How Much Cash to Bring to Mexico in 2026 (Real Numbers from a Resident)

I am Mexican, and I get this question from every foreign friend who comes to visit: how much cash do I actually need?

The honest answer is less than you are imagining, but more than your card will cover. Mexico is a country where a beach club takes American Express and the taco stand two streets behind it takes coins only. Around 80% of all transactions here are still paid in cash, according to Visa Mexico. Cards work fine in cities and resorts. Everywhere else, cash is the whole system.

So this post gives you real numbers: how much to bring by budget level, what things genuinely cost in 2026, which bank machines to use and which to walk straight past, what to tip, and the customs rule nobody reads until they are standing at the airport.

One thing before you do any maths. As of August 2026, 1 US dollar buys around 17 pesos. The peso has been strong all year, moving between roughly 17 and 18.8 over the last twelve months, and it is currently near the strong end of that range. Every figure in this post uses 17. Check the rate the week you travel, because a swing that size changes your whole budget.

Read on for spending options, tips and tricks, and the real cost of traveling to Mexico.

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How Much Cash to Bring to Mexico: The Short Answer

For a mid-range trip where your hotel is prepaid and cards handle the big purchases, bring about 100 to 150 USD worth of pesos per person per week, and withdraw more from a bank ATM once you are here rather than carrying it all in.

Double that if your trip involves markets, street food, small towns, beach clubs, or a lot of taxis. Those are cash businesses.

Three things matter more than the number. Get your pesos from a bank ATM in Mexico, not from your bank at home and not from an airport exchange booth. Always choose to be charged in pesos when the machine offers you your own currency. And keep small bills, because nobody here has change for a 500.

The legal limit for bringing cash into Mexico without declaring it is 10,000 USD per person, or the equivalent in any currency.

What’s Mexico Currency?

The currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). The peso moves, and it has moved a lot. It reached 16 to the dollar at its strongest, weakened past 20 in 2024, and as of August 2026 it sits around 17. That range matters to you: the same trip can cost 15% more or less depending on when you come, so check the rate before you budget anything.

How Much Cash Should You Bring to Mexico Based on Your Budget?

Identifying your budget prior to booking your trip is important.

For one, it will help determine where in Mexico is best to visit. Secondly, it will determine what activities you can participate in.

A good rule of thumb is to bring 25% of your overall budget in cash to avoid carrying around huge wads of money.

For example, if your daily budget is 50 dollars and you will be here six days, that is a 300 dollar budget, so plan on about 75 dollars in pesos.

Even if you overspend and run out, many legitimate ATMs exist in most major cities and towns.

Read below for a general guide on how much cash to bring to Mexico for low-end, medium-end, and high-end budgets.

how much cash to bring to mexico
Mazatlan, a very affordable destination in northern Mexico

➡️ Low-End Budgets

There are still plenty of fun and affordable things to do in Mexico on a low-end budget! A comfortable daily allowance on a low-end budget is 35-70 USD per person.

This being said, some regions of Mexico are pricier than others. For example, Los Cabos is known as the most expensive in Mexico, while Chiapas and Oaxaca are more budget-friendly.

For cash, bring 10-15 USD for each day of your vacation.

➡️ Mid-Range Budgets

Have a larger budget but still want to watch your spending? A comfortable daily allowance in Mexico is 70-150 USD per person.

This will allow you to do a few more luxurious tours, eat at nicer restaurants, or stay at a mid-range hotel. For cash, bring 25-35 USD for each day of your vacation.

➡️ High-End Budgets

If money isn’t an object for you and a budget is out of the question, the sky’s the limit in Mexico!

As one of the most affordable places in the world to travel, you can enjoy the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and other cities in Mexico, high-end restaurants, and private bespoke tours.

A typical daily allowance for a high-end budget is 150-1000 USD a day per person. For cash, allot 35-100 USD for each day of your vacation.

Cancun beach playa chaak mol
Playa Chaak Mol in Cancun

Can I pay with a Credit Card in Mexico?

Yes, paying with credit cards is very common in Mexico, and as I will mention later, it’s much more convenient than carrying cash around. Major cards like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are commonly accepted, though Amex noticeably less than the other two.

Here is the figure that puts it in perspective, though: around 80% of all transactions in Mexico are still cash, according to Visa Mexico. Cards are winning in the cities, and contactless has grown fast, with roughly three in every ten card payments now tap-to-pay. But anything under about 500 pesos is still overwhelmingly cash, and that is precisely the range your holiday lives in: tacos, colectivos, market stalls, entrance fees, tips, a beer.

The simple rule: assume cards work at hotels, chain restaurants, supermarkets, big attractions, and anywhere inside a resort. Assume cash everywhere else and you will never be caught out.

Cost of Food

The good news is that Mexico has no shortage of amazing and affordable food.

From simple tacos to complex Mayan cuisines, you’ll have more than enough restaurants to choose from, no matter your budget.

One thing to be mindful of before arriving in Mexico is that restaurants in tourist spots will be more expensive.

Buying food at the local supermarket is a great way to save money for low-end budgets. The food is fresh, and they have plenty of vegetables, snacks, and local beverages.

If you’re on a mid-range budget, many delicious roadside stands and oceanfront restaurants sell tacos, burritos, and cochinita pibil (pulled pork) dishes for 6 to 15 USD a plate.

For bigger spenders, cities such as Mexico City, Cabo, Tulum, and Cancun are home to numerous award-winning and upscale restaurants.

Depending on the location, eating more luxuriously could cost 50-200 USD a person.

However, some places like Tulum hardly accept credit cards, although things have been changing lately.

That is why it’s always good to have some cash with you.

Traditional Mexican seafood
Traditional Mexican seafood

Cost of Shopping

Generally, shopping in Mexico is much cheaper than shopping in other tourist destinations such as the U.S. or Europe.

Shopping for clothes in malls and street vendors in Mexico is quite cheap.

Most malls, department stores, and grocery stores accept credit cards, while smaller “mom-and-pop” shops, souvenir stands, or roadside food trucks might be cash only.

If you plan to do minimal shopping during your vacation, allocating a budget of 100 USD for a week is ideal.

Cost of Transportation

The cost of transportation varies slightly throughout the country (and Mexico is a large country!)

Before booking your vacation, it’s best to determine what regions of the country you plan to visit and map out transportation routes and costs.

A factor determining the total cost of transportation is the size of the area you visit and the distance between attractions.

For example, the Yucatan Peninsula has many things to do and see in a relatively small area, making transportation more affordable.

Other modes of transportation available in Mexico are flights, rental cars, shuttles (colectivos), and taxis.

Renting a car in Mexico, buses, or flights are the most convenient option for longer distances. Prices for both vary based on the season and route.

Buses and taxis are the most affordable option for intercity travel. Note that taxi drivers work off fixed prices.

Guanajuato historical center
The colorful streets of Guanajuato

🚌 Public Transportation Fare

Public transportation fares vary slightly depending on the city or town.

On average, a one-way inter-city bus ticket can cost between 25 and 50 cents (6-10 MXN).

Other modes of public transportation include the subway, which costs around 16 cents (3 MXN).

The best way to see how much public transportation will cost in the area you are visiting is the Bookaway app.

It reveals the cost, distance, and travel time for all Mexico bus, ferry, and train routes.

🚗 Car Rental

The total price for a car rental in Mexico varies depending on the length of trip, miles driven, type of car requested, and the season you visit.

However, the average daily cost of a rental car in Mexico is about 30 USD (around 515 MXN).

You can pay for your car rental online ahead of time using a credit card, but keep a small amount of cash on hand to pay any potential tolls you may encounter. Many toll booths on Mexican highways still take cash only, and the tolls on some routes add up to more than the rental itself.

🚕 Taxi

Base taxi fares vary throughout Mexico depending on the city you visit.

However, getting around via taxi is still more affordable in Mexico than in the US or Europe.

Most city taxis have visible and verified meters, but taxis in smaller towns often do not. In this case, it’s best to agree upon a price with the driver before getting into the taxi.

🚙 Uber

Uber is currently available in more than 60 cities across Mexico, and it’s considered the safest mode of transportation.

The best part is that it doesn’t require any cash since all transactions, including tipping, are done from the app.

An Uber ride in Mexico is typically cheaper than a taxi and can cost as little as 2-4 USD (around 35-70 MXN) for a shorter distance.

Mexico city chapultepec
Chapultepec Park in Mexico City

Cost of Accommodation

One of the best things about Mexico is that you can travel here on almost any budget. This is also true when it comes to lodging options.

For reference, the nightly rates of the hostels and hotels in Mexico are comparable to most other Central American countries.

A mixed dorm will likely cost 10-25 USD a night. A mid-range hotel room will usually cost 25 to 55 USD per night.

Finally, an upscale hotel or all-inclusive resort in Cozumel could cost anywhere from 55 to 1000 USD a night, depending on location and property amenities.

Regardless of your budget, to get the best deal possible, book your accommodation in advance using travel apps such as Booking.com or Expedia.

Many hostels, hotels, and resorts fill up very quickly, especially during Mexico’s high season.

Habitas Tulum hotel
A trendy hotel in Tulum

Cost of Tours and Attractions

The cost of guided tours and attractions varies greatly throughout Mexico, depending on the attraction and the region you visit.

For example, in the Yucatan Peninsula, admittance to Chichen Itza costs 697 pesos for foreign visitors (about 41 USD), made up of a 105 peso federal INAH fee and a 592 peso Yucatán state fee. The price went up in April 2026 when the two tickets were merged into one, so any site still quoting 676 pesos has not been updated since. Mexicans and foreign residents pay 310 pesos with ID, and people from Yucatán go free.

In Mexico City, a six-hour tour, including a cruise through the Xochimilco floating gardens and entrance to the Frida Kahlo Museum, is around USD 38 (about 650 MXN).

However, don’t let the cost of tours and attractions deter you from exploring all Mexico offers.

Even if you’re on a low-end budget, it’s best to splurge more of your budget on attractions than it is to stay in a fancier hotel or hostel.

Chichen Itza El Castillo
Chichen Itza, one of the 7 World Wonders

How Much Money Should You Take to an All-Inclusive in Mexico?

Virtually any all-inclusive resort in Tulum and other cities in Mexico will accept cashless methods of payment. Most purchases made on-property can be charged to your suite or room via your credit card on file.

Still, bringing a small amount of cash for service tips (spa treatments, bartenders, waiters and waitresses, tour guides, etc.) is smart.

For a week at an all-inclusive, I would bring around 2,000 to 3,000 pesos in small notes purely for tips, and a little more if you plan to leave the resort for tours or taxis.

Can You Use American Money in Mexico?

Technically yes, in some places. Practically, you should not.

The official currency here is the Mexican peso, and that is what everything is priced in. Some businesses in Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Los Cabos and the cruise ports will take dollars, and a few list prices in both currencies.

The catch is that they set their own exchange rate, and it is always worse than the bank’s. You are paying a hidden surcharge on every transaction, sometimes 10% or more, and you will usually get your change back in pesos at that same bad rate anyway.

Step outside those few tourist zones and dollars are simply not useful. Nobody at a market stall, a taquería, or a bus station is going to take them.

Bring 100 to 200 dollars as an emergency reserve if it makes you feel better, and spend pesos for everything else.

💱 Exchange Rate of US Dollars to Mexican Pesos

As of August 2026, 1 US dollar buys about 17.1 pesos. A euro buys around 19.8 and a British pound around 23.1.

Exchange rates float freely, meaning they are in constant fluctuation. Check XE.com or your banking app before you travel, since these move daily.

🏦 Where Is the Best Place to Convert USD to MXN?

A bank ATM in Mexico. That is the whole answer, and it is not close.

Withdrawing pesos from a machine attached to a Mexican bank gets you a rate very near the real interbank one, plus a flat fee you can see and control. Every other option bakes its margin into the rate itself, where you cannot see it.

The ones to avoid: airport exchange booths, which typically run 8 to 15% below the real rate in captive locations, plus a fixed fee on top. Ordering pesos from your bank at home before you fly, which is often worse still, with US banks documented at 10 to 20% above the interbank rate. And hotel front desks, which are the most expensive of all.

Casas de cambio in town are a middle option. Rates vary a lot between them, they are usually better than the airport, and they are worth comparing if you are carrying cash you need to change.

Turquize Hyatt Cancun all inclusive
Aerial views of a resort in Cancun

Should I Get Cash Before I Go To Mexico?

A small amount, yes. Most of it, no.

Ordering a large quantity of pesos from your bank at home costs you money before you have even landed, because home banks give some of the worst rates available on Mexican pesos. Withdraw from a bank ATM once you arrive instead.

The exception is arriving late at night, or landing somewhere small where the machine at the airport might be empty. In that case a little cash in hand saves you a headache.

And do not bring large amounts of cash generally. Even though Mexico is generally safe, carrying wads of money in your wallet or pockets is not a good idea anywhere in the world.

💰 How Many Pesos Should I Bring to Mexico?

Land with 2,000 to 3,000 pesos in your pocket, which is roughly 120 to 175 dollars. That covers your transfer from the airport, your first dinner, tips, and a day or two of small things without having to hunt for a bank the moment you arrive.

After that, take money out as you go. Bank machines are on every other corner in cities and tourist towns, the rate you get is close to the real one, and walking around with a week of cash is a worse idea than paying one extra withdrawal fee.

The exception is small towns and the countryside, where machines can be scarce, broken, or simply empty by the weekend. If you are heading somewhere like that, take out what you need before you leave the last city.

💰 How to Buy Mexican Pesos While in the US?

You can buy pesos with U.S. dollars at most major banks, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, JP Morgan, PNC, or Chase. You usually need to be a customer of the bank, and to order a few days ahead.

Just know what it costs you. Home-bank currency orders have been documented running 10 to 20% above the real interbank rate, so on 500 dollars you can lose 50 to 100 before your plane leaves the ground. Order the small amount you want to land with, and get the rest here.

How to Spend Money in Mexico?

If you’re wondering how much you should spend in Mexico, that is completely up to you, the traveler!

It’s a great country at any budget.

On average, those who vacation in Mexico typically spend about 92 USD a day (around 1,570 MXN).

💳 Use Credit Cards

Credit cards are widely accepted at most places of business throughout Mexico, especially in tourist areas.

Besides small towns and certain food trucks or shops, you can use a credit card to pay for most things.

Pros and Cons

A credit card has many benefits, including points and other travel perks. Some travel cards like Capital One Venture also waive foreign transaction fees.

The downside is the possibility of them getting lost, stolen, or hacked. Some small businesses abroad also don’t accept credit cards.

Tips

Never give out your credit card number to individuals, and keep your card in a safe place that can’t be easily stolen or pickpocketed.

Keep your bank and credit card company’s information on a small piece of paper in case of emergencies or instances of fraud or theft.

One local habit worth copying: in Mexico the card machine comes to your table and you enter your PIN yourself. Your card should never leave your sight, and if a waiter walks off with it, ask for the terminal instead.

💳 Use Debit Cards

Debit cards are also widely accepted in Mexico as a form of payment for goods and services.

Pros and Cons

Using your debit card in Mexico is generally safe, and carrying a debit card is safer than carrying a large amount of actual cash on you.

A possible downside is when your card isn’t accepted or stops working. You may find yourself in a stressful situation with no way to pay for things.

Tips

Make sure you keep your debit card someplace safe and secure where you can easily locate it.

Use your best judgment when buying services or products, and don’t purchase tours or experiences from companies that are not certified tour guides.

Tell your bank you are travelling before you come. A card frozen for suspected fraud on your second day here is the single most common money problem I hear about from visitors.

It is possible to pay gratuities with a debit card in Mexico just as you would with a credit card, but many waiters and waitresses may prefer cash in local currency.

💳 Use Prepaid Travel Cards

Prepaid travel cards are a great option to unlock the best exchange rates and cheaper travel.

Pros and Cons

Many prepaid travel cards take the worry out of converting your money beforehand. They allow for spending in multiple currencies and can be used in most countries.

You can also use some cards at registered ATMs with no transaction fees until after the first 100 USD is withdrawn.

Even if you don’t have a physical card, the information can be accessed from your phone through Google or Apple Pay.

The downside is that many prepaid cards come with their own set of fees and limitations, so it’s important to read over the small print when applying for one. Note too that the Mexican bank’s own ATM surcharge still applies, whatever your card issuer waives.

Tips

You can use a prepaid travel card the same way you would a debit card.

Treat it as you would any other bank card, and keep it safe and secure where it can’t be scanned or pickpocketed.

Before signing up for a prepaid travel card, read the small print regarding usage rules, fees, and limitations.

💸 Pay with Cash

Isla Aguada boat tour sand bank
A sand bank in Isla Aguada

Cash here means pesos. It is what everything is priced in, what every business takes, and the only thing that works outside the tourist zones.

One habit that will save you constant small frustrations: break your big notes whenever you get the chance. The machine gives you 500s, and almost nobody at a market stall, a taquería or a taxi will have change for one. Buy something small at an OXXO and ask for change, and keep a stock of 20s, 50s and 100s.

Pros and Cons

Bringing a small amount of cash in the local currency with you is always a good idea.

This could help in any unforeseen emergencies where you may not be able to use your credit or debit card.

Oppositely, carrying around too much cash can be inconvenient and dangerous.

Tips

Use your best judgment when deciding how much cash to bring with you to Mexico. A good rule to follow is to bring 25% of your total budget in cash.

If you happen to run out, use your debit card or prepaid travel card at a verified national bank ATM to get the best exchange rate.

Tipping in Mexico: How Much and to Whom

Set cash aside for tips even if you intend to pay for everything by card, because here tips are given in cash and in pesos, almost without exception.

Restaurants: 10 to 15%. Fifteen for good service, ten is completely normal. Twenty is generous, not expected, whatever anyone tells you.

Bars: 10 to 20 pesos a round, or 10% if you are running a tab.

Hotel housekeeping: 20 to 50 pesos a day. Leave it every day rather than in one lump at the end, so it reaches whoever actually cleaned your room that morning.

Bellhops: 20 to 50 pesos a bag.

Tour guides: 10 to 15%, or roughly 200 to 400 pesos per person for a good half-day tour. More for a private guide.

Gas station attendants: 10 to 20 pesos. Every station in Mexico is full service, so somebody will always pump for you.

Grocery baggers: the people packing your bags, usually teenagers or retired folk, are often not paid a wage at all and live on tips. Five to twenty pesos, or whatever coins you have.

Taxis: round the fare up. Uber: optional, in the app or a few coins.

Altogether that comes to roughly 100 to 200 pesos a day for a typical visitor, and it is the best-spent cash of your trip.

⚖️ A tip added to your bill is against the law here

This one surprises most visitors, and it is worth knowing because it is being enforced.

Under Article 10 of Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Law, a restaurant, bar or café cannot add a tip to your bill automatically, cannot make service conditional on one, and cannot impose a fixed percentage for larger groups. Any charge you did not agree to is not allowed.

Profeco, our consumer protection agency, stepped up enforcement through 2026, with fines running into the millions of pesos for businesses that keep doing it.

So if you see “propina incluida” or a service charge already printed on your bill, you can ask for it to be taken off and decide the amount yourself. In practice: read the bill before you pay, especially in tourist areas. And do still tip. The law protects your right to choose the amount, not to skip it.

Are ATMs in Mexico Safe to Use?

Yes, most ATMs associated with national banks in Mexico are safe to use. When using an ATM, always convert the amount to local currency.

Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your PIN number and cash out of plain sight.

🚫 Unaffiliated ATMs in Tourist Spots

When using ATMs in tourist spots, you have to use extra precautions. Make sure the ATM is associated with a major bank rather than being nameless.

The freestanding machines in hotel lobbies, convenience stores and beach clubs charge the most and are the ones associated with card skimming. A machine attached to a branch, ideally inside it, is cheaper and safer.

💸 ATM Fees in Mexico: Which Banks to Use

Mexican machines charge foreign cards a surcharge on top of whatever your own bank takes, and the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive is enormous. These are the typical fees per withdrawal in 2026:

BankFee per withdrawal
BanBajío23 MXN
Mifel27 MXN
Banamex31 MXN
Santander35 MXN
Banorte64 MXN
HSBC74 MXN
Banco Azteca115 MXN
Scotiabank130 MXN
BBVA197 MXN

BBVA has the most machines in tourist areas and charges nearly nine times what BanBajío does. Walking two blocks past the BBVA in your hotel lobby saves you 170 pesos, every time.

If you go looking for these numbers on the banks’ own websites you will see much lower ones, usually around 33 pesos. Those are the domestic rates for Mexican cardholders. Foreign cards get charged the surcharge in the table above, and you will only see it on the screen at the moment you withdraw.

Three rules that beat the fees

Take out more, less often. The fee is flat, not a percentage, so one withdrawal of 8,000 pesos costs the same as one of 1,000. Most bank machines cap you somewhere between 6,000 and 9,000 pesos per transaction.

Always choose pesos. The machine will offer to charge you in your own currency and show you a rate that looks helpful. Say no every single time. That conversion, called dynamic currency conversion, typically costs 3 to 7% more than the real rate, and at tourist machines here it has been measured above 10%. It is the most expensive button in the country. Declining it does not cancel your withdrawal, whatever the wording on the screen suggests.

Use bank machines, not the standalone ones. See above. The difference is both the fee and the risk.

Tips for Safely Spending Money in Mexico

Mexico is generally a very safe country, but when it comes to protecting your money, you still need to stay vigilant.

Don’t use random, nameless ATMs in tourist areas; be aware of local scams.

Don’t get into a meterless cab without agreeing on a price first, and do your research on hotels and car rentals prior to arriving in Mexico.

yucatan, mexico, sky
Quiet street in Yucatan, one of the most affordable states in Mexico

Frequently Asked Questions on Spending Money in Mexico

Legally, How Much Cash Can I Take to Mexico?

Up to 10,000 USD, or about 171,000 pesos, per person. Bring more than that and you have to declare it at customs, which is a form, not a problem.

Two things most guides leave out. The limit counts cheques, money orders and other payable instruments too, not just banknotes. And it applies in both directions, on the way in and on the way out.

Carrying the money is legal. Failing to declare it is the offence, and the fine runs from 20 to 40% of the undeclared amount. For a normal holiday you will not come anywhere near this.

Is It Safe to Carry Cash in Mexico?

While it’s generally safe, carrying only the amount you need and keeping it secure is advisable.

Split it up rather than keeping everything in one wallet, leave what you do not need in the hotel safe, and use cards for the larger purchases.

Is It Better to Bring Cash or Credit to Mexico?

Both, and the split matters more than the total. Use cards for hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and big attractions, where they are accepted and give you a good rate. Carry pesos for everything under about 500 pesos, which is where most of your day actually happens.

Should I Bring US Dollars to Mexico?

Bring 100 to 200 dollars as an emergency reserve and nothing more. Some businesses in Cancun, Los Cabos and the cruise ports will take dollars, but they set their own exchange rate and it is always worse than the bank’s, so you lose money on every single transaction. Away from those places, dollars are simply not useful to anyone.

Pesos are the currency. Get them from a machine once you land.

What Is the Best Way to Bring Money to Mexico?

A debit card with low foreign transaction fees, used at bank ATMs here, plus a credit card as backup and a small amount of cash to land with. Cards from providers like Wise let you hold multiple currencies and waive their own fees, though the Mexican bank’s ATM surcharge still applies on top.

How Much Cash Do You Need per Day in Mexico?

This depends. When deciding how much cash to bring to Mexico per day, follow the 25% rule.

Identify your total personal budget and bring 25% of that in cash. Split this up evenly throughout the days you are there.

How Much Money Should I Take to Mexico for a Week?

Follow the 25% rule regardless of how many days you will be in Mexico.

For example, if your total budget for a seven-day trip is 1,500 USD, bring about 375 USD worth of pesos, which is roughly 6,400 MXN. That works out to a little over 50 dollars in cash a day.

How Much Money Should I Take to Mexico for 2 Weeks?

Do not simply double your one-week figure. Add about 50% instead, because cash spending is front-loaded: transfers, tips and the first few days of working out where you are cost more than the settled second week.

On a 1,500 dollar weekly budget that means roughly 550 dollars in pesos across the two weeks rather than 750. Then top up from a machine as you go.

How Much Money Should I Take to Mexico for a Month?

For a month, stop thinking in trip totals and start thinking in weekly withdrawals. Take out what you need for the first week, see what you actually spent, and adjust.

Nobody should be walking around with a month of cash in their bag, and there is no reason to, because the machines are everywhere.

How Much Cash to Bring to Mexico: Final Thoughts

There is no single right number, but there is a right method, and it is this: bring enough pesos to land comfortably, around 2,000 to 3,000, then withdraw from bank machines as you go.

Choose your machine, because the difference between BanBajío and BBVA is 170 pesos a time. Always take pesos rather than your own currency when the screen asks. Break your big notes at OXXO, because no market stall will ever have change for a 500. Keep 100 to 200 pesos a day aside for tips.

Do that and you will not be the visitor standing at the taco stand patting their pockets, which is still the most common tourist moment I see in my own country.

Before You Go…

If you have enjoyed reading this post and found it useful, here below you can find more practical tips about traveling to Mexico that are included in my Mexico travel guide.

About the author. Dani is Mexican and writes about the practical side of travelling in her own country: what things really cost, which bank machines to avoid, and the small local habits that catch visitors out. She has been paying for everything in pesos her whole life.