smithfamilybajabound
Newbie
Posts: 14
Registered: 3-9-2021
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Travel south during the end of March
Do all the Pemex gas stations take credit cards and American Express? I driving down the 5 to LA Bay and Gurerro Negro.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64525
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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NO!!! Some do, but don't count on it. There are other brands now in Mexico (Chevron, ARCO, BP, etc.), too.
CASH IS KING in Baja!
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smithfamilybajabound
Newbie
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What about San Felipe?
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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I use VISA at Cabo Costco and Walmart. That's it. I've been hacked enough times over the years and now superstitious. Let my US bank know
where I am. I would never use a CC at a gas station.
Use a Charles Schwab CC SOB as they do not charge a fee and will pick up the fees charged by MX banks.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64525
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Yes, they take cash there, too!
Stealing money from your credit card (after you use it somewhere) is way more likely than being robbed on your vacation. Bring cash, lots of cash. Get
more cash at bank ATMs if you run out.
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Mr. Bills
Nomad
Posts: 189
Registered: 9-10-2019
Location: Area Code 530
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Even the stations that usually take credit cards will sometimes suffer sudden, unexpected and inexplicable issues with the card reader and insist upon
cash.
Be prepared for all contingencies.
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1106
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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Cash is the safest method for most purchases in Baja. I only use Credit Cards if I am staying in a motel/hotel & reservations were made on-line.
I put my cash in at least 3 different locations and only keep a day's worth in my purse/wallet.
I know many will disagree with me but it's what I do.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
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Get your cash a Bancomer with an 8K peso limit per transaction if your us bank allows that much Smal fee from both ends
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 10-3-2003
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Not all, but a lot do. Maybe 70% give or take. Visa, not AmEx. I mostly use a CC at gas stations, but always have cash just in case
It's best to have 2-3 credit, debit cards if something happens to one of them.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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Yes, you will for sure be able to use a CC for gas in San Felipe.
There is some exaggerated hand wringing of CC theft in this thread. By ppl who admit they don't use a CC in Mexico. I have a thousand times, and
can't recall one issue.
And even if there was, the bank will reverse it. You get a good exchange rate with a CC. Make sure it is one that doesn't charge international fees.
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JZ
Elite Nomad
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Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  | | Get your cash a Bancomer with an 8K peso limit per transaction if your us bank allows that much Smal fee from both ends |
This is good advice. Should also bring some before entering MX.
My experience is every ATM location in Mexico has different limits even from the same bank. Forget what it is at Bancomer in Loreto, but it's not 8K.
So you have to make multiple withdrawals.
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Bajabus
Senior Nomad
Posts: 892
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Elias Calles B.C.S. or NC USA
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Mood: My friends..it's good.
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In Todos Santos and CSL at Bancomer it's 15K pesos and it will cost you 49 pesos for the bank service fee.
Same towns at BBV it's an 8K limit and for the privilege they ask for 99 pesos.
My US bank is a credit union.
"Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked of such a thing."
Dwight David Eisenhower
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
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In November, the station on the south side of San Felipe offered to run my credit card, but I paid cash.
Four or five years ago, there was a drastic fluctuation in the exchange rate, and banks in MUlege and Loreto refused to accept US dollars for pesos,
or allow withdrawals at their ATMs.
I was able to pay at local stores and the Pemex on the highway in Loreto with US plastic. Since then, I have increased the amount of Pesos that I
stash in various places!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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