Hey, I made the mistake of thinkign local banks would give me pesos for dollars here in Alabama without a delay. The banks here don't carry pesos and want a week turn around. What's our best bet once we arrive in Cancun for exchangign currency. Do the hotels offer such a service or do we need to find a bank there. Given the reading we've done, we'd like to have plenty of local currency. Thanks!
The hotels will exchange your money for you but at most the rate sucks. I've found the best rate to be had from using ATM Machines. I take just enough dollars for the first day and then I hit up the ATM and get my pesos from here. I've been doing this for about 6 or 7 years now and it almost alwasy gets me the best rate out there. If you don't want to go that route then I'd suggest exchanging your money at one of the many banks in Cancun or Cambios that you'll find just about everywhere in the hotel zone.
Thanks Klaw, We were also considering a day trip or booking (1) night at BBG to see how we like it. That way if we come down again, we'll know what it is like. Any process to that other than show up and ask? We were thinking of maybe October 8th.
Just to let you knoe if you pay in USD most places honor Xcaret xchange rate so right now is 1 USD = 11 MXP.
Just go to to the front deska dn tell you that you wnat to buy a day pass. You'll be required to leave some form of ID that will be returned to you when you leave and surrender your bracelet. It's $75 per person but if you know a Premier member who's going to be thre, they can get it for you for $60 this time of year. You would just need to make arrangements to meet them outside of BBG so they can take you to the Premier office.
Looking at their web site - I could get a night there for $150. Seems like maybe that's worth it. I'd pay that without premier member anyway and we'd have the room. Thanks for the information, it really helps us to plan
Definitely a better deal than doing the Day Pass. Come and go as you please, and don't have to worry about leaving late at night.
Klaw is right about the ATM rates, IF YOU ARE DOING occasional buying of pesos (aka selling US$). I think she would agree that if you are going to exchange a substantial amount, the bank rate is superior. Yesterday the bank rate at ScotiaBank downtown was $10.72 Mxn per $1 US. In my opinion you are usually better paying in pesos than dollars. Exceptions are at Walmart, Costco, Mega, Soriana etc. I WOULD SUGGEST BRINGING $50 BILLS IF YOU ARE GOING TO SHOP AT WALMART, ETC. AS THEY, AND MOST OF THE OTHERS DO NOT ACCEPT $100'S A few weeks ago my friend and I had this discussion. He told me that he pulled out $5,000 Mxn at a time. When the smoke all cleared he was getting $10.65 from the ATM. At the time the bank rate was $10.85. It really depends on convenience vs savings. I would not ride downtown just to save $2, or even $10 US on an exchange rate and neither should you.
