Alm
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A half-decent cambio in San Ysidro?
Did this long time ago, terrible experience. Recent reviews are still poor, unadvertised commission or they short-change you by $10-20 per one
thousand (or both), or the rate is only valid for the first $200. And there is often a $800-900 limit, even with ID. With $CAD it's usually 3.0-3.5%
cheaper buying USD in Canada and then changing to MXN before crossing than buying MXN in Canada - too far from Mexico, big spread.
[Edited on 2-2-2025 by Alm]
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bajatrailrider
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Living in Baja full time and refuse to have another Mex bank. Best deal Amazon card no fee and points. Plus always high exchange rate yes you always
need cash too.
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mtgoat666
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Quote: Originally posted by Alm  | Did this long time ago, terrible experience. Recent reviews are still poor, unadvertised commission or they short-change you by $10-20 per one
thousand (or both), or the rate is only valid for the first $200. And there is often a $800-900 limit, even with ID. With $CAD it's usually 3.0-3.5%
cheaper buying USD in Canada and then changing to MXN before crossing than buying MXN in Canada - too far from Mexico, big spread.
[Edited on 2-2-2025 by Alm] |
I have never been “shorted.” Always get posted rate.
I have seen differing rate for large amounts. Still better rate than home brick/mortar banks.
In SY i have done large amounts at Baja-Mex, 358 E San Ysidro Blvd. But money laundering rules have been changing so maybe you are stuck with
limits…
Costco chula vista does large amounts (not sure what their max is), but their rate is not as favorable as cambios at the border.
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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wilderone
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I've gotten foreign currencies from my bank - always a very good rate. They didn't charge a fee if over $300 USD. IMO, you shouldn't carry too much
cash with you. ATMs along the way using a card with no foreign transaction fees is convenient.
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lencho
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"Too much...."
Back in my poor and carefree youth when one could actually travel around México for under US$10/day and travellers checks were still a thing, I used
to go into the bank to stock up on pesos and fuss about whether I should change US$100 or US$150, so as to not be carrying too much cash around.
And at the same bank I'd see businessmen walking away from the teller window tucking away thick stacks of pesos like a king's ransom.
Made me wonder about my petty little concerns.
Of course, those guys usually had a pistol in their belt. 
"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is, by how stupid he thinks I
am."
"...they were careful of their demeanor that they not be thought to have opinions on what they heard for like most men skilled at their work they
were scornful of any least suggestion of knowing anything not learned at first hand."
Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses
"Be kind, be patient, help others." -- Isabel Allende
"My gas stove identifies as electric." Anonymous
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
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Thanks, Goat. Anything is better than brick and mortar banks, I never buy currency there.
In my town in Canada there are many Cambios, better rate for USD and MXN, but! it's cheaper to buy only USD and then change it to MXN at the border.
Tried several times, second exchange within 5-10 days from the first one, always a better net result. The best of course is using a no-fee credit
card where possible.
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stillnbaja
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it's different for everyone, I'm by no means a fat cat but everytime I walk by my Santander I grab 9000p on the schwab card and throw it in the shoe
box......EVERYTHING has gotten sooo expensive the last thing I worry about is a conversion rate.
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bajatrailrider
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Posts: 2469
Registered: 1-24-2015
Location: Mexico
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Ensenada today 20.05 good rate stock up
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