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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Trueheart
but in rare instances they would take advantage in "their conversion". . |
In some cases, I would agree that the exchange is lopsided. At least it is until you look at the whole picture.
Dollars arn't the coin of the realm and arn't so treasured as they once were. They're a problem for a business owner.
I've often seen the crazy rate posted....10 x 1 etc. and for years have had the feeling the store was saying, "we don't want your dollars. We don't
want to deal with the morphing exchange rate. Our purveyors don't want them either. Why is it too much to ask that guests here use our money?"
We and our dollars are highly overrated by us. Just buy Pesos. This obsession is enough to ruin a good trip.
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[Edited on 12-15-2010 by DENNIS]
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3294
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Location: Buena Vista BCS
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Mood: Tranquilo
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$400 for 20 days? $20 a day?.....sounds like a wild party time to me
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dtbushpilot
$400 for 20 days? $20 a day?.....sounds like a wild party time to me
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Back in the 60s, we could go to Mazatlán for six months with 200 bucks.
But, you're right. 400 bucks would be a little tight. Might work if you gave up eating, drinking, and sleeping with a roof over your head.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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I think it is more respectful and appropriate to use the currency of the country you are in rather than expect them to accept your currency....no
matter how close to the border you are 
It is a bit arrogant to expect the US $ to rule over the currency of any other country....any time I have tried to use Canadian currency even a few
miles south of the 49th, I get a "no-go" (except maybe at a large mall).
I am sure the exchange happens for a variety of reasons...
Why would a person not want to use pesos in Mexico? Too lazy to go to the bank or casa de cambio? Afraid you will get ripped off?
C'mon you guys....it's a big world out there and you are not the centre of that universe...
Don't believe everything you think....
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
I think it is more respectful and appropriate to use the currency of the country you are in rather than expect them to accept your currency....no
matter how close to the border you are
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On the other hand and a long time ago, I recall some of the tourist shops on First Street here in Ensenada wouldn't take Pesos and landlords insisted
on Dollars from their US tenants. The Peso was falling in value at a steady rate so when it dropped, it was an automatic increase in revenue for the
owner.
Those days are gone but not forgotten along with a lot of other things.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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In the days of the "old peso". After they lopped of some zeros, and a period of pain, things changed.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
In the days of the "old peso". After they lopped of some zeros, and a period of pain, things changed. |
Actually, the most dynamic period of change came after they threw the Peso into the open money market after being frozen it .08 US cents forever.
The world had a harsh message for Mexico as to the wide-spread opinion of the Peso's worth. It had to be done to invite foreign investment.
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by dtbushpilot
$400 for 20 days? $20 a day?.....sounds like a wild party time to me
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Maybe they're going to work for the Peace Corps. Who knows, lets pass the hat around and give them a proper send-off.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65285
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Camping? All you need is to buy gas if you bring all your own food and stay out of campgrounds.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Camping? All you need is to buy gas if you bring all your own food and stay out of campgrounds. |
David,
I understand how to go "on the cheap", and try to watch my $$$ too, but I also thought you loved Baja and wanted to support it and its people.....
I didn't realize you brought ALL your own groceries down when you promoted eating fish tacos in Baja
Don't believe everything you think....
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19932
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Camping? All you need is to buy gas if you bring all your own food and stay out of campgrounds. |
and if you fast you won't have to bring food
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
and if you fast you won't have to bring food |
And, if you go 20 days without a shower, they wouldn't dare throw you in Secondary on the way back. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65285
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Camping? All you need is to buy gas if you bring all your own food and stay out of campgrounds. |
David,
I understand how to go "on the cheap", and try to watch my $$$ too, but I also thought you loved Baja and wanted to support it and its people.....
I didn't realize you brought ALL your own groceries down when you promoted eating fish tacos in Baja |
What are you talking about, 'eh?
I was explaing to those who questioned socalrat's only bringing $400 with him, how it was possible... It had nothing to do with my habits. There were
times in the past when we camped no where near civilization so taco stands for dinner were not an option.
[Edited on 12-16-2010 by David K]
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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We pack in food. Stuff that we like and cant find in Baja. Like Cheetos! Every bag brand of chips in Mexico has freakin Chile in the mix! I hate Chile
powder.
But then again....we buy hellalot at the market in town.
$400.00 for twenty days? I thank the Gods that I aint going there with them. On day 13....somewhere in the deep desert...campfire blasting....they be
looking at MY prime leg for their dinner!
Gas $ 120 two tanks full. $280.00 for groceries and camp wood. I suppose it can be done but the meals would have to be really bottom of the line
stuff. No chips, steak, whatever. That all spells *****bored foods**** at meal time!
$800.00 is what they really need.
[Edited on 12-16-2010 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mood: Waiting
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I've been using the "coin of the realm" for years. The farther south one goes the less you get in exchange. I have been budgeting $200 USD a day (in
pesos) and I take another $1,000 USD for backup. This is a road trip budget since most of the time I don't know if I am camping or hoteling. If the
wife comes along I take more. She doesn't camp.
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Marc
I've been using the "coin of the realm" for years. The farther south one goes the less you get in exchange. I have been budgeting $200 USD a day (in
pesos) and I take another $1,000 USD for backup. This is a road trip budget since most of the time I don't know if I am camping or hoteling. If the
wife comes along I take more. She doesn't camp. |
Shhhhhhh!!!!! You never know who may be lurking.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
What are you talking about, 'eh?......I was explaing to those who questioned socalrat's only bringing $400 with him,..... taco stands for dinner were
not an option. [Edited on 12-16-2010 by David K] |
Hey, like, take off , eh!!
David, Like , don't be a hoser, eh!
Yep , sometimes ya have to pack the cooler...
What, no taco stands at Shell Island....?? Sounds like a retirement project opportunity...
Cash only....pesos and US $$$ will be accepted....Canadians 1/2 price
Don't believe everything you think....
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roadhog
Nomad
Posts: 105
Registered: 10-29-2009
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BOA ( Bank of America) associates with Santander. Search Google for Santander Baja ATM locations - BOA may have a site - there's a list for all Baja
ATMS - try Baja ATM - or ATM worldwide. Enter the GPS coordinates into your GPS unit. Deposit an adequate amount in the debit account. The Santander
ATM then miraculously spits mega pesos in various denominations. I used the La Paz Sears and Rowbuck parking lot ATM cross the street.
Cheapskate ? NAH, pay Pemex an even amount say 10 pesos over minimum from the first stop onward. Hasta luego....
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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so the 200 2000 peso notes I have been saving for a rainy day are no good?
shoot, and to think today could have been that day!
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BajaVida
Senior Nomad
Posts: 541
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Motown, Califas
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Mood: muy cool
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El Centro Costco
I called the store today and it does not have a currency exchange.
Anyone know about the Mexicai Costco and if it has a money exchange?
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
If you want to save a buck...just order one less fish taco!
Going to Mexico for 25+ years @ both the Mexican Rivera side and Baja.....I have never used pesos. Your USD's should be $400.00 in 1, 5 and 10's.
Small bills are easy for the merchants to deal with Baja.
I laugh at some folks that run all over the map looking for the "best" money exchange. By the time you peeed your gas away and travel time doing
it....you could had been sitting at that sidewalk taco stand ordering that "one less" Taco!
Ya...fill up in Calixico. The gas is a wee cheaper on the USA side than in town Mexicali ...at times...and less confusing to deal with. You'll get to
San Felipe on a third -half of tank
Haven't you left yet? :-) |
It is a vacation.. and if you are going to get stressed by wondering if the exchange rate is going to rip you for $5 isn't going to help you to relax
in Baja.
I am with McFez on this... the entire peninsula of Baja California is dollar friendly. The locals use dollars as much as pesos, I see them in stores
all the time using dollars. We have only bothered getting pesos on our longer trips into Baja Sur, and get them at the Costco in Chula Vista
(Broadway, north of Palomar, off I-5)... I know that isn't an option for you this trip... unless Costco in El Centro has peso exchange inside?
$400 dollars is worth $4,800 pesos at 12:1 and $4,960 at 12.40:1.
The difference is 160 pesos or $13 dollars of your $400 (not considering any fees from the exchange or bank). You have to decide how much that is
worth looking for the best exchange rate or if the ATM swallows your card in Mexico.
As you drive towards the border in Calexico... there are exchange houses (Casas de Cambio) along the street on your right. If they are open and
advertise a good rate, then stop... If not, do not sweat it and have a great time in Baja with your dollars. |
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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