The national currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). However the US Dollar is widely accepted across Mexico especially in the more touristic places like Playa del Carmen.
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Although credit cards are accepted at more and more small businesses, Playa del Carmen still runs on cash, and you'll need small bills to enjoy its local taco joints, neighborhood bars and side-street shops. Avoid changing money before getting to Mexico, as you won't get the best rates.
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.
This is just part of traveling and it is also more respectful to countries to use the national currency. Many Mexicans make it easy to use Dollars and this certainly makes it easier for many tourist that come to Mexico. You will however make the best use of your money if you exchange it and use Pesos.
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.
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.
Dinner prices in Playa Del CarmenMost menus have main plates starting at 100 pesos going to 300 pesos. Add appetizers and drinks and you can average around 400-600 pesos per person for a nice dinner. Not every night needs to be a big night out and you can eat for 300 pesos per person.
It is more expensive than most other Mexican cities.Many things are imported to Playa and this adds to the cost as well. Once you travel out of the area you start to notice how things are cheaper but after a while you get used to what things cost and how to stretch your budget if you live in Playa Del Carmen.
Taxi Drivers: ZEROAlways ask ahead of time what the fare will be. The only time you tip a Taxi driver is when they are handling a lot of luggage or there was some extraordinary service provided (they waited for you in the store). You may end up tipping taxi drivers if you don't have any small bills.
Credit cards are gold around these parts but it's still a good idea to bring cash along when you travel, even on an all-inclusive vacation. While you won't be paying for meals or drinks, it's a good idea to make friends with your bartender at the beginning of the trip by leaving a tip up front.
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.
In Mexico, you can live a comfortable life on $1,000 a month. The average cost of living for expats, digital nomads and retirees varies between $600 to $2,000 depending on one's lifestyle choices and their location. Baseline costs in Mexico are around $750 a month.
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.
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.