Mexico Travel Guide

Browse the Mexico Photo Gallery

Shopping

There is no shortage of shopping opportunities in Mexico, from fashionable clothing boutiques to bustling market places selling traditional indigenous crafts. Taxco is renowned for its fine jewelry, and silverware - Oaxaca for its gold and chocolate. The best woodworkers are in Guadalajara, but furniture from the region is on sale in Mexico City, as are crafts from all other parts of the country.

In the markets, good buys include ceramics and pottery - particularly black clay dishes from the Oaxaca region. Woven wool blankets (sarapes), brightly colored scarves in wool or silk (rebozos) and richly embroidered charro hats make great presents.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 1000/1100-2000/2200 (big towns and cities); Mon-Fri 0900-1400/1600 (rest of the country).

Currency

Mexican Peso (MXN; symbol M$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of M$1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of M$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centavos.

Note: The M$1,000 note is difficult to change and often not accepted. The M$100 and M$50 coins are rarely seen. Mexican Nuevo Pesos are actually demarcated with a $ sign, so to distinguish from the US Dollars (US$) that are also in use, especially in areas frequented by tourists, the symbols M$, N$ or NP are found.

Currency Exchange

The US dollar is widely accepted; indeed in some instances it can be difficult to pay in pesos. Currency exchange houses give a preferable rate of exchange to hotels and a much quicker service than banks. The exchange rate of the Mexican peso had been relatively stable until 2008, when it took a huge tumble, reaching a record low against the US dollar in 2009.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Cash is always the preferred method of payment. Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in Europe or the USA. MasterCard and Visa are the two most widely accepted cards. American Express and Diners Club can sometimes be used, but on a smaller scale. Some companies make an extra charge of around 5% on such transactions. There are ATMs in cities and most major tourist destinations nationwide, although not all debit cards are accepted, so check before leaving, particularly if traveling outside major resorts.

Travelers Checks

ATMs and credit cards mean traveler's checks are less necessary as a means of carrying money and not necessarily recommended. However, traveler's checks issued by well-known brands can be cashed in exchange houses, which again give a better rate than hotels and a quicker service than banks. Traveller's checks in Pounds Sterling and Euros are now as readily accepted as those in US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

Local currency and foreign currency may be imported and exported up to the equivalent of US$10,000; larger amounts must be declared.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1600; some banks are open longer hours and others are open on Saturday afternoon.

Exchange Rate