Comments on: No Hay Cambio — the Art of Making Change in Mexico

By: Gypsy

Gypsy — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 02:33:39 +0000

I’m in Oaxaca now and having real problems. I got 500s from atm but no one will break them. My friend couldn’t purchase water because she had a 100. We want to travel around in the bus, go to parks with entrance fees, get snacks, etc; however al require small change. Definitely putting a strain on our travels. I won’t come back.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Sun, 23 Apr 2023 11:43:35 +0000

In reply to David Coulter. Envious! LOVED my trip with my daughter to The Point in Puerto Escondido!

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:34:48 +0000

I have to laugh reading the above comments. I have the opposite problem…I ordered $1,000 US converted to pesos from my bank for my upcoming trip to Cabo. I requested the largest denominations possible, thinking I would use them for large dinner bills and excursions. They gave me nothing but 50 and 100’s, creating a rather large stack of peso notes! I may set up a stand when I get there to cash larger notes…for a fee!!

By: Henry

Henry — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 23:44:16 +0000

In reply to b. buckman. Odd, the whole subject of this is that there is no change and yet you are trying to avoid drowning in change.

By: Isaias

Isaias — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 21:18:50 +0000

In reply to Nancy. I'm sorry that was your experience. Unfortunately, in a big capital city like México City or New York or Delhi or Sydney or Prague, people are simply in more of a rush and deal with others constantly. Thus they are more rude the world over. If you give our wonderful country a chance in the smaller and more picturesque areas, doubtless you will be pleasantly surprised! Us Mexicanos rely on tourism in the pueblo mágicos, and you in turn will surely be delighted by the beautiful and quaint sights and customs. Viva Mexico!!

By: Miriam Coletta

Miriam Coletta — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 02:16:39 +0000

Good to know. I hate small change, coins break my wallet and tends to be heavy in my small traveling purse, but if that is the price I have to pay to have a nice vacation in Mexico, long live small change.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 27 May 2019 16:52:05 +0000

I have seen this in other countries also. The last one was Italy, southern Italy.

By: David Coulter

David Coulter — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:59:50 +0000

In reply to Nancy. I have not had people be rude to me but they don’t have change frequently. The banks are resistant to giving the change that is needed. The lines at the banks are incredibly long. I don’t know for sure but the problem either lies with the money supply or with the banks processes. The lical people cannot do anything about the problem.

By: David Coulter

David Coulter — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 04:54:04 +0000

I have an account at Santander. I live in Puerto Escondido. They do not like to give coins in change even to clients. It is easy to get stuck with a long walk home because all you have is a 500 and the taxi will be happy to take it and not give you change. There is a strategy to all of this. If you pay with larger bills later in the day you can get change. It is hard for the locals. They can’t get coins in change from the bank. So, it is rude to hord your change but it is also necessary to hang on to some change so you don’t get stuck.

By: Trim

Trim — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 03:28:11 +0000

In reply to Mark. foreigner? I hope you are referring to yourself when you are in Mexico or any other country...

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 20:09:14 +0000

I spent 16 days in Mexico City, Puerto Escondido, Mazunte and Zipolite…not having change was a constant issue and left a bad taste in my mouth. The people of Mexico City were so rude, nearly everyone I dealt with when i didn’t have exact change rolled their eyes in my face and were rude, it continued to the other towns though not quite as bad. My husband doesnt speak Spanish so most of the transactions were left to me and the hostility was palpable, it kinda ruined the trip honestly. I didn’t find this part of Mexico to be especially kind, my other travels in this country have been much more pleasant.

By: Felipe Zapata

Felipe Zapata — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 14:31:31 +0000

My wife and I have an apartment in Mexico City where we visit a couple times a year. While the no-change foolishness is alive and well in Michoacán where we really live, when we are in Mexico City I return with pockets almost hanging to my knees with change. Sometimes I have so much change that I bag it and put it into our suitcases.

The no-change thing does not exist in Mexico City. Why? God knows.