@@benaroundtheworld7847 Thank you so much Ben. I used your ATM 'decline bank rate' tip yesterday. I never would have had the courage without your advice! I'd be very interested to hear about any of your favorite 'cheap and cheerful' restaurants in Playa. Yesterday I had a decent dinner at La Caribeña ( near 6th and 10th)
Thank you so much for the information. I will be travel in Mexico City, and Guadalupe Cathedral in the end of the February, 2023. I have 2 questions for your help with. 1. Where should I go if I want to buy some antibiotics? And how much should I prepare for to pay for it? 2. When I buying anything in the stores would the Visa card be better than the Schwab card , or they are the same? Thank you again.
Can somebody post in the comments what fees an ATM at a bank in Mexico typically charges? Canadians cannot get anything like Charles Swab card that reimburses fees.
Ill be going to mexico sometime to visit but not sure if i exchange my usd to pesos in Mex or do i do it before i go to Mexico? Also I'm surebi can use my debit xard in mexico too where cards are accepted ? Is that correct 😊
you can exchange your money to pesos before going to Mexico but it’s not super necessary. and yes you can use your debit but a lot of smaller businesses are cash only
when you first get to a bank atm, when will it show you the conversion rate you said to decline? At the beginning or end? Then I click Accept the second time?
then exchange your usd to pesos at an actual money exchange store and look for ones that offer 20-1. if you spend your usd at restaurants and such you will get get exchanges as low as 16-1 in some places.
if you really wanna convert cash that you already have with you then go to a bank. some places accept us but with a terrible rate as well as most for profit currency exchange stores
it might depend on the atm machine but I did every time. the second exchange rate is almost exactly the same as the actual exchange rate. (exchange rates are technically always in flux so it’s hard to tell his exact it is)
Charles A Schwab debit cards save on ATM fees. Let them know when you are traveling, so you're it. Are is rejected, always have 2 different cards. Where you can .over money. Between the accounts. A wonderful bank.
charles schwab high yield investor checking account. you can open it up completely online and they will mail you a charles schwab debit card. no annual fees! no atm fees! no foreign transaction fees!!
the first exchange rate offered is through the whatever banks runs the atm. after declining that you the exchange rate is from my bank, Charles schwab, which is much better
pretty easy! especially in the tourist districts. some small mom and pop joints might not accept card but even a a lot of street food vendors are equipped with card readers. still wise to have some cash on you in case
Great info! I'll be in PDC for the month of May 2022 and was planning on getting my Pesos here at my Bank. Don't really like using ATMs when traveling. Any reason you could think of why I shouldn't travel with cash??
if you are only coming for a short visit exchanging currency beforehand is fine. if you end up needing more go to an atm I would definitely use one at a bank as opposed to one out on the street like those on fifth Avenue
A rookie mistake is not factoring in the Wise percentage fee they change for currency conversion. They have to get reimbursed for the cost of the conversion through the central bank and they get it either through fees and a sub mid market rate.
TransferWise does not give the best rates all the time and they even say that. Charles F. Schwab is just as good or in some cases better than TransferWise and I have a TransferWise card myself.
I suggest opening a Charles Schwab account to anyone traveling anywhere. according to their website you can open the account internationally and do it completely online.
I did it completely online through their site! you don’t have to even step foot in one of their banks! then they mail you the card! www.schwab.com/checking
they do! the most reliable internet is total play. if high speed internet is necessary for work or whatever request a speed test from a host or landlord before agreeing to rent a apartment or Airbnb
because Mexico is such a popular tourist destination it’s actually super easy. especially if your going to a popular city or town. definitely start by looking on Airbnb and then facebook marketplace, you’ll find tons of short and long term rentals
@@benaroundtheworld7847 TYVM for responding. Some travel videos say it is really hard to rent in Mexico because they ask you for a guarantor (I don't think AirBnB requires guarantor) and I don't have one; what has been your experience and in what cities in Mexico? I am really scared I wouldn't find an apartment to rent.
most of time was spent in playa but I also did short term rental cozumel. I rented a few apartments and only one I found off Airbnb, the rest I found on Facebook marketplace, and they were all month to month, and all but one didn’t even ask for a deposit
I am a Schwab cardholder, as well, and will be traveling to Puerto Vallarta next month. This was very useful! Thank you!
thank you! hope you enjoy your time in Mexico!!
shwab is the best way to do it.... Hands down
I really enjoy your video
Thank you❤
I really appreciate the breakdown in the beginning. Thanks!
thank you!
Thorough and simple-to-follow. Thanx Ben :-)
thank you
This is the best video out there for this info. Thank you!
thank you! I tried to cover all the info
Great vide thanks. I want to ask please. Can i change my Cash USD(witout ATM) into MXN? Can i still have a good rate? Thx
there are exchange stores all over the place especially in the tourist district but they for profit and you won’t get as good a rate
@@benaroundtheworld7847 thankks a lot
Thank You. Very Informative. I have not had the occasion to use an ATM, but it's good to know to reject the extra fees,,,
yes! reject the exchange rate they off you! most people don’t even know that’s an option
Let me call Charles first thing timorrow morning.
Great vide see you at Hong Kong bar thanks.
You are a traveller's goldmine! Thank you so much.! 🔥
thank you so much! there is info you are looking for let me and I can do a video on it
@@benaroundtheworld7847 Thank you so much Ben. I used your ATM 'decline bank rate' tip yesterday. I never would have had the courage without your advice! I'd be very interested to hear about any of your favorite 'cheap and cheerful' restaurants in Playa. Yesterday I had a decent dinner at La Caribeña ( near 6th and 10th)
for tacos I love Birria on Calle 38 and Ave 30. my girlfriend and I are also fans of Sensei Sushi by Mall Las Americas
also if you are looking to eat on fifth ave without paying 5th Ave prices try Chapultepec. everything on the menu is just 23 pesos
You forgot the 20 peso coin. Although the banks don't usually dispense them, you may see them in your change from supermarkets.
true. at the time I made this video I couldn’t get my hands on one of them
Start @5:43 to skip through a ton of info you weren't looking for
You didn’t mention if I should go into a physical bank or use an ATM?
ATM. a lot of atms have an English option even the ones outside of English speaking areas
"Not FDIC Insured at Charles Schwab"
What?
this is true. that’s why I keep my in a different account and transfer it to CW when I want to take it out
Thank you so much for the information. I will be travel in Mexico City, and Guadalupe Cathedral in the end of the February, 2023. I have 2 questions for your help with. 1. Where should I go if I want to buy some antibiotics? And how much should I prepare for to pay for it? 2. When I buying anything in the stores would the Visa card be better than the Schwab card , or they are the same? Thank you again.
Thank you Ben, your video was great and very informative.
thank you!!
Ben, are you referring to the Schwab bank visa platinum debit card?
I believe they are one in the same
Great video, wish I would of known this
Thank you. That was exceedingly helpful. 5 stars. Gonna subscribe. Happy travels.
thank you much!!
Thank You. Your information is very helpful.
thank you and you’re welcome!!
Ah haha now I know I use card name passbook by remitly and honestly it’s the same a Charles swab
excellent! I’ll have to check it out
I heard there’s a $1000 pesos bill ? But it’s kinda rare not used much ? How about buying a large ticket item like appliances , rent or a car?
there is a 1000 peso bill but my two years in Mexico and I have never actually seen one…
Can somebody post in the comments what fees an ATM at a bank in Mexico typically charges? Canadians cannot get anything like Charles Swab card that reimburses fees.
Ill be going to mexico sometime to visit but not sure if i exchange my usd to pesos in Mex or do i do it before i go to Mexico? Also I'm surebi can use my debit xard in mexico too where cards are accepted ? Is that correct 😊
you can exchange your money to pesos before going to Mexico but it’s not super necessary. and yes you can use your debit but a lot of smaller businesses are cash only
@@benaroundtheworld7847 cool that means sense I'll take that up for consideration thanks
Excellent information. Thank you!
glad I could help!!
Thanks for the video bro I'll be in playa del Carmen next week and this help alot
hope you enjoy your time in playa!!
Revolut debit card is another great card for traveling!
thank you! I’ll have to look into it
when you first get to a bank atm, when will it show you the conversion rate you said to decline? At the beginning or end? Then I click Accept the second time?
Thank you
Very useful. Thanks.
np! glad I could help
Thanks
thanks for your great info.
you are welcome
What if you dont have time to get schwab card and just have cash.
then exchange your usd to pesos at an actual money exchange store and look for ones that offer 20-1. if you spend your usd at restaurants and such you will get get exchanges as low as 16-1 in some places.
@@benaroundtheworld7847 are those on 5th street?
I love the Chanel name going to subscribe just for that 😁 great video btw
haha! thanks! i thought it was pretty clever!
I pretty sure I got suckered into a 12% exchange rate at Scotia Bank. I wish I would have known about declining the first offer. FML.
I’ve heard Scotia is pretty bad with their exchange. if you use their ATMs you should be able to decline their exchange.
So when you go there with US cash, what’s the best way to exchange that at the best rate?
if you really wanna convert cash that you already have with you then go to a bank. some places accept us but with a terrible rate as well as most for profit currency exchange stores
This great info. Very helpful. When you decline the initial ATM exchange rate, do you ever see what rate you will be getting?
it might depend on the atm machine but I did every time. the second exchange rate is almost exactly the same as the actual exchange rate. (exchange rates are technically always in flux so it’s hard to tell his exact it is)
Thank you for explaining this information . All the best.
@@circlestar8697 thank you much!
Do you have to be from the US to get this card?
Awesome 👏 Advice 🙏
thank you!
Any atm bank name is okay to withdrawal pesos can you recomend one of them or any is good ?
Charles A Schwab debit cards save on ATM fees. Let them know when you are traveling, so you're it. Are is rejected, always have 2 different cards. Where you can .over money. Between the accounts. A wonderful bank.
Can you do exchange at the airport and when you leave exchange it back to American money
there are exchange places in the airport but they usually don’t have the best rate
@@benaroundtheworld7847 where would you recommend if you going to be staying in cancun area?
some banks exchange money and they give you a much better rate, but there are plenty of places that do it so just one with a decent exchange
I can't find an atm in Playa that provides pesos! Here now. Help!
if you are in the tourist district a lot of the atms will only give you usd! go to 10th avenue and go to an actual bank!!
@@benaroundtheworld7847 yes. We ended up going to HSBC. We declined the conversion fee. 😊
Gracias!
glad I could help!
What is the exact name of the Schwab card and is there an annual fee?
charles schwab high yield investor checking account. you can open it up completely online and they will mail you a charles schwab debit card. no annual fees! no atm fees! no foreign transaction fees!!
Una buena aplicación
Why do they have two offers for exchange rate at ATMS?
the first exchange rate offered is through the whatever banks runs the atm. after declining that you the exchange rate is from my bank, Charles schwab, which is much better
@@benaroundtheworld7847 I wish I would have known. But now I know! Thanks. If it wasn't for you I would have never learned this!
thank you Sir!
How easy is to pay with credit card (after Covid)?
pretty easy! especially in the tourist districts. some small mom and pop joints might not accept card but even a a lot of street food vendors are equipped with card readers. still wise to have some cash on you in case
@@benaroundtheworld7847 Thanxx, Ben!
Wow
sounds like if i took $4,000 usd to mexico i would be absolutely loaded
oh fo sho! I now live in a small town in the riviera maya and everything is super cheaply
Checking out Playa in August.. maybe to move..🛫🇲🇽
You really didn't address the issue of changing dollars into pesos. A cambio 9n the corner is better than a bank?
Great info! I'll be in PDC for the month of May 2022 and was planning on getting my Pesos here at my Bank. Don't really like using ATMs when traveling. Any reason you could think of why I shouldn't travel with cash??
if you are only coming for a short visit exchanging currency beforehand is fine. if you end up needing more go to an atm I would definitely use one at a bank as opposed to one out on the street like those on fifth Avenue
@@benaroundtheworld7847 thank you!
How do you convert pesos to usd???
I’m paying 509 for 10000 pesos from BofA. Is that a good rate? Thanks
with the current exchange it should be quite a bit less actually. a bit less than 500. you can google money exchange calculators
I’m late but aye! Peso exchange rates!
alo thanks friendo
Most savvy travellers use TransferWise, or similar, as they are consistently cheaper than the banks best rates. Rookie mistake.
I don’t lose any value in the exchange with my card… just so long as I reject the ATMs initial exchange rate
A rookie mistake is not factoring in the Wise percentage fee they change for currency conversion. They have to get reimbursed for the cost of the conversion through the central bank and they get it either through fees and a sub mid market rate.
@@paulcovert5781 thanks for the heads up
TransferWise does not give the best rates all the time and they even say that. Charles F. Schwab is just as good or in some cases better than TransferWise and I have a TransferWise card myself.
What card was that
Charles Schwab high yield investors checking account. no international fees no atm fees!
Your missing the 1000 peso bill
true but it’s terribly common. in fact chances are you won’t see one
No one ever you uses those
@@unemployedrobots I have 6 of them
great info bro!
Great Info! I'm near Oaxaca, Mexico. Do you suggest any Visa or M/C Debit cards here in Mexico that I can purchase (without a Mexico bank account?)
I suggest opening a Charles Schwab account to anyone traveling anywhere. according to their website you can open the account internationally and do it completely online.
@@benaroundtheworld7847 Make sure you notify them of your travels, or your card can be locked. Everytime!
@@acajudi100 yes, I let them know every few months when I go to another country. thanks!
how do get n atm shwab card?
I did it completely online through their site! you don’t have to even step foot in one of their banks! then they mail you the card!
www.schwab.com/checking
@@benaroundtheworld7847 thank you...
🇲🇽
viva Mexico!!
@@benaroundtheworld7847 o definitely
money money money!!
Great information but could you look any happier in giving it to us. Can’t wait to travel to Mexico
I swear I’m a happy person haha!!
3:55 Thank me later
They have internet in Mexico?
they do! the most reliable internet is total play. if high speed internet is necessary for work or whatever request a speed test from a host or landlord before agreeing to rent a apartment or Airbnb
@@benaroundtheworld7847 Is it hard to rent an apartment in Mexico?
because Mexico is such a popular tourist destination it’s actually super easy. especially if your going to a popular city or town. definitely start by looking on Airbnb and then facebook marketplace, you’ll find tons of short and long term rentals
@@benaroundtheworld7847 TYVM for responding. Some travel videos say it is really hard to rent in Mexico because they ask you for a guarantor (I don't think AirBnB requires guarantor) and I don't have one; what has been your experience and in what cities in Mexico? I am really scared I wouldn't find an apartment to rent.
most of time was spent in playa but I also did short term rental cozumel. I rented a few apartments and only one I found off Airbnb, the rest I found on Facebook marketplace, and they were all month to month, and all but one didn’t even ask for a deposit
.