I am going to Cancun in June and was wondering what your experience has been using their local curacy (only) vs dollars when shopping and paying for excursions etc. As I am Canadian, I really don't want to convert Canadian funds to US dollars.

much easier to just take money out of the atm at the airport and it automatically converts canadian to pesos for you. using pesos helps vendors too so they dont have to do the conversion back also.

Thanks! Did you find that the locals may charge more for items when they quot things in Pesos?

no i dont think so

Good to know!

better for everyone all the way around.
beats having to figure out the conversion over and over again too haha

I agree! I don't like math anyway,

me either lol

I bring pesos with me as we always get decent exchange rates here at home and I'm in Vancouver. I don't exchange at the bank I go to currency exchange place at home, better rates for us usually.

Yes that is what I plan to do. Thanks

I changed my Canadian into Pesos here. Better rate

Bring pesos or just withdraw from the atm. Easier for both parties.

Actually check with the banks. We usually exchange our money at the currency exchange. We are going to Europe next month and It was actually better rate at the bank

Convert ZcDN to Peso once you are there.

Thank you! To clarify, my question is what is your experience "using only their local curacy" around town (not where to convert $).

I found for local places like markets most restaurants etc. it was easier paying in pesos. Some of the bigger chain places, US dollars or pesos also work. That is what I meant when I mentioned exchange for pesos it was easier all around paying with pesos.

Great! That is very helpful - thank you for your reply.

I only deal in pesos when I'm in Mexico, since it is their local currency. I'm not sure why there would be a problem using the local currency?

Use Mexican currency. Ridiculous to convert to USD.

No problems using local currency

They will take either but they much prefer American currency...which surprised me.

actually no, Pesos are the official currency of Mexico. If you want to use USD, be prepared at most restaurants to be given a lesser rate of exchange than the bank. converting CDN to USD (you lose there) and then using USD and having locals convert to MXP (you lose yet again!) is not a savvy way to travel.

Been multiple times. They themselves tell me they prefer American. Anyhow...:

Kim DeGeer is so correct here. I worked for carnival for 9 months & visited Cozumel/Cancun biweekly... USD is preferred and Canadian dollar sucks right now wether you convert to pesos or USD lol.. I am
and I travel a lot

They are supposed to list all prices in Pesos - can have prices in other currencies as well. If anyone quotes me prices in USD I tell them I would like the amount in Pesos as I am not American. Never any issues at all (cheaper than going CAN to USD then to Pesos too!)

Ditto and if they won't give it to me in pesos then I leave. I'm not American and I do not want to deal in US dollars in a country that is not USA.

I go every year and only deal in peso's. I take some with me but when I need more cash just go to an ATM . Also there are vendors that will take Cad $$, as they say, money is money!! Enjoy.

I live in Mexico. It's much easier to use pesos and you won't have any problems with maybe getting ripped off a little bit by their own made up conversion rate. If you're buying sunglasses, hats or shirts from someone selling in a small market or right on the beach, always negotiate the price by about half of what they're asking.

Just use your Canadian bank card to withdraw peso's from any ATM.

Pesos right now are at a 10 year high for exchange. 13.76

You can get pesos from the ATM at Fort and foul bay (or USD or £).

I find the Vancouver Bullion Exchange is the best place to exchange cash before heading to Mexico. The ATM's work in Mexico as well but they tend to be under maintenance alot so you may have to visit a few banks to take out money.

Mexico's currency is the Peso, not the American dollar. If anyone is charging you in USD, don't do it. use Pesos only. The ATM's will usually give you about 13 or 13.5 pesos/CDN $$$. The Banamex ATM's I find give you the best transaction fee of all the ATM's. Tell vendors you are Canadian not American!

banamex is definitely the way to go

The "cost" of exchanging usdcad is the same as cadmxn as cadmxn is derived from usdcad and usdmxn.

Pesos..the currency of Mexico...

Either exchange Canadian to pesos at home or bring Canadian cash to a Bank in Mexico and exchange. Bring your passport to the bank if you exchange in Mexico.

Pesos and order it advance from a bank or a currency exchange

Use the ATM when in Mexico, better rate than in Canada. ATM will give you pesos not American.

I'm going as well and I'm only taking pesos as per friends that have just come back, they prefer pesos

Some friends that I travelled with just south of Cancun had their credit cards hacked after using an atm. I would get the money at home from a money exchange.

If you need to use an atm...use one that is inside an actual bank...just sayin.

Thanks Chris

Get mexican pesos at charlies exchange at robson and Granville near burger king they usually have good rates

I also go regularly and only pay in pesos. I bring a small amount with me and if I need more, I go to the bank and withdraw what I need. Fortunately I deal with Scotiabank which also has branches in Mexico and they do not charge me a service fee.

Thank you everyone for your great replies. I will most definitely be bringing Pesos with me and converting my money at home before I leave.

you'd also be completely safe using an ATM at any bona fide bank to withdraw your pesos....I've travelled over 5000 kms through Mexico with ZERO problems at ANY ATM attached to a bank.