My partner and I are headed to Playa del Carmen for two weeks at the end of November. It's been so long since we travelled - do we take USD, CAD, pesos, or a mix of all three? What do others do? Pre-pandemic, I seem to recall taking USD for tipping bartenders and maids, but am wondering if pesos are better?

Following

I”m sure they’d still prefer the USD….

Aerin curious why you think that? Given the exchange fees and time it costs the person receiving thr money?

Nicole it’s just worth more to them. Stone Island, Maz was good for pesos but the larger areas definitely prefer usd and in fact in Cabo we tried to tip in pesos and the sever threw it on the table like he was disgusted

Aerin I have definitely seen the opposite, not wanting USD so that is very interesting

Nicole for sure! I was last there in January 2020….

Always bring USD to Mexico, and get pesos as change for the most part. Obviously can use both but why go down with pesos. Only useful in Mexico.

No Cdn coins. Hard for them to convert. So USD $1 bills. I had one local employee trade me loonies + toonies he had gotten as tips for pesos as he couldn’t exchange them at his bank.

Terry Would love to meet up with you so I can exchange my Canadian change for your US $'s.

Scott - hahahaha

Terry I had the same thing happen. No coin is exchangeable ! Many people are unaware. I was able to help my waiter out

Sherry - I think our waiter had $40 in Cdn coins. He was thrilled to get paper money he could use.

US or Peso’s

USD when going to Mexico

Sonia depends where. If a resort use USD if off resort and not Cancun pesos.

Brigitte I've always used USDs at restaurants and excursions. When shopping at the markets it's easier to barter with USD cause its worth more

Sonia I always use Pesos and spend months in Mexico different areas. You end up getting more for your money. Mexicans as stated by someone else get very few if any days off and in order to cash the USD they end up spending hours in line waiting to exchange the $$.

Brigitte I can definitely see that if you're spending lots of time in Mexico and I didn't know it's tough to exchange currency there for locals! I know for next time

Thanks to everyone for your different opinions,appreciate it

i would suggest pesos...they pay a hefty price to exchanges usd to pesos...

Pesos are the best. Then you and the employee do not lose any conversion fees when converting us dollars to pesos.

We always take Canadian and change it to pesos down there. No use changing it to US. We often have some left over from last trip so we take it for tips, etc before we get any exchanged. Or we order some at our bank before we go.

We always use pesos or american money depending on what it's for. We exchange it right at the airport exchange desk right through security.

US$ works great at resorts but not always in town. take a mix of small denominations in both Pesos and US. NOt all vendors deal with US exchange and if they do you get killed on it. forget CDN except for emergencies.

I always take pesos and then a small amount in USD mostly for taxis and markets. Had one waiter tell me they prefer pesos because the banks will change them for usd exchange.

If you take US, you’re paying an exchange fee. When they go to the bank to exchange for pesos (and usually stand in a long line their one day off a week) they have to also pay an exchange rate.
Just take pesos and it will help the employees and not make the bank profits so fat

Just use the ATM when you get there if you're after pesos

Kevin We also use the ATM and had no problems whatsoever… The exchange rates were great as well

Kevin exactly

Pesos only

Definitely bring some pesos for the places that don't give a good exchange rate.

Pesos are best.

Take pesos. Though the service people will gladly accept USD, they will have to spend their day off at the bank exchanging it for pesos. You also will save money by getting a better exchange rate.

Pesos for sure.

I always take USD and Pesos. I’ve never come home with leftover USD but Pesos I def have, lol

Michelle Unless you have a US bank account why exchange money twice and lose on the exchange? Change CDN to pesos....much more sensible.

Alan

20 pesos is approximately same exchange for 1 usd. The last two years we’ve just been using the 20 pesos to tip ect and it has worked out good for us. If you go yo calforex in chinook they usually have lots on hand

We use mexican pesos. We go to Mexico after all

Gianna exactly!

Totally agree with taking Pesos for all the reasons everyone has stated

Martin Speth - I guess we have our answer. Thanks everyone!!

Pesos....order them from your own bank...the exchange rate is usually not too bad

Pesos, generally. I think people say US because if you have leftover cash, US is typically better to have here. It’s also easier for us to gauge what we are tipping or paying. But for their sake, pesos are better.

Pesos!!!

We were there at the same time last year and just took money out of their bank machines directly at a bank. Don’t use the street machines. Never had any issues!

Pesos - country's currency.

Pesos/credit card...will transfer into CA. & CA money

If you are going to an all inclusive ask for 20, 50, 100 peso bills at your bank or calforex. Always good to call calforex ahead just to see if they have lots.
It's just easier for tipping when you don't have to find change.

We need some Canadian for the cab to the airport in Calgary and within the airport or you can use ccard.

Pesos!

Barbara Van Eaton
I am taking both us and pesos

Barbara Van Eaton that’s REALLY the correct answer. Always both

Aerin Why US? What's the advantage over pesos.. .

Alan I’ve found that some Mexicans in service did prefer for tipping, but based on these comments the exchange thing Coukd be an issue. I never ever bring Canadian except for use in the airport leaving
When I visited stone island many times though, it’s Pesos

Aerin Canadian money is more difficult to exchange for sure. You will save money in the long run buying pesos and using a bank ATM if you run out.

We take Pesos to Mexico for tipping and spending at the shops. We are headed to Mexico in a couple weeks too.

I've never used US dollars. Have taken my Canadian money to bank and exchanged

I always take USD

Cash machine at airport to get pesos is what I’ve done on recommendation from family who own a place in Mexico

Pesos for sure. Leave US out of the equation !

Enjoy
I was last in PDC Feb 2020.

USD

Take pecos

Most banks will ship pesos right to your door. Free of charge. If you have online banking!

Bring from Canada I take pesos and I get my pesos here in Canada before going down! I don’t want to lose money by exchanging for US.

Pesos it is Mexico not Canada or US

Pesos

I would take limited USD and use an ATM when you get there to get pesos. No point in paying exchange twice.

Be prepared for a Canada Border Services colonoscopy when you get back…
Just saying…

We are at Playacar right now, and all 3 dineros work. We are trying to get rid of our pesos so give that as tip.

US and Pesos

I ALWAYS use Pesos... i did the math at some of the restaurants on 5th ave they actually charge more if you use USD then pesos.

Pesos, save them having to go to the bank and stand in line to exchange

USD and pesos worked for us.

Careful with pesos because if you come back with them u will lose significantly trying to change them back, if they even let you. I take a small amount of them and US

Steph
Do some math and what you may spend on, and take pesos for the most part. Have some USD on hand in case you run out, and try to go for exchange if you must. Don’t ever pay in CAD, and even USD at the resort and such if paying in cash. You get terrible exchange rates this way. Spent 8 days down there in beginning of September.

Also using your credit card will get you a better day by day rate in worst case scenario.

Pesos !

Domenic Spadafora
Pesos are better! Especially for exchange rate when you buy food

We go yearly and everyone of the people that we tip say they prefer USD

Definitely use credit card at safe places for better exchange rate (hotel, costco, grocery store NOT at Gas Station or market). Bring pesos (exchange from Simplii) and some CA$ cash in hand just case you need more.

We always buy pesos here in Calgary, however friends of ours that go for 2 months every winter, say it is cheaper to withdraw from the ATM's at a bank. Better exchange rate. We all stay in the Nuevo Vallarta area

Thank you to everyone who logically explained their opinions! Travelling has so many pieces it was nice to be informed without being shamed for poor past choices due to ignorance. I very much appreciate the facts provided!

Carla