BajaNomad

Using an ATM in Baja

beachbum1A - 2-9-2007 at 06:46 AM

Having never used an ATM in Mexico, what can I expect?
+ A menu in English?
+ Maxium amount of $$ withdrawl (per day)?
+ Funds in pesos-right?
+ At less than the current exchange rate-or the same?
+ Average fee per transaction?
+ Safe to use?
+ Available at most banks?
+ What else????? :?:
Thank you...

woody with a view - 2-9-2007 at 06:52 AM

yes
depends on your bank +/- $300 u.s.
yes
same
+/-$5 unless your bank is affiliated with mexican bank
yes
yes

osoflojo - 2-9-2007 at 07:02 AM

I agree with all woody says but would add that many banks now offer dollars as well as pesos (at least in Cabo) and my fees have been less than that.

DENNIS - 2-9-2007 at 08:57 AM

I can get 5000 Ps per day.

roundtuit - 2-9-2007 at 09:00 AM

Hace seen a few in Spanish
Withdrawl is what you set up with you bank..Big mistake last year 300 limit.
Mine is alot higher this year

bobw - 2-9-2007 at 09:52 AM

Are ATM pins restricted to 4 digit or do they allow for longer pins?

shari - 2-9-2007 at 10:41 AM

In some of the smaller villages like ours where there is no bank, we have a new little ATM machine at the telegraph office as there is no bank. Last year they started taking Banamex and Banorte but have now expanded service to take Bank of America cards which is great. My limit for bank withdrawl is 10,000 pesos at a time.

bajabound2005 - 2-9-2007 at 10:44 AM

beachbum -- depends on who you bank with. Bank of America has a relationship with Santander. No fees charged by either bank. $5000 pesos per day limit. Exchange rate is good enough. Withdrew $5000 pesos a couple days ago and $455.17 (US dollars) came out the bank acct - which was right on with the current exchange rate.

Wells Fargo has the same relationship with Bancomer.

Menus are usually in Spanish. If you need help the first time around we can meet up and we'll help you out. ALWAYS get the printed receipt. There are ATMs everywhere but use the ones where your bank has a relationship so you don't dinged on the fees. The Commerical Mexicana on the Reforma seems to have every bank represented via an ATM.

[Edited on 2-9-2007 by bajabound2005]

Lee - 2-9-2007 at 10:49 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
beachbum -- depends on who you bank with. Bank of America has a relationship with Santander. No fees charged by either bank. $5000 pesos per day limit. Exchange rate is good enough. Withdrew $5000 pesos a couple days ago and $455.17 (US dollars) came out the bank acct.

Wells Fargo has the same relationship with Bancomer. .


I pulled 9,000 pesos out from an ATM at Santander Banco (centro) in La Paz recently. Don't know the limit but that might be it. Used a Wells Fargo debit card.

ATM transaction is in Spanish but so basic that anyone can figure it out. That is, if I can do it, anyone can do it. My intelligence is limited.

:cool:

roundtuit - 2-9-2007 at 10:53 AM

I was told to keep it to 4 digits as some don' reconize more than that

Mango - 2-9-2007 at 12:15 PM

You can "practice" on your local ATM in spanish. Just find one that has a language selection and pick spanish.

cuenta de cheques = checking acount, etc..

The menus are all set up the same and it works the same.. so it is really pretty easy.

I like to take out as many pesos as I can in one shot to aviod paying fees.

Some machines will give you many $500 peso bills, others $200's

I save a few $500's; but, you are best off to break your biggest bills down anytime you can as change can be hard to comeby in many areas and people will refuse to take large bills.

Also refuse to take ripped or torn bills as change, as many vendors refuse to take them.

Good luck and happy travels.

thebajarunner - 2-9-2007 at 01:58 PM

Be careful... it will give you suggested amounts to withdraw, and these are stated in pesos, and you probably can only make on draw per day.

First time I tried it I decided to go for $150, which turned out to be about $14 (US) and I was finished until the next day.

There is one just a block from El Nido in Rosarito that I have used with no fee.

Also a very convenient one just in the turnoff to the Bufadora in Maneadero, for anyone southbound, also no fee for my card.

DENNIS - 2-9-2007 at 03:18 PM

Bajarunner ---

I assume you're refering to the bank in Maneadero. A bit farther south in Maneadero, east side of Hwy-1, Maria Louisa grocery store has an ATM inside. It used to be in a room outside the store. One morning I went to use it and the guts of the machine were hanging by the wires. Another satisfied customer had made a withdrawal during the night.

thebajarunner - 2-9-2007 at 05:58 PM

Dennis, I am referring to the bank on the west side, just on the inside of the sweeping turn to Bufadora. Being right side, southbound, it is very convenient to swing in and out with no delay.
The ATM is located in a small separate inside room and very convenient to use, and to get to.
Probably my favorite spot to get quick cash headed South.
Memory sez it is Bancomer (but memory ain't what it used to be)

DENNIS - 2-9-2007 at 06:08 PM

Bajarunner ----

You've still got it runner. Memory is right-on. Bancomer.
Not trying to nit-pick but, the bank is actually back toward Ensenada about a block and a half before the entrance to the curve. It's next to the gas station. I think it's the only bank in town.

bajalou - 2-9-2007 at 07:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005

Wells Fargo has the same relationship with Bancomer.

[Edited on 2-9-2007 by bajabound2005]


I have account with Wells Fargo and have ALWAYS been charged a fee by BOTH Wells Fargo and Bancomer.

Still the easiest and best way to get money down here. The fee is the same for $50 or $500 so I always get the most so have less transactions.

And pin is only 4 digits.

bajabound2005 - 2-9-2007 at 07:40 PM

Might be the type of acct you have with Wells Fargo --

Once again....

beachbum1A - 2-10-2007 at 06:47 AM

Once again you guys have come through like champs. Thank you all! I've gotten a wealth of good information on this board and hopefully I'll be able to return the favor. Gracias!!
:cool:

Bob and Susan - 2-10-2007 at 06:55 AM

contact your bank BEFORE you go!!!

they have a tendency to lower your line of credit it there isn't a note on your account that says you'll be using ATM's in baja...

just a head's up

bajalou - 2-10-2007 at 08:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabound2005
Might be the type of acct you have with Wells Fargo --


Standard checking/savings????

Beachbummer..........

bajaguy - 2-10-2007 at 09:51 AM

Check your u2u

beachbum1A - 2-13-2007 at 10:20 PM

You're right about contacting your bank and letting them know you'll be using your card in Baja to withdraw funds. They raised my limit to $500. per day and noted my useage in Baja. Good idea!

bajalera - 2-17-2007 at 02:28 PM

And how about Wells Farco debit? Somebody back there said there's no if used at Santander--do you have to get approval in advance, or something?

[Edited on 2-17-2007 by bajalera]

Bob H - 2-17-2007 at 07:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by roundtuit
I was told to keep it to 4 digits as some don' reconize more than that


Yep, four digit pins are recommended as some will not take more than four.
Bob H

oxxo - 2-17-2007 at 07:37 PM

I just signed up for a checking account at Bank of America yesterday here in SoCal. There is no charge for the account since we have set up a direct deposit once a month and there is no minimum balance required. This could be your Social Security check. Now we can withdraw funds from any Santander bank (ATM machine - no standing in line) in Mexico with no transaction fees. Our limit is $500 USD per day....each. We put a note on our account that we will be using the ATM card in Mexico so no problems there. We also have overdraft protection since we signed up for the no fee credit card. They gave us a $50 promotional credit for the credit card. We can check our account and transfer money from one bank to another via the internet at no charge. We have 100% fraud protection even in Mexico at no charge

The cost to use this account both in the US and Mexico (other than overdrafts) is nothing! We are delighted. We're already $50 ahead.

Oxxo------

Barry A. - 2-17-2007 at 07:50 PM

That is a GREAT deal, I agree. You gotta love it!!!!

Barry

marla - 2-27-2007 at 12:32 PM

Be aware of scams involving ATMS, my friend was using one in Rosarito and a fellow came in and offered to "help" him, I can't remember the details but it involved his ATM card getting stuck in the machine, these guys had rigged the machine so it would get stuck, and then they later extracted it and took out a bunch of money.

Also be aware that some banks charge hefty transaction fees. I thought I was avoiding a commission by using the ATM but then I got home and discovered my bank had socked a $4-5 "foreign transaction fee" on every ATM withdrawal.

Pappy Jon - 2-27-2007 at 02:20 PM

I've seen this discussion before, but have never tried it. I bank with Wells Fargo, so where is a Bancomer in San Felipe? Historically I've purchased Pesos from Wells Fargo online before I leave and the exchange rate sucks.

Currently Wells Fargo exchange at 10.16MXN/USD while several online sources put it about 11.15MXN/USD.

[Edited on 2-27-2007 by Pappy Jon]

oldjack - 2-27-2007 at 03:35 PM

Make certain to look the machine over VERY CAREFULLY... here in Los Barriles the crooks have taken THOUSANDS of dollars from accounts by capturing card/pin info...

rogerj1 - 2-27-2007 at 10:03 PM

I've been getting hit with huge charges when I use my credit card in Mexico. It's called a foreign transaction fee. Heinous.

[Edited on 2-28-2007 by rogerj1]

marla - 2-28-2007 at 04:45 PM

yes my Visa account with my credit union has started charging me "foreign transaction fees" too, I just recently noticed. Not too ridiculously high though it's irritating considering they are ALREADY making a good commission on the sale.