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John M
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Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Peso Exchange question
I got a question from some folks going to Baja with us next week - do the peso exchange places readily accept 50s and 100 dollar bills?
We've always used 20s, so I have no experience with the larger denominations.
Thanks
John M
[Edited on 3-7-2023 by John M]
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KaceyJ
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No problem , and
last time I xchanged , there was no Id required for a large transaction.
This was San Ysidro
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RFClark
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Your friends can get a better exchange rate if they order pesos from their US bank before they go to Mexico.
We use BofA in the states.
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AKgringo
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There are two Wells Fargo banks in my area, (Nevada County) and one of them keeps enough pesos on hand to get five or six hundred dollars converted.
If you need more, give them a few days' notice.
I don't remember what the exchange rate was, but the convenience was worth whatever they charged. Call around to see if a bank near you is able to
make the exchange.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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StuckSucks
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I got pesos from our BofA once, which taught me that was the wrong way to go. We are platinum or premium members (whatever it's called), so I expected
to get a fair exchange rate. Turns out the rate was a couple of points lower than what I could get at the border, PLUS BofA charged me an additional
fee. Never again.
Do your homework first to see if it really is a good deal.
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TMW
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I have often purchased pasos using 50 and 100 dollar bills.
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surfhat
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There is an outfit called TravelX that sets up in some banks that is for money exchanges. The last time I used them was in a bank in Carlsbad, Ca.
Their rates were comparable to other sources. The convenience was a plus.
Usually I just go the exchangers off the 5 in San Isidro just north of the border. There is a lot of competition there for our dollars and if one is
willing to shop round, you might save a few pesos here and there. I hardly bother these days for the small difference it might make.
My time is worth more than driving around hunting for the best exchange rate. Getting $1500 worth of pesos in the morning has never been a problem and
lasts me long enough to make it home with a few leftover pesos for next time.
I do try to avoid driving into San Isidro proper because you never know who is looking around for travelers crossing the border with fresh cash. Maybe
I am being paranoid just a bit.
The exchangers off the 5 are easy and convenient enough for a quick stop before the border.
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AKgringo
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Finding the right gas stations makes a much larger difference in my travel budget than finding the right Cambio!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surfhat
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Antonios in El Rosario is never missed, as much for their dependable, never scammed pumps as for supporting one who has given back so much for all of
our road safety's benefit with his ambulances parked out front.
His pump girls are deserving of a little compensation and always appreciate such consideration that means so little to us and more to them. Tip those
girls!
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AKgringo
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If I ever drive through Antonio's town again, I will certainly stop (and tip) there!
I was referring to the prices charged along the six hundred miles or so that I have to drive to get to the border. There are a lot of rip-off
stations along the interstate highways or remote locations.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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David K
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Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  | If I ever drive through Antonio's town again, I will certainly stop (and tip) there!
I was referring to the prices charged along the six hundred miles or so that I have to drive to get to the border. There are a lot of rip-off
stations along the interstate highways or remote locations. |
In the United States, with such a big government weights and measures department, or Canada, home of such nice people? 
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dusty.rambler
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I usually use ATMs to get pesos. Even with the fees from my bank and the Mexican bank, the exchange rate is the best and usually worth it.
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AKgringo
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Sometimes the ATMs won't work
On two separate trips to the Mulege/Loreto area I have been unable to withdraw pesos from any ATM. It was probably due to a fluctuation in the
international exchange rates, because the banks would not exchange greenbacks for pesos either!
I was able to find places that would take plastic for payment, but not for cash back transactions.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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AKgringo
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What sort of ripoffs are you talking about?
/rquote]
I was referring to a price per gallon rip-off. When a gas station connected to a refinery by a short drive on an interstate highway charges twenty
cents a gallon more than my small, fairly remote mountain community over 500 miles away, that is a rip-off!
[Edited on 3-9-2023 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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surabi
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"It was probably due to a fluctuation in the international exchange rates, because the banks would not exchange greenbacks for pesos either!"
There are many Mexican banks who won't exchange currency unless you have an account with them, having nothing to do with the exchange rates.
[Edited on 3-9-2023 by surabi]
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mtgoat666
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| Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo |
What sort of ripoffs are you talking about?
/rquote]
I was referring to a price per gallon rip-off. When a gas station connected to a refinery by a short drive on an interstate highway charges twenty
cents a gallon more than my small, fairly remote mountain community over 500 miles away, that is a rip-off!
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that is a bit harsh to call it a "rip off." market economy, supply and demand, etc. If you want to find cheapest gas when traveling in conus, use
gasbuddy.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Lee
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| Quote: Originally posted by StuckSucks | I got pesos from our BofA once, which taught me that was the wrong way to go. We are platinum or premium members (whatever it's called), so I expected
to get a fair exchange rate. Turns out the rate was a couple of points lower than what I could get at the border, PLUS BofA charged me an additional
fee. Never again.
Do your homework first to see if it really is a good deal. |
Same with WF. Never again.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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David K
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The Casas de Cambio on the U.S. side of the border are super easy to use (and advetise if they are 'no commission' with a buy & sell exchange rate
posted).
Also, the Costco in Chula Vista (I-5, Palomar exit) has a money exchange inside, on the left/ opposite the cash registers. They have good rates, but
are open limited hours and close for lunch, so call ahead. I used it a couple times, but that was over a dozen years ago.
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AKgringo
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I did not need to use it, but I noticed that the Walmart in Calexico is set up to exchange pesos/dollars. I bought a car battery there in October,
and had the option of paying with either currency.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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AKgringo
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The Dollar is down against the Peso
The last exchange I did was in October, and it was slightly over 20 pesos to the dollar. Today it is slightly under 18 to the dollar!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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