Should I exchange cash here or there?
Many U.S. banks offer currency exchange services that will change your U.S. dollars into Mexican pesos. Check with your bank about fees before initiating the process. Also, be sure to do this ahead of time as some banks can take up to 2 weeks to exchange currency. One more thing to check is the exchange rate the bank is giving you compared to what the market rate is.
For example, google “usd to mxn” and see what the current exchange rate is. Then call the bank and ask what their exchange rate is. It is typical that the bank will have a slightly different exchange rate than the market rate. This is how they make their commission. If the rate is more than 2 pesos different, you may want to consider other options, as this can mean a big difference in dollars if you’re exchanging more than a couple hundred dollars.
There are also a plethora of currency exchange companies in Mexico that charge between 1 – 2 pesos per dollar.
How much cash should I bring with me?
Mexico is primarily a cash centered economy. This means that most merchants will either not accept any kind of plastic for payment, or they’ll charge a commission for using the card. The best thing to do is to keep some cash on you at all times. Smaller bills are always better as many merchants frown upon people presenting large bills for small purchases – or may not even have the change needed to complete the transaction.
First, check with your bank to see what they charge for using a foreign ATM. Some banks have no fee and will reimburse you the fee that any international host bank charges (Schwab bank, for example). Other banks have relationships with Mexican banks for no fees (BBVA). These relationships are constantly changing. So, it’s best to check with the bank first before coming to Mexico so you can plan accordingly.
The question of “how much” you should bring is a personal one. If you’re planning to buy a lot of artwork from local vendors, then you’ll want more cash. If you’re not planning to do a lot of shopping, then having access to $50 – $100 usd on a regular basis should be more than enough.
How much do banks charge to pull money from the ATMs?
Banks in Mexico charge between $80 mxn ($4usd) to $150 mxn ($7usd) to pull cash. Plus, your bank in the USA may charge an additional foreign ATM fee. Be sure to check to see which Mexican banks your USA bank has a relationship with. If none, then plan to bring cash to exchange while you’re here.
What’s the weather like? How much should I pack?
Mexico City is 2,240 meters (7,350 ft) above sea level. Compare that to Denver, Colorado 1,600 meters (5,500 feet) and you’ll get an idea of what the weather might be like. Of course different seasons yield different weather.
Mexico City’s rainy season is between April and October. During this time, expect mild temperatures during the day (70’s and 80’s F) with intermittent showers throughout the day. Showers don’t usually last too long, but they happen unexpectedly and with lots of water.
Dress in layers. Bring a light jacket that is water resistant – just in case we need to duck and cover into a cafe. Wear closed toed shoes because there are sometimes unavoidable puddles. DO NOT wear flip flops because 1) you’ll stand out as a tourist, and 2) it’s a very vibrant city with lots of people walking that might step on your foot.
Don’t bring an umbrella with you. A water resistant jacket should be enough to give you time to take cover in a cafe to wait out the shower. If you want to buy an umbrella while you’re here, they sell for approx $3 – $5 usd all over the place.
It’s recommended that you wear pants instead of shorts during the summer. Remember, we are at high elevation so as soon as the sun disappears behind a cloud the temperature gets chilly very quickly. If you’re not accustomed to cold temperatures, wear pants.
June and July night times can get pretty cold. There are lots of scarves for sale around the city. Pack if you have a favorite, but if you want to dress local you’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so very inexpensively.
How should I dress for the Pyramids of Teotihuacan?
Going out to the pyramids is a 45 minute – 1 hr drive from the city into a very different climate. Be prepared for lots of sunshine and warm temperatures. Bring a sunhat because pyramids don’t give off a lot of shade and there are NO trees to take cover under. Also, during rain seasons be sure to bring a water resistant jacket, in case of a shower.
