Money & Banks

For currency conversion and additional travel tips regarding money visit gocurrency.com
Time Zones in the USA time zones and for Time in select Cities of Mexico

BANKS. It is usually not convenient to open a bank account during your stay. You can receive wires from a major bank such as Bancomer. Most banks in the Yucatán and Caribbean coast change pesos at a standard good rate, although less than the official rate and what is available in central Mexico. Change money at the México city airport if you fly through that city. Casa de Cambios can offer better rates, but necessarily. Additionally, if you have an American Express Card, there are offices in Cancun and Mérida and these provide the top exchange rate. AMEX offers other services such as: writing a personal check and having it cashed into pesos at going rate. AmEx is also very good if you lose your passport, money, etc and can provide great emergency services. Call AmEx for other benefits & services.

MONEY. If you arrive in Mexico without any pesos, we suggest you change only enough dollars to get you to the center of town. The exchange rates are always inferior in the airports of Mérida and Cancun.

In Cancun, there is a Casa de Cambios across the street from the Bus Station; actually from the side of the bus station. If you were standing outside the bus station looking inside, you turn to your right and walk down the length of the station to arrive at the street. Across the street you will see a DINER (SANBORNS or DENNYS ). Cross the street carefully at this point and walk to the left. the street opens up to a big traffic circle and the sidewalk winds along to the right. Soon you will see a Casa de Cambios. This offers among the best rates. If you have time, there are other casa de cambios all along that strip from the diner to the next block (about 1/2 mile) if you want to compare prices. This by the way is the tourist center of Cancun City and you will find interesting clothing stores, the FAMA bookstore, and restaurants. We do not suggest eating at these for the food is only for the tourist show and experience; they are expensive. To get from airport to bus station in taxi will be roughly $20-30 -- make friends in the airplane and try to find someone to split the ride into town. The shuttle is $7 or $9 and can be paid in US dollars the shuttle ticket can be bought JUST before you exit the airport --- not before.. You are better off paying the shuttle and taxi in pesos but HAGGLE and NEGOTIATE the price with a taxi. We have the suspicion that the Exchange rate is superior in the departure building of the airport versus in the international arrival. Thus, if you have time, wander to the other building and to find a Casa de Cambio.

CANCUN AIRPORT AND BUSES. If you are not loaded with luggage and can walk easily then we suggest trying to find the local bus transportation. Ask a police officer for this information or someone who works in a bar, restaurant etc. Anyone else walking around, like taxi drivers!, will tell you that there is no bus and you have to take a shuttle or taxi. Do not hesitate to ask several different persons. When you step out of the airport you walk past the throng of taxi and shuttle drivers and luggage men, walk to the road. Turn right, walk to next building (10 seconds). This is the building for departures. Walk the length of it to the other side -- if too hot you might walk inside the lobby. At the far, end the airport circle drive turns away and back out. Along this edge is the local bus stop. Ask around near here as well to verify info.

MERIDA AIRPORT. If you arrive in Merida airport on a day other than when we pick you up, then just change money to get the taxi; change $10 to get 100+ pesos. The taxi ride should not be more than 60 pesos to get to the center of town. The public bus would be 4 pesos (you may have to wait 20-30 minutes for the public bus, but this entails significant savings). In Mérida there are Casas de Cambio on 59 entre [between] 60 and 61. These are easy access, good rates, and quick. The best exchange rates in town are at one of two stalls in the Hotel Fiesta Americana. Sometimes the AmEx is superior rate, sometimes not, but AmEx has limited hours and lines whereas the others are almost always rapid service and open till 9pm.

MONEY CHANGING AND ATMS. We recommend that you bring sufficient cash for your needs. Do not buy traveler's checks unless you really feel that the need for the security of the check. Cash gets you much better exchange rate, thus you will lose money buying the check and then cashing it. We also use our ATM cards for getting cash in pesos. The machine charge is about $2.00 but this is safe, quick and secure. You can withdraw up to $7000 pesos from Bancomer (approximately US$640); other banks have other maximum limits on ATM cards.

Pisté does not currently have a bank or ATM machine. Thus, you will need to have cash in dollars or pesos in Pisté for any personal needs and gift buying.