What is the best way to pay in Mexico?

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.



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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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Since most major tourist attractions accept both U.S. dollars and pesos, you should bring a little of both. However, don't bring too much. Even though Mexico is generally safe, carrying large wads of cash in your wallet or pockets is not a good idea.

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It's best to order pesos via your local U.S. bank before arriving in Mexico to avoid inflated fees. If this isn't an option, you can go into a reputable bank or credit union nearby. If you must use an ATM for cash, this is typically safe too, but remember to convert your currency to pesos for the best deal.

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Considering the fact that $100 USD equals over 2,000 MXN, you can get a whole heck of a lot! From affordable all-inclusive resorts to must-see (and free) attractions all over Mexico, your money might be more valuable than you think.

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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.

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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.

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Using your debit card in Mexico is generally safe, and carrying a debit card is safer than carrying a large amount of actual cash on you. A possible downside is when your card isn't accepted or stops working.

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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.

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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.

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Before your trip, exchange money at your bank or credit union, which likely offers better rates and fewer and/or lower fees. See if your bank or credit union will buy back any leftover foreign currency for when you return.

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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.

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Budget-Friendly Travel Planning You should plan to spend around M$2,180 ($120) per day on your vacation in Mexico, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, M$504 ($28) on meals for one day and M$345 ($19) on local transportation.

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For traveling (even on a backpacker budget) it is perhaps better to consider what 500 pesos (or $25 will buy). That is enough to rent a car for a way (minus non-specified expenses). It is also enough for dormitory accommodation in some of the cheapest hostels in Mexico City for two nights (around $8 per night).

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I wouldn't say $200 is a lot of money. It's a good amount of money. I always exchange $200 for MxN whenever I go to Mexico for a week. It's enough for me to eat at restaurants and buy souvenir trinkets, but this was before COVID.

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