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Post by Tim on Dec 16, 2013 14:45:08 GMT -6
Leaving to the Mayan Riviera on Jan 2nd for my first adult vacation (No Kids) in 23 years, and first time to Mexico, I was told not to take the US dollar and better off to bring the Mexican Peso for tipping and to purchase stuff.
Anyone no if this is true ore not?
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Post by grumpy on Dec 16, 2013 15:05:42 GMT -6
I don't know Tim. It's been awhile since I took a Mexican vacay but the US dollar was golden then. We always exchanged our currency for the Peso though at our hotel. Others did at a bank. Things may have changed.
If going to Cuba do not bring US currency. The Canadian dollar is golden there though and we exchanged into local currency at our hotel also.
Here is what TripAdvisor says: "Mexico’s national currency is the Peso. Though some merchants both along the border with the United States and in interior destinations popular with tourists from the USA will accept the United States Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, or the Euro, you should plan to exchange your home-country currency for Pesos either before you arrive in Mexico or at banks, currency exchanges, or automatic teller machines as soon as you arrive. You will receive a better value for your money if you use the local currency."
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Post by domi on Dec 16, 2013 15:23:11 GMT -6
Leaving to the Mayan Riviera on Jan 2nd for my first adult vacation (No Kids) in 23 years, and first time to Mexico, I was told not to take the US dollar and better off to bring the Mexican Peso for tipping and to purchase stuff. Anyone no if this is true ore not? I'm assuming you are totally in the wrong thread, but I think I can answer your question. I'm not sure where you are going to in the Mayan Riviera; Cancun, or Playa Del Carmen, or Tulum or Cozumel. I was in Playa Del Carmen in 2010 and what I did was brought about $100 in USD and $100 in Mexican Pesso. Then I used my debit card to draw pesso's out (about $200 worth at a time). There are plenty of ATM machines in the area (well not so much in Tulum), and even Canadian Banks like Scotia Bank. I got better exchange rate from the ATM than most cash vendors (who are everywhere), but some cash vendors had good exchange rates. In the touristy areas, they will accept credit cards, but prefer cash (in which case USD or Pesso are fine). They may charge a little extra for using your credit card. If you wander outside the strict tourist areas, its probably best to use Pesso. Here's a little transportation tip for you: When you get a taxi, make sure you agree on a price before you get into the taxi. The taxi drivers will stick to the price they give you before hand, but if you don't agree on a price before hand, you may be stuck with an expensive ride, and you won't win the arguement even if the police get involved. One more travel tip, ask about taking a Collectivo up and down the Mayan Riveria. Its a van that locals use for transport, costs about 10 pesos to ride. Have fun! and don't worry, plenty of bars have hockey games in Playa del Carmen, so you won't miss Jets games! |
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Post by jetsorbust on Dec 16, 2013 15:59:50 GMT -6
Leaving to the Mayan Riviera on Jan 2nd for my first adult vacation (No Kids) in 23 years, and first time to Mexico, I was told not to take the US dollar and better off to bring the Mexican Peso for tipping and to purchase stuff. Anyone no if this is true ore not? I would say bring about half and half. Mexican was easier for tipping, but some places in town only took USD I found. I've only been to Mexico once, but it was in the Mayan Riviera. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 16, 2013 19:02:15 GMT -6
Looks like it will be a little of each then, I was told because of all the money laundering happening they were encouraging travelers not to use US currency, and making it harder to exchange the US dollar there, at least thats what I was told.
This was more for tipping because this is an all inclusive trip, and I want to make sure I get the good Rum!
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Post by domi on Dec 17, 2013 15:38:02 GMT -6
Looks like it will be a little of each then, I was told because of all the money laundering happening they were encouraging travelers not to use US currency, and making it harder to exchange the US dollar there, at least thats what I was told. This was more for tipping because this is an all inclusive trip, and I want to make sure I get the good Rum! The Mayan Riveria area is fairly far removed from the drug troubles of the North and West. Its a very safe area of Mexico. Of course, don't go around flashing a big wad of cash, and don't buy drugs (there are plenty of people selling) but that's pretty basic travel safety precautions. If you are at an All-Inclusive, it sounds like you just want to drop-and-flop, so I suggest you take a few $1 US bills for tips and everyone will be happy (Maybe tip the bartender $10 on a couple nights to ensure you get the good rum!). If you do venture outside the All-Inclusive, its fine to tip with peso, and you really don't need to tip much if you don't want to, but they really appreciate it when you do. It might be tough to find a Jets game on TV at the All-Inclusive, but if you venture into Playa Del Carmen, there are a few bars that will have hockey games along the 5th Avenue walk-way (between the Cozumel ferry dock and 14th Street or Calle 14). If you are in Cancun, you should be able to find plenty of bars with hockey. If you are closer to Tulum, you might be out of luck for hockey, so just enjoy the beach! Now I wish I was going again! Feel free to PM me if you want more info, I have plenty of websites and contact info for tours I took to the Mayan Ruins and snorkling with the Turtles, or swiming with Dolphins. Its a great area to vacation. Lots to do there, but just doing nothing on the beach is perfect too! |
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Post by phillymike on Dec 17, 2013 15:48:10 GMT -6
Every where I travelled the US green back was accepted with delightful eyes! Even in China (where it is illegal to do so) The US Dollar is easier, to figure out what you've just spent. (as opposed to a rubie/peso/yuan) Never been to Mexico, so I can't say for 100%. But when you hand over $10 US, you know you're handing over about $10 CND, and not $50. Especially when alcohol is involved.
Stay standing up my friend!
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Post by domi on Dec 17, 2013 16:18:08 GMT -6
^ The drinks at the All-Inclusives in Mexico are free (or rather included in the price of the resort), so a good way to ensure you are getting "good" rum and not watered-down yard-sale rum is to make friends with the bartender. If the bartender likes you, he'll keep feeding you the "good stuff".
A few $10 tips goes a long way to making the bartender your friend.
I would suggest that you pick one bar and one bartender on the resort, and make him your friend.
I never seem to drink enough at these All-Inclusives. I usually go all-out the first day and night, then I don't want to see another drink again until its time to go. Same for the food with me. I kind of like staying outside of all-inclusives and eating at the local establishments. I find everything is so cheap in Mexico that I can eat all I want and drink all I want a lot cheaper than the cost of an all-inclusive.
But the all-inclusives sure make it easy to just relax.
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Post by domi on Dec 17, 2013 16:18:26 GMT -6
(whoops. Double posted)
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Post by Tim on Dec 18, 2013 6:55:36 GMT -6
^ The drinks at the All-Inclusives in Mexico are free (or rather included in the price of the resort), so a good way to ensure you are getting "good" rum and not watered-down yard-sale rum is to make friends with the bartender. If the bartender likes you, he'll keep feeding you the "good stuff". A few $10 tips goes a long way to making the bartender your friend. I would suggest that you pick one bar and one bartender on the resort, and make him your friend. I never seem to drink enough at these All-Inclusives. I usually go all-out the first day and night, then I don't want to see another drink again until its time to go. Same for the food with me. I kind of like staying outside of all-inclusives and eating at the local establishments. I find everything is so cheap in Mexico that I can eat all I want and drink all I want a lot cheaper than the cost of an all-inclusive. But the all-inclusives sure make it easy to just relax. How could one not want to be my friend  Thanks for all the information, yea will tip big because believe it or not you really could be helping a person more then you know, and not just the bartenders the cleaning staff because they are the ones that refill the mini bar.  and I will pick up some stuff to hand out to the kids too. This will be my first time to Mexico and a all inclusive deal and I'm also there for a wedding, so I really don't feel like being plastered the hole trip because I could stay at home and do that, but there will be at least a couple nights that I will push to be deported! The drug thing not my speed so that won't be a problem, hell you have seen me drunk post before can you imagine me doing it high! |
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wolf357
Alternate Captain "A"
Posts: 557
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Post by wolf357 on Dec 20, 2013 11:33:18 GMT -6
Its been a couple of years since I've been to Mexico however I found it way easier to use pesos than dollars. Travelers checks were a pain in the but and strongly suggest not using them.
Another poster talked about taxies. They will charge differently on how many people are in the cab.
As far a "Good Rum" Sorry bud thats the Caribbean in Mexico its all about Tequila. Sure you can buy Rum there but its a premium. Just like in the Caribbean its hard to find good tequila.
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Post by Tim on Dec 20, 2013 13:54:44 GMT -6
Its been a couple of years since I've been to Mexico however I found it way easier to use pesos than dollars. Travelers checks were a pain in the but and strongly suggest not using them. Another poster talked about taxies. They will charge differently on how many people are in the cab. As far a "Good Rum" Sorry bud thats the Caribbean in Mexico its all about Tequila. Sure you can buy Rum there but its a premium. Just like in the Caribbean its hard to find good tequila. Don't like Tequila makes me puke the colours of the rainbow, place is all inclusive so rum can be hundred dollars a bottle for all I care. |
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wolf357
Alternate Captain "A"
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Post by wolf357 on Dec 21, 2013 11:57:03 GMT -6
Its been a couple of years since I've been to Mexico however I found it way easier to use pesos than dollars. Travelers checks were a pain in the but and strongly suggest not using them. Another poster talked about taxies. They will charge differently on how many people are in the cab. As far a "Good Rum" Sorry bud thats the Caribbean in Mexico its all about Tequila. Sure you can buy Rum there but its a premium. Just like in the Caribbean its hard to find good tequila. Don't like Tequila makes me puke the colours of the rainbow, place is all inclusive so rum can be hundred dollars a bottle for all I care. Couldnt agree with you more on the Tequila...Its nasty...nasty stuff. However just be pre-pared in an all inclusive in Mexico you might not be able to get rum or at the very least any good rum.All inclusives generally dont have the "hundreds of dollars a bottle" of rum, Just like you wont be able to get Rye of any quality. On the Mexican rivera side the beer is fantastic with Dos Equies (XX) Beer available everywhere and will no doubt be at your all inclusive (make sure sure you bring a travel mug or you will just get a small portion) when are you going on your trip? very jealous! we go just about every year but we have a 6 month little guy this year so we wont be going this year at the least. Have a blast! |
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Post by Tim on Dec 23, 2013 7:21:01 GMT -6
Don't like Tequila makes me puke the colours of the rainbow, place is all inclusive so rum can be hundred dollars a bottle for all I care. Couldnt agree with you more on the Tequila...Its nasty...nasty stuff. However just be pre-pared in an all inclusive in Mexico you might not be able to get rum or at the very least any good rum.All inclusives generally dont have the "hundreds of dollars a bottle" of rum, Just like you wont be able to get Rye of any quality. On the Mexican rivera side the beer is fantastic with Dos Equies (XX) Beer available everywhere and will no doubt be at your all inclusive (make sure sure you bring a travel mug or you will just get a small portion) when are you going on your trip? very jealous! we go just about every year but we have a 6 month little guy this year so we wont be going this year at the least. Have a blast! Thanks, |
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and I will pick up some stuff to hand out to the kids too. This will be my first time to Mexico and a all inclusive deal and I'm also there for a wedding, so I really don't feel like being plastered the hole trip because I could stay at home and do that, but there will be at least a couple nights that I will push to be deported! 
