Yuma info exchange pesos and permits for mexico

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

I know this seems like an odd place to post an inquiry about Yuma, but I know there are a lot of Canadians who winter here. I would like to exchange about $1,000 in us funds to pesos. Anyone know of the best exchange place here in Yuma?
Also was wondering if anyone has had experience in going across the Mexican boarder here to get your vehicle and tourist permits. It would be nice to get these ahead of time before our crossing in Lukeville in about 1.5 weeks.

Thanks...and by the way, it is getting up to 85 here during the days, great weather.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obi-Wan Kenobi I know this seems like an odd place to post an inquiry about Yuma, but I know there are a lot of Canadians who winter here. I would like to exchange about $1,000 in us funds to pesos. Anyone know of the best exchange place here in Yuma?

I don't want to state the obvious but I might think the banks would be the best resource.

[Bushman512003]

A Bank or Drug Cartell eeeeeeeee Or See a Mex.Man's SisterI wintered in Yuma a few years and Mex.was a day trip but out before dark not My cup of tea.Ask a frog they go there every year but that may come to a end with all the trouble down there also.Bushman

[LEMO]

Last year while in Yuma, I did a day trip to Algodones. I went to Immigration and got my Tourist Visa Stamped they were very helpful, and while in town I obtained my peso's from Banko Mex. I can not tell you about vehicle permit as I go to Baja, where they are not required. If I cross at TJ, (Chula Vista, Ca). I go to Costco, where they exchange dollars to pesos free of charge.

[MickBrennan]

It is my understanding that the Dollar Peso exchange thing is very problematic (and expensive) because the two governments are pressing the economic aspects of the drug war. If at all possible use a prepaid visa for purchases or withdraws. If you need cash use an ATM.

[JCM]

Most places in Mexico accept american dollars. Do't change you money. If you are only going across for a dy trip - medications, glasses or teeth. Just park in the huge parking lot on the American side of the border and walk across.

[MickBrennan]

We live in mexico during the winter. The money situation has developed a new attitude since last year.

Dollars are still widely accepted. But you will likely lose on the exchange rate. There are still casas de cambio to exchange your dollars, but the rate is not as good as at the banks. ATM withdrawal is still the best way to withdraw pesos, make sure to talk to your bank to let them know you plan to use your debit card here. If you want to exchange dollars, a passport is required and there is a 300 usd per day limit. This is to further control the drug cash flow. I have heard reports that it is worse (more expensive) close to the border.

@Bushman...Not to say there are not problems in Mexico, there are. But it is not accurate to paint the entire geographic region with one brush stroke. There are plenty of places in the States we avoid. That dosen't mean that our entire country is unsafe. For example, Moorestown, NJ, ranked in the top 80 best places to live in the US by Forbes Magazine. Average value of a home is $532,828. This lovely town is only 7.8 miles away from Camden, NJ, the number one most dangerous city in the US according to Morgan Quinto.

Be smart, don't walk down dark alleys banged up drunk in the middle of the night waving wads of cash around wherever you are. Our friends try to cross the border early in the morning and get as far south as they can in one day. We all use credit cards and ATMs for our cash requirements.

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

We have found it is extremely easy to drive to San Luis and walk across to Los Algodones. It is about a 50 yard walk from the free parking lot to the Tourist/immigration permit office. Once done there another 20 yard walk to the bank to pay for your immigration permit and obtain your vehicle permits if required. Walk back across the boarder. About 1.5 hours for 3 vehicle permits and two tourist permits. Now we are ready to drive across the boarder in Lukeville later this week.
As for the money exchange. The Del Sol money exchange in Yuma has exchange rate of 12.40 per 1 US dollar. The exchange rate on my Mastercard the same day was 12.55. The exchange rate on yahoo the same day was 12.40. So it seems like the Del Sol in Yuma is a good place to exchange into pesos. Pesos are required to purchase fuel once you get away from the boarder and the US dollar is NOT widely accepted any longer in some of the places we visited last year. In fact the bank in the town we stayed at would not accept US currency at all.
Now...where do I buy cheap wine....LOL
Safe Travels

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Opps, I made a mistake in the cities. You do not walk across from San Luis, Az to Algodones. You walk across the boarder from San Luis, Az to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico.
Sorry for the confusion.

Have a great day.

[springwater]

just in Los Algodones on tuesday, used US dollars everywhere. Even the pharmacy took a US dollar check for medications. Also used my visa for some liq. purchases. No problems anyplace. Dona