Money & Payments in Puerto Escondido

Per Drink

MX$20

Tab Based

10–15% of total bill

App Cabs

20 pesos (short rides) or 10–15% (longer rides)

Guidance

Tipping is not customary for taxi drivers in Mexico. At most, round up 10–20 pesos if the driver was exceptionally helpful or friendly.

Group Tours

MX$100

per person for large group tours

Private Tours

15–20% of tour cost

General Rules

• Always tip in Mexican pesos, not foreign currency
• Tipping in cash is strongly preferred and guarantees the worker receives it directly
• Avoid tipping with coins smaller than 5 pesos
• Cash is appreciated over card tips, as workers may not receive credit card tips immediately
• Tipping is optional but customary; workers rely on tips as a significant part of their income

Minimum

MX$10

Guidance

Not required, but appreciated. If bill is less than 100 MXN, tip at least 10 MXN

Note

Avoid tipping with 1, 2, or 5 peso coins (considered disrespectful); use paper notes of 10 MXN or higher

Summary

Cash-dominant town. Most restaurants and mid-range establishments accept cards, but reliability is unreliable due to internet dependence.

Important Note

Internet connection is unreliable; card terminals frequently fail. Do not rely solely on credit cards.

Arrival Strategy

Carry $100–$200 USD in small bills for initial expenses, then withdraw pesos immediately from a bank ATM (Chedraui or Centro) to avoid airport rip-off rates

Current Rate To USD

MX$1.00

As of July 10, 2026; 1 USD ≈ 17.54 MXN

Local Currency

Mexican Peso (MXN)

Dynamic Currency Conversion Warning

At ATM or card terminal, when asked whether to convert to USD or pay in pesos, always decline the ATM conversion offer and decline DCC. Your home bank's rate is typically 5–10% better. Never accept the machine's local conversion rate.

Overview

BBVA is one of Mexico's leading banks with a full-service branch offering personal and business accounts, mortgages, auto loans, investment products, life and auto insurance, credit counseling, and international money transfers, with on-site ATMs and branch open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4 PM and on Saturdays from 9 AM to 2:30 PM.

Minimum Deposit

Minimum deposits typically range from 7,000 to 13,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $400-$750 USD at 2025 exchange rates), varying by institution and account type.

ATM Availability

Several ATMs are available in town (BBVA, Santander, Banamex), though they can run out of cash during peak season.

ATM Network Hours

Bancoppel ATM is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is located on Avenida Oaxaca 406 in the Centro neighborhood, with around-the-clock availability making it particularly useful for travelers arriving late or needing cash outside regular banking hours.

Opening Process Time

Applying for a BBVA bank account in Mexico is just a 1-2 hour process, and they will give your card right away if you want to do cardless transactions/withdrawals by setting up the BBVA mobile banking.

Account Opening Requirements

Most Mexican banks require legal residency status (temporary or permanent resident visa) to open standard checking or savings accounts.