Cozumel airport

[mcohen1021]

Yes, the 3 I mentioned dispense dollars lol

I think over at the park royal shopping ctr there is a peso ATM also

 

[mediumone]

There are likely plenty of tourists (cruisers) that just don't want to deal with the math or go home with pesos. Those machines are near the ports from what I've seen.

You're right.
The whole concept of cruising is so -----what's the word ---- foreign? --- to me, that I didn't even think about them and what they might want or need.

 

[ggunn]

Oh, I know they exist.
Not really my point.
In addition to my point, I'd trust them about as far as I could throw them, (along with a Cashola ATM).
I don't have any evidence to support my mistrust of them here on the island, but I do have documentation of some nasty surprises when they were used in Playa.

We have anecdotal evidence of problems with them on Cozumel as well.

 

[Dan G]

We have anecdotal evidence of problems with them on Cozumel as well.

I have heard this as well. I think the rule of thumb is only to use the ATMs located in a bank. They have the best security, the lowest fees, and exchange rates. The stand-alone ATMs are the ones most susceptible to having a card skimmer that steals your info. I use the same rules here in the US with ATMs. Those stand-alone ATMs in any location charge a lot and have minimal security to keep skimmers off of the devices.

 

[gopbroek]

I have heard this as well. I think the rule of thumb is only to use the ATMs located in a bank. They have the best security, the lowest fees, and exchange rates. The stand-alone ATMs are the ones most susceptible to having a card skimmer that steals your info. I use the same rules here in the US with ATMs. Those stand-alone ATMs in any location charge a lot and have minimal security to keep skimmers off of the devices.

The bank ATM's in the large grocery stores and the airport charge the same fees as those located in the banks and in the case of the grocery stores are the primary banking locations for much of the local population. I haven't heard of any problems with them. Now stand alone non bank ATMs in tourist areas I would not trust anywhere, including the USA

 

[mstevens]

At the very least lets just say the exchange rate will not be favorable.

At least 2 exchange rates!

1. Convert home currency (probably dollars) to pesos, likely using whatever inflated rate they induce the user to accept as other posts have described
2. then convert from pesos to dollars at whatever rate the machine's owner feels like charging.

Of course, most people withdrawing dollars from a cash machine in Mexico are likely to go spend them on things that (by law) are actually priced in pesos at whatever exchange rate the merchant feels like offering, so there is very likely to be a 3rd conversion. Talk about unfavorable.

There are stronger currencies than the dollar, and nobody expects people to accept those outside their local economies. This expectation that everyone everywhere should accept their home currency seems to be primarily an American thing. I understand that for the convenience of tourists many things such as diving are advertised in dollars, but every honest dive shop does conversions to peso prices at perfectly reasonable exchange rates. Every once in a while I end up with only pesos in my wallet when I'm in the US. I can't image any circumstances under which I'd be able to get a merchant to accept them, so when I need cash I go hunt up some dollars.

I withdraw pesos from the machines inside Banamex because that's where my peso account is. When I was using US-based accounts I'd use those Banamex ones, the ones in Scotiabank, or the one in Santander on 10a for preference.

The bank-operated machines inside the airport are fairly well-monitored and should be safer than ones in major supermarkets and nearly as safe as ones inside banks.

 

[yle]

Arrival forms.

I have not seen an Immigration form on an AA flight since late last summer and the customs forms are sporadic and typically they are only the Spanish versions.

We arrived last Saturday, April 10, on American. We were handed customs forms, English version, on the plane. We were handed immigration forms in the airport while waiting in line for customs.

walk across the street to the taco stand. lots of cheap taxis there.

Definitely this. Walked out of the airport, across the street, guy with a radio called a taxi for us. A few minutes and 100 pesos (5 bucks) later the four of us were on our way. I gave the driver an extra 50 pesos to encourage the taxi service at the airport.

 

[Kimela]

Someone may have already said this but I haven't read all 5 pages - sorry.

I opened a Charles Schwab account solely for the purposes of having a debit card to get pesos while on the island. Whatever atm fees you incur associated with getting money out of the machine are reimbursed by Schwab - which is cool. But the coolest thing, IMO, is that you can turn your debit card on and off via the Schwab app. After you withdraw money at Chedraui you go to your app and turn off your debit card - so if someone captured your info or if you lose your card, no problema. When you want to use your card again, just switch it on in the app.

Also, we used the HSBC machine - and remember to say "no" at the end when they ask if you want to use their conversion rates (theirs are higher). Again, no problema.

 

[gopbroek]

Someone may have already said this but I haven't read all 5 pages - sorry.

I opened a Charles Schwab account solely for the purposes of having a debit card to get pesos while on the island. Whatever atm fees you incur associated with getting money out of the machine are reimbursed by Schwab - which is cool. But the coolest thing, IMO, is that you can turn your debit card on and off via the Schwab app. After you withdraw money at Chedraui you go to your app and turn off your debit card - so if someone captured your info or if you lose your card, no problema. When you want to use your card again, just switch it on in the app.

Also, we used the HSBC machine - and remember to say "no" at the end when they ask if you want to use their conversion rates (theirs are higher). Again, no problema.

I have been a Schwab card cheerleader for a few years mainly due to the near full FOREX exchange rates and ATM charge reimbursement aspect but was unaware of the card on/off function, thank you.

 

[flyboy08]

Someone may have already said this but I haven't read all 5 pages - sorry.

I opened a Charles Schwab account solely for the purposes of having a debit card to get pesos while on the island. Whatever atm fees you incur associated with getting money out of the machine are reimbursed by Schwab - which is cool. But the coolest thing, IMO, is that you can turn your debit card on and off via the Schwab app. After you withdraw money at Chedraui you go to your app and turn off your debit card - so if someone captured your info or if you lose your card, no problema. When you want to use your card again, just switch it on in the app.

Also, we used the HSBC machine - and remember to say "no" at the end when they ask if you want to use their conversion rates (theirs are higher). Again, no problema.

Get the schwab Platnium...so many great benefits and Schwab pays half of the yearly with a balance...you even get into the Coz airport lounge for free