CANCUN CURRENCY INFORMATION TAXES TIPPING COAST

U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Cancun, and prices are often quoted in U.S. currency, however you may want to have small peso denominations in your pocket as well as several one-dollar bills to use for rural areas and tipping

Most workers of the tourist and service industry in Cancun depend for income contribution against low wages, so don’t hesitate on offering a fair tip whenever you feel the service was worth it. Here are some tipping samples for you:

• A 15% to 10% tip is commonly expected at restaurants and bars
• Airport porter or hotel bellboy – two dollars a bag
• Valet parking – over two dollars
• Gas station attendants half a dollar

The VAT –or IVA, as it is known in Mexico- must be included in quoted prices in restaurants, bars, shops and room rates, but often this tax is “melted” in the total cost. Check with the hotel or store clerk and waiter whether the tax has already been included in the price. In Cancun this tax is only 10%.

Cancun is a duty-free zone. The State of Quintana Roo was chosen to have preferential fees established by the Mexican trade laws which means that in Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and some other cities of the area you will find the lowest prices in Mexico for luxury items, such as perfume and fine jewelry, because products are imported with a 0% to 5% tax rate.

• In Cancun, most hotels, shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and travel service providers accept dollars as well as common credit and debit cards.
• Banks are opened from Monday to Friday on regular working hours: 9 AM to 3 PM/ 4 PM.
• ATMs are widespread in the city shopping centers, main avenues and in some hotels and resorts, and are available 24/7. You can easily get Mexican pesos by simply using any VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc.

If you need to exchange currency just look for signs reading "Money Exchange" or "Casa de Cambio" there are quite a few all over Tulum Avenue.

Currency: Mexican Peso
Code: MXN
Symbol: $