Trip to Puerto Vallarta?

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sparks_mex

ATM card is the best and get pesos from ATM machines

Only use a credit card at major hotels

Tell your card companies you'll be in Mexico

Limbonia

The dollar is wildly accepted for payment, taxi cabs, restaurants, supermarket, etc. Some give you an exchange rate of 10 pesos for 1 dollar others slightly less. If you exchange the dollars at the bank last week it was 9.97 pesos per 1 dollar. Credit cards pick their own exchange rate (less than 10 per 1 dollar) plus they charge you 2% transaction fee for the conversion. You can use ATM s but they have fees make sure that are not excessive. Some credit cards block your card because they assume somebody has stolen your card. Mastercard did that but Visa and American Express were OK. Traveler checks are safer in a sense that if they are stolen they are replaceable, but as I never have used them I don't know how much trouble are to use.
As far as how much money to bring everything is as expensive as in the USA or even more so budget accordingly!
Bring about 25 dls on 1 dls bills for the initial tipping at the airport and hotel. Later you can exchange the money at a bank and by the end of the trip you probably have a lot of pesos left for tipping on the way out.
I miss Pueto Vallarta!

wendyisrad

I went to Puerto Vallarta and stayed at an all inclusive resort. I brought $400 cash with me and used about $200 buying souvenirs and calling cards. The hotel sold calling cards but every time I used the phone there was a connection fee. Every place I bought souvenirs from were happy to take American money so I never even brought pesos. I also used my debit card which is American. I work at a bank and I must say that traveller's cheques aren't as widely accepted as they used to be. You also may have to exchange them for Mexican ones, depending on which kind of Traveller's Cheque you get, which may be a hassle.

If you go to AAA, you can get a prepaid reloadable Visa card which can be replaced if it gets lost or stolen, so it provides the same protection as cheques. You can also buy small increments of pesos so you can have some Mexican cash on you in addition to that.

Have a great trip!!!

Allen A

We visit Puerto Vallarta once or twice a year. I always get about $400
in pesos from my bank. I also carry a visa and a debit card. Once you arrive in PVR its good to have the pesos for tipping. I try and get a few 20 peso bills for this. A few travellers checks are a good idea too but some places charge to cash these.

Kai

I have been to Puerto Vallarta three times. You can change your U.S. Currency at the airport. I would change about $40 at the airport so you can pay your taxi to your hotel and have money to purchase breakfast or lunch the next day. Once you get to your hotel you can change money with your hotel. It will not be the best rate but it is convenient. I always wait till I get to town and use an ATM for the best rate. I forget the name and location of the ATM I used but it was a local bank ATM in town that took Visa and Star Debit Cards. The ATM was in a secure, well lit, glass enclosure. I also bring a stack of $1s for tipping the maids and hotel staff. Enjoy your trip!

ALEX!!!!

if...
1-2 weeks: $75-250
2-3 weeks: $300-450
3-6 weeks: $450-600
6-9 weeks: $600-900

well carry the monkey in your purse/pocket

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