Can i use american dollars wherever i go in cancun, mexico?

Question

i am going to cancun in a couple of weeks and wanted to know, if i take american dollars with me are they widely accepted in mexico? or am i better off just to take mexican pesos?

Answer 1

Greetings from Cancun! Today is a great  day in paradise...

You can use US dollars but you will not receive the best exchange rate...only 10 to 1. When you pay with dollars you "will" receive pesos in return.

My suggestion is to bring some US 1-dollar bills with you for tips and go to an ATM machine to get pesos. Remember to bring enough US dollars with you for your return trip back home.

The instructions on ATM are written in Spanish and English so you will not have a problem if you don't speak Spanish.

Hope this helps and have a great vacation!

Answer 2

We spent a week in Cancun and didn't ever use any Mexican pesos.  We used American dollars for everything - souvenirs, tips, bus rides, etc.  The dollar is accepted everywhere - take small bills though, because you often get change in pesos and might get shortchanged in the conversion.

Answer 3

Do not do either.

Mexican pesos can be withdrawn from A.T.M.s that are almost everywhere.

I take two Debit cards in case I lose one.

I stay for five months so I take some traveller's checks in the event both my cards go missing and do my banking on -line.

If you take U.S. dollars you will not get a good exchange rate and I think Mexicans would prefer a tip in local currency.

If you exchange your Money in the U.S@ an airport you will get clipped .

It is not necessary to carry or leave at your hotel a dangerous amount of cash

Answer 4

I just came back from a week-long Cancun trip like...well yesterday. I expected Visa/MC to be the standard, but a lot of places took AMEX that made things easy. American currency was also VERY widely accepted, stores, taxis, street vendors, not a single person had an issue. I think they even preferred it. At my resort I did exchange American dollars into the Pesos, just in case, but I think I really didn't need to use Pesos at all. I think I ended up just using Pesos for tips and what not and even then Im sure American dollars would've been sufficient. Have Fun.

~G

p.s. Here's where Pesos..may or may not come in handy. While over there I noticed that the currency exchange was $10.30 USD for $100 Pesos. While most things bought from stores and etc...I.E. may cost 260 pesos, but only $26 USD or even less....so yeah in that case it may be better after all to use USD.

Answer 5

American dollars are accepted all over the world, but my advice is as soon as you arrive there, go to and currency exchange bank.

Answer 6

Us dollars are WIDELY accepted.. You will have no problems!

(I'm a travel agent!)

Answer 7

Exchange them directly from the ATM or buy something at Walmart, Aurrera, but don't pay with dollars in any place, they gonna buy them below their value, aprox. 1 peso less for dollar.

Answer 8

Do not worry, you can use US Dollars all over the Hotel Zone of Cancun, as well as credit cards and ATMs are readily available at all the shopping malls. I would not get pesos until you are actually down there, and do not be afraid to compare the rates to what is offered at your hotel. Most resorts have favorable exchange rates because they do not want their guests to be unhappy. Of course they will make some money on the deal, but changing over a few dollars makes sense, especially so you can get some dinero to use on the local buses.



Have fun planning your vacation in paradise,

212eric

Answer 9

yes you can...but you can't use the coins....you can exchange at a bank and get a good exchange rate...both malls have them...don't give change as tips..its worthless to them..

Answer 10

Don't convert too much of your money into pesos. I've said time and time again that most(if not all) places accept american money. Bring singles to tip your bartenders, maids, etc. for better service.