Is it better to exchange money in Cancun?

The answer is, it depends. Some places may accept US dollars, and some others may not. That is why exchanging money in Cancun is the safest bet. This vital step makes your entire trip hassle-free and gives you access to hotels, transportation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses without any obstructions.



People Also Ask

MONEY EXCHANGE The short answer is ABSOLUTELY YES, you need Mexican Pesos. You will need pesos for tips, souvenirs shopping, transportation like taxi/buses, tours, bar/restaurants, etc.

MORE DETAILS

It's recommended that you buy pesos before you land in Mexico, just in case you need the cash. According to this USA Today article, the most economical way to do this is to buy pesos from your bank in the U.S. Most banks will do this for free, especially if you're not withdrawing a significant amount of money.

MORE DETAILS

Cash is a necessity in Cancun, given that many restaurants and gift shops don't accept credit cards. Like many other airports around the world, the Cancun airport is jam-packed with money exchange kiosks looking to convert your money into Mexican pesos.

MORE DETAILS

Preparing your travel money options beforehand is the key to a stress-free vacation. Credit cards, debit cards, prepaid travel cards and cash are all accepted in Mexico. Outside of a few purchases like transportation fare or local shops, a credit card will be your best bet for everyday purchases.

MORE DETAILS

The best currency to bring to Mexico is a mix of pesos and US dollars. Use the dollars to pay for tours, entrance fees, accommodation, and travel. For everything else use pesos.

MORE DETAILS

To show your appreciation for the meal, tip your server around 15%. Raise that up to 20% if you were wowed. Note that some establishments automatically charge a service fee, so keep an eye out so that you don't tip twice. Bartenders should get 20 pesos (US$1) per drink or 10–15% of the total bill.

MORE DETAILS

For a mid-range dinner at a nice restaurant, you can expect to pay around $30-$50 USD per person. For a high-end dinner experience, you may pay upwards of $100 USD per person. If you're on a budget, you can find cheaper options such as street food or fast food for around $10-$15 USD per person.

MORE DETAILS

They are fantastic for tacos and other fast food. With 100 Pesos, tourists can also buy ice cream, fruits, or juice from the local food markets. If they do not want to spend their money on food, they can purchase a ticket to enter Tulum ruins, Chapultepec Castle, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, etc.

MORE DETAILS

TOUR AND ACTIVITY GUIDES
If you're on a tour with a lot of people (20-100 people), each person should leave a tip of at least $5 U.S. (90 pesos). If you're on a tour with very few people (e.g., four people in your family), the group should leave a tip that is equivalent to 15-20% of the cost of the tour.

MORE DETAILS

In Mexico, a good rule of thumb for tips is to leave 10-15% of the bill. 50 pesos would be a standard tip for a bill that was around 500 pesos. For example, if you go out for dinner and get drinks, you should expect to spend around 400 MXN. That would mean your tip would be between 40-60 MXN.

MORE DETAILS