The Mexican Peso is the official currency in Los Cabos, however, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted in most locations.
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You'll get better rates at an exchange house, an ATM, or by using a credit card, but a bank provides the best rates. Although dollars are generally accepted in various resort areas, we recommend using pesos during your visit to Cabo San Lucas.
In most tourist areas in Mexico, it is acceptable to tip in either pesos or dollars, though pesos are more practical for the person being tipped. If you do tip in dollars, be sure to only tip using notes and not coins as coins cannot be exchanged.
It's up to you how much you tip, but the recommended amount in Mexico is between 10% – 20% (15% is a good standard in tourist areas) of the bill or ticket price.
Before visiting Mexico it may be a good idea to exchange currency at your local bank as they may be able to provide you with the best Mexican Peso exchange rate. When you arrive at Cabo Airport you can also exchange money at each terminal Cash Exchange facility, Cambio.
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.
How much cash should I bring to Cabo for a week? I typically bring $1,000 to $2,000 in cash for a one-week trip. To the extent that I have leftover cash at the end of the trip (which I almost always do), I usually apply it to my outstanding bill at the resort I'm staying at.
Taxis are easy to find where ever you are traveling, although the price is usually high. Expect to pay $8-10 US to travel a mile in Cabo San Lucas or $35-40 US to travel from San Jose del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas. From the airport, expect to pay $80 US for a cab to Cabo San Lucas / Zone 3.
Where to avoid exchanging currency. Whether in the U.S. or at your destination, avoid airport kiosks or other exchange houses if you can. Those should only be used as a last resort, because they typically offer poor exchange rates and high fees, so you'll get less currency for your money.
What is the Off Season for Cabo San Lucas? Summer and fall are considered the low tourist season in Cabo San Lucas, which makes it the cheapest time to visit Cabo.
While some merchants in Mexico may accept US Dollars, it is not widely accepted and you may receive a poor exchange rate. It's recommended to use Mexican Pesos when in Mexico.
Cabo taxi drivers accept payments in both USD and Mexican Pesos. However, they often inflate the exchange rate, so paying in USD will be more expensive. If your driver gives excellent service, you can round up your fare to tip them, however, it's not obligatory.
For most tourist that are in Mexico for a week and will be in tourist areas, you will find most places accept US Dollars. But there is the rate at what they will accept them. See our section below on this. Tip: Mexican law says that all prices must be marked in Pesos.
While it is possible to use US dollars to pay for tours, tips, and even accommodation, you will need Mexican currency for cash transactions in Mexico. In places that do accept physical U.S. dollars, such as hotels, using them may result in very unfavorable exchange rates or additional fees.
Is It Safe to Carry Cash in Mexico? While it's generally safe, carrying only the amount you need and keeping it secure is advisable. Consider using credit/debit cards, traveler's checks, or secure banking services to minimize the risk of loss or theft.
While tipping may not be required at some all-inclusive resorts, many guests prefer to do so. In the event that you would like to tip staff during your all-inclusive vacation, it is important to find out in advance whether staff would even be allowed to accept those tips.
While tipping is a discretionary and optional gesture, at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others, it is certainly encouraged.