The $1.11 exchange rate stays with my booking and anything I purchase is at that rate.

If you already booked with a US based web site you can't do it. You have to book with NCL directly or maybe a Canadian TA? We ended up cancelling our booking with the US TA and booked directly with NCL and we are saving a lot of money.

You can figure on spending about the same amount for food and drinks as you do at home. Bus fares are only 7.5 pesos (about 50 cents). Taxis are also reasonable. I don't bargain too much when buying local wares because I figure they work very hard for very little money. If I find the stated price reasonable I don't bargain at all. If it seems a little inflated I offer a lower amount.

The touristy restaurants can be more expensive than the more 'local' restaurants.

In Cabo you (for 2) could spend $40 at one of the Medano Beach Restaurants or less than $20 at a smaller restaurant.

In Cabo (is that first on your itin?) there is a Cambio behind the lighthouse along the marina. You'll need your passport to make any exchange. Rates are better at ATM's though.

We brought $500 over in pesos and ended up spending $150

We used pesos for excursions, taxis, local hole in the wall places and Walmart trinkets

I guesstimate that we saved 30% based on bargaining and the mere fact that prices quoted are much lower when you say you can pay with pesos

My local Wells Fargo in the US didn't charge any fees and it wasn't any hassle to just get it in advance the same day

You can definitely go to an ATM over there or a cambio but I just wanted everything done in advance before the trip

Not sure if you are aware that you can book and pay for your cruise directly with NCL at a great exchange rate (in Canadian dollars instead of U.S. dollars). You can also pay for the DSC in Canadian and get OBC in Canadian dollars. I think right now their exchange rate is 1.19 (I paid $1.11 when I booked with NCL last winter for my upcoming October cruise. The $1.11 exchange rate stays with my booking and anything I purchase is at that rate.

 

If you already booked with a US based web site you can't do it. You have to book with NCL directly or maybe a Canadian TA? We ended up cancelling our booking with the US TA and booked directly with NCL and we are saving a lot of money.

Thanks. We booked in cdn with a Canadian TA.

Thanks. We booked in cdn with a Canadian TA.

Lucky you. It will save you a lot of money. You can read on other posts (under NCL) that you can purchase on board credit (it will be at the same rate as your booking). If you have any OBC left over at the end of the cruise you can get it back by going to the casino and you pay 3% (better than any exchange at a bank). Lots of info on cc as noted above.

As far as t-shirts in Mexico they are very reasonable. You would pay less than $10 and lunch can be had for 2 for under $20 (depending where you eat of course).

We'll be on the Miracle soon with three stops in Mexico. We purchased 4800 pesos at our bank for $313 dollars, we lost about $20 dollars in exchange rate differences and the fee. We should make that up and come out ahead using pesos due to poor exchange rates at restaurants and bars.

Mostly we just want the convenience of using pesos to pay the menu price. If we use dollars we are forced to use the restaurant's exchange rate, which might be as low at 10 to 1. There is no arguing with them if they want 6 bucks for a 66 peso menu price. It will be fun using pesos rather than dollars, all part of the experience.

Any leftovers will be used on our Christmas cruise!

Richjoxyz---Which bank did you get your pesos at?

Thanks. We are Canadian so using a credit card would have foreign exchange fees.

 

Having never been to mexico, and visiting via NCL Jewel ship to Cabo, PV and Mazatlan for one day each, I guess I was more wondering what things cost? People say it's cheap...but in reality what does that translate too. We have to get US dollars of course and this already is a 30% increase....trying to budget. Thanks.

I'm not sure of your exact location, but if you are anywhere near Vancouver or suburbs, you will find several currency exchange locations. I purchased some pesos recently at Kingmart for approx 12 pesos to $1CDN with no additional fees. You can check different locations online to get comparative rates.

For longer stays, I believe ATM's are likely best option, but pre-purchasing pesos allows you to step off ship and go. It does increase costs to do double conversion of Cdn$ to US$ to pesos, which is not ideal these days.

Some ports would have Cdn exchange sites, but I don't think rate is any better. Also, if you do use your credit card, it is best to have it go through as local currency and not convert to CDN $ at time of transaction.

I hope this is helpful.

I'm not sure of your exact location, but if you are anywhere near Vancouver or suburbs, you will find several currency exchange locations. I purchased some pesos recently at Kingmart for approx 12 pesos to $1CDN with no additional fees. You can check different locations online to get comparative rates.

 

For longer stays, I believe ATM's are likely best option, but pre-purchasing pesos allows you to step off ship and go. It does increase costs to do double conversion of Cdn$ to US$ to pesos, which is not ideal these days.

 

Some ports would have Cdn exchange sites, but I don't think rate is any better. Also, if you do use your credit card, it is best to have it go through as local currency and not convert to CDN $ at time of transaction.

 

I hope this is helpful.

Thanks I am indeed in Metro Van and have used Kingmark before as they have the best rates and no fees. I will get pesos beforehand as I don't want to waste time looking for atms with a kid and mother in tow!