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fossilnut
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 8-3-2006
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dollars or pesos???
We're trying to figure out whether to exchange all of our dollars to pesos or have some of each.
We'll be camping and we're especially curious as to whether campgrounds prefer pesos or dollars and what sort of rate of exchange we might expect.
(our campground book quotes rates in dollars but I'm not convinced that paying in dollars is the preferred way to go)
Thanks!
Sandy
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
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Location: Loreto
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I prefer to just use pesos. Switching back and forth can cause confusion, and figuring exchange rates at small businesses can also be confusing. I do
watch the exchange rate for volatility, but it's been relatively steady for a while now.
And it may not be too good an idea to carry too much cash, but to use the ATMs. That means pesos. I heard of some guy who's car got busted into last
summer and the thief got over $2000 in US currency; you can bet he'll break into more cars.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
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Location: South of the broder
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Usually pesos, but carry some dollars so that if the price is quoted in dollars, that's what I pah in, no "rate of exchange". This is mostly
resturants. Always get the pesos at ATMs.
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?\"
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And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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Mike Supino
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ALWAYS use pesos at PEMEX
Therianthropic
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longlegsinlapaz
Super Nomad
Posts: 1685
Registered: 11-18-2005
Location: La Paz
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Depending on where you are....banks typically give the best exchange rates. And you'll get a better exchange rate Mon-Tues than you will at the end
of the week. They tend to lower the rate because they don't know that it'll do over the week-end, Mon-Tues rate has been adjusted to what transpired
over the week-end & is typically significiently higher than Fri-Sat-Sun. So you can get more spending power out of your USD by exchanging early
in the week! Gas stations give one of the WORST exchange rates! They are always lower than most other places.
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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Use pesos, but have dollars in reserve. If you want to pay for something in dollars with a price that's listed in pesos, the shops generally charge
you about 10% for exchanging the dollars into pesos. Not good, so use pesos. The banks generally give the best exchange rate.
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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DEFINITELY...USE PESOS!!!!
It helps avoid the problem when you're paying, of them trying to shortchange or cheat you on the exchange rate.
BE SURE you ask for a variety of PESO denominations. That also helps avoid problems.
Where will you be crossing and traveling to??? Nomads can give you good information about exchange rates and their favorite places to exchange
dollars.
Amo Pescar
[Edited on 9-22-2006 by AmoPescar]
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villadelfin
Nomad
Posts: 273
Registered: 4-8-2006
Location: La Paz
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Mood: toasted and buttered
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get small bills, 50 and 20s. I can not emphasise this enough.
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Bob and jane
Nomad
Posts: 272
Registered: 3-25-2004
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Pesos for sure, maybe good to have some $'s , but I really never get a good exchange. It's 10-1 when the banco is nearly 11-1. hey, 10% is 10%
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Here's another way to look at the choice...
... where using dollars is being generous to our Baja amigos:
If you use dollars, then you automatically give everyone you buy from a tip. It is really easy to convert 10:1 but not so at 10.7 or?:1 (without a
calculator).
If you are counting your pennies that closely, maybe taking a vacation isn't going to be fun?
Baja gives us so much, why not give just a little extra back?
Just another way to look at a situation!
[Edited on 9-23-2006 by David K]
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Bob and jane
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Hey, I'll always tip for good service. I'm not on vacation. I just can't bring myself to tip the Pemex station, when I've already paid for 10-20% more
gas than needed. The beer depositos really don't need a tip, the list goes on. puleez
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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In addition to using pesos, I think if you use credit cards (VISA or Mastercard) you get the official current day's exchange rate
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fossilnut
Newbie
Posts: 23
Registered: 8-3-2006
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Where will you be crossing and traveling to??? Nomads can give you good information about exchange rates and their favorite places to exchange
dollars.
We'll be crossing at Tecate and spending all Winter in Baja (mostly in Baja Sur we think). Appreciate any suggestions on where to exchange dollars!
Thanks.
Sandy
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and jane
Hey, I'll always tip for good service. I'm not on vacation. I just can't bring myself to tip the Pemex station, when I've already paid for 10-20% more
gas than needed. The beer depositos really don't need a tip, the list goes on. puleez |
I was not talking about a service, but the purchase of products.
Not on vacation? Then my suggestion wasn't directed to you.
Blaming all Pemex stations for cheating is not a fair statement.
Depositos don't need a tip? No, not a tip... but dollars give them a tiny raise.
Anyway, my view of the peso/dollar use was in no way to imply one was correct, so don't take offence. It was just another way to look at the
question...
If you use dollars, the merchant gets a little extra if he uses a conversion rate below the official rate.
We (the visitor to Baja) are financially able to take time and travel there... The merchant selling pineapples on the corner probably will not ever be
able to vacation in the United States, but is doing what he must to survive.
Is a few extra pennies he gets from the exchange difference going to ruin your trip?
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AmoPescar
Senior Nomad
Posts: 835
Registered: 7-15-2006
Location: North San Diego County
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Mood: Need a Fish Taco and a Pacifico!
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Fossilnut...
Regarding Dollar for Peso exchange
I usually go to San Felipe and cross from Calexico to Mexicali. I always use the exchange booth which is on the corner of the building which houses
the BAJA DUTY FREE store, one block before crossing over. I've always felt their exchange rate was good and they were always honest and fair.
The side benefit of that is shopping in the Duty Free Store. They always have excellent deals on top of the line Booze, and, I don't smoke, but if
you do, cigarettes are supposed to be a really good deal. I highly recommend stopping if you like to have a drink other than Tequila.
And, for other crossings at SY and Otay, I usually stop on the U.S. side before crossing.
I've never used them, but, I've always heard the COSTCO in TJ has a good exchange, and you can also shop for supplies.
FYI...There's also DUTY FREE SHOPS in San Ysidro. Google Duty Free for addresses and maps
ANYONE ELSE HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD???
AMO
[Edited on 9-23-2006 by AmoPescar]
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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"There's also DUTY FREE SHOPS in San Ysidro"
What is DUTY???
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oxxo
Banned
Posts: 2347
Registered: 5-17-2006
Location: Wherever I am, I'm there
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Mood: If I was feeling any better, I'd be twins!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
In addition to using pesos, I think if you use credit cards (VISA or Mastercard) you get the official current day's exchange rate
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Careful here. I think most credit cards charge around 3% to use your US card in Mexico, I know my Mastercard does.
We often use the American Express office in San Jose del Cabo to exchange dollars. We have found they give the same exchange rate as the banks and
THERE IS NO LINE!
[Edited on 9-23-2006 by oxxo]
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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there's no line in santa rosalia....
take a number but...
it may be 400 numbers till they get to you
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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CONVERSION RATES
For current conversion rates, go to
www.xe.com/ucc/
current exchange rate is listed as $100.00 (US) = 1104.25 Pesos (9-23-06)
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
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Mood: mellow
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Back to the subject, use Peso's get them from an ATM they have the best rate, and don't forget and leave your card in the machine.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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