ATMs Abroad

independenttraveler.com

Whether you need euros, shekels, pesos or pounds, making a withdrawal from an ATM is generally the easiest and cheapest way to get cash abroad. The biggest advantage of exchanging money with your ATM card is that all cash withdrawals, regardless of size, are exchanged based on the wholesale exchange rate, which is usually reserved only for very large interbank exchanges.

This rate is often significantly better than what you can get from exchanging money at a local exchange counter. In addition, local banks or money change bureaus will add on transaction fees, which can easily eat up another 2 percent of your money.

That's not to say there aren't any fees associated with international ATM withdrawals -- see below -- but if you need cash, you will still almost always get the best exchange rate at the lowest possible cost by using your ATM card.

Finding an ATM

 

If your ATM card is linked to the PLUS, Cirrus or Maestro networks, you have the option of using it to obtain cash virtually anywhere in the U.S. and in hundreds of countries worldwide. Each network has more than a million ATMs. The PLUS network is associated with Visa, so your Visa card will usually work at those ATMs. Likewise, the Cirrus and Maestro networks are associated with MasterCard, and so ATMs marked with these logos usually accept MasterCard for cash advances.

Before you leave home with just your ATM card, however, make sure that the Cirrus, Maestro or PLUS networks are readily available where you're going. While these networks are increasingly common overseas, they are still only available at a limited number of banks in selected countries. Each network has an online ATM locator:
MasterCard/Cirrus/Maestro ATM Locator
Visa/PLUS ATM Locator

Check the back of your card to see which networks your card is linked to. If your card is not a part of either Cirrus or PLUS, you may find it difficult to find ATMs to use abroad. Contact your bank for assistance.

Using Your Card Abroad

 

If you want to use your ATM card overseas, keep in mind that many ATMs abroad, particularly in Europe, do not accept PINs longer than four digits. If your PIN is longer, contact your bank to have it changed. Also, if your PIN is based on letters rather than numbers, translate the letters into numbers before leaving the country. Many ATMs only have numbers on the keypad. One more thing to keep in mind: Most ATMs abroad will only let you access the primary account on your ATM card.

Sudden changes in your account activity, such as frequent withdrawals in a foreign country using your ATM card, can sometimes trigger a fraud alert and cause your bank to freeze your account. To prevent being stranded overseas without a functioning ATM card, be sure to call your bank before you leave to let them know where and when you will be traveling. During the same phone call, ask for a number that you can call from overseas in case your card is lost or stolen -- often the 800 number listed on the back of your card will only work in the U.S. or Canada. Be sure to keep this number in a separate place from your card.

It's important to have a back-up plan in case your card is lost, stolen or eaten by an ATM machine; this could be in the form of a second ATM card (either your own or a travel companion's), cash, credit cards or traveler's checks.

Which Fees to Expect

 

At the very least you will probably be charged the same transaction fee, if any, that your bank charges you when using another bank's ATM. However, many banks charge higher fees for international ATM withdrawals -- either a flat rate (typically $1 - $6) or a set percentage of your total withdrawal (usually 1 - 3 percent). Check with your bank before each trip abroad, as these fees can change often and without warning. To add insult to injury, you may also be charged a fee by the owner of the foreign ATM.

Because these small fees can add up quickly, you will probably want to withdraw larger amounts than you might normally do at home -- so be sure you have a safe, well-concealed place to keep your cash. When deciding how much to withdraw, try to choose an uneven amount (180 euros rather than 200, for instance) so you don't wind up with huge bills that you'll have trouble breaking.

11 Ways to Prevent Identity Theft While Traveling

independenttraveler.com

Tips for avoiding scams and theft while traveling are a staple of the travel writing genre; pretty much every guidebook or travel Web site dedicates some space to the subject. Certainly we have our own capacious resources, most of which can be found at the following links:


But in the 21st century, you are as much at risk of having your identity stolen -- or more accurately your financial and digital identity -- as you are of getting "mugged," which almost sounds quaint these days (though I do not intend in any way to underplay the misery and danger of actually getting mugged).

Identity theft is a growing problem worldwide -- especially for travelers, who are very vulnerable, forced as they are to use unsecured Internet connections, carry extensive personal documentation with them at all times, and share their credit cards with merchants about whom they know nothing and whom they'll never see again.

Modern technology hasn't made it any easier for honest folks to avoid identity theft, either; witness the practice of Web sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, which often keep you logged in to the site, even after you close your browser or turn off your computer. Someone getting unfettered access to your closest friends on Facebook could definitely shake out some very "helpful" information before you knew it.

As time and technology advance, this problem is only going to affect more travelers. Here are 11 tips to avoid identity theft while traveling, right now.

1. "Unpack" Critical Documents Before Travel

If you carry some essential documents with you when you are not traveling -- the average wallet or purse might include a Social Security card, bank statements, medical documents, checkbook and the like -- remove them before you leave home. Essentially, when it comes to documentation, you want to "unpack" before traveling.

This can also be done further once you're on the road. If you're going to a location that is known for pickpocketing, or is going to be packed with people, or at which you will be distracted (big concerts, crowded squares, nightclubs, etc.), you can pare down the contents of your wallet even further before venturing out from your hotel room. You can put these in your hotel safe (but use caution), behind the hotel's front desk or in a money belt concealed on your person.

2. Guard Your Documents

This is one of the tips you will encounter in most travel safety articles, so I won't go into it at length here -- but suffice to say that if you leave any sensitive documents lying around in your hotel room while you are out, you are a lot more likely to experience identity theft than if you have them in a money belt, document protector, even an RFID-blocking wallet.


3. Be Very Careful About Shared and Insecure Internet Connections

This is one thing that I have found very difficult to do – when traveling, it is hard to find connections other than public ones at hotels, cafes, airports, you name it. To see the warning "this connection is unsecured and others may see your information" is almost a staple of the travel experience. The risk applies to anything you type into your keyboard while connected, such as e-mail passwords and Web site logins.

The best approach in this case is to be very careful when using these connections; logging into your bank account, work e-mail or other sensitive account should be avoided if at all possible. If you have no alternative, choose what you type over these open connections very carefully.

If you're traveling with your own laptop and using free Wi-Fi, it is important to make sure your connections are secure. Some Web sites let you log in over open networks; always try to use HTTPS://www.website.com instead of HTTP://www.website.com (the S stands for "secure" and indicates that the data is encrypted for more protection). You can also get a plug-in for your browser like HTTPS Everywhere, which will try this automatically. Another solution might be the USB-based product SurfEasy, which will help encrypt your data when you're using a public connection from your own computer.

If you want more security when using someone else's machine, such as at an Internet cafe, hotel lobby computer or other public terminal, you can try a service like Authentic8. Authentic8 runs the browser in a sandbox in the cloud, where all connections and data are kept secure. The service gives you a display on the local computer, and prevents things like key loggers from accessing your passwords.


4. Delete All Cookies and Browsing History on Public Terminals

If you find you must use a public computer, the last thing you should do is delete all cookies and browsing history before you log off. Many computers can cache quite a bit of significant information, and some Web sites are even set up to keep you logged in when you close the browser unless you specifically log off (such as Facebook and LinkedIn). Many public terminals will delete this type of data automatically, but doing it yourself offers much better peace of mind.

5. Use a Dedicated Travel E-mail Address

When I see messages arrive from overseas via work e-mail accounts, I shake my head every time. If someone gets access to your work e-mail account, the amount of damage they could do to your livelihood is inestimable. Certainly there are times when you need to log in to your work account, but you will want to use caution in the extreme at those times.

My suggestion in this case is to use a personal e-mail address when possible while traveling, one at which you store no sensitive information and at which a fake log-in won't be cataclysmic, and communicate from that e-mail address exclusively. On occasion you will see addresses like johndoetravelemail@gmail.com; this travel-exclusive e-mail approach can work very well.

6. Use Only Bank ATM's

A recent trend among identity thieves has been to install card readers in an ATM by which they can access your card number and PIN. This happens most often at non-bank, "generic" ATM's (in hotels, convenience stores, etc.), which have less oversight and are therefore more vulnerable than bank-run and hosted ATM's. Stick with the ones at banks; these can still be compromised, but tend to be targeted by thieves much less often.

7. Check Your Credit Card Statements on Occasion

At times when you are confident in the security of your connection -- perhaps in a friend's home, or when connecting using a smartphone app over a regular cell 3G or 4G connection (which tend to be more secure than public Wi-Fi) -- check your credit card statement for suspicious activity.

Identity thieves like picking travelers as victims, as they rely to some extent on the delay in being found out that is inherent to travel; most travelers don't check bank and credit card information until well after they have returned home, giving thieves a solid head start. As a rule, the sooner you can shut down an identity thief, the better, so consider checking in now and then to make sure things look normal.

8. Keep Your Cell Phone Secure

We think a lot about how vulnerable our computers are, but cell phones are potentially even more so: you have them on you at all times, they're almost always turned on and logged in, they typically have apps on them that give access to personal information, and folks leave them lying around quite a bit. If there is anything you might lose or have stolen, it is a small, compact smartphone. Some things you can do to protect yourself:

- Set a password on the phone so someone who finds or steals it can't use it.

- Before traveling, consider deleting any especially sensitive apps, such as banking apps, social networks, etc. There are easy to reinstall when you get home.

- Specifically log out of all apps before going out and about. As above with some Web sites, many apps keep you logged in by default (Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, you name it).

- Remain wary of suspicious e-mails and Web sites. Studies indicate folks are much more likely to click on malware links on their cell phone than on their computer.

- All of the foregoing cautions about public Wi-Fi spots go for your cell phone as well.


9. Protect Your Children Too

A recent development in identity theft crimes is the use of a child's name and identity to open bank accounts and credit cards, apply for government benefits, and more. In most cases, criminals use a child's Social Security number to get started.

When traveling, document requirements vary widely for children -- sometimes you need ID, sometimes you don't, sometimes you can fudge it either way -- but many parents travel with some form of identification just in case. Often, these are very sensitive documents like birth certificates and Social Security cards.

My advice is to get a passport for your child, and travel with that instead of any other forms of identification. Then protect your child's passport in the same way you would your own.


If anyone requests your child's Social Security number for any reason, ask if they can accept another form of ID, or simply refuse to surrender the number. If you suspect your child's identity may have been compromised, in most cases a credit check is the quickest way to find out; your child should have no substantive credit rating whatsoever. For more on the topic, see the FTC's information on Child Identity Theft.

10. Change Passwords and PIN's

You may want to change your passwords after a trip; identity thieves are thought to be very patient criminals, and often wait until you are less likely to pay attention after a few weeks at home. If you really like your password or PIN, one approach might be to change them right before you leave, use a new password while traveling and then change them back to your preferred passwords when you get home.


11. Follow Up After Your Trip

When you get home, check bank activity, credit card activity and even medical insurance claim activity to see if there is anything you do not recognize. These are often the first places you'll see indications of identity theft. Some thieves will purposely use your information in situations where the paper and digital trail will only appear slowly -- establishments that submit charges and claims manually (or at least not in real time) -- so it is a good idea to check again after a couple of weeks to make sure nothing has shown up in the meantime.

Using Dollars or Pesos in Mazatlan Mexico

mazatlansource.com

Dinero (MONEY)Everybody needs it, here are the best ways to get it,  and carry it, while in Mazatlan! Don't be afraid to operate  in pesos. You will get your best deals this way, and  it's pretty easy to get the hang of it: More or less,  10 pesos = 1 dollar; 100 pesos = 10 dollars;  1000 pesos = 100 dollars, etc.

Any international currency can take a while to get familiar with, and the Mexican Peso is no exception. At first glance, to the first-time visitor, all the bills look like Monopoly money, but you’ll get over that feeling as soon as you start spending it. While US and Canadian dollars will be accepted by most stores and vendors in Mazatlan, it will be at an exchange rate that is definitely not to your advantage, so plan on working with Pesos. For visitors from the USA and Canada, the easiest way to make ‘on-the-go’ conversions between prices in Mexican Pesos and the value ‘back home’ is to divide by 10…10 Pesos = 1 Dollar, 100 Pesos = 10 Dollars, 230 Pesos = 23 Dollars, etc. Depending on the exchange rate, in actuality 10 Pesos is a little less (about 90 cents) in USA money and a little more (about a Dollar and 15 cents) Canadian, but using the “Rule of Ten” will make it very easy to get an idea of prices. Mexican Pesos bills come in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 Pesos denominations (see graphic). The newer 20’s are actually made of plastic, and even have a little clear ‘window’ in it. It’s the look of the future for currency in Mexico (and probably the rest of the world), as it lasts a long time and is very difficult to counterfeit. 20’s and 50’s are slightly smaller than the rest, making them easier to distinguish from large bills. 1000 Peso notes should be avoided at all times. This is a ‘new’ denomination (introduced in early 2005), and once issued was immediately counterfeited. More importantly, it is extremely difficult to pass these as payment except at banks, because most small stores, vendors, and restaurants will not have sufficient cash to make change. If you receive a 1000-peso note at a bank or money-exchange, pass it back and insist on smaller bills (say “cambio mas chico, por favor” roughly meaning “change for smaller bills, please”). 500 Peso notes can also present a problem in change-making at smaller shops and restaurants, so make sure you carry bills smaller than this at most times. 100’s and 200’s are not too large for all but the smallest vendors and stores. Also know that nearly nobody will accept a bill which is not entirely whole, and ripped or torn bills may be refused as well. You should not accept them as change, either. Common coin denominations are 1, 2, 5, and 10 Pesos. The 10 is especially easy to identify…it’s a nice thick, substantial coin, bronze on the outside and silver on the inside. (Gringos often wonder why the US Treasury can’t come up with an easily-distinguished Dollar coin like this.) There are also 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavo (cents) coins, but you’ll rarely see these. They are roughly the US and Canadian equivelent of ½, 1, 2, and 5-cent coins, and the smallest ones have the look and heft of toy money. Indeed, 5- and 10-centavo coins are more than occasionally simply tossed on the street, and nobody but the smallest children bother to pick them up. You’re only likely to receive these small coins as change at larger stores, like groceries and pharmacies…prices at almost all other stores are in even-pesos. There are also 20 and 100 Peso coins (each slightly larger than it’s next-smaller denomination), but as a visitor you are not likely to encounter them unless you are visiting in September – the very slowest of tourism months. These coins tend to be hoarded in jars and piggy banks until the tourists leave, then the income of money slows down, and the jars are opened to tide people through until the tourists return. CHANGING MONEY: You can change money at banks or at any of the dozens of “Casas de Cambio” (or simply “Cambios” – “Change Houses”) located throughout Mazatlan. Banks will give you the best exchange rate, but lines tend to be LONG…it’s not unusual to wait ½ hour or more in line. Banks will allow you to cash traveller’s checks, but usually only if you present your passport. The difference in exchange rates paid by the cambios versus the banks really is minimal, unless you are changing thousands of dollars. A cambio will generally pay about ½% less…so saving the half-hour in line at the bank will only cost you a few dollars per $100 US/Canadian at the cambio. The cambio at the front desk of your hotel will typically have the worst exchange rates, so plan ahead and use the cambios on the street. ATMs: The best way to get money in Mazatlan is to use your ATM card. You get the absolute best exchange rate, even though you may have to pay a transaction fee. There are quite a few ATM’s all over Mazatlan, and in every major supermarket throughout town. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO what your daily withdrawal limit is, and know that most ATMs here will only dispense a maximum of 3000 pesos (roughly 300 Dollars US/Canadian) per transaction. HOT ATM TIP #1: When an ATM asks you how much money you want, it’s in PESOS, not dollars or whatever your ‘home’ currency is. If you want (roughly) FIFTY DOLLARS, request FIVE-HUNDRED Pesos. There are just a few ATMs in town that will ask you if you want ‘Local Currency’ or U.S. Dollars…be sure you select ‘Local’, or else you’ll get US Dollars that you’ll then have to change at a bank or cambio. HOT ATM TIP #2: Avoid getting a stack of hard-to-spend 500 Peso bills at the ATM: After you’ve inserted your card, entered your PIN, and chosen “withdrawal”, you will usually be presented with several withdrawal amounts to choose from – 100 Pesos, 300 Pesos, 1000 Pesos, etc – and an additional choice of “Other Amount”. Choose “Other” and enter an odd number divisible by 50 or 100 Pesos bills…for example, 2950 or 2900 Pesos…this will force the machine to dispense at least a few bills other than 500 Peso notes. CREDIT CARDS: You’ll find that your credit cards are accepted only at most hotels and large stores and restaurants. As a general rule, plan on carrying enough cash for your purchases unless you have inquired in advance at the restaurant or store you plan to visit. Where credit cards are accepted, it is usually restricted to MasterCard and Visa. Acceptance of Discover cards is very rare, and while American Express has an office here,, it is difficult to use you ‘AmEx’ card except in the larger hotels and a few restaurants. Mazatlan is not immune to a world-wide credit card fraud called ‘swiping’, where the magnetic strip of your card is recorded on a special device and then duplicated (nearly immediately) on another card in another city, and then used to run up all sorts of charges. While most all U.S. and Canadian credit card companies will reimburse you for this fraud, it’s a hassle to try to do while you’re on vacation. With this in mind, we suggest taking your card to the cashier of the restaurant or store so that your card never leaves your sight. Also, it’s good advice to use DEBIT cards ONLY at ATMs. HOW TO SPEND IT: Spending your money won’t be difficult, but the concept of ‘bargaining’ over prices may be new for you. Do not feel uncomfortable about this…it is a way of life across Mexico, even in ‘non-tourist’ areas. If a store’s wares have marked prices, then generally these are ‘fixed’ prices. It won’t hurt to ask about a lower price though, especially if you are buying several items. If prices are not marked (and always with the vendors on the beach), then it’s time to begin the game of bargaining. This can be one of the most enjoyable parts of shopping for some people, and for the Mexican shop-keeper, it’s an enjoyable tradition. Here’s how it works: You start admiring an object, and the shop-keeper asks you if you like it. You ask how much it costs, and he replies that it is 200 pesos. At this point you tell him that this is far too much money, and he replies by explaining about the fine quality of the item, how many days it took the craftsman to create this piece of art, and then asks how much you want to pay. You suggest that you might like to take it home with you if it were 75 pesos. He chuckles and tells you that this is simply not possible, as he has children to feed, but allows that he could bring his price down to 180 pesos. You in turn offer to pay 100 pesos, and on and on. This can, if you like, go on for quite some time, until you reach a price at which you can both agree. Or, you can simply put the item back on the shelf at any time and say that it’s just more than you can afford. Be aware that the shopkeeper may, as you are leaving the store, agree finally to sell it to you at your last-offered price (which you are rather obligated to now accept), but to “please don’t tell anybody else”. This can be a way for both of you to save face and complete the transaction. This is the way business is and has been done in Mexico for years and years, and how friends are made as well! Bartering should never be insulting. For the Mexican it is normal and fun; if it is not fun for you, stick to the stores with price tags on their stuff. To insult someone's merchandise is down-right rude, and will only make you, and your fellow countrymen, look bad. GRATUITIES / TIPPING: The Mexican people are friendly and eager to help you. They enjoy it, really!! But that does not mean they also do not enjoy receiving a tip for their services. The tip, "propina" in Spanish, is the recognized way of saying thank you. It is the thought that counts almost more than the amount. Tips can be in Pesos or Dollars, but please NO American/Canadian coins, as they are not exchangeable here, even in the banks, and thus hold no value. Below are some guidelines for who you should tip, and how much. 1. House Staff: Tipping the housekeepers is not common, nor is it un-common. Experienced travelers will tell you, though, that a small tip after the first night will insure attentive extra service should you require it; another tip at the end of your stay, if you appreciated the overall housekeeping service, is appropriate. Leave your tip on a piece of paper and write "para tu servicio...gracias!" (for your service...thank you!) so they know it's a tip and not your pocket-change, unintended for a tip. The housekeeping staff generally works hard for small salaries to make you comfortable...a few dollars (in pesos, of course) will be most appreciated. 2. Waiters/Waitresses: Gratuities for wait staff are comparable to gratuities here. The standard tip is 15%, 20% for exceptional service. As you will likely be serviced by many people through out your meal, you can expect that the gratuity you leave will be divided between all of them. Also know that in Mexico, going out to eat is an event. You will RARELY be offered the check until you ask for it! Do not assume that the waiter/waitress is being rude or ignoring you, this is simply customary. When you are ready for your bill, simply signal the waiters with a small wave, and ask for "la cuenta" (pronounced "la kwenta"). 3. Taxi Drivers: It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers unless they perform an extra service for you (help you with your luggage; wait for you while you exchange money or get something from a store, etc.). If they do, then your tip should be appropriate to the amount of service they provided for you ($2 for waiting, $3-$5 for helping with luggage, depending on how much luggage you have). 4. Airport Porters: Figure about $1 per bag is a reasonable tip for airport porters if you use their services. $5 or $50 pesos should be your maximum tip unless you have an excessive amount of baggage. 5. Salon Staff: Similar to the US, the standard tip for salon services (massage therapy, hair cuts, pedicures etc…) is 10-15%. 6. Grocery Store: In the large supermarkets it is customary to tip the young boy or girl who sacks your groceries...two to five pesos is fine.

Mexico Set to Receive Its First Bitcoin ATMs

panampost.com

By PanAm Post Staff

Monday, March 17, 2014

 

Mexico is set to receive its first pair of bitcoin ATMs this week — the first of their kind in Mexico, and the first Litecoin and Dogecoin ATMs in the world. The startup Bitcoin42 will operate the machines, but they have yet to unveil them to the public.

Both machines will be located at the BIT Center (Business, Innovation, Technology) in Tijuana, just south of the border below San Diego, California. One of them will accept pesos, the other, US dollars. The two-way machines will distribute and collect whole and partial coins.

These ATMs also have an element of economic empowerment: a Bitcoin42 representative says that the startup is working on lower fees to help low-income groups, recognizing that high transaction fees are not favorable for those seeking to make payments in small amounts. They also hope to encourage nonprofit business by letting users direct 10 percent of all profits generated to a local organization of their choosing.

“We especially advocate for the use of crypto-currencies by non-profit organizations, so they can lower their administration costs … anybody can become a (truly) independent auditor, since one can provide information to verify balances and transactions and also allow the public to see how much in donations has been received and where it went.”

Source: newsBTC.

How To: Use Money In Mexico

mexicotravelvacationtips.com

What’s one thing that no vacation can live without? Money, of course!

Your luxury Mexico Vacation wouldn’t be complete without a little shopping to pick up some authentic Mexican items! Here are a few tips on how to get the money you need while travelling in Mexico:

1. Be Up To Date On The Currency

 

Mexican currency, the Peso, is still the main means of transaction in all of Mexico’s shops, hotels and restaurants.

Many places will accept the dollar as a source of transaction, however, it is recommended to use the Peso during your stay. You may find a number of Exchange Houses to trade your dollars and/or travelers checks for Pesos.

2. Bring Debit And/Or Credit Cards

 

Most major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in thousands of Mexico’s shops, hotels and restaurants. (Ask your bank if any charges apply)

Another great thing about using a debit or credit card is they keep a record of spending while on your Mexico vacation.

One caution while using your credit or debit card: Be sure to keep all information secure, much like you would while using them at home.

3. ATMs Are Available For Use

ATMs are the quickest way to obtain the local currency, however, Exchange Houses offer a quick and easy way to transfer, acquire, or exchange currency.

ATMs are widely available and almost always reliable (we will tell you the flip side next). These Cash Machines will dispense the Mexican pesos to anyone with a VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc. card.

Now the flip side: We say “almost always” reliable because some lobbies that hold the ATM machines require you to scan your debit card in order to enter. This can compromise your information and make it easy for identity theft. DO NOT SWIPE YOUR CARD HERE.

Do you have anymore Mexico Vacation Tips and Tricks on the best ways to use and get money while in Mexico? Leave us a comment!

Santander ATM machines now available in Mexico and Puerto Rico free of charge

silive.com

You can use Santander ATMs in Mexico and Puerto Rico free of charge (Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)

By Tracey Porpora/Staten Island Advance Staten Island Advance 

February 17, 2014

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Are you a Santander banker planning a winter getaway to Mexico or Puerto Rico?

If so, you can use Santander ATMs there free of charge.

"This is another example of the value Santander brings to its customers," said Roman Blanco, president and CEO of Santander US.

"We are a local bank that is very much focused on the communities we serve, and we are also part of a strong and diversified global group. We're pleased to be able to extend this advantage to our customers," he added.

The ATM fee waiver comes just in time for the peak of the busy winter travel season and before spring break, when millions of Americans will seek an escape from cold weather by traveling to warmer climates.
Elimination of these fees follows the bank's change of name from Sovereign to Santander in October.

Santander maintains over 5,200 ATMs across Mexico, including top travel destinations such as Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Cozumel, Mazatlan, Mexico City, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta.

In addition, there are 130 Santander ATMs in Puerto Rico, including many popular vacation destinations such as Arecibo, Fajardo, Ponce and Old San Juan.

Other new offerings by Santander are: Extra20 checking, a checking account that pays customers $20 each month simply for making at least $1,500 in direct deposits and paying at least two bills online during the same period, and Santander Bravo MasterCard, which pays triple points on gas, groceries and restaurants purchases up to 15,000 points per calendar quarter.

Money Tips for Mexico

frommers.ccom

Frommer's lists exact prices in the local currency (unless rates are given in U.S. dollars).  However, rates fluctuate, so before departing consult a currency exchange website such as www.oanda.com/convert/classic to check up-to-the-minute rates.

In general, the southern region of Mexico is considerably cheaper than not just most U.S. and European destinations but also many other parts of Mexico, although prices vary significantly depending on the specific location. The most expensive destinations are those with the largest number of foreign visitors, such as Cancún and Los Cabos. The least expensive are those off the beaten path and in small rural villages, particularly in the poorer states. In the major cities, prices vary greatly depending on the neighborhood. As you might imagine, tourist zones tend to be more expensive.

The currency in Mexico is the peso. Paper currency comes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 pesos. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 pesos, and 20 and 50 centavos (100 centavos = 1 peso). The current exchange rate for the U.S. dollar, and the one used in this guide, is 12 pesos; at that rate, an item that costs 12 pesos would be equivalent to $1.

Many establishments that deal with tourists, especially in coastal resort areas, quote prices in U.S. dollars. To avoid confusion, they use the abbreviations DLLS. for dollars and M.N. (moneda nacional, or national currency) or M.X.P. for Mexican Pesos. Note: Establishments that quote their prices primarily in U.S. dollars are listed in this guide with U.S. dollars.

Getting change is a problem. Small-denomination bills and coins are hard to come by, so start collecting them early in your trip. Shopkeepers and taxi drivers everywhere always seem to be out of change and small bills; that's doubly true in markets. There seems to be an expectation that the customer should provide appropriate change, rather than the other way around.

Don't forget to have enough pesos to carry you over a weekend or Mexican holiday, when banks are closed. Because small bills and coins in pesos are hard to come by in Mexico, the $1 bill is very useful for tipping.

Note: A tip of U.S. coins, which cannot be exchanged into Mexican currency, is of no value to the service provider.

Casas de cambio (exchange houses) are generally more convenient than banks for money exchange because they have more locations and longer hours; the rate of exchange may be the same as at a bank or slightly lower. Before leaving a bank or exchange-house window, count your change in front of the teller before the next client steps up. Also, most major hotels will change money for you.

Large airports have currency-exchange counters that often stay open whenever flights are operating. Though convenient, they generally do not offer the most favorable rates. The bottom line on exchanging money: Ask first, and shop around. Banks generally pay the top rates.

Banks in Mexico have expanded and improved services. Except in the smallest towns, they tend to be open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, and often for at least a half day on Saturday. In larger resorts and cities, they can generally accommodate the exchange of dollars (which used to stop at noon) anytime during business hours. Some, but not all, banks charge a 1% fee to exchange traveler's checks. But you can pay for most purchases directly with traveler's checks at the establishment's stated exchange rate. Don't bother with personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank -- the bank will wait for your check to clear, which can take weeks, before giving you your money.

Travelers to Mexico can easily withdraw money from ATMs, called cajeras, in most major cities and resort areas. The U.S. Department of State recommends caution when you're using ATMs in Mexico, stating that they should only be used during business hours and in large protected facilities, but this pertains primarily to Mexico City, where crime remains a significant problem. In most resorts in Mexico, the use of ATMs is perfectly safe -- just use the same precautions you would at any ATM. However, beware of using ATMs in dubious locations as there have been reports of people having their card numbers "skimmed" (where information is copied and monies stolen or cards fraudulently charged). The ATM exchange rate is generally more favorable than at casas de cambio. Most machines offer Spanish/English menus and dispense pesos, but some offer the option of withdrawing dollars.

In Mexico, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most accepted cards. You'll be able to charge most hotel, restaurant, and store purchases, as well as almost all airline tickets, on your credit card. Most Pemex gas stations now accept credit card purchases for gasoline, though this option may not be available everywhere and often not at night -- check before you pump. Generally you receive the favorable bank rate when paying by credit card. However, be aware that some establishments in Mexico add a 5% to 7% surcharge when you pay with a credit card. This is especially true when using American Express. Many times, advertised discounts will not apply if you pay with a credit card.

Beware of hidden credit-card fees while traveling. Check with your credit or debit card issuer to see what fees, if any, will be charged for overseas transactions. Recent reform legislation in the U.S., for example, has curbed some exploitative lending practices. But many banks have responded by increasing fees in other areas, including fees for customers who use credit and debit cards while out of the country -- even if those charges were made in U.S. dollars. Fees can amount to 3% or more of the purchase price. Check with your bank before departing to avoid any surprise charges on your statement.

For help with currency conversions, tip calculations, and more, download Frommer's convenient Travel Tools app for your mobile device. Go to www.frommers.com/go/mobile and click on the "Travel Tools" icon.

A Few Words About Prices -- Many hotels in Mexico -- except places that receive little foreign tourism -- quote prices in U.S. dollars or in both dollars and pesos. Thus, currency fluctuations are unlikely to affect the prices most hotels charge.

Money Matters -- The universal currency sign ($) is sometimes used to indicate pesos in Mexico. The use of this symbol in this guide, however, denotes U.S. currency.

What Things Cost in Mexican Pesos (US$ where indicated)

Cancún beachfront double room, moderate US$120

Puerto Vallarta beachfront double room, expensive US$250

Mexico City dinner for one, expensive 300-400

Merida dinner for one, moderate 100-150

Tacos from market or street vendor 20-30

Cozumel two-tank scuba dive US$70

Admission to most archaeological sites 50

Night dancing in Cancún US$40

Night dancing in Mazatlan US$20

Pointers for Using an ATM Card in Mexico

Written by el codo on December 4, 2013 

apeoplesguidetomexico.com

• Notify your bank well in advance of your travel plans. It is common for a bank to freeze a bank account if withdrawals start occurring in a foreign country.

• In México an ATM is called Cajero Automatico (automatic cashier). Some small town banks do not have a Cajero Automatico. Look for the sign.

• Small towns frequently have too few banks and too few Cajero Automatico machines to serve customers. Long lines and emptied machines are not uncommon. Plan accordingly. Mondays, Fridays, holidays, and the 1^st of the month are often busy times for a Mexican ATM machine.

• Small tourist towns and gringo enclaves are especially taxing on the town’s few ATM machines. If a town has only one bank and lots of tourists you can be sure the Cajero Automatico is going to be strained, and frequently out of money.

• Cajeros Automaticos are bilingual.

• Error messages are quite common in small towns. Don’t be surprised to see your Saldo Disponible (available bank balance) at being $00.00, or Contact Your Bank, or La Red No Disponsible (the network is down). Just go to another Cajero Automatico. If it too whines and complains, the area network is down or electronic traffic to the US  is at a high level. You’ll have to be patient. Go to an Internet cafe and review your available bank balance online. This will reduce your racing heart rate.

• Sunshine can play pure hell on the screen of an ATM machine. The screen on an old ATM machine can have been faded over time. When direct sunshine plays on it, the writing almost disappears. Be careful. If your US bank card service detects too many botched attempts, they may freeze your card.

• Extract your receipt and your ATM card. Occasionally an ATM will deliver fewer pesos than asked for and show a correct number for the amount of pesos delivered. The last time this happened I was given 2,000 pesos instead of 5.000. The receipt showed 2,000, an actual money count showed the machine had delivered 2,000 pesos. A trip to an Internet cafe showed my bank balance had been deducted the equivalent of 2,000 pesos.

• Count your pesos while facing the machine to maintain privacy. Put your money in wallet or purse before turning around. This minimizes interest of curious bystanders.

• Robberies at Cajeros Automaticos occur just like they do in the U.S.A. or for that matter anywhere else in the world. The procedure to minimize ATM foul-play is simple: Conduct your business in daylight. Don’t set yourself up by taking a long, lonely walk after you get money. Use a cab, or make sure your intended route is not deserted.

WHAT TO DO IF THE MACHINE SWALLOWS YOUR CARD

Aren’t you glad you brought a backup ATM card? Go into the bank branch. Point toward the ATM if your Spanish is weak. They’ll get the drift. Next, extract a folded piece of paper out of your wallet. It is a color laser copy of the ATM card that was swallowed. For some reason showing a beautiful image of an ATM card gets the bank personnel into high gear a lot faster. Expect to be told to come back later or even mañana to retrieve your card. Swallowed cards are retrieved much faster from an ATM located inside a bank than a card that was swallowed at a remote ATM.

8 Tips that will Improve your Trip to Mexico

Written by churpa on December 5, 2013 

thepeoplesguidetomexico.com
 

1. Get off the beaten path. Even if you plan on spending your entire vacation in a tourist hot spot like Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, it’s easy enough to step off the tourist trail and experience authentic Mexico. Ask a cab driver to take you to his favorite taqueria, or just keep walking until Señor Frog recedes into the distance.

2. Pack a few nicer items of clothing. Mexico is a dressy country. When you’re invited to a fiesta or out on the town with the locals, show respect by ditching your flip-flops.

3. Talk to the locals. Even if your Spanish sucks, most people will appreciate your effort and your friendliness. This is also the best way to really get to know a place and discover the best food (always our #1 priority).

4. Order a torta. Don’t be afraid to eat at street stands, market stalls, and hole-in-the-wall joints. You will find the most authentic and certainly the cheapest food by eating at comedors and taquerias.

5. Leave your travelers checks and large US bills at home. No one accepts traveler’s checks and, due to a recent change in law, it’s harder to find places that will accept or change US dollars. ATM is now the best way to access money in Mexico. You may want to consider bringing a back-up card and stashing it in a separate bag.

6. Don’t walk around looking like you think you are going to get mugged or kidnapped at any moment. Paranoia is self-fulfilling. The more you act confident and friendly (within reason), the more people will accept that you know where you are and what you are doing.

7. If you’re traveling by bus, go high class. Unless you need to get dropped off at an obscure location that doesn’t have a major bus station (small towns are often only serviced by second class or regular first class lines), it’s worth a few extra dollars to get on one of Mexico’s super luxury liner buses: Primera Plus, ADO, or ETN, to name a few.

8. Smile. It sounds cheesy, but it works.