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What
You May Bring Into Mexico
Customs
Regulations:
Tourists should enter Mexico with only the items needed for their trip.
Entering with large quantities of an item a tourist might not normally
be expected to have, particularly expensive appliances, such as televisions,
stereos, or other items, may lead to suspicion of smuggling and possible
confiscation of the items and arrest of the individual.
Currency:
The Mexican government permits tourists to exchange dollars for pesos
at the fluctuating free market rate. There are no restrictions on the
import or export of bank notes and none on the export of reasonable quantities
of ordinary Mexican coins. However, gold or silver Mexican coins may not
be exported.
Take travelers
checks with you because personal U.S.checks are rarely accepted by Mexican
hotels or banks. Major credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops,
and restaurants. An exchange office (casa de cambios) usually gives a
better rate of exchange than do stores, hotels, or restaurants.
Banks and
Currency Exchange Information:
The best rates of exchange for Mexican pesos can be found at banks, although
the airport exchange desk is generally not a bad rate compared to the
hotel rates; banks and airport exchange offices do not charge exchange
fees. It is not a good idea to change money in any upmarket hotel here,
as they typically do not offer competitive market rates. Street "cambios"
or exchange booths offer slightly less favorable rates, but keep longer
hours. You can pay in U.S. dollars most of the time, but your change will
probably be in Mexican pesos, and at unfavorable rates!
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