Desire Resort Forums

Does one need to convert dollars to pesos to use both on and off the property?

I did read another thread about this (somewhere)! it also depends on the amount too!

i also know the rate changes daily so check the conversions dollars to pesos and there is a place at the airport to exchange for the best rates!

The bottom line if you are from the USA, just bring dollars - they are accepted at the resort for tips and most off campus tourist spots that you are likely to go to. The only downside of using USA dollars is that doing anything off campus (even taxis) you will end up more for everything since the "accepted" standard conversion rate is only 1 to 10 (one dollar gets you 10 pesos worth of goods or services)

Another opinion that differs slightly from Wayne's....yes, US$$ is accepted everywhere but why pay the up charge when you can stop at the ATM at the airport on your way to the shuttle and just get some pesos. It's typically 80% of what you'd normally pay so take two minutes and save yourself 20% on tipping, buying cigars, liquor, etc. when in town. Also, we go enough that we don't worry about exchanging the left over pesos for dollars as that is always a losing proposition. Just hang on to it and bring it next time you visit MX.

E&J

Eddie - I don't advocate the use of US currency for anyone in Mexico - but for those that do so out of convenience, that convenience factor will cost you 15 to 20 % more out of your hard earned vacation budget rather than paying in pesos

Agreed Wayne! Every little bit helps to book that next trip back in 4 to 6 months...LOL!

We have found that it's usually better to bring cash and exchange at the airport or resort front desk than use an ATM. The charges for ATM fee and your bank fees for conversion can make it cost more. Also be careful of using your credit card.. we no longer use ours for anything and just bring cash and convert a few hundred to pesos for tipping and the very little shopping we might do. If prices are in US dollars, we pay in US dollars and if in pesos we pay with pesos. We used our credit card once for a tour from the resort that was only priced in US dollars. The way they charged was they converted to pesos at a high rate, charged our card in pesos, then our bank charged for conversion back to US dollars at their rate. We ended up paying about 30% more in the end and would have been much better off using cash!

txketch wrote:We ended up paying about 30% more in the end and would have been much better off using cash!

btw - actually it is not legal to charge for goods or services in Mexico using USD as you found out by the price in USD being converted back to pesos before being charged to your CC.

Pesos are the legal currency of Mexico and you always have the right to pay in pesos if you insist on it and the merchant(goods or services) must accept the payment in pesos.

Hello Everyone

Just thought I would post this if some of you were wondering. It will give you a general idea as to what the resort offers in the form of exchange rates.

Current as of May1st, do not think it will have changed to much. Note it shows the Canadian currency less then the US dollar when in fact is more.


5th Annual Desire 'Week43' Event
October 15-22 2011

Nobody really wants that funny looking Canadian money , do they ?

DesireWeek43 wrote:Not to sure Mfay. I mean, our new bills/notes are now being printed on plastic (plastic polymer material) instead of paper.

......which means when your shorts fall in the water at Desire (don't laugh...it's been known to happen, especially after a few purple rains !) our bills wont get wrecked like the greenbacks. This is my favourite part of MXP, vs USD...they seem indestructible !

And before any smart ass replies...yeah yeah , I know , why would anyone have canadian dollars in their shorts at Desire ......or even have shorts on at Desire for that matter !

Steve

You Canadians really are nice people ! Here I thought I'd catch a lot of crap for making fun of your money- and instead you just go about explaining what is good about it.
Lol- luv you all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!