My posts are based on my own experiences as well as neighbor's. When we first came to Mexico I was not fully retired. My wife would be here all winter and I frequently returned to Canada. Being a businessman I immediately opened up a bank account as a safe haven for cash. Big mistake. No ATM's. When she needed money had to drive 30 miles to the bank. Line up outside for withdrawals. At noon they closed the withdrawal wickets until the next day1 We left about 1000 pesos in the account at the end of the season. peso was around 4 to the dollar. When we returned in the fall it was half gone. They charged a fee if the account got too low!! She also had a CETES account. It renewed every month but you had to come on the last day and stand in line to renew! Worst bank I have ever seen! I do know people that tried to open accounts but were told to get an FM3. As for plastic : You would starve in Kino if you only had plastic! Neither the CFE nor the municipality will take foreign credit cards to pay online. We have been in the Guad market and they would take plastic for expensive items. BUT only if you paid a 5% fee. Contractors in HMO do the same. I asked why and the explanation was that the banks charge merchants horrendous commissions. Regardless if one has a US or Canadian CC the home bank charges a foreign exchange fee. There are a few that forego that fee: Amazon and Charles Schwabb come to mind.I do not pay any ATM fees imposed my bank. Just the 20 +pesos to use the ATM.
Moisheh
