BajaNomad

Tecate-US side peso source?

Baja Bucko - 2-25-2013 at 04:48 PM

Any recommendation for where to get pesos in the Tecate area BEFORE crossing into Mexico? Don't need to pay for the visa (already done) just want to get a bunch of pesos and don't want to drive waaay over to SY just for that.

Thanks

cftlet - 2-25-2013 at 04:53 PM

There are several peso exchanges at the border or you can cross the border and go to the bank (better exchange rate).

chuckie - 2-25-2013 at 04:54 PM

Just find an ATM......

rts551 - 2-25-2013 at 05:05 PM

Bank is better..but on the left hand side of the road before entering the border are there is a good exchange house. Its at the base of the hill where the store is. Sign is easily seen and I notice a lot of locals use it.

Baja Bucko - 2-25-2013 at 05:07 PM

RTS551-is this exchange place on the US side of the border?

Udo - 2-25-2013 at 05:11 PM

I agree with chuckie on finding the ATM (because you generally get the best exchange rates.
However, do your homework and find a Mexican bank that is affiliated with your US bank, and you won't be charged for withdrawal fees (between 25 and 65 Pesos, depending on the bank).

Pompano - 2-25-2013 at 05:14 PM

As I remember using it a few years ago, a peso exchange is indeed on the left side (east side) and in the USA just before the border.

Persnonally, I haven't used it for a long time. ATM's are much handier and give you a consistantly better rate for your dollar.

rts551 - 2-25-2013 at 06:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Baja Bucko
RTS551-is this exchange place on the US side of the border?

Yes it is. left hand side, right before the turn to go to the border (overpriced convenience store is right above it along with pay for parking).

David K - 2-25-2013 at 07:26 PM

Teddi, Tecate USA is very tiny. There is no turn to cross into Mexico, it is straight ahead once you turn off 94. There is a market and gas pumps on the left and a Peso exchange on the right, then you go into Mexico. So pull over and look at what is available.

rts551 - 2-25-2013 at 07:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Teddi, Tecate USA is very tiny. There is no turn to cross into Mexico, it is straight ahead once you turn off 94. There is a market and gas pumps on the left and a Peso exchange on the right, then you go into Mexico. So pull over and look at what is available.


Appears to be a turn to me. But what do I know, I only go through there every other month. he exchange house is center top, right above the 188 sign.

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wilderone - 2-26-2013 at 09:48 AM

There is that small shopping center with a gas station just before the border. There is a convenience store that sells COFFEE, has peso exchange (a reasonable rate as I compared it with others traveling south, but found the best exchange rate in San Quintin); you can also buy auto insurance here. I split my insurance - buy an online policy for travel days at the end of the trip, and buy travel days at the beginning of the trip at this store. I don't buy insurance for days my car is parked or off-road.

David K - 2-26-2013 at 10:11 AM

Nice satellite image Ralph... As you see Teddi, you are on route 188 (the highway to Mexico from Hwy. 94) and it goes right into Mexico, without any left or right turns, off of it. The border into Mexico is just off the bottom edge of the image. Just make sure you park in one of the lots to examine what's there before you enter Mexico.

Baja Bucko - 2-26-2013 at 10:36 AM

I buy yearly insurance thru Discover Baja...visa too...it is just waay too easy to get it all done -whether I drop in to pick up or deal w snail mail.

Thanks for the hints re Tecate.

With all the new hassles at el Chaparrel, I suspect Tecate will be my entrance point for awhile.

Last Nov a botanist friend (who is a yearly month long visitor to Baja and has been for many years) arrived at el Chaparrel with his white van-he'd spents hours and hours packing away every little thing for his trip, The inspecters had him get out of the van-stand away and at least 3 other guys very minutely tore E-V-E-R-Y thing OUT of the van, looking for what? GUNS? He was there for almost 2 hrs...and then they said "you can go"...he looked at the inside of his van---it was just a mess. It took him a bit of time to be able to get in and DRIVE....he spent the next month trying to find stuff...there was no point in carefully packing it for his month-long camping venture.

This past trip they spent 15 minutes carefully inspecting my guitar and its case...I was afraid they were going to rip the case's cushioning open, searching for ??? They didn't even open the fiddle case-I could have had a couple of small weapons in there. They seemed worried that I was taking musical instruments to Baja to sell?? Oh and why did I have so much mule/horse equipment, was I going to sell this stuff?

Oh well, I guess we do it to them too.....

Pompano - 3-1-2013 at 06:33 AM

Here's the Tecate crossing peso exchange & insurance vendor on the US side.

I took this photo a couple days ago - March 27,2013.

Bob and Susan - 3-1-2013 at 06:43 AM

yes that is the place...they actually give a good rate too

remember the banks in mexico no longer exchange dollars for pesos without a dollar account at the bank in mexico


edit...actually a better rate is given at the cambio exchange at the Pemex on the right side as you go south on the way out of town towards Ensenada

gas is cheaper there too :light:


[Edited on 3-1-2013 by Bob and Susan]