How to pay in Mexico and where to exchange Australian dollars for Mexican pesos in Australia?

The most efficient way to pay in Mexico is cash. In fact, it is the most common method for both residents and tourists, especially in local markets, where you can enjoy the great variety of food that the Mexican country offers. The official currency is the Mexican peso (MXN), and it is advisable to carry a sufficient amount for small daily expenses.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. Visa and MasterCard are the most common, although some shops also accept American Express. It is convenient to notify your bank about your trip to avoid them blocking your card due to suspicious activity or charging you excessive fees.

Paying in cash will give you exact control over the Australian dollars and pesos you are spending. To do this, you must exchange Australian dollars for Mexican pesos beforehand. You have many options to exchange Australian dollars for Mexican pesos: exchange at currency exchange offices, exchange currency at the airport, or exchange currency online.

You can do it, but it is not advisable to make your payments with a credit card, as they are accepted in hotels and restaurants, but in other areas such as markets or tourist zones, they usually only accept cash as a means of payment. Furthermore, if you wish to use your card, make sure it is enabled for international use as your bank will proceed to convert the amount of that purchase from Mexican pesos to Australian dollars, applying the fee that is defined by the institution at that moment. Each of your purchases will incur that commission and it is possible that until your return to Australia you will not know how many Australian dollars you have spent in Mexico.

Yes, you can pay in cash in Mexico, and in many situations it is even preferable. The use of cash is common in markets, small shops, local restaurants, and taxis, especially outside of large cities and tourist areas.

Furthermore, in Mexico it is important to carry Mexican pesos in cash with you, as it is common to leave tips in many places (after free tours, for example), and for this, having small bills and coins will save you in those circumstances.

Finally, if you need to collect money, ATMs are available throughout the country, although it is important to check the applicable fees with your bank to minimise additional costs.

When you travel to Mexico, there is no limit on the amount of Currency you can bring into the country. However, if you carry cash equivalent to or exceeding 10,000 Australian dollars (or its equivalent in another Currency, such as Mexican pesos), you must declare it to Mexican customs. This declaration is necessary to comply with regulations aimed at preventing money laundering and other illegal activities.

You can declare the cash using a form available at ports and airports, or online through the official Mexican customs page or the website of the Ministry of Finance of Mexico.

No, it is not normal to pay with Australian dollars in Mexico, as they have the Mexican peso (MXN) as their Official currency, and payments in Australian dollars are not accepted in most establishments. Although some hotels, restaurants, or local guides/taxis in very touristy areas may accept Australian dollars, the exchange rate offered will be very unfavourable.

It is necessary to exchange Australian dollars for pesos before making any purchase. You can do this at banks, exchange offices, at airports, or directly with your card and have the bank make the exchange for each purchase you make (this will incur fees).

• Compare and choose: In Australia, you can compare exchange rates at different banks and exchange houses and choose the most favourable option. In contrast, in Mexico, you might encounter less competitive exchange rates and fewer options to compare.
• Change No commission: Generally, the commissions for exchanging Australian dollars to pesos in Australia tend to be lower than at exchange points in Mexico.
• Initial Expenses: Upon arriving in Mexico, you will need cash for initial expenses such as transport, meals, or small payments in places that do not accept cards. Changing Australian dollars to pesos in Australia ensures that you have pesos available from the very first moment.

The best way to convert Australian dollars to Mexican pesos without commission is to do it online. Banks or hotels also tend to offer currency exchange services, but their currency stock is always limited to the most common ones; moreover, exchange rates are subject to the bank's margins plus commissions.

Converting Australian dollars to Mexican pesos on the Global Exchange website guarantees you the best exchange rate, with no commissions. Within 24 hours you can collect your order at the airport before boarding your flight, with no extra airport fees.

Yes. Depending on the airport from which you start your journey, you will have the opportunity to exchange currency at the last minute. Global Exchange has more than 15 offices at Sydney International Airport. The exchange rates will not be as attractive as those obtained from your online currency exchange, but it is always a good resource for last-minute or unexpected trips. Check out the currency exchange offices of Global Exchange around the world.

• Avoid hidden fees: Always check the exchange rates and commissions before making any transaction. Some exchange houses may offer seemingly attractive rates, but charge high commissions.
• Make the Currency exchange in advance to avoid rushing and poor exchange rates at the last moment. The option to exchange Australian dollars for Mexican pesos on the Global Exchange website will help you organise yourself. The online currency exchange from Global Exchange has no additional costs or commissions.
• Use rate comparators. There are online tools that allow you to compare the exchange rates offered by different entities. Using these comparators can help you get the best possible deal. However, remember that the online exchange rate from exchange houses is not the same as what you will find in a quick search on search engines. This amount is reserved for large transactions between wholesale entities.