Job Discussion Forums

the peanut gallery · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264

Guy,

"....The two most heavily policed areas of Mexico City (Zona Rosa and the airport)...never had a problem before and generally not something I'd worry about."

I hate that when you exchange at some of those places the guy behind the counter twirls round his screen to show you how many pesos are are getting (huge text for all to see). The guy in front of me last week was horrified that anyone standing behind him, or in the general area, saw that he was walking away with 45 thousand. He was worried, and i would have been too.

gregd75 · Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:30 pm Post subject:

I would never have exchanged 45 thousand, even less exchanged it in the street.

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Dollars are still accepted around here.

the peanut gallery · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264

You and me both greg. Stupid move imo but it happens.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

45 thousand in cash is silly to walk around with in any currency anywhere. An ATM card is simple enough to use (unless it's from China I see!). I've never had a counter guy spin around a screen though....I usually just get a print out.

the peanut gallery · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264

Silly amount for sure. As you exit baggage claim in T1 there are a few places on the left of the exit that flip the screens around. Many business travelers head right there, not wanting to hunt for a better rate. I wouldnt feel comfortable even exchanging 1000 pesos like that.

notamiss · Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:42 am Post subject:

the peanut gallery · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264

"Heavily policed areas" usually offer a feeling of safety and comfort in most places. Unfortunately Mexico is not most places in that respect.

OP,

For 12 months prior to my return to Mexico i sent electronic transfers from my Spanish account to my wife's Mexican one so that I wouldnt arrive with cash, or needing to exchange currency. Do whatever you can to avoid carrying cash or exchanging it at the airport. Dont trust your finances to the "nothing has happened to me" crowd on an internet forum. Its better to be more guarded in Mexico when it comes to these sorts of things.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I'm always careful, but thanks for the advice. I'm one of the "nothing's happened to me" crowd, but that's because I take the necessary precautions to make sure nothing happens to me. It seems to me that most people who "lose" things are just not paying enough attention to their surroundings rather than being victimized by strong arm stuff.

the peanut gallery · Joined: 26 May 2006 Posts: 264

Then im sure you will be fine John. Good luck in Mexico, its a great country!

brian1972 · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 73 Location: Pachuca Mexico

What about getting some of that cash turned into travelers checks? That way you can exchange them here when you need them vs bringing cash? Or what about a pre paid credit card (like Visa)... can you get those in China? 6 digit pin numbers do present a problem!

I am also with the "nothing has ever happend to me" crowd. I agree, if you are smart, it is very unlikely that anything will happen. We just came through the Mexico City airport this morning and exchanged cash. No problems. Although I would be hesitant to exchange a lot... anywhere in the world.

I always hide cash on my person as well, just in case. My husband puts some in his sock... and I put some in my bra. We have only needed it once, when we were ripped off at the Guatemala/Honduran border, by a border patrol agent of course! Good thing we had our "secret" money stash. My husband was able to pull out his wallet and say, this is ALL we have sir!

notamiss · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:17 am Post subject:

Travelers cheques are not easy to change in Mexico. It was a lengthy, difficult process 25 years ago when they were more frequently used (personal experience) and seems to be almost if not completely impossible these days (according to others' experiences described on travel forums).

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

I have no intention of changing thousands of dollars into pesos at once. Enough to get a taxi to the hotel, pay for the hotel, etc.; enough to last a few days until I get acclimated. I've been corresponding with some of the nice folks on this forum and they've given me some helpful hints on the lay of the land and they've very kindly offered to assist me when I arrive. Or maybe they're planning to mug me.