BajaNomad

Banks that exchange dollars

mojo_norte - 12-1-2016 at 06:49 AM

Do any of the banks (Mex) exchange Dollars for Pesos anymore ? I was under the impression that they stop doing this awhile back ?

bajatrailrider - 12-1-2016 at 09:20 AM

Yes they do some are rip off others give good rates. After dealing with Mexican banks.Your better off if possible bring cash from the US. Mexican banks not user friendly like the U.S.

shari - 12-1-2016 at 10:26 AM

many banks require that you have an account with them...so if you dont just find some kind looking person in line who will exchange it for you and tip them something.

sancho - 12-1-2016 at 11:51 AM

On mexconnect, ran into that topic, it was a few mo's old, but
not yrs. I was under the impression exchanging $ to pesos
stopped a few yrs. back, like 6-8, due to some idea the cartels were
laundering $, seems perposterous. Several posters, the site
is mostly mainlanders, said they rountinely exchange at banks.
Some limit per mo., with it tied to one's passport. Can't
imagine the rate would not be current. Can't remember if an
account was needed





weebray - 12-2-2016 at 10:45 AM

Two of my visiting friends tried to exchange dollars for pesos at four different banks here in La Paz. They were not successful in any instance. The banks referred them to the casa de cambio downtown. Very poor exchange rate. Make sure you have an ATM card when traveling.

ChicaSierra - 12-4-2016 at 07:08 AM

....last month....We were not able to get any $ exchanged at a bank but got a good rate (20-22?) from using our credit card at 2 different Pemex. We got cash back from overpay on Visa card in Vizcaino and got pesos for using Amex (500 pesos for each transaction) in S. Rosalia (both were at the southern stations on west side of road.) Hope this helps!

rhintransit - 12-4-2016 at 07:29 AM

can't exchange dollars at Bancomer here in Loreto, the only game in town, unless you have an account. can be a shock to tourists, especially the cruise ship folks I've seen trying to do so.

[Edited on 12-7-2016 by rhintransit]

shari - 12-4-2016 at 07:37 AM

We often get extra cash from Pemex stations...in Ensenada there are some stations that have a better exchange rate than the bank and they will give you a 1,000 extra cash if you ask...sometimes. Or at stores too when you use a credit card you can ask for more cash too...every little bit helps!

shari - 12-6-2016 at 06:23 PM

Today I asked the Banamex teller in Guerrero Negro if a gringo could exchange dollars for pesos without a branch account and she said YES...only $300 a day and you need your passport.

mtgoat666 - 12-6-2016 at 07:54 PM

Mexico's govt has been cracking down on money laundering and the cash economy that avoids income and VAT taxes. Gringo travelers seeking cash exchange are experiencing collateral damage.

[Edited on 12-7-2016 by mtgoat666]

Gulliver - 12-7-2016 at 07:41 AM

On a sort of related subject, the ATM at the Mulege BANCOMER has not been working for getting pesos from any banks outside of their own network for at least two days.

We have been using it to get money from our U.S. credit union for years. Has anyone else run into this? The bank manager gives the usual dance about it being a problem that will be fixed but when pressed for any sort of prognosis goes into the usual vague palms up routine.

Russ - 12-7-2016 at 09:39 AM

I have a dollar checking account at Bancomer and yesterday I got 19.96 to 1. Yep, I have to wait in line and it is a long process with a passport and other info but there doesn't seem to be any limit on the pesos I ask for. I use my US checking for deposits and there isn't a charge. Works for me.

Gulliver - 12-7-2016 at 12:26 PM

From conversations locally with expats here in town it seems that this has been an intermittent problem in Mulege recently.

In the past the ATM route has worked fairly well for us but a local dollar account is probably in our futures.

Now to sort out a way to get things from Amazon and such. I tried Ali Express and nothing arrived.

Gulliver - 12-7-2016 at 04:37 PM

There IS joy in Mudville. The stinking cash machine started working again here in Mulege. I haven't seen so many gringo smiles since the fake Free Beer sign went up at the sports bar.

shari - 12-7-2016 at 05:04 PM

just a note about dollar accounts at Bancomer...I can only deposit $2,000 a month into it.

Gulliver - 12-7-2016 at 05:10 PM

Thanks Shari.