Marmeon
Junior Nomad
Posts: 34
Registered: 8-14-2005
Location: Arcata, California
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Good place to change money?
Can someone suggest a place to change money in TJ or Ensenada that is convenient to the highway?I'll be just passing through, so I'll just be getting
off and on again. Thanks.
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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Why not just get money at an ATM? We usually stop at the ATM directly across from the Mexican flag in Ensenada (at the harbor).
Zac
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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I agree, go with with the ATM, they have become reliable except maybe on the big weekends in smaller towns.
My bank and many others's exchange rate is based on the money market and I get the best exchange rate of a 24 hours period of midnight to midnight,
sometimes good, sometimes so-so but always better than cambios on the street.
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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Caution on ATM fees! Bank of America charges two fees - an "international transaction fee" which is a percentage of whatever you withdraw AND and
non-B of A ATM fee, which is $3. Why not just use your American $$$? Most folks give you a better than market exchange rate (like 11 pesos to the
dollar) and are happy to have your US dollars.
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Mexray
Super Nomad
Posts: 1016
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: California Delta
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Mood: Baja Time
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We usually stop at...
...the small Bancomex Branch in the parking lot of the Giganti Super Market on the corner of Gral. Agustin Sangines/Reforma...on the way out of town.
You get the posted 'bank rate', which is usually close to your best deal...and you don't have to pay any commission as you would on your ATM. They
have an ATM there also, if you get a good a good deal with your particular bank, commission wise.
It's convenient to pick up a few items at the Giganti, too. Some of their Tequilas are priced 'right'...and you can get oven fresh Boleos and
tortillas, as well as other tasty goodies...they have a full range of baked goods!
There are a couple of older 'gents' in the parking lot that look after you vehicle, and guide you safely out of your parking spot when you leave...we
tip him a 10NP coin for his services.
According to my clock...anytime is \'BAJA TIME\' & as Jimmy Buffett says,
\"It doesn\'t use numbers or moving hands It always just says now...\"
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turtleandtoad
Senior Nomad
Posts: 730
Registered: 1-20-2005
Location: Wherever I park. See sig for current location.
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Mood: Good if fishing
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Mexray,
I've always wondered how much to tip the "whistle guys", now I know. Thanks.
My first run-in with them, I didn't know what they were there for and just ignored them. I guess my lack of spanish saved me from hearing some serious
cussing.
Thats something the Church's really should include in their guide.
Mike & Robin; Full-Time RV\'ers
37\' Georgetown w/3 slides & 275 Watts of Solar Power
06 Taco TRD
www.turtleandtoad.com
I am here
To paraphrase Frank Lloyd Wright; I\'m all in favor of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let\'s start with keyboards. --
Mike Dean |
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fandango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 1-30-2006
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another good place to use an ATM is in Maneadero. easy to use, english or spanish. first bank on the right. call your US bank before you travel and
confirm what the fees are for foreign ATM use. easy parking, just like the gigante, as mexray says.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
Why not just use your American $$$? Most folks give you a better than market exchange rate (like 11 pesos to the dollar) and are happy to have your
US dollars. |
Don't know where you find those folks, that give 11 to one, where I go they have rates posted at 10.25 of 10.35. The ones without rates posted
usually are 10 to one in this part of the country.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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I agree with Baja Lou & Hose A., 10 to 1 is all they want to give you around here and the other places I travel in Baja Norte.
I would not use a bank that charged me to use an ATM, my bank reimburses all ATM fees charged by any machine I use and pays 1/2% for using a debit
card, which I do not do in Mexico.
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cathart
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 9-8-2005
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I have a B of A account, and use an ATM in Rosarito that is owned by Scotia Bank. I think Scotia Bank and B of A are affiliated, so I never see an
additional charge for using the ATM on my account.
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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HSBC Bank is putting in ATM machines all over Baja. They are a world wide bank, you can bank by internet, they have branches in all the major Baja
Norte cities and I am sure Baja Sur too. An account with them either in the USA or Mexico would cover you.
Banamex's branch bank in San Felipe will be opening soon to compete with Bancomer, they could not handle the weekend take! ( Literary). All these
banks have USA partners.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
Caution on ATM fees! Bank of America charges two fees - an "international transaction fee" which is a percentage of whatever you withdraw AND and
non-B of A ATM fee, which is $3. Why not just use your American $$$? Most folks give you a better than market exchange rate (like 11 pesos to the
dollar) and are happy to have your US dollars. |
Sounds pretty typical of B of A. That's why I stopped using them 30 years ago. Nickel and dime you to death.....
My credit union gives the going rate at the time of the transaction. No other fees.
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Bob H
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5867
Registered: 8-19-2003
Location: San Diego
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We stop at the Calimax grocery store south of Ensenada on the way to Maneadero - plenty of parking and the ATM is just inside the store door. I think
Hook or Elgataloco turned me on to this location. It's great.
Bob H
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mcgyver
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 8-22-2003
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Well as of Friday the offical bank rate was 10.38 to 1, Local grocery was posted at 10.20 to 1, street enchange remained 10 to 1 in San Felipe. It can
get better if you know a business man needing dollars to buy supplys in the states, I hear that in the bars its 8 to 1.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mcgyver
HSBC Bank is putting in ATM machines all over Baja. They are a world wide bank, you can bank by internet, they have branches in all the major Baja
Norte cities and I am sure Baja Sur too. An account with them either in the USA or Mexico would cover you.
Banamex's branch bank in San Felipe will be opening soon to compete with Bancomer, they could not handle the weekend take! ( Literary). All these
banks have USA partners. |
Didn't HSBC buy out all the Bitals? I remember the Bitals charging a pretty steep fee for use of the ATM. Is HSBC different?
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Tucker
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: El Centenario, BCS
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ATM fees are set by your bank. I live off my ATM card and haven't paid a fee in several years. I use HSBC regularly.
\"I think it would be a good idea.\"
-- Mahatma Gandhi, when asked what he thought of Western civilization
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
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In a pinch, ask the attendent at the Pemex station if he would like to change dollars. They should give you the posted amount. Cost you a little,
but, oh so fast. They make a little on it, but not enough to keep me from doing it.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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Today the Pemex (old Rodriguez one) exchange buying fuel 10 to 1. I mentioned the "Jefe was a poquito bandito" for that exchange and the attendant
said "Momento" went over to another and returned with 13 pesos change from $30 on 300 peso purchase. Still very close to 10 to 1.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Bruce R Leech
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6796
Registered: 9-20-2004
Location: Ensenada formerly Mulege
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Mood: A lot cooler than Mulege
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why try and spend US money in Mexico. if a store is giving you 10 to 1 that means that they would rather you use Pesos. it is an inconvenience for
them to go to the bank and change your money for you. so you pay for it.
Bruce R Leech
Ensenada
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marv sherrill
Nomad
Posts: 462
Registered: 11-18-2003
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Costco in Chula Vista - easy best rates - no charge
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