American Dollars or Mexican Pesos?

I live in Mexico now, and if you follow the news, you can see that the Peso is more volatile than the US$. Which to use? Both. And, use...

Credit cards, preferably a few of those prepaid cards. You won't get ripped off by exchange fees and it will be deducted at the current rate and you won't lose money in the ever shrinking Peso-land. Get your prepaid credit cards (actually they are prepaid debit cards) at your local bank or a national chain, and use Visa only. Not MC or AMEX. Visa is accepted worldwide and I've used it in 22 countries around the world.

Buy several of them, keep them all on you at all times, in different places on your person, and cut them in half after they are empty, throw each half away blocks apart. Never walk alone in Mexico, especially in tourist traps. Go in 3's or more.

Carry a little US and Mexican cash on you for those times when you can't use a credit card, and watch the below site for the exchange rates so you can know if you're getting ripped off if you use US$.

To the extent possible, and without great inconvenience, use pesos. Everything is based on the peso... after all, you are in Mexico. They will take the US dollar, but it will generally will cost you more.

So you have the choice of getting pesos and paying the normal cost, (and by the way having a more complete "Mexican" experience) or having the convenience of just using your dollars.

You will be able to use your ATM card in Mexico... but I recommend using it at a bank, because the service charges will be least there over the free standing ATM machines in a business.

Only take the credit cards you will actually need. This is good advice on any trip, not just Mexico. Photo copy your cards and your IDs. Keep your receipts so you can compare when you get the bill. Use care and common sense... but these resorts are very tourist friendly.

Right now, the peso is around 13 pesos to the US dollar.

Enjoy your trip.

I think Mikey meant to say "dollars" not "Pesos". If you pay for things in dollars, you will pay a lot more because the currency here is Pesos. Merchants are going to calculate the cost in Pesos. Then they have to try to figure out how many dollars that is and you'll be lucky to get better than 10 pesos to the dollar instead of 13.

In other words, an item costs 130 pesos. Right now that is about $10 US but you will probably be charged $13 in US money. If you have used an ATM machine, and gotten pesos back, you will pay the equivalent of $10.

Mikey is retired in Acapulco.

Lets put it this way. You are a taxi driver , waiter or such in the US. i come in and pay you with Pesos.

Put yourself in the other mans shoes.

Ok , so I take your Pesos. Now I need to know the exchange rate and have ( and be able to use :) a calculator. Chances are slim that you will get the correct change. Always going to calculate in THEIR favor.

Now the next morning I have to go to the bank and get the correct currency - you are not doing me any favor here !

Use pesos............

either or. I prefer pesos as I get confused about how much im supposed to get back or else. At least like that I calculate faster. And either way you will eventually have to visit the exchange place with all the pesos you get at the end

I live in the UK and have holidayed in the area quite a few times.

I take US Dollars

The US dollar seems to be preferred payment by the locals,you will be given change in Pesos.