Is it better to travel with cash or credit card in Mexico?

A credit card will make the most sense for larger purchases and you'll likely need one for hotels. You'll always need cash to make everyday purchases.



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Yes you can however make sure your credit/debit card doesn't charge you a fee for using your card internationally or you may end up paying way too much in fees. ALL ATMs in Mexico will charge you a fee for withdrawing money and if your credit/debit card also charges you a fee then you will pay DOUBLE FEES.

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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.

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In Mexican cities and tourist areas, credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. If you want to pay with American Express, you should ask first. Be careful when using your credit card at publicly accessible Mexican ATMs.

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?? Use Credit Cards Credit cards are widely accepted at most places of business throughout Mexico, especially in tourist areas. Besides small towns and certain food trucks or shops, you can use a credit card to pay for most things.

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Credit cards are widely accepted at most places of business throughout Mexico, especially in tourist areas. Besides small towns and certain food trucks or shops, you can use a credit card to pay for most things.

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Use your best judgment when deciding how much cash to bring with you to Mexico. A good rule to follow is to bring 25% of your total budget in cash. If you happen to run out, use your debit card or prepaid travel card at a verified national bank ATM to get the best exchange rate.

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The best currency to take to Cancun is Mexican pesos (MXN) as this is the official currency of the country and will save you money when paying for purchases. However, U.S. dollars are also widely accepted, so it's possible to use dollars when traveling in Cancun.

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While still at home, you can exchange currency at your local bank. Experts suggest only changing enough to cover travel and transportation costs until you are settled at your destination, as the costs of exchanging money at home can be prohibitive.

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Do Not Travel To:
  • Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
  • Guerrero state due to crime.
  • Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
  • Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping.
  • Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
  • Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.


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All-inclusive resort tipping etiquette
  1. Bartender: 20 pesos or $1 every 1-2 drink orders, especially if you order complicated cocktails.
  2. Cart drivers: $1 per trip.
  3. Servers: $5-10 every couple of meals for good service or if your waiter went above & beyond (we usually tipped at dinner)
  4. Shuttle driver to/from airport.


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The best currency to take to Mexico is the local currency, the Mexican peso. US dollars are also highly exchangeable at local banks and currency exchange offices. However, instead of converting physical banknotes, the cheapest way to pay in Mexico is to use a multi-currency travel debit card like Revolut or Wise.

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How Much Money to Take to Mexico for a Week? Follow the 25% rule regardless of how many days you will be in Mexico. For example, if your total budget for a seven-day vacation is 1500 USD, you should bring a total of 375 USD or 7,000 MXN. This totals about 50 USD in cash per day.

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Restaurants. In restaurants, 15% of a check is a good rule of thumb to follow; if you're in a big group you may find that a service fee is automatically added to the check (look out for that). If you feel you have been given particularly great service, 20% will be greatly appreciated.

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If you are searching for how to get pesos in Mexico, currency exchanges at the airport or downtown will always offer you a worse exchange rate than your bank. That's how they make money! For this reason, I only suggest using this option when you have some leftover pesos before your return flight at the airport.

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