What about pesos?
UPDATE!
We recently used another money transfer app called Remitly, it works the same as Xoom and such a handy way to get your pesos! If you’d like to try it I have a referral link, as long as your first transfer is $100.00 or more we both get $25 added to our accounts. Here is the link Remitly link
Most places will take U.S. dollars, but it’s better to convert your currency to pesos. You’ll get better deals and it is the currency of Mexico. Many people get pesos from their bank at home before travel. We normally use ATMs when we arrive at the Cancun airport. We use a separate ATM card from our main bank account, that way if your card does get compromised, the thieves don’t have access to all your money! We are also able to add money to this account as needed online and we are also have the ability to change the pin number after each use. Knock on wood, we have never had our ATM card compromised. I usually use the CI Banco ATM.
On our last trip we used a service called Xoom, I think we’re sold on this! You get the app on your phone and have money sent to you in Mexico from your bank, you can then pick up pesos at Banco Azteca inside the Elektra store locations in most major towns. You must bring your passport and confirmation transaction from Xoom, we just showed them our phone.
Xoom is a paypal company and very secure.
I have a currency converter app on my phone, Dollars to Pesos is a free app that I use, available on Google Play or itunes.
You can also bring cash with you and exchange it for pesos at a money exchange or at CI Banco. You must bring your passport to the bank to exchange your currency to pesos. The drawback for me in doing this is, I don’t like having all of my vacation cash on me. If it’s lost or stolen, there’s no way to get it back.
Tip #1 If you are going to use dollars ask what exchange the place of business is giving, some stay in line with the actual rate, or close to it, and others may give a really bad rate. You may end up paying almost double! “no bueno” (not good) 🙂
Tip#2 Do not complain about prices and the bad exchange rate if you did not exchange your money.
Tip #3 Exchange your dollars! This may seem odd getting used to this strange money, but it will save you $ and it’s always good to use the local currency.
Tip#4 Sometimes it’s easier if you have a calculator or use an app on your phone so you really know what you’re spending. I use one called Dollar to Peso, you can put the amount in pesos in and it will calculate how much it is in dollars, and vice versa. This app stays pretty close to the daily rate most of the time.
If you have the Mapchick’s Isla Mujeres app there is a currency converter built into the app!
