BajaNomad

buying pesos further north

El Jefe - 2-7-2015 at 09:15 AM

I need to buy some pesos this weekend to send south with a friend for my gardener. Usually I use the ATM in Mex, but am north of border right now. Don't want to drive all the way down to San Ysidro if I don't have to. Where is the farthest north Casa de Cambio that you know of?
Ideas? Thanks, Tom, languishing in Carlsbad.

woody with a view - 2-7-2015 at 09:20 AM

costco in chula-juana.

MICK - 2-7-2015 at 09:31 AM

How far north? Most major airports have them. I have even seen them in Shopping malls.

MMc - 2-7-2015 at 09:36 AM

Some banks have them, My Wells Fargo has them most of the time, they will get them for you in a day or so.

Rainer - 2-7-2015 at 09:53 AM

www.westernunion.com ---- $5.00

thebajarunner - 2-7-2015 at 10:24 AM

Costco in Chula Vista gives a really crappy exchange rate in my experience.
Other than buying cheap gas and getting a hot dog it is a lost stop for us.
(Since they do so much trade in crossing patrons with pesos I would think that they would be happy to give an honorable rate just to get back to green-bucks, but it seems to be a profit center, at least at that store)
Banks will get them if you give them some notice, again, the rate and the charges are not great.
Best to get about a hundred bucks worth up here at whatever retail price you need to pay and use your ATM in Mexico for decent exchange.

msteve1014 - 2-7-2015 at 10:44 AM

Call some of the check cashing places near you. The ones up here also exchange pesos.

AguaDulce - 2-7-2015 at 10:56 AM

I am in Los Angeles and there are a few exchange stores. Just got 14.14 pesos for a dollar yesterday .I am sure San Ysidro is better but I am flying and headed to remote areas.

rhintransit - 2-7-2015 at 12:01 PM

Wells Fargo...if they don't have in stock can usually get them in a day. Exchange rate not great but you'll have them

David K - 2-7-2015 at 01:51 PM

Some malls have money exchanges... Bank of Americas, too. Other banks, like Chase, may just need to order it in for you.

Floatflyer - 2-7-2015 at 02:17 PM

A few years ago when my inlaws were living in Las Vegas we could buy pesos at a Mexican Supermarket that specialized in Mexican brand foods, and at a good exchange rate, too. This market also had Western Union capability for wiring money back to Mexico.

I would think that most large US cities would have similar markets, too.

[Edited on 2-7-2015 by Floatflyer]

David K - 2-7-2015 at 02:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Floatflyer  
A few years ago when my inlaws were living in Las Vegas we could buy pesos at a Mexican Supermarket that specialized in Mexican brand foods, and at a good exchange rate, too. This market also had Western Union capability for wiring money back to Mexico.

I would think that most large US cities would have similar markets, too.

[Edited on 2-7-2015 by Floatflyer]


Good one! Here in North County, we have Primo's Markets... one is along Hwy. 78, north side, east of Emerald (and next to the Family Fun Center). El Jefe knows the place, smoke pours from it every weekend for BBQ!

El Jefe - 2-7-2015 at 04:14 PM

You're right David, Primo's is the best! Never thought about pesos there, but who knows?
Thanks to all for the great ideas. Still another month until I head south for home. First winter north in nine years. Not so bad here in So Cal after all..

Marc - 2-7-2015 at 05:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by rhintransit  
Wells Fargo...if they don't have in stock can usually get them in a day. Exchange rate not great but you'll have them

That's what I've been doing.

tjsue - 2-7-2015 at 07:15 PM

Any Northgate Gonzales Market will exchange dollars for pesos. They have their own cambio, also the Food4Less in Chula Vista will also do it.

Whale-ista - 2-7-2015 at 08:01 PM

I'm about to deal w/similar situation (neighbor paying person doing work at my place near Ensenada, while I'm in San Diego).

One possible solution I've considered: Does your friend have a US account he can access via ATMs in Baja? If so, maybe you could deposit US$ in his US bank account, then he can withdraw the funds as pesos as needed from any Baja ATM and pay the gardener. He may get the best rate, even w/transaction fees.
Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe  
I need to buy some pesos this weekend to send south with a friend for my gardener. Usually I use the ATM in Mex, but am north of border right now. Don't want to drive all the way down to San Ysidro if I don't have to. Where is the farthest north Casa de Cambio that you know of?
Ideas? Thanks, Tom, languishing in Carlsbad.

marla - 2-10-2015 at 12:57 PM

You can buy pesos or any other foreign currency at Wells Fargo Banks--if you have an account there. Only certain branches offer the foreign currency option, but there's a branch in pretty much every town that offers it. They always have pesos and Euros, if you want other currency or large amounts you should call and order in advance. You pay about 4% for the privilege, built into the exchange rate. When I went to Copper Canyon in April, I knew I'd have to pay cash for everything so I just went and got all my pesos there, that way I could put it in my money belt and know I had it on me, and not have to worry about trying to find an ATM when we got there.