Fiesta Americana

[geokr]

Pretty good rates! Is there anywhere in the States where you can pick up pesos before heading out? I'd like to "lock in" 14 rather than chance lower rates when I get there.

 

[sddiver]

Pretty good rates! Is there anywhere in the States where you can pick up pesos before heading out? I'd like to "lock in" 14 rather than chance lower rates when I get there.

I looked into that recently because it's five weeks till I get there. You can get pesos from most major banks. B of A, Wells Fargo ect. But, you don't get anywhere near the published rate. I was quoted a full point less or more. So if it's 14.25 today they will sell you pesos @ around 13.25. I decided to wait. I even thought of driving down to an ATM in T.J., but common sense took over. It is a mess down there. I could walk to the border, a long walk though, and I haven't crossed into Mexico here since 2001. All the stuff you hear about with Drug Cartels ect is going on full bore in T.J..

Let me know if you find a good rate anywhere in the US.

Rich

 

[geokr]

I'll have to wait till my next trip to DC to try that but will check. The litttle burg I live in now is only likely to exchange Confederate money. Aren't there currency exchange houses near the border crossing at San Ysidro anymore? Used to be bunches of them and you're still outside of the combat zone. On another note, what kind of package did you get at FA? I've been looking at some of the places others here have mentioned and I might try staying there next trip.

 

[ggunn]

...I even thought of driving down to an ATM in T.J., but common sense took over. It is a mess down there. I could walk to the border, a long walk though, and I haven't crossed into Mexico here since 2001. All the stuff you hear about with Drug Cartels ect is going on full bore in T.J..

Glad to hear that you came to your senses. Walk across the border into Mexico, go to an ATM and take out a boatload of pesos, and then set out walking back to the US...??? Not a good plan, IMO.

I think that any change in the exchange rate over the next few weeks is likely to be far too small to warrant going to such measures.

 

[Diver Kat]

Since we're going back in December, we considered converting our extra cash to pesos to bring back and hold for that trip, but then we just never got to it. We'll see if we are kicking ourselves for not doing it, later this year!

 

[sddiver]

I'll have to wait till my next trip to DC to try that but will check. The litttle burg I live in now is only likely to exchange Confederate money. Aren't there currency exchange houses near the border crossing at San Ysidro anymore? Used to be bunches of them and you're still outside of the combat zone. On another note, what kind of package did you get at FA? I've been looking at some of the places others here have mentioned and I might try staying there next trip.

Good idea, I called a casa de cambio in San Ysidro just now and they quoted 13.83 to buy pesos. Much better than the banks but still a little below the market rate. If I'm in the south part of the county anytime soon I may stop by and check the rate that day.

We've never stayed at the FA before and never that far south before. We didn't book a "package" but booked the Air with Continental and the room with FA directly.

Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts

I don't have a history with them to judge the rate, but we booked a "Deluxe" room for $87/ nite all in taxes ect and breakfast( likely a buffet) is included. We didn't have to pay in advance and can cancel up to 24 hours without penalty. They also have "superior" rooms for as cheap as $64 for non cancellation or $69 with the ability to cancel. I'm not sure of what the difference is between the two types, but I believe the "Deluxe" rooms are on the upper floors with unobstructed views. Given what I've paid at other hotels over the years these rates look pretty good. At one point I believe the normal rates were north of $100 for all the room types.

Rich

 

[ggunn]

Good idea, I called a casa de cambio in San Ysidro just now and they quoted 13.83 to buy pesos. Much better than the banks but still a little below the market rate. If I'm in the south part of the county anytime soon I may stop by and check the rate that day.

FWIW, I don't think there's any reason to buy pesos in advance of a Cozumel trip. Any change is just as likely to go up as down, and unless you are talking about a boatload of money (and remember, there are restrictions about how much cash you can carry through Customs), a peso or two difference per dollar is not worth sweating over, IMO. Unless, of course, the game's the thing... ;^)

 

[jbjclj]

We have stayed at FA for 8 years. We just booked 2 weeks AI in a Superior Garden Room (they always move us up to the 6th floor since we are repeat clients), including air for two LAX/Czm for $2269 including all taxes and fees thru Orbitz. Someone on Scubaboard mentioned an orbitz online coupon and I put that code in and got $200 off. We started doing AI about 4 years ago, basically for breakfast, lunch, water and drinks and found it is a real savings. We eat dinner there several times, but still go into town for dinner. They have a new chef and when we were there in Nov. there was a noticeable upgrade in quality. If you do AI you DO NOT have to eat from the buffet and can order off the menu.

 

[geokr]

We have stayed at FA for 8 years. We just booked 2 weeks AI in a Superior Garden Room (they always move us up to the 6th floor since we are repeat clients), including air for two LAX/Czm for $2269 including all taxes and fees thru Orbitz. Someone on Scubaboard mentioned an orbitz online coupon and I put that code in and got $200 off.

That's a good deal - and includes diving or extra?

 

[jbjclj]

That does not include diving. We are doing a combination this trip. A group of friends always dive with Living Underwater so we will dive with them week 1. We always use Christi and will dive with her week 2. Can't wait.