Cash only?

[SteveInMD]

I have dive reservations with Dive Paradise for my family March 24 - 30. I have heard that a lot of places only accept cash, but I wasn't expecting the dive shop to not even accept traveler's checks or anything at all besides cash. It seems odd that I have to carry $2,000 USD in cash plus whatever spending money I want to bring. That's a lot of money to walk around with. I'm not sure it's even smart or safe to do so. Can anyone offer advice on this?

 

[jmb]

Check with Dive Paradise - I'm pretty sure they still accept Visa & Mastercard for diving charges. Not sure if the Marine Park fees may have to be in cash ?

 

[ReefHound]

Dive shops prefer cash but many accept credit cards. Some add a fee, some don't. Hard to believe DP cannot accept credit cards.

Just get the peso price and go to an ATM at Mega or a bank and withdraw it then go straight to DP. You might have to do that a few times or use a couple of cards to get around daily limits.

 

[Lorenzoid]

If by "a lot of places only accept cash" you mean a lot of the dive operators, I don't think that's true. Most accept credit cards.

 

[WarrenZ]

I know the rules for a credit card machine are screwy in Mexico so some places only have one machine so they may not have one at say the hotel which is separate from the dive shop etc. Im looking at you Dave.

Besides cash is fun to have sometimes especially if it gets you out of trouble.

 

[ronscuba]

I bring very little US dollars.

I go to ATM's located inside banks only. Some restaurants have menu prices listed in dollars and pesos. Exchange rate is very favorable for US dollars right now and the restaurants have not changed the menu pricing, so I use pesos as much as possible.

 

[BRT]

Travelers checks are not going to work.

 

[Gdog]

The dive ops Ive used all accept credit cards. They prefer cash of course, but....

 

[uncfnp]

We pay cash for dives and the room to get the cash discount. We total the planned dives and pay the dive shop in full the same day we arrive when we drop off the gear. That way we are not holding cash during the stay. If we dive more then we prepay then we get it in pesos from the bank or Mega ATM.

 

[DFDubb]

Cash is king and usually gets you a better rate. I've carried a lot more than 2k down there, just be mindful of what you're doing. I wouldn't recommend carrying a big wad of 20's in your front pocket for example. Bury it deep down in an inside pocket of your backpack, in something other than a wallet, etc....I've never worried about it.