General Reports

[QUOTE=Tomjackin; 1411913]I usually get my highest exchange rate in San Ysidro. However, last Friday the rate was lower than 12 to 1. All the bars in la coahuila are using 12 to 1 ratio for drinks and food. So I used dollars for drinks and such, but still used pesos for the girls. Some girls can do the math, but many don't seem to care.

Just my 2 pesos.[/QUOTE]For simplicity, I usually just pay in US dollars. But I have checked the exchange rate from time to time. On one trip I noticed that it was better to change from dollars to pesos on the US side and change from pesos to dollars on the Mexican side. I don't know if that is always true.

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;1412031]For simplicity, I usually just pay in US dollars. But I have checked the exchange rate from time to time. On one trip I noticed that it was better to change from dollars to pesos on the US side and change from pesos to dollars on the Mexican side. I don't know if that is always true.[/QUOTE]If one is willing to deal with the hassle of walking back and forth the borders, I actually have considered making some money doing this.

[QUOTE=MrSimple; 1411759].

Also, for anyone that has BoA debit cards, try using the ATM next to AB. With my BoA debit card a couple times, I didn't get charged anything. I was worried about after-charge, but later I found out that that ATM machine (scotia) doesn't charge fees on BoA debit withdrawals (not even after-charge of 2usd for using different ATM machines besides BoA). Also it gives out much a better rate than the exchange kiosks.[/QUOTE]I have psoted this info before but the best exchange rate you will find in Mexico is BofA with 2 Mexican Banks.

FYI BofA has the same deal with Banco Santander and Scotibank. No ATM fees and they give you pretty close to the current market (spot) rate. Good for any amount, however Santander does have max limits (up tp $6K pesos) per transaction based on location of the ATM.

For those interested.

[url]http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=MXN=X&t=1d[/url]

[QUOTE=John Magellan; 1412067]For those interested.

[url]http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=MXN=X&t=1d[/url][/QUOTE]Thanks. That looks like a good tool to guestamate what the rate will be like. As seen just now the rate has fluctuated. 20 pesos in 12 hours (edt) and it is different at ALL cambios (even across the street in the trolley area at San ysidro!) Fractions of pesos don't mean a lot but could get you a delicious street taco!

[QUOTE=Guitarrefreak;1412063]If one is willing to deal with the hassle of walking back and forth the borders, I actually have considered making some money doing this.[/QUOTE]Yeah tell me when you start this business so I can mug you.

Don't get your hopes up. You won't get this good a rate at either the cambios or the atm's.

[QUOTE=John Magellan; 1412067]For those interested.

[url]http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=MXN=X&t=1d[/url][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=HorseTrader;1412031]For simplicity, I usually just pay in US dollars. But I have checked the exchange rate from time to time. On one trip I noticed that it was better to change from dollars to pesos on the US side and change from pesos to dollars on the Mexican side. I don't know if that is always true.[/QUOTE]I have done some world travelling in my lifetime. It is always better to exchange your dollars to whatever currency you need in the states and then change back to dollars before you leave in the foreign country. The country you are in is always going to favor its own currency on exchanges. The American place will favor the dollars as they wants lots of dollars to come in and Mexico will favor the pesos because they want them.

If you want the best possible rate for exchanging dollars to pesos, the best thing you can do is to do it at your local bank. The only issue is though that you have to let them know in advance and it usually takes 2 or 3 days for them to get the money in. I bank at Chase and they offer a special rate to Chase customers. If I go in there like 3 or 4 days in advance I can order the currency and pick it up later getting a way better rate than the cambios. I have never checked the Chase banks that are really close to the border. Maybe they have pesos in stock since I am sure that there would be a bigger call for them there.

[QUOTE=Tempe Jon;1412261]If you want the best possible rate for exchanging dollars to pesos, the best thing you can do is to do it at your local bank. The only issue is though that you have to let them know in advance and it usually takes 2 or 3 days for them to get the money in. I bank at Chase and they offer a special rate to Chase customers. If I go in there like 3 or 4 days in advance I can order the currency and pick it up later getting a way better rate than the cambios. I have never checked the Chase banks that are really close to the border. Maybe they have pesos in stock since I am sure that there would be a bigger call for them there.[/QUOTE]I had the complete oppositie experience with my bank (Chase). They never charged me for the service but the exchange rate was always horrible compared to what I would get on the ground. I wonder if that has to do because my bank is located in NYC ?

I stopped doing that years ago.

Disturbing stats in Tijuana: 6% of girls have HIV.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7xBjoTIRA[/url]

Of course if you look at the bottom of the food chain girls you will find more problems. They only interviewed the druggy dirty, nasty looking street checks in the report. I doubt the true infection rate is that high with the healthy cleaner girls.

[QUOTE=MS Clive; 1412360]Disturbing stats in Tijuana: 6% of girls have HIV.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7xBjoTIRA[/url][/QUOTE]

Why don't you do this the next time you come to Tijuas? Then you can post the rate they gave you and we can compare it to the atm rate and the rate at the cambios.

[QUOTE=Tempe Jon;1412261]If you want the best possible rate for exchanging dollars to pesos, the best thing you can do is to do it at your local bank. The only issue is though that you have to let them know in advance and it usually takes 2 or 3 days for them to get the money in. I bank at Chase and they offer a special rate to Chase customers. If I go in there like 3 or 4 days in advance I can order the currency and pick it up later getting a way better rate than the cambios. I have never checked the Chase banks that are really close to the border. Maybe they have pesos in stock since I am sure that there would be a bigger call for them there.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Reinaldo;1412615]Why don't you do this the next time you come to Tijuas? Then you can post the rate they gave you and we can compare it to the atm rate and the rate at the cambios.[/QUOTE]I just checked chase. Com and it appears that there are no Chase banks in San Ysidro or San Diego. The closest one is in Ramona, CA which is about 50 miles away. So I guess it is a mute point.

If any of you ever go to Mexicali I do know that there is a branch there because I have used it before. I have never tried to exchange currency there but I have used their ATM so I do not know if they have pesos in stock.

[QUOTE=Tempe Jon; 1412634]I just checked chase. Com and it appears that there are no Chase banks in San Ysidro or San Diego. The closest one is in Ramona, CA which is about 50 miles away. So I guess it is a mute point.

If any of you ever go to Mexicali I do know that there is a branch there because I have used it before. I have never tried to exchange currency there but I have used their ATM so I do not know if they have pesos in stock.[/QUOTE]Google San Ysidro, then type in search for chase.

Chase.

340 W San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego, CA.

(619) 428-3404