DOLLARS AND SENSE
Originally Published the Week of April 10, 2007 in Western Outdoor News
Well, the spring rush to Baja is on. Are the MTV cameras rolling? Have you tried to get a last minute plane ticket for April?
Contrary to what so many of us think that summer fishing brings the hordes to Baja, it’s actually April when more folks travel south of the border than at any other time. Most could care less about fishing, but in addition to the sportsmen, add in all the spring breakers, the families, plus the Mexican folks themselves who do a lot of visiting during the Easter Holidays and it makes for some jammed up traveling!
If you’re headed down in the next few weeks or making those plans for the next few months, let me pop you a few tips about your money.
If you’re headed to most major destinations in Baja, your U.S. money is fine. You do not have to worry about exchanging it to pesos before coming down. Most cities have exchange kiosks dotting the cityscape where you can “buy” pesos, but they do charge a premium on the exchange rate! I’ve found that the best exchange is actually at the larger super market customer service desks like at GIGANTE or Centro Comercial Markets or the Aramburo chains.
I rarely exchange my money. Mexicans love American dollars. They would rather hold and horde them than their Mexican pesos. U.S. greenbacks hold their value and are less apt to fluctuate. That’s why often, you’ll pay for something in dollars and you’ll get back pesos in change. It’s not that the vendor doesn’t have American change, it’s that he’d rather offload his pesos on you!
To avoid that, bring small bills. This serves several purposes. First, it’s best to pay for something in the smallest denominations possible. If something costs about 4 bucks, pay with a fiver, not a 20 note. That way if you do get pesos in change, it’s only a buck of change.
Second, small bills are handy as tips. For a week I often tell amigos to bring 100 bucks in 1 dollar bills. Great for the bellman, taxi driver, room maid or street vendor.
Third, in some places many Mexican vendors simply don’t trust denominations over $20 dollars. I know some vendors won’t accept our 20’s anymore. Some taxi driver are like that too. The money changes so often with different colors and designs that it even looks odd to Americans sometimes! Further, part of it is our own fault. There has been a rash of counterfeit 20’s running around Mexico.
Think of it. With a good computer and scanner you can almost create your own currency these days and foist it on an innocent vendor. That 20 dollar sale might be the biggest sale of the guy’s day then to find out it’s phoney really hurts. So, don’t take it personal if a vendor asks if you have anything smaller.
Also, as a matter of practicality, sure it’s comforting to have a big old wad of stash in your pocket. And I’m sure you’re impressing everyone when you whip that fiver out’ve your bank roll to pay for the round of tacos, but eyes are watching. Don’t set yourself up as a target for pickpockets or worse.
I’m not saying you’ll get hit, but that could happen as easily at your crowded hometown mall as in the vendor booths in Cabo. Use common sense. I keep small bills in my pocket and my larger bills tucked away somewhere else. (Like in my socks…but don’t tell!) Besides, when I’m bargaining for a new Corona t-shirt, it helps my negotiating when the vendor and I are having fun and we’re both laughing and I pull out only a handful of single dollars and tell him I’ll only pay 4 bucks when he wants 12!
About coins…they don’t work in Mexico. Dumping a handful of your laundry quarters on your bellman is like….well dumping your laundry on him. He can’t use it!
Whenever I return home to La Paz, half the guys in the hotel ask me if I will exchange their tip coins for dollars for them. Bank of Jonathan is open for business. I get about 10 pounds of coins dropped on me. You see, Mexican vendors won’t accept coins. Mexican banks don’t exchange coins. So, no one can use them!
A final note, the 14th Annual “Fishing for the Mission” charity tournament in Loreto has been set for July 12-14th and is had really turned into a great event for a super cause. For more info: http://www.fishinforthemission.com.
That’s my story. If you ever want to reach me, my e-mail is riplipboy@aol.com.
That's My Story 
Leave a Reply