Cash for Ports

[carohs]

Getting closer to sail date and I'm trying to budget/plan how much cash to bring. There's 4 ports Mex Riviera and we're exploring on our own. I know many businesses will take cc but I'm thinking tips, street vendors, or taxis would need cash. I could plan extra and leave in the safe? What do you all do? 

Then I was thinking maybe if I don't plan enough I could hit a local bank or even get some on the ship. There is an ATM right? The advantage/disadvantage would be the local bank would process the transaction in local currency. 

[jdc987]

20 minutes ago, carohs said:

Getting closer to sail date and I'm trying to budget/plan how much cash to bring. There's 4 ports Mex Riviera and we're exploring on our own. I know many businesses will take cc but I'm thinking tips, street vendors, or taxis would need cash. I could plan extra and leave in the safe? What do you all do? 

Then I was thinking maybe if I don't plan enough I could hit a local bank or even get some on the ship. There is an ATM right? The advantage/disadvantage would be the local bank would process the transaction in local currency. 

Ship will break bills, bring hundred dollar bills.   Stuff is pretty reasonable there.  Take small bills ashore.

[Cruise5life]

33 minutes ago, jdc987 said:

Ship will break bills, bring hundred dollar bills.   Stuff is pretty reasonable there.  Take small bills ashore.

Yes ships will break bills.   But they are usually limited on how much they can give you in small bills like 1’s and 5’s because everyone wants those denominations.      It’s always good practice to bring a bunch of 1’s and5’s.  
 

I always bring 100 1’s and 5’s.   And a bunch of 10’s       
usually about 400 in small bills just incase.  
 

 

 

[carohs]

11 minutes ago, Cruise5life said:

   It’s always good practice to bring a bunch of 1’s and5’s.  

 

Thanks for this! Yeah I remember back in the day my mom would sometimes even have a hard time getting someone to break a $20 even in border city. 

 

But also if in one of the first ports, I would have no issues getting change back in pesos since there's a good chance I'll spend those anyway.

[Cruise5life]

1 minute ago, carohs said:

 

Thanks for this! Yeah I remember back in the day my mom would sometimes even have a hard time getting someone to break a $20 even in border city. 

 

But also if in one of the first ports, I would have no issues getting change back in pesos since there's a good chance I'll spend those anyway.

Most all shops will take us currency.   Just make sure to know the exchange rate.   I have an app on my phone for that.    
 

[Sea saw 56]

There has been a machine in the casino of the last few ships we've been on that breaks down bills of all denominations to the next smaller denomination.  Very convenient to use.

I believe it is the same machine as the ATM (never used one as an ATM) and gives you the option.

Beats going to the cashier window of the casino IMO.

[carohs]

Ok so getting cash broken into smaller bills on the ship is convenient enough! But how much to pack? $100 per port, $200? I don't like to withdraw/carry that much cash around. Makes me nervous. 

[Sweetnspicy]

I usually only take $50 ashore with me. I don’t like to carry much cash and I don’t shop very much. Enough for a taxi or two if needed, some beers on the beach and maybe a snack. If I need anything else I just put it on my card. 

[destar]

On 3/9/2023 at 5:22 PM, carohs said:

But how much to pack? $100 per port, $200? I don't like to withdraw/carry that much cash around. Makes me nervous. 

All depends on your spending habits. If having lunch, with a couple of drinks and buying souvenirs, I normally take around $200-300 and a CC with me. 

[AKR2011]

I have a cruise planning book with a zippered pouch for each port. Before I leave home, I estimate the amount of cash needed for every port and make a plan to get it in various denominations. I add everything up with a list of what I need and hit the bank. Then I put everything in the separate pouches and my planner goes in my safe and comes out Before heading out for each port. Any leftover cash I usually use for extra tips on board. I am definitely an over planner, but this works out very well and keeps me stuck to a budget. I do bring a credit card without international fees to port too, for emergencies or in case I find something that I feel like I need to buy, but this is very rare.

[carohs]

5 minutes ago, AKR2011 said:

I have a cruise planning book with a zippered pouch for each port. Before I leave home, I estimate the amount of cash needed for every port and make a plan to get it in various denominations. I add everything up with a list of what I need and hit the bank. Then I put everything in the separate pouches and my planner goes in my safe and comes out Before heading out for each port. Any leftover cash I usually use for extra tips on board. I am definitely an over planner, but this works out very well and keeps me stuck to a budget. I do bring a credit card without international fees to port too, for emergencies or in case I find something that I feel like I need to buy, but this is very rare.

Do you have a formula you use for estimating expenses?

[Catchum]

On 3/9/2023 at 10:22 PM, carohs said:

Ok so getting cash broken into smaller bills on the ship is convenient enough! But how much to pack? $100 per port, $200? I don't like to withdraw/carry that much cash around. Makes me nervous. 

First don't carry all your cash in one place - have some in your wallet and some tucked safely away in an inside pocket or such like. If you want lunch are we talking street tacos or is a Michelin Star more your sort of thing? Same with souvenirs - fridge magnet or one of a kind artwork? Only you can tell what you are likely to need. A quick google will show you the cost of a meal in various levels of restaurant or check menus on Trip Advisor

[carohs]

10 minutes ago, Catchum said:

First don't carry all your cash in one place - have some in your wallet and some tucked safely away in an inside pocket or such like. If you want lunch are we talking street tacos or is a Michelin Star more your sort of thing? Same with souvenirs - fridge magnet or one of a kind artwork? Only you can tell what you are likely to need. A quick google will show you the cost of a meal in various levels of restaurant or check menus on Trip Advisor

Most likely not the Michelin star, and in any case I'd expect that place to take cc. Street tacos, etc if we get the munchies or happen to smell something delicious. Likewise with souvenirs. I don't want to have to limit what we can do, but also I'm bringing enough cash to cover expenses for 4. I have a purse with a pocket that's really hidden. The only way to lose that would be if the whole purse was lost/stolen. I had also considered breaking up the cash and leaving the majority in the safe on board, and using as needed. 

We also decided not to book excursions and explore on our own. 

[AKR2011]

23 hours ago, carohs said:

Do you have a formula you use for estimating expenses?

Yes, $10 each in smaller bills for tips if we have an excursion. We'll each tip up to that amount depending on how it goes. We buy a Christmas ornament and a lapel pin in every port, so $25 max for that. If we plan on a meal, I research ahead and budget. If not, I put in $20 for snacks and drinks in case we need them. Any extra cash is dependent on what we're doing. I do all my research,  so I know how much to estimate if we're on our own.  If it's a tour, I don't bring any more than what I mentioned.

Edited March 13, 2023 by AKR2011

[Mike45LC]

Do NOT depend on Mexican stores and restaurants accepting a credit card.  Many do not.

 

You have four ports.  For me, I would figure on $20 each way for cab fare, times 4 ports, so $100 US (I know the math, but I prefer to carry extra.)  I would figure $40 per port for lunch for two of us -- so another $200.   We don't drink, but soft drinks, virgin mocktails, chips, etc., figure another $200 for four ports/days.  Souvenirs, post cards (do they still sell postcards?), other tourist stuff, maybe another $200 for the ports combined.  So I'd bring $700 US cash in small bills -- lots of $5 and $10, and nothing over $20.  

 

Actually, I'd exchange about $500 to pesos before the cruise, and I'd use the pesos ashore.  Because there is a lousy exchange rate for US$, and I do not disagree with the store keeper's right to demand whatever exchange rate he wants.  And I have a good exchange place here at home.  And any pesos I don't spend, I'll keep for my next trip to Mexico.