BajaNomad

San Felipe south for $'s to peso's spots

Phil S - 10-23-2011 at 02:05 PM

Will be traveling through San Felipe. Where can I exchange $'s to pesos along the way? Understand banks won't exchange anymore?? Is this true? Can I get peso's from "Alfonso's

bajalou - 10-23-2011 at 02:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Will be traveling through San Felipe. Where can I exchange $'s to pesos along the way? Understand banks won't exchange anymore?? Is this true? Can I get peso's from "Alfonso's


There are 2 or 3 money exchange places in San Felipe., Don't know of any south of there. Don't know about the banks either, I just get pesos from ATMs when there.

BajaWarrior - 10-23-2011 at 03:32 PM

Yes there are two in San Felipe one just east of the Arches on the right side (flashing red light) and another near the Malecon just North of El Cortez Hotel on the two way street again flashing red light.

You didn't mention where your coming into Mexico but I know for fact there are many coming in a Mexicali East just inside the border and more (again flashing red lights) about a few miles south on the road leading to the highway.

I would get them in Mexicali (if that's where your crossing) and use SF as a backup.

Desertbull - 10-23-2011 at 04:06 PM

visit an ATM and withdraw your "traveling" cash in Pesos, and use your dollars in case of emergency ...

grace59 - 10-23-2011 at 06:40 PM

I also use the ATMs for Pesos. You get the best rate this way. The only problem is that my bank only allows me to withdraw about 5,000 pesos worth daily so it will just depend on how many Pesos you think you will need.

nbacc - 10-23-2011 at 08:57 PM

San Felipe! Last stop for cash. Don't expect to get any south of San Felipe. Nancy

David K - 10-23-2011 at 10:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Will be traveling through San Felipe. Where can I exchange $'s to pesos along the way? Understand banks won't exchange anymore?? Is this true? Can I get peso's from "Alfonso's


You mean Alfonsina's? No, there is no bank or ATM south of San Felipe until Guerrero Negro, in the next state south!

CortezBlue - 10-24-2011 at 08:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Will be traveling through San Felipe. Where can I exchange $'s to pesos along the way? Understand banks won't exchange anymore?? Is this true? Can I get peso's from "Alfonso's


A couple options

1. Talk to your bank in the US, Wellsfargo, in AZ, is very reasonable for exchange.

2. In North San Felipe, just past Pete's Camp, on the left, is the Rancho Market. There is an ATM they just finished about six months ago. I use it every time I go down, about every 3 weeks, and haven't had any issues with the teller.

nbacc - 10-24-2011 at 08:32 AM

Get some from your bank before you leave the US...depending on how much you get it might be worth it. Always nice to enter Mexico with some pesos in case you need them for some reason driving down to San Felipe. Nancy

desertcpl - 10-24-2011 at 09:02 AM

before you think about using your bank card for a ATM in MX
contact your bank and tell them you will be entering MX and the dates
I learned this the hard way

I would always exchange to Pesos when in MX and San Felipe is your last stop to do that, and yes there are several Cambio's

Phil S - 10-24-2011 at 04:58 PM

Last time I ordered peso's from my U.S. National Bank in Oregon, I ordered $3,000.00 in u.s. for about $40,000.00 peso's. that was about 4 or 5 years ago. Maybe 3-4- years ago. Peso's came back from a money exchanger they use in New York. Fee was $700.00 u.s. I told them FORGET IT!!! And walked out. They ate the fee. They weren't happy. I then went to my credit union that I also use, and the teller said, no problem. The peso's arriived about a week later. Same thing. Huge fee. I walked again, and credit union ate the fee, and they sent the money back. W.T.H.?? I don't use credit cards, and don't have a debit card. Soooooo, I don't use ATM's.
I'm going to go to an Arizona Well Fargo bank and see if I can.
CortezBlue. Thanks for mentioning Wells Fargo Bank.

Thanks also to the others for the suggestions. We'll also look for the San Felipe cambio's if Wells Fargo can't help us.

We will be entering Mexicali, but wasn't considering stopping there. Less confusion in San Felipe traffic.

CortezBlue - 10-25-2011 at 01:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Last time I ordered peso's from my U.S. National Bank in Oregon, I ordered $3,000.00 in u.s. for about $40,000.00 peso's. that was about 4 or 5 years ago. Maybe 3-4- years ago. Peso's came back from a money exchanger they use in New York. Fee was $700.00 u.s. I told them FORGET IT!!! And walked out. They ate the fee. They weren't happy. I then went to my credit union that I also use, and the teller said, no problem. The peso's arriived about a week later. Same thing. Huge fee. I walked again, and credit union ate the fee, and they sent the money back. W.T.H.?? I don't use credit cards, and don't have a debit card. Soooooo, I don't use ATM's.
I'm going to go to an Arizona Well Fargo bank and see if I can.
CortezBlue. Thanks for mentioning Wells Fargo Bank.

Thanks also to the others for the suggestions. We'll also look for the San Felipe cambio's if Wells Fargo can't help us.

We will be entering Mexicali, but wasn't considering stopping there. Less confusion in San Felipe traffic.


are your plans bringing you through az?

If so u2u me

ArvadaGeorge - 10-25-2011 at 09:09 AM

We usually stop at the Gigatica (next to Cosco) in Mexacalli, on our way to San Felipe. Nice store more stuff & better prices than S/F and they have ATM's --Great seafood selection and right on the way thru town

mcfez - 10-25-2011 at 10:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Last time I ordered peso's from my U.S. National Bank in Oregon, I ordered $3,000.00 in u.s. for about $40,000.00 peso's. that was about 4 or 5 years ago. Maybe 3-4- years ago. Peso's came back from a money exchanger they use in New York. Fee was $700.00 u.s. I told them FORGET IT!!! And walked out. They ate the fee. They weren't happy. I then went to my credit union that I also use, and the teller said, no problem. The peso's arriived about a week later. Same thing. Huge fee. I walked again, and credit union ate the fee, and they sent the money back. W.T.H.?? I don't use credit cards, and don't have a debit card. Soooooo, I don't use ATM's.
I'm going to go to an Arizona Well Fargo bank and see if I can.
CortezBlue. Thanks for mentioning Wells Fargo Bank.

Thanks also to the others for the suggestions. We'll also look for the San Felipe cambio's if Wells Fargo can't help us.

We will be entering Mexicali, but wasn't considering stopping there. Less confusion in San Felipe traffic.


Several $ exchanges in Calixico....as one drives into the International border.......right off the main drag (Rt 111).

Also...leaving Baja through Mexicali...near the final exit in that LONG line....there are licensed employees (in colored vest)...that will exchange your Mex for USD.

[Edited on 10-29-2011 by mcfez]

Phil S - 10-28-2011 at 05:43 PM

Went into a sun City West WElls Fargo branch & ordered 6,000 pesos. No charge. got a call two days later, drove to the branch and picked up my peso's. No charges??? Can't complain about that. And no stopping at a cambio store and paying their fee's. How more simple can it get?????
That was the best tip I've gotten in years. Thanks.

David K - 10-29-2011 at 08:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Phil S
Went into a sun City West WElls Fargo branch & ordered 6,000 pesos. No charge. got a call two days later, drove to the branch and picked up my peso's. No charges??? Can't complain about that. And no stopping at a cambio store and paying their fee's. How more simple can it get?????
That was the best tip I've gotten in years. Thanks.


What was the exchange rate they gave? Sounds like you are ready for a fun trip!