Study abroad in Monterrey Mexico - Need help with money!?

Question

Hello!-

I am currently traveling to Monterrey this weekend for two weeks and was wondering a little bit about the money situation. I know most shops take american dollars and debit/credit cards, and I know 10 pesos are roughly 1 USD, but I had a few questions.

1. Should I go down there with no USD's and simply a debit card/credit card?

2.When using an ATM, will I get charged any conversion fees? I have Chase bank

3. When using my debit card at a restaurant or store, do I want to be charged in the local currency or USD. I heard if you choose the wrong one you get hit with a nasty conversion fee.

Thanks for your time! I look foward to going to Mexico and having a great time!

Answer 1

Try to visit this site, you may find may useful informations on study abroad:

http://summer-study-abroad-program.blogs...

Answer 2

3

You are always charged in Pesos.

Answer 3

Hi.. hewre are my answers.. hope it helps

1) Never travel anywhere without cash.. You never know if there is going to be an emergency or something and it's always good to bring cash with you... BUT ... don't take so much that if you loose it or get robbed will be in trouble.

2) Check with Chase manhattan to see if there are charges.. usually there are as much as 5usd per transaction

3) As far as I know you can't choose the currency to be charged.. it will have to be in Pesos and then your bank will convert it on your statement.. but it should not be so bad.

Answer 4

Just do cash the credit debit card thing just can present too many problems. Easy to spend more with a credit card and hard to fight a decrepency from a foriegn country. Just leave $$ behind and have someone Western Union it to you when needed. You could Western Union it to your self before you leave and its always sittin there for you to recieve. It will be given to you in pesos ( they do the conversion from dollars right there at the counter) and your done. Less $$ in any type of fees also...............