Discussions

Hey everyone, has anyone tried to use their Credit Union debit card in Mexico? We are headed to the Cancun area in January and trying to figure out if I should get Pesos at my bank here, or if we should bring CDN $ to Mexico and get it exchanged there?

Never assume a debit card will work in other countries. It's hard enough to find places in the states that will take them, especially credit union ones. Just use a visa or master card. I wouldn't risk carrying around a ton of cash.  
 
[EDIT] Just to expand on this, I frequently travel throughout the states and only once have I ever found a place that accepted debit and it was a gas station in Oregon. I think most ATMs take them, now that I think about it, but not store terminals.  
 
 
 
 
Edited by CRP, 2015-11-12 09:40:47

i haven't used a credit union back card but have had no trouble withdrawing out of bank machines with my rbc debit, then as most things are still done in cash i use that except for larger excursion purchases where i use my CC  
 
i agree about the USA too, most states dont use interac like we do here, its soo behind the times imo but has been that way for years and years, have found a few places but very few

Better to take US cash from here. They truly do prefer US cash at a lot of places any way.  
 
Both our RB and CIBC cards worked in bank/ATM machines, but I must say it is a very creepy and surreal feeling to use the atms there. (I had not brought enough cash for the extra excursion we had planned so I had to get more)  
 
We were in Playa Del Carmen, a fancier resort town with an outlet mall. The CIBC outlet there is a tiny bank about the size of the Dairy Queen. They had two armed guards at the door (like machine guns armed) and one inside. There were army trucks constantly patrolling the vendor area....really freaky place. Such opulence yet such security at the same time....  
 
The resorts are generally pretty easy to deal with and some of them have cash exchanges right in them, which helps. But you will pay higher fees doing that.  
 
One more note - don't assume any club cards will work either. Our prepaid/auto load Starbucks cards would not work, but our debit card DID at the Starbucks.

We have been using manitoba Credit Union debit card at ATM machines in mexico for many years with no problems what so ever  
 
Edited by trapper , 2015-11-12 11:14:28

Based on personal experience, I would recommend that you inform your bank and your credit card company of your intentions.  
 
While in Jamaica a few years ago, our cards worked perfectly while drawing cash the first two times and then the third time they were shut down.  
 
TD had shut them down because of irregular activity.  
 

and used Credit Union bank card at the Scotiabank ATM that was just around the corner from our condo. No armed guards, etc...however they are seen everywhere even outside McDonalds, it is Mexico it is common. I would NOT use any ATM machine that is not within a bank as you are far more susceptible to scammers. I did not take any Pesos down with me when we went, just used the ATM with no issues. It is always handy to have a few on hand though for taxi etc if you are needing that. Have fun!

Thanks for your replies! I was reading on some websites, and they recommended taking pesos and CDN $ down as the people receiving your $ will have to exchange it back to pesos anyway, and if you get CDN $ exchanged, then you don't have to exchange it twice if you changed it into USD first.

I have been to Mexico and the Playa/Cancun area especially approximately 20 times and have used US cash everytime. I'd recommend taking US over Canadian cash for a couple reasons. First off, you will always get the best possible exchange rate at your own bank. Secondly, you wont have to try to find a bank to exchange the money right away. When you get there you want to hit the pool/beach asap, not worry about exchanging money. Lastly, when you hit the markets I think you can barter for better bargains with US cash than with Peso's.  

Both Westoba and crocus worked last Jan

In the past travelers to Mexico could use US dollars for most transactions, and many people didn't even bother to exchange their currency into pesos. With new laws in effect since September 2010, however, the use of US dollars in cash for making purchases is limited, and the sums exchanged at banks and currency exchange booths are restricted. These measures have been brought into effect to combat money laundering and organized crime, unfortunately tourists and legitimate businesses are also affected.  
 
Info here: http://gomexico.about.com/od/money-matters/qt/exchanging-dollars-in-mexico.htm  
 
I have had no problems using my debit card at ATM's in Mexico.

i have been down several times since 2010 and US bills are still widely used and accepted, even over canadian, i find i do get as good of a deal or even better using pesos tho but i still bring a bunch of us ones for tipping and sometimes spending downtown

foxtrot11 said "Better to take US cash from here. They truly do prefer US cash at a lot of places any way.     Both our RB and CIBC cards worked in bank/ATM machines, but I must say it is a very creepy and surreal feeling to use the atms there. (I had not brought enough cash for the extra excursion we had planned so I had to get more)     We were in Playa Del Carmen, a fancier resort town with an outlet mall. The CIBC outlet there is a tiny bank about the size of the Dairy Queen. They had two armed guards at the door (like machine guns armed) and one inside. There were army trucks constantly patrolling the vendor area....really freaky place. Such opulence yet such security at the same time....     The resorts are generally pretty easy to deal with and some of them have cash exchanges right in them, which helps. But you will pay higher fees doing that.     One more note - don't assume any club cards will work either. Our prepaid/auto load Starbucks cards would not work, but our debit card DID at the Starbucks. "

It stands to reason my son went to europe and used a cibc debit card that comes loaded with visa technology, it worked all over europe with no issue.

My experience matches previous posters.  
 
If you take cash, USD is accepted in the Mexico and other tourist destinations. We have gone on several cruises as well as travelled to Tijuana, Mexico as well as St Vincent. The US Dollar is readily accepted. I also used Visa and American Express. There they charged me pesos which was then converted to Canadian Dollars. A side benefit is most cards carry a bit of insurance so if you get faulty items Visa can be an ally.  
 
Usually I call my credit card company and bank to let them know when I am travelling. I have heard horror stories of accounts being frozen and a hassle to straighten out.  
 
I deal with Scotia Bank which is generally more international than a Credit Union. Enjoy your trip.