Pesos, Please! How (and Why) to Get Local Currency for Your Mexico Trip

salty&sunkissed
Jul 1
3 min read

Let’s talk money—specifically, pesos. You’ve booked your stay at Casa Tranquila, you’re packing the sunscreen and your beach reads, and now you’re wondering…“Do I really need to get pesos?”

Short answer: Yes, you do.

Longer answer: Yes, you do—and here’s why.

“But I heard everyone takes USD...”

It’s true, many places in Mexico’s tourist zones will accept U.S. dollars. But just because they accept them doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to use them. Imagine someone trying to pay you in Japanese yen at your local coffee shop. Even if they take it, it’s going to be confusing—and someone’s losing money in the exchange (spoiler: it’s you).

When a Mexican business accepts USD, they often give you a lower exchange rate than the actual daily rate. They still have to convert that cash, and they’re not going to lose out for your convenience.

Best Practices: Smart Money Moves in Mexico

💳 1. Use a Credit Card When You Can

Most restaurants, hotels, and tourist shops accept cards. Just always choose “pesos” if asked whether you want to pay in pesos or USD. This gets you the best exchange rate for the day, instead of the one the business sets.

🏧 2. Get Pesos from a Reliable Source

You’ll want some cash for tips, taxis, and small shops—and it’s easy to get if you plan smart.

Best options:

Order pesos from your bank before you leave. Some banks charge a fee, some don’t.
Use your debit card at a Mexican ATM. But not just any ATM…

🚨 Avoid stand-alone ATMs in tourist areas (like those at bars, convenience stores, or next to souvenir shops). They’re more likely to:

Add sneaky fees
Dispense incorrect amounts
Offer terrible exchange rates
Keep your card

✅ Instead, use ATMs attached to banks (look for Banorte, Santander, BBVA, etc.). These are more secure, more reliable, and give you better rates.

💡 Always DECLINE the ATM's offered conversion rate. Let your bank do the conversion to get the best deal.

📞 Call your bank ahead of time and ask if they’ll waive international ATM fees—many do!

✍️ (Need a step-by-step guide on using a Mexican ATM? [Click here]

🤑 Fun Peso Facts

Never exchange money at the airport—the rates are daylight robbery.
The smaller the bill, the smaller the value. Yes, really! A 20 peso bill is physically smaller than a 50, and so on. Kind of cute, kind of genius.
Mexico also has colorful bills and even some beautiful holographic designs—your wallet’s about to look like confetti.

💡 Tipping Etiquette in Mexico

Tipping in Mexico is very similar to the U.S., especially in touristy areas like Puerto Vallarta. But it means a lot more—minimum wage here is around $7 USD per day.

Here’s a helpful guide:

Restaurants – 10–15% standard, 20% + if you're feeling generous (even if you used credit card - leave the tip in pesos if you can!)
Housekeeping – At Casa Tranquila, we recommend 100 pesos per day or more, especially since our wonderful maid handles laundry and a full 3-bedroom condo, but in general hotels, 25-50 per pesos per person per day is great.
Luggage Help/Bellhop – 20-30 pesos per bag
Taxi Drivers – 5–10 pesos (always carry change—they won’t break big bills! and always agree on a price before you get in)
Musicians - Anything is apricated! What would you pay for a couple hours of great entertainment?
Tour Guides – 10–20%
Grocery Baggers – 20–50 pesos (many don’t earn a daily wage)
Gas Station Attendants – 20–40 pesos (a bit more if they clean your windshield or check your fluids)
Parking Attendants – Toss 10-20 pesos if someone is watching your car

Even small tips make a big difference—and using pesos shows thoughtfulness and respect for the local economy.

Final Word: Travel Smart, Spend Smarter

Using pesos isn’t just about saving a few bucks—it’s about being a respectful, savvy traveler. So while it may take an extra step or two, it’s worth it.

✔️ Pay in pesos✔️ Tip well✔️ Avoid tourist ATMs✔️ Skip the airport exchanges✔️ And soak up all the margaritas and sunsets Vallarta has to offer

We’ll save your spot on the balcony at Casa Tranquila. 🌅🍹