Money in Mexico-help PLEASE

spender

Just returned yesterday from a fantastic 2 weeks in Mexico.

53 US Dollars is now the departure tax (Thomas Cook originally stated 51 but it has now gone up).

Other travellers had taken sterling and this caused real problems as the exchange rate was rubbish. We took a small amount of Pesos (about £300) and the rest in US Dollars. If you pay in dollars you may be given the change in Pesos. The comparison rate is 10 Pesos to one dollar.

We were all inclusive and tipped every day a small amount (couple of dollars or 20 Pesos) but I have still bought back a load of dollars which will be handy for a trip to US next year.

The weather is scorching and very humid but with a drink in the hand and a pool to cool down in who cares.

Highly recommend Tulum and Coba just accept you are going to be hot.

Kids loved the Pirates of the Caribbean evening trip so did OH as the drinks were flowing.

spender

Sorry just to add the trips are priced in US dollars even with the British Tour Operators. However you can pay in Pesos as they just convert for you. I paid with the Tesco Travel Card which I got at the higher initial rate and cash. I had taken back up credit cards but did not have to use them.

Thomas Cook, including direct holidays, the departure tax is not included. When you queue up for check in you pass a man sitting on a desk who will stamp your airline ticket stating that you paid your departure tax. This is paid IN CASH only, and is 53 US Dollars (including children) or Pesos which I think was 530.

Just a word of warning, on arrival we had to queue for 2 hours on arrival for immigration as they had only 2 on the desks in our area, so take some water from the plane. However it is generally about an hour. You get cards to fill in on the plane for immigration, don't worry you won't fit all your information into the boxes provided so use the all the spaces! We were worried and refilled these cards several times because we ticked instead of circled etc but they did not really glance at them.
Once you are through the luggage area just carry on walking until you get to the exit, the reps are not allowed into the airport and you will be accosted by time reps etc who will try and make out they are your rep.

Any other questions please ask. It was our first time to Mexico and we LOVED it.

By the way on the day of the departure we bought some Tequila before leaving for the airport and the woman in the shop told me that it would be fine to put in my hand luggage, however due to the weight I packed in in our suitcase. On arrival at Cancun airport they have a strict liquid restriction in hand luggage, so pack it all in your hand luggage to enjoy that shot at home!

meerustar

We got back last week from Cancun and had the best time ever!!!!!

We took $2000 and roughly £300 in Pesos. Make sure you have some small Dollar bills or pesos as tips.

Check out prices of tours/trips yourself rather than pay the rep prices. We all went to Wet & Wild to swim with the Dolphins which worked out cheaper than the rep price and included was all food, drinks and full day in the water park.

Another tip - Buses are every 2 minutes in Cancun and are all driven by maniacs, lol. No, seriously, they do drive a bit mental but tons cheaper than taking taxis. Highly recommended

Enjoy!!

Spender - The kids loved the pirate ships and as it's youngest birthday on Thursday he has gone Pirates of the Caribbean mad all over again, lol.