Use pesos people.  It’s safer, easier and will save you money. For example, if you pay with American dollars, you will often get the 10% rule:  A shirt that is 200 pesos will be $20.00 US Dollars.  If you paid with pesos, it would cost you $9.56 at the current exchange rate.  Pesos are worth it.  We use a free currency converter app for iphones called OANDA.  It is an estimate but can help out a lot until you get used to it.  If you are pulsing out money, be careful what you enter.  We usually take out $3000.00 pesos at a time (~$143 USD).   You might want to take out $4000 pesos on days that you want to rent a golf cart.

Using ATMs

Okay–time for the real talk.  The ATMs in Isla (and elsewhere in Mexico and abroad) are being used as skimming machines for thieves to get your CC info.  It seems to be commonplace and frequent now.  In 14 trips, we were skimmed once but luckily it was for a small amount.  So what are your options?

1. Use your ATM card on the trip and request a new card when you get home.  It seems that they are waiting a few months to use your card number so this has been working thus far.  We have done this on our last 3 trips with no problems.  (BUT I don’t have any bills attached to that card so it’s not a pain to get a new number. Something to think about)
2. Open a Travel Account at your bank that includes an ATM Card.  Transfer only what you need and use the ATM card to retrieve pesos.  Then you can cancel it or request a new card when you return to protect yourself from skimmers. That is the important part. This is our current plan.  Also a great way to keep a travel fund going.
3. Exchange in the airport.  I don’t like to do this because I don’t like to carry wads of cash around and would need a significant amount for the week.
4. Use a cash transfer service.  There is a service called XOOM (affiliated with PayPal) where you can send yourself money and pick it up at a bank in Mexico.  The people in my travel group love it, although lines can be up to 20 minutes at the bank.

Austin Wells Fargo Customers–the branch at Escarpment in Circle C keeps pesos in stock!  We snagged $2000 pesos for our first day and saved an ATM trip upon arrival.  Highly recommend!!

If you bring additional money, bring small bills for tips.  Any change you receive from larger bills ($20’s) will be given in pesos. I recommend bringing less than $100 in cash.

It’s a good idea to call your bank and let them know you are traveling to Mexico. That way a hold is not placed on your card (happened to us!).  Also, your card must have a 4-digit pin (whose doesn’t? but they always remind me over and over).  Check your daily withdraw limit if you will need more than $300/day for any big items or excursions.

Please tip like you would in the states or better!

A note on tipping:  Please check your bills at restaurants and bars.  It’s becoming more common for waiters to add a tip as a random line with the expectation that you won’t notice and will tip again.  It is also against the law for them to add tax.  Mexican law states that taxes have to be included in menu prices.  Just keep an eye out.