BajaNomad

American Visa credit cards accepted at Pemex stations?

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 11:30 AM

Just checking in on this. I'm trying to decide how much cash I need to take with me for a week and a half trip in Baja. Gas will be our biggest expense. I've read a few things that say that American credit cards are not accepted at Pemex stations but everything I've read is at least 4 years old. Is this still the case?

willardguy - 10-24-2016 at 11:36 AM

they're accepted at all the pemex stations I frequent in rosarito......but I'd rather hit the bank ATM and use peso's :coolup:

Howard - 10-24-2016 at 11:39 AM

Most of the bigger stations accept credit cards.

I absolutely would not count on using the cards and bring the amount of cash you think you would need in case the ones you go to do not accept your plastic.

Much easier and safer, bring cash and convert them to pesos.

Make sure you fill up at the Pemex in El Rosario before crossing that long stretch of highway. I am 99% sure they take cards but there is always the chance of some problem that they would only accept money.

On edit: Make sure you call your credit card company and tell them you will be going to Mexico. There is still a chance that your card might be rejected, so remember, cash is king!

[Edited on 10-24-2016 by Howard]

DENNIS - 10-24-2016 at 11:41 AM


Visa is accepted everywhere credit cards are. HomeDepot....Costco....gas stations... etc.
Using a card at a gas station? Well...I just haven't reached that point yet. Seems they just haven't reached my level of acceptability since they still know how to get fifty liters of gas in a forty liter tank.
Bring cash....use ATMs....plan ahead.

David K - 10-24-2016 at 11:46 AM

Bring cash.
Some Pemex take cards, but may add the % bank fee.
Bring cash.

bajatrailrider - 10-24-2016 at 12:10 PM

Agree with David I have had some gas stations take my visa,some not. I try to use cash all the time.

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 01:26 PM

10-4, thanks. I was hoping to travel with as little cash as possible but I'll make sure to have enough to cover all expenses.

rts551 - 10-24-2016 at 01:31 PM

The newer stations have card readers. The problem is that there is not always a network connection to the USA. I always have backup cash in case. My credit card gives the international exchange rate and no fees.

shari - 10-24-2016 at 01:42 PM

Many gas stations only take Mexican cards!!!! Always bring twice as much cash as you think you will need!

BornFisher - 10-24-2016 at 01:42 PM

I used my card at a station between Rosarito and Ensenada. Two days later there was a $400 charge at a Chula Vista Safeway!!! Must have been quite a party!!! My bank paid me back.

Sandlefoot - 10-24-2016 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  
10-4, thanks. I was hoping to travel with as little cash as possible but I'll make sure to have enough to cover all expenses.



There is really no reason no to bring the cash necessary for your trip. Common sense dictates that you may bring all you want, just don't put it all in the same pocket. My wife carries some, there is some in the large suit case, (not the small one cuz it is to easy to carry off!) and there is some stuck where I will probably forget where I put it, but I always find it later!

Relax and have a great, memorable trip!!

mtgoat666 - 10-24-2016 at 01:45 PM

If I use my 2% cash back visa card, it helps offset the 5% theft via dishonest pumps!

:bounce:

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 01:49 PM

Roughly what is the current cost of gas?

BooJumMan - 10-24-2016 at 02:44 PM

About 13 pesos/liter says my buddy from Mexicali.

David K - 10-24-2016 at 02:53 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  
Roughly what is the current cost of gas?


If you wanted to know in equivalent American terms, roughly $3/gallon for 87 octane.

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 03:01 PM

Glad I asked, I had heard or read somewhere that it's about $1 cheaper than US prices. Maybe that is $1 less than California prices.

Thanks everyone, you've all been super helpful.

David K - 10-24-2016 at 03:54 PM

See my trip report and follow up from last month... the border zone stations are matched closer to Southern California prices (around $2.50 then) but the rest of Mexico (Baja) was $2.97/ gal. Now, that was based on 17.80 pesos per dollar which was what we paid for our trip pesos. See posts by BajaCactus who (often) posts the new prices at the start of each month when Pemex makes a price change.

Gas in SoCal today was $2.39 (Costco San Marcos) up to $3 something at the freeway offramp stations. $2.55-$2.65 at Arco, I think.

Fernweh - 10-24-2016 at 04:19 PM

I am using my US Visa card for years now in Baja, gas stations and all, without any problems. Capital One does not charge a foreign currency exchange fee, and their daily rates are pretty good.

I do really like the online card readers at the pump, however most the time, a different card reader is needed for the US cards. Sometimes the attendant are just lazy to look for that one - it's easier to say "only Mexican credit cards" and get your cash. However, some gas stations do not have internet service (yet), and can't take credits cards at all. I was surprised to see the San Ignacio station now, accepting cards (US) as well.

Lee - 10-24-2016 at 08:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  
Glad I asked, I had heard or read somewhere that it's about $1 cheaper than US prices. Maybe that is $1 less than California prices.

Thanks everyone, you've all been super helpful.


Not sure where in California you're referring. San Clemente is $2.65. San Felipe casino, North of Albuerque, $1.95.

I'll NEVER use a cc in Baja for gas.

Udo - 10-24-2016 at 08:05 PM

What is disconcerting, however, is when you hand your card to the attendant and he(she) walks away with it to the cashier's office. That is when you get the feeling deep in the pit of your stomach.

Never-ever, use credit cards to pay for your gas.
Quote: Originally posted by Fernweh  
I am using my US Visa card for years now in Baja, gas stations and all, without any problems. Capital One does not charge a foreign currency exchange fee, and their daily rates are pretty good.

I do really like the online card readers at the pump, however most the time, a different card reader is needed for the US cards. Sometimes the attendant are just lazy to look for that one - it's easier to say "only Mexican credit cards" and get your cash. However, some gas stations do not have internet service (yet), and can't take credits cards at all. I was surprised to see the San Ignacio station now, accepting cards (US) as well.

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 09:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  
Glad I asked, I had heard or read somewhere that it's about $1 cheaper than US prices. Maybe that is $1 less than California prices.

Thanks everyone, you've all been super helpful.


Not sure where in California you're referring. San Clemente is $2.65. San Felipe casino, North of Albuerque, $1.95.

I'll NEVER use a cc in Baja for gas.


It's been a few months since I was in CA (southern) but the past couple of times I've been there CA gas has been about $1 more than UT (my home state) gas. We are around $2.10 now so it sounds like that has changed.

My line of thinking is that if someone steals my CC info, I can easily dispute that with my CC company. Someone steals my cash, I've got no recourse. I almost never carry cash and that includes when traveling. I'll make sure to have enough for this trip though.

mtgoat666 - 10-24-2016 at 09:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  


My line of thinking is that if someone steals my CC info, I can easily dispute that with my CC company. Someone steals my cash, I've got no recourse. I almost never carry cash and that includes when traveling. I'll make sure to have enough for this trip though.


Ive never had my cash stolen, never. Have had my cc info stolen often, used fraudulently about every year or 2, and it's a PITA to get a cc canceled and reissued, then have to change cc subscriptions. I mostly use cash these days for small transactions under $100 usd - and my local cheap gas station near home gives cheapest gas for cash, Only the fool uses cc and pays more.
And cash is fun.

willardguy - 10-24-2016 at 09:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  


My line of thinking is that if someone steals my CC info, I can easily dispute that with my CC company. Someone steals my cash, I've got no recourse. I almost never carry cash and that includes when traveling. I'll make sure to have enough for this trip though.


Ive never had my cash stolen, never. Have had my cc info stolen often, used fraudulently about every year or 2, and it's a PITA to get a cc canceled and reissued, then have to change cc subscriptions. I mostly use cash these days for small transactions under $100 usd - and my local cheap gas station near home gives cheapest gas for cash, Only the fool uses cc and pays more.
And cash is fun.



so this was you earlier..."If I use my 2% cash back visa card, it helps offset the 5% theft via dishonest pumps!"

which is it? :?:

mtgoat666 - 10-24-2016 at 09:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by willardguy  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  


My line of thinking is that if someone steals my CC info, I can easily dispute that with my CC company. Someone steals my cash, I've got no recourse. I almost never carry cash and that includes when traveling. I'll make sure to have enough for this trip though.


Ive never had my cash stolen, never. Have had my cc info stolen often, used fraudulently about every year or 2, and it's a PITA to get a cc canceled and reissued, then have to change cc subscriptions. I mostly use cash these days for small transactions under $100 usd - and my local cheap gas station near home gives cheapest gas for cash, Only the fool uses cc and pays more.
And cash is fun.



so this was you earlier..."If I use my 2% cash back visa card, it helps offset the 5% theft via dishonest pumps!"

which is it? :?:


All of the above!
:P
:P
:P
:P
:lol:
:P
:lol:
:lol:

willardguy - 10-24-2016 at 09:53 PM

thats what I thought...:rolleyes:

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 10:00 PM

getting off topic here but since you all have been more than happy to share info I figured I'll go ahead and ask.

would you consider the sea of cortez side generally safer than the pacific side? I probably should just stop reading but I'm leaving in 2 days to head down and have read my fair share of bad stories and towns to avoid. I don't think anything I've read has mentioned anything about the sea of cortez side.

The goal of the trip is really just to relax on some nice beaches with the wife, visit some towns, do a little fishing and some surfing. I'd love to do as much "boondocking" or camping on remote beaches as possible but at this point I'm a bit nervous. We only have about a week and a half so we've decided to stay in the north half of Baja so as not to spend our whole trip behind the dashboard.

At first we were pretty focused on the pacific side but I"m starting to wonder if maybe we should slowly make our way down the sea of cortez side, spending more time there and then cross over and hit a couple of spots on the pacific side for some surfing on the way home. I've got Cuatro Casas and Coyote Cals queued up on the pacific side as safe camp spots.

I'd love to hear some opinions.

David K - 10-24-2016 at 10:17 PM

2WD or 4WD... and if 4WD, do you have experience driving in sand?

Bahia de los Angeles and Bahia San Luis Gonzaga would be great to experience. No sand driving for either of them, but I wanted to know how remote and special you want the camp to be.

dfinn - 10-24-2016 at 10:34 PM

Should have mentioned that. Land Cruiser with a lift and some brand new 33" tires that need breaking in. Never driven in sand but have experience in dirt and rocks. I do have a compressor too and am familiar with airing down tires.

I checked out some of your TRs from Shell Island, it's now on my list.

Our camping is usually in very remote spots. I'm all about getting away. As long as it's safe.

shari - 10-25-2016 at 06:35 AM

the central pacside is pretty safe because of the fishing coops patrolling the beaches 24/7. Maybe try Campo Alejandro at Rosalillita and come on in to Asuncion if the swell is nice...camping at the break at Pta.Loma or Chorros is fine and safe as is that whole stretch between Bahia Tortugas and Pta.ABreojos and lots and lots of remote camping along there.

David K - 10-25-2016 at 07:15 AM

Sounds great dfinn. We had a Land Cruiser in The Baja Extreme tour last month, see that trip report.

dfinn - 10-25-2016 at 09:32 AM

That looks like one hell of a trip!

David K - 10-25-2016 at 09:55 AM

It was the extreme!

dfinn - 11-7-2016 at 11:04 AM

We had such a good trip! Thanks again for all the info. Here's a link to the trip report with a bunch of pics

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/165081-Baja-24...

willardguy - 11-7-2016 at 11:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by dfinn  
We had such a good trip! Thanks again for all the info. Here's a link to the trip report with a bunch of pics

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/165081-Baja-24...


great trip report! and looks like the weather was on your side, some of those campsites can be a little harsh at times! salud!:yes:

StuckSucks - 11-7-2016 at 12:16 PM

Awesome trip report and photos - thanks for sharing. If you only made it as far south as BofLA, you need to start planning your next trip to Baja Sur to include San Ignacio, Mulege, Loreto, and since you're a surfer, San Juanico (Scorpion Bay). And about a thousand other great places.

pacsur - 11-7-2016 at 12:29 PM

Personally I don't use USA credit cards down here, between the card skimming, dirty employees, and getting burned on the exchange rates it doesn't pencil out for me.
Off subject, and won't work for most people, but at least where I am located I can go into the office and buy x amount of gas coupons paying cash or credit, this also lets you receive a factura if you want it and you are dealing with the office and not random employees.
Where I go to buy the coupons they are good for the calendar year and they manage or own several stations in town, but most are station location specific.
It works great for giving employees the coupons for gas instead of cash.

Hook - 11-7-2016 at 12:41 PM

Is fuel in Baja really that much cheaper than on the mainland? Could someone who is actually down there, take a look at your local pumps, report back the prices and tell us where you are.

Our fuel in San Carlos is all around 13.80-14.10 pesos per liter, Magna to diesel to Supreme (or whatever they call it).

BTW, over here, we've learned that the quickest way to have your credit card compromised is to use it at a gas station.

[Edited on 11-7-2016 by Hook]

dfinn - 11-7-2016 at 03:00 PM

Speaking of fuel prices, I thought I had read that Pemex keeps them the same for everywhere in Baja? It seemed like we were paying about twice as much on the Pacific side vs on the SOC.

Hook - 11-7-2016 at 03:20 PM

As I recall, about a year ago the Mexican government set a ceiling on what the stations could charge but allowed them to charge less, if they chose. This is why fuel is now cheaper along the border, as they have to encourage Mexican along the frontera to NOT cross into the US for the vastly cheaper fuels.

Just a week ago, I saw unleaded regular at 1.90 and diesel around 2.20.