Handling money while traveling in Mexico comes down to a few practical decisions: where to exchange, how much cash to carry, and whether to use ATMs or change money at a casa de cambio. After years of traveling there, my approach is simple — use ATMs for most cash needs and keep a small reserve in US dollars for emergencies.
In This Article
ATMs
ATMs (cajeros automaticos) are the best way to get pesos in Mexico. Banks like Banamex, HSBC, Santander and Banorte have ATMs in every city and most towns. Airport ATMs work fine but sometimes have worse exchange rates. The 7-Eleven chain (OXXO in Mexico) often has ATMs inside.
Watch for fees. Your home bank may charge $3-5 per foreign ATM withdrawal. Some Mexican ATMs add their own fee (usually shown before you confirm). Pull out larger amounts less frequently to minimize fees.
Casas de Cambio
Exchange houses on the street give worse rates than ATMs but are useful if you arrive with US dollars cash. Airport exchange counters have the worst rates. The border town exchange houses at Nogales and Ciudad Juarez are reasonable — they have competition. Never exchange money with random people on the street.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards work in cities — hotels, restaurants, shops in tourist areas. Outside of cities, Mexico is still heavily cash-based. Markets, colectivos, street food, small hotels — all cash. Carry enough pesos to cover a day of travel expenses. Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than Amex.
How Much Cash
Budget travelers spend roughly 500-1000 pesos per day (food, transport, basic accommodation). Carry 2-3 days of budget in pesos and hit an ATM when you reach a town with a bank. Keep a $100 USD bill hidden separately as an emergency backup.