Looking for advice from the veterans of the resort...

We have never needed Pesos to do anything in Cancun. They will always take American money. Many places give you change in Pesos and there is always the potential to be ripped off on the exchange rate but I don't think it is a major problem.

 

We usually take a few with us...anything else we need cash for we just get at the ATM as we need it...just remember that you can only have a 4 digit pin or your bank card will not work..

 

Same here- Never exchanged for pesos & never had a problem with US dollars.

Scott

 

My Walmart shopping list - Beer, Booze, Gatorade and Red Bull.

Pesos - I use the ATM at the store next to the hotel. My bank normally gives me a great exchange rate from CDN funds.

If you stay on the strip, you can probably get by on USD only.

 

We have never exchanged for pesos. Your regular money is good anywhere. We have been going to Mexico for 7 years now and never had any trouble with regular money.

 

I cant believe all the folks who never exchange any USD to Peso's. I fear being ripped off by not having the pesos.

I would think using peso's would give you the most bang for the buck. I do stock up on ones for tipping though. Everything else is paid with Peso's. JMHO.

My thoughts on it are if the prices are in Peso's and you dont know the current exchange rate how do you know how many USD's to pay?

 

Agreed, it's nice to have some USD socked away if you are savvy enough to know which price is better but in reality the conversion is roughly 10:1 or maybe 15:1 and there is no way a shopkeeper is going to give you a better price using a foriegn currency (USD) than his own (MXP)

 

Well GONZO my question to you would be - what are you buying that you need to be worried about being ripped off? First of all you are staying @ an AI resort. Wal-mart has cash registers that automatically calculate the exchange rate. All excursions are paid with US dollars. Trips to the clubs are US dollars. Not trying to start an arguement here but I think this covers the bulk of it & any other payments would be minimal.

A couple of tips on the minimal purchases - The exchange rate varies but usually hovers around 10-1. Check the rate before you go. Last trip it was 13-1. So I just move the decimal & round off to check the math. Ex. something cost 250 pesos. At 10-1 it is $25. At 13-1 it is closer to $22. Not worth it to me to worry about a dollar or two. Some places charge to exchange dollars to pesos & back. Also at the end of the trip you wind up with pesos in your pocket then what do you do? They don't spend well here in Illinois......yet.

This is why we don't bother with pesos. However maybe someone has a good reason why they do. That is why this board is great. Everyone looks at things from a little different angle.

Scott

 

We use Pesos for pretty much everything....exception being paying for the clubs from resort. Why should the server, maid, bartender, taxi driver etc have to go somewhere and exchange US$ into their local currency? (Just my way of thinking...not necessarily the right way ) If we have a large amount of Pesos left over we will change them back at the airport...smaller amounts (Usually we have less than $50 USD left) we just put away with our passports when we get home and use on our next trip.

As far as Walmart run...I always pick up hand sanitizer, travel pack of diaper wipes or tissue. Public bathrooms are not always known for having TP. Also we pick up a 12 pack of bottled water....we get the smaller bottles as they are easier to throw in the backpack than the huge ones the resort leaves you and we pick up gatorade. Tylenol and gatorade before bed and usually no hangover feeling the next morning.

 

Good point Catrina
However with Cancun being a tourist town, I don't think it matters as much as other parts of Mexico. For example a coule of years ago we ran into Leonardo(our favorite waiter who is no longer @ TTR) @ Wal-mart in the checkout lane. When I saw him paying in US dollars I teased him, but he said money is the same in Cancun. So I don't see them exchanging it, just spending it. Other parts of Mexico, you are probably right, it would make sense to exchange for the benefit of the locals.

Scott