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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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Pesos for Dollars?
Should I be looking to exchange dollars for pesos somewhere in El Centro or Brawley? Or just wait to pull pesos out of the ATM in San Felipe?
thanks in advance,
gb3
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Whichever is more convenient unless you need a massive amount of Pesos. Then it would probably pay to do the math.
Don't sweat the small stuff. 
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Whichever is more convenient unless you need a massive amount of Pesos. Then it would probably pay to do the math.
Don't sweat the small stuff. |
Ain't that the truth. I had to talk some sense into a friend awhile back who spent almost an hour driving around San Ysidro to find the best exchange
rate. After I explained to him that he spent more in gas driving around than the difference in pesos he would get for his $300USD we shared a good
laugh together.
It reminds me of someone else I know who will drive all the way across town so they can use a coupon for a three dollar item...
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socalrat
Junior Nomad
Posts: 83
Registered: 8-16-2008
Location: South Bay, LA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Whichever is more convenient unless you need a massive amount of Pesos. Then it would probably pay to do the math.
Don't sweat the small stuff. |
Ain't that the truth. I had to talk some sense into a friend awhile back who spent almost an hour driving around San Ysidro to find the best exchange
rate. After I explained to him that he spent more in gas driving around than the difference in pesos he would get for his $300USD we shared a good
laugh together.
It reminds me of someone else I know who will drive all the way across town so they can use a coupon for a three dollar item...
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Probably need about $400 for the 20 days we will be down there. I'll make sure to fuel up in Calexico and then get pesos in San Felipe somewhere, I
guess.
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tunaeater
Senior Nomad
Posts: 617
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: Chula Vista, CA
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I would exchange in Calexico. Many casa de cambios if going through downtown. A little better rate then SF
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BajaWarrior
Super Nomad
Posts: 2307
Registered: 9-27-2006
Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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If your crossing early it may be hard to find an open casa de cambio in Mexicali but there is one in San Felipe just past the arches on the right
brightly lit that has a good exchange rate and will be open when you get there.
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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b1
Junior Nomad
Posts: 51
Registered: 12-27-2007
Location: On the Reality side of the Paradise/Reality border
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Mood: Kicked it in neutral; hang'n cool.
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Just for my future travel info, where can I exchange dollars for pesos in either/both El Centro or Brawley? thanks, b1
When the winds turn white in Idaho, it\'s my time to visit the banana trees of Baja.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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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? :-)
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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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mcfez
If you want to save a buck...just order one less fish taco!
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 What more do they need to know???
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bajalou
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Location: South of the broder
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I live in San Felipe and I was low on pesos yesterday, planning on buying gas etc, so went to the Bancomer ATM at Sundance to load up.
I got 5000 pesos on my US debit card. Bancomer said there would be a charge - 25 pesos or so and I said OK and got my money. Checked my bank account
when I got home and the debit to my account was $403.32. My bank will charge me $5 for using a non-owned ATM - San Felipe or San Diego, doesn't
matter.
After putting it all together my rate of exchange was 12.24 to 1. The Cambio by Dr Abasolo's office showed offering 11.70. A much better deal at the
ATM. - About 25 bucks difference.
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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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
After putting it all together my rate of exchange was 12.24 to 1. The Cambio by Dr Abasolo's office showed offering 11.70. A much better deal at the
ATM. - About 25 bucks difference. |
Lou....that Cambio is way out of line. Their normal Tipo de Cambio is around 2% below the bank rate which yesterday was 12.37...I believe. [I don't
keep close track of these things and they are constantly changing]
Anyway....at that rate, the Cambio should have been offering 12.12, or there-abouts. Not 11.70.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Location: South of the broder
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I agree Dennis, but that's what they're showing here.
Edit for spelling--
[Edited on 12-14-2010 by bajalou]
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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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
I agree Dennis, but that's what they're showing here.
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Oh well....they arn't getting rich changing money anyway. Anyone with a sizeable transaction would be doing that at a bank.
I might guess that a lower Tipo de Cambio would indicate poor business in their other fields of finance. Who knows?
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tunaeater
Senior Nomad
Posts: 617
Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: Chula Vista, CA
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I like changing the money just to make it easier on them and me. Especially dealing with local markets, street vendores etc.
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Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
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Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Trying to find a cambio in Brawley or El Centro is like trying to find a hundred dollar bill you dropped on the downtown street in Mexicali the day
before. Stop in Calexico and exchange you dollars for pesos, as all of them along the way are pretty close in value. Since I live in Brawley, I can
tell you your not going to find one there and El Centro use to have one but it went out of business. I have also exchanged in Mexicali before and
gained a little but not much, so again Calexico would be your best bet. Take Care & Travel Safe bajafun777 "No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN"
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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The are two exchanges in Calexico, on your right, a 1/2 mile before entering Mexico. Easy parking for tows
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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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| 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.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sure... as I said on trips into Baja Sur, we get pesos. By 'dollar-friendly' I meant that you can use dollars everywhere, but the exchange rate is
going to be up to the merchant.
When you use dollars, you are giving the merchant a tip however... because of his exchange rate being lower than the banks.
If you live part time in Mexico (not a tourist), then sure you would use the local money. In Baja Norte, I usually see locals with dollars at stores,
gas stations, etc... and in Baja Norte it is a dual currency region... Perhaps that will change as the dollar continues to become more worthless?
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Trueheart
Nomad
Posts: 155
Registered: 1-31-2010
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The pesos for dollars discussion ... I remember (not that many years ago so I still can) when I was newer to travelling in Baja and would concern
myself more with the rate of exchange. Most of my Baja friends told me not to sweat it, and they were right. I can't say that I have ever found a
business establishment in Baja that would not take USD, but in rare instances they would take advantage in "their conversion". That does bug me at
times, depending of course on the amount of advantage they are attempting. I have found that having a blend of pesos and USD works best for me. I do
the same thing McFez suggests, and carry small denomination USD ... 1,5,10. If you have some smaller USD, you can always come very close to "exact"
payment with your own conversion, for those merchants not so bent on theirs. Many actually prefer the USD.
As to "where" to get the pesos if you want some, there are lots of choices and the ones mentioned here are all good depending on your travel route and
time. Gringo makes a good point ... don't drive all over the place to "git r dun" ... you'll end up losing on gas + time. Like some have said, don't
sweat it too much.
But, if you are new to the Baja travel experience, it might take a few times for you to get comfortable. Hard to get around some of the initial
butterflies, but it will happen. Enjoy your trip.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Online
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Trueheart
The pesos for dollars discussion ... I remember (not that many years ago so I still can) when I was newer to travelling in Baja and would concern
myself more with the rate of exchange. Most of my Baja friends told me not to sweat it, and they were right. I can't say that I have ever found a
business establishment in Baja that would not take USD, but in rare instances they would take advantage in "their conversion". That does bug me at
times, depending of course on the amount of advantage they are attempting. I have found that having a blend of pesos and USD works best for me. I do
the same thing McFez suggests, and carry small denomination USD ... 1,5,10. If you have some smaller USD, you can always come very close to "exact"
payment with your own conversion, for those merchants not so bent on theirs. Many actually prefer the USD.
As to "where" to get the pesos if you want some, there are lots of choices and the ones mentioned here are all good depending on your travel route and
time. Gringo makes a good point ... don't drive all over the place to "git r dun" ... you'll end up losing on gas + time. Like some have said, don't
sweat it too much.
But, if you are new to the Baja travel experience, it might take a few times for you to get comfortable. Hard to get around some of the initial
butterflies, but it will happen. Enjoy your trip. |
Excellent!
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