The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN). This is often abbreviated as $. The American US dollar, on the other hand, often has two bars.

The following can usually be roughly converted:

 

20 MXN – about 1 Euro

100 MXN – about 5 Euro

1000 MXN – about 50 Euro

 

But it always depends on the daily exchange rate and additionally, the fees that the bank, machine or exchange office then charges for the exchange.

 

 

Should I exchange money at home?

We recommend that you definitely take euros and US dollars with you in small notes for the first few days. When you arrive at the hotel, you usually need a few small dollars for the porter or the maid. But don't take too many US dollars with you and especially just in small notes.If you subsequently exchange US dollars for pesos in Mexico or pay with them, you will have a double exchange rate loss. Also, you should definitely not change pesos at home and bring with you. The course is usually very bad at your home.

 

Should I exchange money at the hotel?

Of course you can do that too, as a rule you often only get US dollars or pesos in large bills. Above all, fees are often very high.

 

Where can I exchange euros?

You can easily exchange euros at the exchange offices (casa de cambio). Take a look at the advertised courses beforehand and choose the exchange office with the best rate. The exchange offices often have much longer opening times than the banks and often offer better exchange rates for cash. So just exchange your euros there for the local currency peso. But be careful: the peso is subject to strong fluctuations. So never change everything at once, you could get a much better (or worse) rate the next day.

 

Where can I find banks?

There are different banks almost everywhere in Playa del Carmen. Bancomer, Banamex, Scotiabank, HSBC, Santander etc. You only have to walk one or two streets away from the 5th Avenida. Many banks are on Juarez Street. Ask a lokal and you will easily find it.

 

Should I change to US dollars or pesos?

Paying in local currency is definitely always better for you than in any other currencies. Especially in rural areas, on tours, at stalls or markets, you should always have cash with you in small notes. As a rule, cards are not accepted there and large notes are not accepted or eschanged. Public toilets typically cost between 5 and 10 MXN.

 

Where can I withdraw money and with which cards?

All banks have lobbies that are usually open 24 hours. Here you can usually conveniently withdraw pesos with a EC card at the ATM (caja automática). The credit card is also suitable for this, but be careful: Some of your banks at home block the credit card for security reasons in Mexico. So you have to activate the credit card for Mexico at your bank beforehand! And - there are often daily limits at the banks, these are written on the machines. This means that you can only withdraw a certain amount per day with one card! The fees for this in the banks are often quite low. Withdrawing money in the banks is definitely the safest solution for you! At your home bank you can find out the fees for withdrawing with the credit card at the Mexican ATM.

 

Where should I not withdraw money?

In no case in the streets or in public places. The ATMs there are often manipulated and you may not get any money out of it or your card won't come out again. It is also possible that a large sum will suddenly be debited months after your vacation. Watch out for traces of glue around the card slot, keys that are taped over or wobbly machines.

 

What else should I pay attention to?

Never withdraw money in the dark, preferably always during the day. Pay attention to who is behind you or wheter you are being watched at the exchange office. If possible, never give your credit card out of your hand unsupervised.

 

What do I do if I loose my card?

In any case, please make a separate note of the blocking number in case your card get lost. Then you can have this blocked immediately at your home bank.

 

Where can I pay by credit card?

Most hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and larger shops accept credit cards. You can use it to rent a car, pay at the hotel or in the hospital. VISA, MasterCars and American Express are accepted almost everywhere without any problems.

 

In which currency can and should I pay for my tours?

You can pay with us in cash in euros, pesos or US dollars. The euro is best for you, as you will then have absolutely no exchange rate loss. We calculate the US dollar rate as well as the conversion rate for the peso the day before.

 

In conclusion, think about it again

·         The exchange rate in the hotel is often worse than in the banks or exchange offices

·         The fees at the machines in the hotels are often overpriced

·         Take enough euros in cash and small US dollars for the first few days

·         The exchange rate fluctuates constantly so don't exchange too much at once

·         Only use machines in banks or supermarkets

·         Think of activating your credit card for Mexico at your home bank

·         Write down the restricted number for emergencies

Es gibt verschiedene Möglichkeiten, nach Hause oder innerhalb Mexikos zu kommunizieren. Wie funktioniert das Ganze hier? Was gibt es und was kann ich wie nutzen? Wie teuer wird es und was muss ich beachten? Die Frage stellen sich viele unserer Gäste schon vor dem Urlaub. 

 

Caseta Telefonica - günstig in die Heimat telefonieren

Die Casetas Telefonicas gibt es oft in den Städten und man kann gut und günstig nach Hause ins Festnetz telefonieren. Man setzt sich in eine kleine Plastikkabine, whöhlt die Nummer inkl. Vorwahl und los gehts. Die Minutenpreise stehen überall an und am Ende wird nach Zeit abgerechnet. 

 

 

Internet Cafes

Gibt es wie Sand am Meer an jeder Ecke und Kante in den Städten, das hiesige Internet ist oftmals gut und ausreichend. Man fragt nach einem Internetplatz, wird freigeschaltet und legt los. In der Regel gibt es auch Kopfhörer für Videogespräche. Abgerechnet wird auch hier die Zeit, die gesurft wurde. Auch Kopien und Scans kann man hier erledigen. Die Mexikaner halten sich gerne oft längere Zeit in diesen Internet Cafes auf. 

 

Internet im Hotel

Je nach Hotel ist das Internet mal komplett frei, in einigen Teilen des Hotels frei odre gebührenpflichtig. Die meisten großen Hotels bieten ihren Gästen freies Internet an den Lobbies an. Bedenkt aber bitte, oftmals sitzen hier mehrere Gäste, laden Fotos und Videos und kommunizieren mit der Heimat. Es ist nicht immer der ruhigste Ort, dafür aber bestimmt sehr kommunikativ :-)

Einige Hotels haben sogar in Teilbereichen des Hotels WLAN, einige sogar bis zum Strand. In einigen Hotels kann man WLAN für das Zimmer erwerben, sie lassen sich dies in der Regel aber einiges kosten. 

Internet unterwegs

Fast alle Restaurants oder Bars in der Region bieten ihren Gästen freies WLAN an, fragt nach dem Internetpasswort ("Clave para el internet") und loggt euch mobil von unterwegs überall ein. 

 

Mobilfunknetz

Das Mobilfunknetz ist sehr gut ausgebaut und funktioniert in der Regel einwandfrei. Hauptanbieter sind TELCEL, MOVISTAR, UNEFON und TELEFONICA. Aber Achtung, wenn Ihr Euch mit dem eigenen Handy einwählt, können sehr hohe Roaminggebühren entstehen. Ein Tipp: Roaming am Handy bei Einreise nach Mexiko sofort ausstellen, das freie WLAN zum Beispiel im Hotel benutzen oder eine mexikanische Telefonkarte kaufen. 

 

SIM-Karten für Handys

Gibt es ab 100 MXN in den Telefonläden (z.B. Telcel) oder den kleinen Supermärkten (OXXO, 7/11 etc.) zu kaufen. Sie können auch hier wieder aufgeladen werden, Ihr bekommt dann eine mexikanische Nummer (+52...) und könnt lostelefonieren oder surfen. 

 

Vorwahlen

Die Vorwahl von Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz nach Mexiko ist 0052 (WhatsApp +52). Von Mexiko nach Deutschland wählt man 0049 (WhatsApp +49), in die Schweiz 0041 (WhatsApp +41) und nach Österreich 0043 (WhatsApp +43).
Vorsicht: Gespräche von den Hoteltelefonen sind oftmals sehr teuer, da sie hohe Gebühren darauf schlagen!

 

Notfallnummern

Allgemeiner Notruf: 911

Polizei: 060

Rotes Kreuz: 065

Feuerwehr: 068