Mexico Currency

EmJHall97

Hi folks,

I’ll be travelling to Mexico for the first time this summer, and staying right in the heart of Cancun. 

I know the official currency for Mexico is the Mexican Peso but I’ve read online they also accept USD. 

I’ve been doing lots of research online so know that tipping is a big part of the culture there - particularly many have said (typically Americans) tip in USD and only take USD too. 

What should I take? Just pesos or a mixture of pesos and USD? And how much would you recommend taking for a two week (all inclusive) holiday? 

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance! 

Westin

Personally, if staying in and around the Cancun area in an AI hotel, I'd just be taking a small amount of USD$'s for incidentals, taxis, tips etc.  Rest of spending on my Halifax Clarity card.

Over the years I have been to Mexico four times.  I never changed money into or used pasos. Always USD$.   Might however be different if travelling around and outside tourist areas.

Not sure anyone will be able to tell you how much spending money to take. 

frustin

EmJHall97 said:

Hi folks,

I’ll be travelling to Mexico for the first time this summer, and staying right in the heart of Cancun. 

I know the official currency for Mexico is the Mexican Peso but I’ve read online they also accept USD. 

I’ve been doing lots of research online so know that tipping is a big part of the culture there - particularly many have said (typically Americans) tip in USD and only take USD too. 

What should I take? Just pesos or a mixture of pesos and USD? And how much would you recommend taking for a two week (all inclusive) holiday? 

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance! 

I Did you get anywhere with these questions? I'm in the same position this summer (which isnt a bad position to be in ).
I was told, for an all inclusive:

"For Pesos, I think we got the cash in large denominations, but any decent hotel

reception or concierge should be happy to break the note down for you for tips.

Current rate is about 24 MXN to 1 GBP, to give you an idea.

The place we stayed at was all inclusive, so we tipped maybe 20-40MXN a time.

Whatever you feel happy with. At least, that was the advice we were given from

our tour rep."
I'm not sure if I should get US dollars as well.

Have you been given any further information since you posted this?

NoodleDoodleMan

$ US will gladly be accepted in tips in tourist areas.

Sandtree

USD will be gladly accepted but with a poor exchange rate... when we were there last USD$1 should have got you just over MXN$20 but most restaurants etc were offering MXN$18 or possibly $19

There aren't restrictions on locals converting currency and so the USD isn't preferred over local currency.

NoodleDoodleMan

Isn't the OP asking about tipping in US greenbacks ?

Can't see that being a problem in tourist locations in Mexico.

Mind you, my experience is limited to a one day port of call from a cruise ship.

eDicky

EmJHall97 said:

particularly many have said (typically Americans) tip in USD and only take USD too. 

What should I take? Just pesos or a mixture of pesos and USD?

Americans already have dollars in their pocket and can use them to tip and spend, so they don't bother with pesos.

If you already have pesos you can use them to tip and spend, it's the national currency. You don't need dollars also - unless you already have some there's not much point obtaining them specially, at cost and inconvenience.