Advice on spending money for Mexico?

laura_hoggle

Hi everyone,

We are off on our honeymoon in just over 4 weeks, to an all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya for 10 nights (El Dorado Royale)

We are looking at ordering our currency soon, but really don't know how much to order!

As mentioned, it's an all inclusive resort, and has loads of different restaurants and bars, so shouldn't need money for food and drinks. We'd probably like to do some excursions, but not sure if we'll book those before we go through our travel operator or wait until we get there. Our package includes a few extras, like massage, beachfront meal and a few more.

Does anyone have any advice on how much we might need, is there much to spend money on? And does anyone have any advice about tipping?! I've read mixed reviews, about using pesos and US dollars, and not sure what to do!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

daisiegg

We spent our honeymoon in Cancun and I can't remember but I think we only took something like £200 worth of American dollars, and didn't even use all of that. Our resort was AI too and any excursions, spa treatments etc would be charged to the room and paid for by card. We did tip and it seemed the preferred currency for tips was definitely American dollars. We couldn't do any excursions because I had a broken foot (!) but I can imagine we may have spent a little bit on food/drink/shopping if we had.

Have a wonderful time!

laura_hoggle

Thanks for this daisiegg!

I remember reading some of your posts on the wedding boards, didn't know you went to Mexico for your honeymoon!

We were thinking of taking around £500 of currency, but don't know if that might be too much now! I was also veering more towards pesos on the travel agents recommendation, but might take a mixture of the two. I think we have some US dollars somewhere, so will find those and see how much we have. US dollars would be easier to spend again as well, as we are thinking of taking a trip to New York next year.

Thanks!

Kathy535

We went to Mexico for a fortnight for our honeymoon two years ago and took about £500 in mixed dollars and pesos, we came back with about £150 but i'm glad we took more than we needed to be on the safe side.

We didn't notice any preference amongst the staff for either, it felt like tipping was not expected but was gratefully received regardless of the currency.

We didn't do any trips as I was ill the first week and spent the second week recovering but we still had a great time (and I lost weight - bonus!)

wondercollie

US and in small denominations. $5 for the porter who moves your suitcases, $1 each for the bus driver to/from the airport. We've always tipped on the first round of drinks.

We usually leave $5/day for the chambermaid.

US currency has always been accepted in the markets.

Peso we usually buy at the resort. Charge everything like trips as the agents all take credit cards. Some of the excursions include the meals and soft drinks.

minimad1970

I've been to Mexico twice and took only pesos both times. In the resort they gave change in pesos and I paid the exit tax with them as well.

nuttyrockeress

Just returned today from El Dorado Seaside Suites.

We took $140 so $10 in tips per day (used Tesco and got $1 bills x5 per day and and also took some $5 and used 1 per day) £140 in peso.

We used card to pay for trips and spa services.

Also don't forget you will need 800 peso each for departure tax.

laura_hoggle

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Looks like I had originally totally over estimated... I had about £1000 earmarked for honeymoon spends, but won't spend it just yet in case we end up putting a lot on our cards! And if we don't need it, it can go towards the New York fund!!

I had been told by the travel agent and read about the departure tax having to be paid in pesos, but thanks for the reminder.

Nuttyrockeress, what was your resort like? And does anyone have any recommendations of any must do trips?

wondercollie

I've never paid a departure tax. Maybe it's included in our tickets here in Canada.

wondercollie

The ruins at Tulum and the nature park. One company makes a day out of the two and the nature park is all inclusive, so you get lunch and snacks there. If you do this one, take bottled water and a hat. I don't remember there being anywhere to get a drink at the ruins.

daisiegg

laura_hoggle wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your responses!

Looks like I had originally totally over estimated... I had about £1000 earmarked for honeymoon spends, but won't spend it just yet in case we end up putting a lot on our cards! And if we don't need it, it can go towards the New York fund!!

I had been told by the travel agent and read about the departure tax having to be paid in pesos, but thanks for the reminder.

Nuttyrockeress, what was your resort like? And does anyone have any recommendations of any must do trips?

Departure tax? We didn't pay this...never even heard of it!