Mexico travel money tips
Heading to Mexico? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN, $).
Tipping
10–15% in restaurants, 10–20 MXN for taxi drivers, 30–50 MXN per bag for porters, 30–50 MXN per day for housekeeping.
Cards vs cash
Cards in cities, resorts, and chains. Cash for street food, markets, taxis, and small towns.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
Use bank ATMs (BBVA, Santander, Banorte). Avoid Cajero Express and ATMs in OXXO stores — high fees and skimmers.
Heads-up
- Always pay in MXN, not USD — converting at the till loses 5–10%.
- Use Uber or DiDi instead of street taxis in Mexico City and Cancún to avoid fare scams.
About the Mexican Peso (MXN)
The Mexican Peso (MXN, symbol $) is the official currency of Mexico. Knowing the live MXN rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.