Mexican ports

Do we need pesos in these ports or do they accept US dollars?

Most shops and vendors accept US$ but only for smaller amounts. Change often will be in Pesos. So try not to bring notes like US$ 10,- or higher

Shops like Walmart will not be such a problem. At the moment you get about 12 Pesos for 1 US$, however sometimes you will get only 10 to 1.

Most shops and vendors accept US$ but only for smaller amounts. Change often will be in Pesos. So try not to bring notes like US$ 10,- or higher

Shops like Walmart will not be such a problem. At the moment you get about 12 Pesos for 1 US$, however sometimes you will get only 10 to 1.

Will taxis accept US dollars or do they prefer pesos?

Should we exchange our dollars to pesos at home at local bank or at cruise port? Are there fees? Which way is best and why? Thanks for your help.:)

We bring a wad of single $1 bills into port, some $5, a few $10, and a few $20

We are generous and never wait for change... (In Mexico, everything is slow, getting change from a purchase... can be slowest)

Sure you loose some $, but save TIME

TIME IN PORT OFF A CRUISE SHIP IS PRECIOUS

btw... we change large bills into $1's and $5's at the guest services desk. Great stop to make while walk'n about on the ship, sometimes they have limits, so multiple stops at the guest services desk.

We use credit card for many purchases in port = best exchange rate, very little wait

!!! AND YES... TAXI'S TAKE DOLLAR CASH... NEGOTIATE FARES IN ADVANCE IN DOLLARS !!!

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Most shops and vendors accept US$ but only for smaller amounts. Change often will be in Pesos. So try not to bring notes like US$ 10,- or higher

Shops like Walmart will not be such a problem. At the moment you get about 12 Pesos for 1 US$, however sometimes you will get only 10 to 1.

WalMart posts their exchange rate at the front by the check out registers. Always found WalMart to be fair.

Do we need pesos in these ports or do they accept US dollars?

Will taxis accept US dollars or do they prefer pesos?

This seems to be one of those topics that tend to generate passionate responses.

It is hard to say what is "preferred". Changes in banking laws make it more difficult for some to accept dollars while others can make extra income on the shifts in the exchange rate.

In my opinion, the average cruise passenger will do just fine with USD’s for your port visits. Those of us that vacation regularly in Mexico tend to use pesos because, over time, we save quite a bit of money.

As others will point out: 1) US “coins” are not accepted; 2) Do not “expect” to get USD’s in change; 3) Taxi drivers, bus drivers, street vendors are not math wizards. Expect to get a 10:1 exchange rate. Established taxi and bus fares are in pesos. An 80 peso taxi fare will cost $8 USD’s if paid in dollars (actual cost $5.95 USD paid in pesos at today’s exchange rate).

If you choose to use pesos, get them at your first port. ATM’s spit out pesos and there is always a “cambio” (currency exchange) nearby. ATM and foreign currency exchange fees are determines by your card issuer. The “cambio” fee is built into a slightly lower exchange rate. The exchange rate as I type this is 1 USD = 13.47 pesos. The cambio may offer, say, 12.9 pesos for 1 USD.

Mexico is still a cash economy. Merchants will pass on the credit card vendor fee directly to you in the form of a higher price. They use the “$” just like us. Assume the displayed price is in pesos unless you see USD on the price tag.

Enjoy!!

Taxis accepting US dollars, we were there last week.

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We were in Cabo, LaPaz, Loreto and Puerto Vallarta last week and used US Dollars in every port with no issues :)

This seems to be one of those topics that tend to generate passionate responses.

 

It is hard to say what is "preferred". Changes in banking laws make it more difficult for some to accept dollars while others can make extra income on the shifts in the exchange rate.

 

In my opinion, the average cruise passenger will do just fine with USD’s for your port visits. Those of us that vacation regularly in Mexico tend to use pesos because, over time, we save quite a bit of money.

 

As others will point out: 1) US “coins” are not accepted; 2) Do not “expect” to get USD’s in change; 3) Taxi drivers, bus drivers, street vendors are not math wizards. Expect to get a 10:1 exchange rate. Established taxi and bus fares are in pesos. An 80 peso taxi fare will cost $8 USD’s if paid in dollars (actual cost $5.95 USD paid in pesos at today’s exchange rate).

 

If you choose to use pesos, get them at your first port. ATM’s spit out pesos and there is always a “cambio” (currency exchange) nearby. ATM and foreign currency exchange fees are determines by your card issuer. The “cambio” fee is built into a slightly lower exchange rate. The exchange rate as I type this is 1 USD = 13.47 pesos. The cambio may offer, say, 12.9 pesos for 1 USD.

 

Mexico is still a cash economy. Merchants will pass on the credit card vendor fee directly to you in the form of a higher price. They use the “$” just like us. Assume the displayed price is in pesos unless you see USD on the price tag.

 

Enjoy!!

Great post and very good information. The only thing that I might add is although cab drivers may not be "math wizards", they are plenty savvy about knowing the value of both the Peso, and the Dollar. They may try to offer you 10-1, but if you come back with an offer that is more favorable for you, they often concede.

If you plan to purchase high value items, then yes, you should have Pesos. Small purchases, beverages, and even inexpensive food items, Dollars work fine. Carry a "cheat sheet" showing the exchange rates, and bargain from there. (Yahoo has a great currency converter that you can print out, and it is not much larger than a credit card. Easy to carry.)

Never have had a problem using the $US ... but we do take small bills! :)

LuLu