BajaNomad

Money in Mulege

cometkrazy - 3-21-2013 at 06:58 AM

Greetings:
I have been reading this forum for a while and it is great! My family and I are renting a house near Mulege in June to fish, swim, and just hang out. Are U.S. dollars accepted everywhere or should we get some pesos? I realize that this question has been discussed many times before, sorry about that. We haven't been to Mexico since it was 3100 pesos to the dollar in 1990.
Regards, Brian

weebray - 3-21-2013 at 07:19 AM

Brian, All the ATM's spit out pesos, use them. BTW if you have a B of A account transactions at Santender or Scotia bank are free of fees.

absinvestor - 3-21-2013 at 07:23 AM

My opinion is you'll definitely need pesos. You can use dollars for gas and some larger purchases but for the most part stores, restaurants etc prefer to transact in pesos..And, you'll get a better exchange rate using pesos.. You probably already know but it definitely starts to heat up in June.

cometkrazy - 3-21-2013 at 07:29 AM

Thanks for the info. We have a B of A account. I know it will be hot. It is hot here in the summer too. Lots of 90+ days for a few months. We just want to get away from the lines. We went on a cruise last summer in the Carribean and it seemed like we were always waiting in some line to do practically anything. We are up for an adventure!
Brian

shari - 3-21-2013 at 07:37 AM

Welcome to the fray cometkrazy...nice to see you posting and we look forward to hearing about your adventure. If you want to get rid of your dollars, I think most everybody will take them...perhaps not at the best exchange rate...but...lately I have been using dollars everywhere because I have gotten a better exchange than at the bank!

for example, the internet may say the rate is 12.8 or something but at the bank when I deposit dollars I get something like 12 or less...so if a store or gas station gives me 12.5 or even 12...heck, I give em the greenbacks...many businesses like them as they stash them away till they are worth more then cash em in...or use them when they go or buy in the states.

Having said that...it sure is easier when you have pesos...less confusion all round...makes for a happier holiday

Russ - 3-21-2013 at 07:50 AM

Lots of stingrays in June so shuffle when in the water.

obtaining pesos while in Baja

Mulegena - 3-21-2013 at 08:15 AM

My advice, leave your dollars in your US bank.
1. Use an exchange house/Casa de Cambio to get pesos before you cross into Mexico.
I believe the Chula Vista Costco will exchange money for members. There are also exchange houses before the border crossing and after.
2) There are Mexican banks with ATMs in Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, Mulege, Loreto, Constitution, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Use them for a fair exchange rate and nominal fee.
3) Enjoy your stay in Mulege. Its getting humid in June, but the water is great!

edited to say u2u me when you get into town and I'll come visit. (look up at the top right of your screen under your name for the u2u function). There are two internet cafes in Mulege, one south of town, Sr. Gecko's Restaurant (good food, btw) and another right in town just around the corner from Bancomer.

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by Mulegena]

bacquito - 3-21-2013 at 08:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by weebray
Brian, All the ATM's spit out pesos, use them. BTW if you have a B of A account transactions at Santender or Scotia bank are free of fees.


Is there a Santander in Mulege?

Pompano - 3-21-2013 at 09:00 AM

Comets? Remember Halleys? It was many moons ago that I bought my Olympus 22" diameter telescope to watch Halleys Comet from my home in Coyote Bay. It was a sit-next-to type with ultra light-gathering ability. What a sight that long-tailed comet was thru my telescope...and also visible with the naked eye ...for many nights in February, 1986. Great times!

Looking forward to it's return in July, 2061. :rolleyes:

Far better to use pesos rather than dollars. For an easy ATM in Mulege, head for the downtown Bancomer bank and you will see the adjacent entrance to the ATM machine. I've used it since it was installed and so far, so good.

Also, most business places in town will take your US dollars...and at a rate that won't hurt too much.

And I can attest to hot weather in eastern Oregon...whew, not the best place to tent camp in August!...but fun fishing nevertheless..

bacquito....Nope, no Santander in Mulege at this time.

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by Pompano]

roundtuit - 3-21-2013 at 09:04 AM

there is only a bankcomer and they are partnered with wells fargo

baja Steve - 3-21-2013 at 09:19 AM

cometkrazy check your U2U

back in 1965 I was Comet Crazy too

durrelllrobert - 3-21-2013 at 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
Comets? Remember Halleys? It was many moons ago that I bought my Olympus 22" diameter telescope to watch Halleys Comet from my home in Coyote Bay. It was a sit-next-to type with ultra light-gathering ability. What a sight that long-tailed comet was thru my telescope...and also visible with the naked eye ...for many nights in February, 1986. Great times!

Looking forward to it's return in July, 2061. :rolleyes:

Far better to use pesos rather than dollars. For an easy ATM in Mulege, head for the downtown Bancomer bank and you will see the adjacent entrance to the ATM machine. I've used it since it was installed and so far, so good.

Also, most business places in town will take your US dollars...and at a rate that won't hurt too much.

And I can attest to hot weather in eastern Oregon...whew, not the best place to tent camp in August!...but fun fishing nevertheless..

bacquito....Nope, no Santander in Mulege at this time.

[Edited on 3-21-2013 by Pompano]


Pompano - 3-21-2013 at 11:04 AM

Halleys Comet

...slightly faster than the Comet by Mercury...;)

Sorry for the little hijack, cometkrazy, but that's par for the course on Nomads.


paranewbi - 3-21-2013 at 11:09 AM

3 or so miles from the TJ border off Interstate 5 take the Palomar exit and head west to Broadway. Take a left and look on your left side for Costco. Go to the (small) left door on the left side of the big exit door and walk in like you know your business and vere to right side of that line of people and walk on in past the eye glass booth and just up on your left side across from the cash registers is the peso window...never been asked for a membership card. slide your bucks through the slot and the lady is real efficient and gives a good rate. If your getting over a thousand dollars worth you'll need to show 2 forms of id...passport, drivers license, etc.

After that, any store you can think of is right there Walmart, target, etc...for last minute supplies..

DavidE - 3-21-2013 at 11:58 AM

For a fact the BanComer Wells Fargo liaison is rudimentary at best. The Bancomer ATM still charges WF customers (me for example) 70 pesos. But wells WILL do a no cost money transfer automatically monthly, if you set it up with your branch. Of course this means doing the cola cola cola to await payment by a teller but it can save thirty dollars a month or more.

The big deal with dollars now is that Mexicans, including many businesses, have a real hassle trying to convert them to real money. They must be deposited into a "Dollar Only" special account at a bank. Separate from their Peso account. Smaller vendors, restaurants and hotels simply have no means to deal with dollars and there is an underground mafia-grade corner business to convert dollars to pesos at a cruel rate (for Méxicanos).

For some reason I have run into more hassles with BanComer here in mid peninsula than I have ever had using a Wells ATM card on the mainland in any cajero automatico. Several "No Saldo Disponibles" (no money in your account). Many Saldo Insuficientes, inadequate balance for the transaction, No Hay Conecion A La Red (The network is not connectable) and innumberable "Out Of Service" displays on the screen of BanComer ATM's. But i really love it when the @#$%^&! machine dispenses 100 pesos when asked for 6,000 and then charges 70 pesos, and the home bank takes their normal 5 dollar fee. The account is debited the eqvt of 100 pesos but then comes 11 dollars in transaction fees.

WEATHER

The difference between 90 degrees at 20% humidity and 100 degrees at 50% humidity can be astonishing. I have over the years worked out a personal "Comfort Scale" using perspiration and the back of my head.

I graduate from indoor 80 degrees and 40% humidity to outdoor heat and humidity...

Mulege in August means the back of my head gets sopping wet in 20 seconds or less. In Petén, the rainforest, is held the record: 5 seconds. Sleeping comfortably is # 1 on my list. I have a hard time with 85 degrees and 80% humidity. Bring an absolutely top quality whole house fan, like a Patton. Another bedside fan but smaller.

Another pet subject: A digital type window air unit stays shut off if it quits during a brief power outage. Like a line lightning strike. Sleeping, I don't know it until the room temp and (especially) humidity surges and I wake up sweaty, and have to wait half an hour or more at 2AM for the restart to dry out the room. Having spent many years in the tropics makes me more sensitive to this I guess. The highest EER rated A/C is high on my list. Gold Star/LG seems to be the most durable window AC unit for some reason.

bajaguy - 3-21-2013 at 12:21 PM

Use pesos, get them at ATM's, stay away from BBVA Bancomer, they charge excessive ATM fees.

This is a vacation so... chill-ax and don't sweat the small stuff

Mulegena - 3-21-2013 at 12:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Use pesos, get them at ATM's, stay away from BBVA Bancomer, they charge excessive ATM fees.

1. Mr. Komet and Family are only vacationing in Mulege for part of June.
2. Bancomer is the only ATM option in Mulege.
3. Given that its probably wise not to carry around a huge amount of cash, pesos nor dollars-- and forget travelers' checks-- nobody will take 'em-- the fees charged by Bancomer over the cost of one vacation are definitely worth the small surcharge incurred versus carrying around a bag of cash or the inconvenience of traveling to another city just to save 30 pesos in transactions fees.

Seems to me.

J.P. - 3-21-2013 at 01:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mulegena
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Use pesos, get them at ATM's, stay away from BBVA Bancomer, they charge excessive ATM fees.

1. Mr. Komet and Family are only vacationing in Mulege for part of June.
2. Bancomer is the only ATM option in Mulege.
3. Given that its probably wise not to carry around a huge amount of cash, pesos nor dollars-- and forget travelers' checks-- nobody will take 'em-- the fees charged by Bancomer over the cost of one vacation are definitely worth the small surcharge incurred versus carrying around a bag of cash or the inconvenience of traveling to another city just to save 30 pesos in transactions fees.

Seems to me.















I have been to Mulege many times and can rember when they didnt have a Bank.




When I go to the ATM I always get the Maxium amount.If I did the 10 - 20 dollar thing it would be too expensive. I have lived in the Ensenada area for over 10 years and most always use Bancomer yes they charge 68 pesos and my U.S. bank charges a 5 dlr. cross border fee. but its less hassel than screwing around looking to save a % or two

DavidE - 3-21-2013 at 02:37 PM

Unless you stand there and the cajero automatico winks at you...

Bajaboy - 3-21-2013 at 02:42 PM

pesos

toneart - 3-21-2013 at 02:57 PM

No, there is no money in Mulege.:spingrin:

Seriously, you have been given good advice by those who have already posted. Use Pesos. Convert some dollars at border for your trip. Use the ATM at Bancomer.

There used to be a Santander ATM in Mulege but they took it out.

cometkrazy - 3-21-2013 at 05:42 PM

Wow! What a responce! Thanks so much for your coments! Pesos for me. Is it unheard of to get them in the State before you go? We are flying into Loreto and then renting a car to drive to Mulege. Car rental is another subject I'll want feedback on. I will remember the sting ray shuffle! As far as the humidity goes, my daughter and I climbed a Myan Pyramid in Belize last June and I was soaked by the time we got to the top. I have read that Mulege is great low key destination and am very excited to go. We have a contact down there with a Mexican family who have been very helpful. Thanks for all your help with this rookie!
Regards, Brian