Pesos

Up until recently we wanted a lot of pesos when we crossed the border so we could buy fuel soon after crossing. We would not buy fuel in the states so we would be low going into Mexico and then fill up with the lower cost fuel. Now the US is lower so we think filling in the US makes sense. That should get you to at least Guaymas where there are plenty of banks with ATMs. There may be a couple of tolls but if you have even a few hundred pesos that should be plenty - unless you spend the night somewhere before Guaymas. We stay south of Tucson the night before crossing at Nogales and then cross as the Sun comes up in the morning. That usually gets us easily to San Carlos the first day over. All of this is theoretical of course.

I agree with Briansue. Unless you have a CC that does not charge the international fee you will pay from 2 to 3% extra. Many merchants will charge up to 5% extra in Mexico if you use a CC. Even Costco charges extra. Re Santa Anna ATM. There used to be an ATM in Santa Ana that had parking. It has been closed and you have to go downtown. One can hardly get a car in that area. Forget taking an RV. Credit card fraud is rampant in Mexico. I have know too many visitors that have had problems. Even though you are not responsible for the charges it is a PIA when you are in a foreign country.

Moisheh

To clarify - I did not say or mean to say you cannot use your credit card. What I said was we prefer that not everyone in the world know our credit card information so we use it as little as possible for what should be obvious security reasons - identity theft or whatever. We use them only when absolutely necessary. We use our debit cards but try to only use them at ATMs at actual banks and not at just any old cash machine. Yes, you are somewhat protected if you can get to the credit card company in time - but it can be days of hassles to get things straightened out - and the fact that someone out there has at least some of your information means they may find other ways to clean you out. Years ago it was safe to use credit cards just about anywhere. Based on security warnings in recent years it has become obvious that this is no longer true. Using a card in a foreign country can increase the hassles. We do carry several extra credit cards and debit cards which we keep very well hidden and fireproof. Opinions vary.

We were able to successfully use our credit cards at ALL Pemex stations on the way to Zihuatanejo this year. We prefer to use our cards so that we don't have to carry that much cash, and our cards are 1.5% cash back cards. It adds up.

We use Capital One because there are no fees of any kind when used internationally. Check the archives for loads of information on this.

We live using our credit cards almost exclusively, all over the world. Sometimes things happen, we feel it's random, as do the card issuers. If you are worried, carry more than one, like we do!

Remember: Relax, have a great time, and enjoy yourselves!

Use your debit card at ATM not your C.C. much cheaper

Thank you all for the info.Sounds good will use cc at banjercito and get cash at Santa Ana.I have been wondering about using the cc too much, gas stops really put it out there!

I know we should have organized more cash before we left last year,forgot as we didn't drive so money wasn't so needed.Will make sure on way home this year.

If you cross at Nogales/Mariposa and do not go through the city you will come to that toll plaza others mention and shortly after is the first inspection/customs station. (If you choose to go through Nogales on the south side of the border you should be able to find a bank. We have never gone through town). On the left side - in the middle between southbound and northbound lanes - a concrete island - there used to be two sort of mini banks with ATM machines. These are not money changer cambio type places but actual ATM (cajero automatico) where you get the best rate of exchange. You can buy pesos when you get to the place where you do all your paperwork but they charge a profitable rate - I have seen no ATM at the permit stop. You can use your credit cards to do all your paperwork at the permit stop at the Banercito - you pay for all your permits there - and you want to pay for your vehicle deposit with a credit card. So theoretically you do not need pesos right away. We are in the group mindset that you pay for fuel in Mexico with cash and not credit or debit because we don't want our numbers out in the world where anyone can see them. We try to get our cash at ATMs located at/in banks if possible just in case anything goes wrong and the machine keeps our care - or something. The next ATM we know of is in Santa Ana about 65 - 70 miles south of Nogales. I think 1,700mxp should be enough if all works well as explained above.

I've never known of anyone who was able to use/exchange Canadian dollars in Mexico. Best to use an ATM or exchange for US dollars before crossing

For future reference, leave the country with enough pesos to comfortably get you to an ATM next time.
We cross at Tijuana on foot a few weeks before our planned border crossing (it's only 4 hours from us, and we love the San Diego Zoo), get our FMM's and hit the ATM so we'll have plenty of cash.

you can buy a few Pesos at Walmart in Nogales. However You can Not use Canadian Dollars! They will only accept American Money in the Southern States!

Whatever You do Do Not Enter Mexico without at least $5000 Pesos! I speak from experience. Just when You think ATM No problema.... it will be Either Out of Money or Out of Order!


Also forget about using Canadian Dollars in Mexico !

We use a Scotia Bank Debit Card to obtain A good Amount of Pesos from the Scotia Bank ATM in Guaymas! There is no Service charge to Scotibank Customers!