Money in Mexico

The cathedral on Merida's Plaza Grande, Yucatan. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

The currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Prices in $ without qualification mean pesos, not dollars: always check which is meant in tourist areas.

Cash and cards

Cards are widely accepted in cities, hotels and restaurants; carry cash for markets, street food, small towns and tips.

ATMs are everywhere; use bank ATMs (Banamex, BBVA, Santander) rather than standalone machines, and decline the ATM's conversion offer.

What the peso looks like

Banknotes run from 20 to 1,000 pesos; the common ones are the 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Coins cover 50 centavos and 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pesos.

Current banknotes are colourful and show historical figures on one side and Mexican ecosystems on the other. The $ sign means pesos in Mexico unless a price says USD.

Tipping

Restaurants: 10-15%. Bars: 10% or per drink. Hotel porters and housekeeping: small bills. Gas station attendants and baggers: a few pesos.

Costs

Street tacos run a few pesos each; a market lunch (comida corrida) is the great bargain. Archaeological sites charge entry (higher for foreigners at federal sites); museums are often free on Sundays for residents.

Bargaining is expected in craft markets but not in shops with marked prices.