Mexico and Cash/Debit Card/Travelers Checks

[Ksandra]

So in two weeks I'm going on my cruise. It is going to spend three days in the Mexico Riviera, and I'm trying to decide what's the best/safest way to spend money.

Talking to some friends who have been to TJ they say Mexico takes American dollars, and for sure the Riviera would because it's a resort area. (so first off I want to see if anyone else knows for sure if that's true).

I'm not sure what is best though. I'd rather not carry too much cash, especially since we'll be spending a lot of time at the beach. I don't know though if they ring up debit cards as American, and would I be getting the 3% exchange charge from using it there?

Initially, I wanted to get travelers checks 'cause that sounded like the best option. But my parents are here visiting and they had to cash in all of their checks because most places don't accept travelers checks anymore. So I'm not sure if Mexico does (and in American dollars for that matter).

Any suggestions?

[Cleverness]

The resort will definitely take American money. If you're gonna be on the ship for 3 weeks you can possibly just rent a safe in the room(assuming one is there) and keep some cash in there. If you're just gonna be at the beach you're only really gonna need enough for drinks + food + souvenirs.

Never been to Mexico but in the Dominican Republic there are some ATM machines that you can use to take out some money in pesos to buy a couple of things, if you try to go to a normal shop or store they may not accept american money(I know this is the case for many places in DR, again I have not been to Mexico). It's better to just have some pesos with you on hand each day and then lock the rest in your safe, that's how I generally ration out my money since my aunts guest room has a hidden safe that I use in DR.

[Morn]

Don't carry all of your cash in your wallet. Many times muggers will just take what's in your wallet, and this includes the police.

[Baolin]

Last cruise I was on I used my debit card in Cozumel to buy alcohol at Tequila International, a Carnival recommended shop. It was the only place I used my debit card the entire trip. Got home and tried to use it to pay for parking at the pier and was denied with plenty of cash in my account. Called the bank to find out what was going on and I had 2 transactions out of South Carolina at a Walmart on the last day of the cruise for $500 each, back to back, and on the third try they killed the card.

tl;dr - Mexicans are dirty bastards, don't use your debit cards there.

[sruon]

Debit cards should be fine, have used mine all around the globe without any issue.

What above poster said can happen though.

[Chicomagiko]

Last cruise I was on I used my debit card in Cozumel to buy alcohol at Tequila International, a Carnival recommended shop. It was the only place I used my debit card the entire trip. Got home and tried to use it to pay for parking at the pier and was denied with plenty of cash in my account. Called the bank to find out what was going on and I had 2 transactions out of South Carolina at a Walmart on the last day of the cruise for $500 each, back to back, and on the third try they killed the card.

tl;dr - Mexicans are dirty bastards, don't use your debit cards there.

Some Mexicans may be dirty but you're a fucking retard for using your debit card.

Cash/Credit only. Credit because there's protection in case of theft and convenience of not carrying tons of cash(though check with the card issuer before you go to see what kind of fees you may incur). Cash is good too since Mexico loves dollars more than pesos and will be accepted almost anywhere. Don't carry all your cash in one place either, keep some in your shoes, pockets, wallets, luggage, panties, etc. Bribe cops as needed but never more than a $20.

Don't drink the water.

[Baolin]

Some Mexicans may be dirty but you're a fucking retard for using your debit card.

Cash/Credit only. Credit because there's protection in case of theft and convenience of not carrying tons of cash(though check with the card issuer before you go to see what kind of fees you may incur). Cash is good too since Mexico loves dollars more than pesos and will be accepted almost anywhere. Don't carry all your cash in one place either, keep some in your shoes, pockets, wallets, luggage, panties, etc. Bribe cops as needed but never more than a $20.

Don't drink the water.

Nice try at calling me retarded, but most debit cards double as a credit card and have the same credit protection as long as it fits under the Visa/Mastercard/Discover logos. I got all my money back that was stolen, and yes, I agree that cash is the way to go. My point was moreover that I used my debit card in one of the "respected and recommended" shops from the cruise line and got screwed doing so, so be careful wherever it is.

[Xno Kappa]

Last cruise I was on I used my debit card in Cozumel to buy alcohol at Tequila International, a Carnival recommended shop. It was the only place I used my debit card the entire trip. Got home and tried to use it to pay for parking at the pier and was denied with plenty of cash in my account. Called the bank to find out what was going on and I had 2 transactions out of South Carolina at a Walmart on the last day of the cruise for $500 each, back to back, and on the third try they killed the card.

tl;dr - Mexicans are dirty bastards, don't use your debit cards there.

You are pretty retarded considering luxury cruise lines like Carnival have ATM's on the ship itself.

Just came from a cruise and never once had to use my debit card in places like Jamaica, Mexico or Grand Cayman. 99.5% percent of all Caribbean tourist locations take dollars and your cabin room on the ship will most definitely have a safe in it. I recommend taking maybe 60~80 dollars tops whenever you're going on offshore excursions. 20 dollars in your pocket and the rest in your socks, if no socks then wear boxer-briefs.

[Xno Kappa]

The resort will definitely take American money. If you're gonna be on the ship for 3 weeks you can possibly just rent a safe in the room(assuming one is there) and keep some cash in there. If you're just gonna be at the beach you're only really gonna need enough for drinks + food + souvenirs.

Never been to Mexico but in the Dominican Republic there are some ATM machines that you can use to take out some money in pesos to buy a couple of things, if you try to go to a normal shop or store they may not accept american money(I know this is the case for many places in DR, again I have not been to Mexico). It's better to just have some pesos with you on hand each day and then lock the rest in your safe, that's how I generally ration out my money since my aunts guest room has a hidden safe that I use in DR.

Shiiit, every time I visit DR they're happy as hell when I pay in dollars lol. And this is in broke ass places like Los Alcarrizos.

[Ksandra]

You are pretty retarded considering luxury cruise lines like Carnival have ATM's on the ship itself.

do you remember what the charge was to take out cash there? And did you have to pay for the safe? (how much?)


considering all the money that went into the wedding, I'm trying to make this trip as cheap as possible lmao.


No word either on whether places take travelers checks if anyone knows. D:

[Xno Kappa]

Can't remember exact prices since I paid the whole trip in one lump sum after it was over but the charge on the ATM was something ridiculous like 3~5 dollars for each transaction. The safe, unless you specifically ask for them to take it off, will automatically be included in your room fee under amenities. I want to say it was 14~ ish dollars for amenities but like I said, I can't remember specific prices unfortunately since it's been about two months already. Sorry.

[dejet]

do you remember what the charge was to take out cash there? And did you have to pay for the safe? (how much?)


considering all the money that went into the wedding, I'm trying to make this trip as cheap as possible lmao.


No word either on whether places take travelers checks if anyone knows. D:

they are a pain in the ass to use travelers checks. I have to deal with them from time to time and most people dont fully understand how they work. You are forced to use 80% of the value of the check first off. Next we have to call it in, your not going to go up to a place with one(even if they take them) and be out in like ~10min.

It takes if everything goes right around 20min for the check to go from a co worker to my hand to call it in to getting you out of the store.

I can see why some places have stopped taking them, they are just not worth the time of day to pay someone(like myself) to call them in.

They are safe and most of the time when I get them the person tells me it was the line that gave it to them, not that they bought it.

Id say you are better off taking cash with you. Be smart do not walk around with like $300 cash on you at all times unless you are on the ship. Iv been there a few times(well cancun) and never have run into someone not taking US cash, they LOVE IT. Its like gold to them.

edit: One reason the checks are not a bad idea is you really cant ever lose your money. If you notice one is missing you just call it in and they cancel it.

[Alvein]

Definitely cash. I lived abroad for two years and cash is always the best way to go once you get out of the US and western Europe. Just divvy it up between pockets don't carry more on you then you'll need at that particular outing. It makes for better bargaining too with vendors. Plastic is a bad idea because you'll end up paying currency conversion fees, that's assuming you don't get your identity stolen, which also happens often.