Best travel money card for Mexico

The Mexican currency is the Mexican nuevo peso, more commonly known as the 'peso'. If you're travelling to Mexico, you'll want to make sure you buy some in cash to cover your first few hours in the country at least. As for the rest of your trip, you may want to carry on using your normal debit or credit cards or use a prepaid currency card. Here, we take a look at your options.

Can I use American dollars in Mexico?

The short answer is yes, but only a few places in built-up areas accept US dollars. If you're in a town or city that's popular among tourists, chances are that some businesses will advertise their prices – and allow you to pay – in US dollars. However, it's not recommended that you do this, as you'll end up spending more money than you have to, as a result of poor currency exchange rates.

Can I use my debit or credit card in Mexico?

Some travellers opt to continue using their normal cards while they're abroad. This can be a great way to avoid withdrawing endless batches of travel money in cash, as many hotels, restaurants and stores accept debit and credit cards. Be aware, though, that you'll probably have to pay in cash in smaller towns and villages.

You'll also be able to use your card to withdraw cash from many cash machines. Just remember that whenever you use your normal card, you may be charged an extra fee for the currency conversion.

Can I withdraw cash in Mexico?

There are plenty of ATMs and exchange offices in Mexico. While hotels offer currency exchange services in many countries, Mexico does not typically offer this, so you should make your way to a local bank. For safety, only use ATMs during the day and try to stick to the key Mexican banks: Santander, HSBC, Banorte, Banamex and CIBanco.

Should I buy a prepaid travel money card?

There are a number of prepaid currency cards that offer conversion to Mexican pesos. Currency exchange rates and added fees change all the time, so it's recommended you carry out your own research to find the best card for you if you plan to use one.

The Travelex money card is a popular choice, as you can use it to make contactless payments. It doesn't add any extra ATM fees and will replace your card if you lose it.