What are your preferred methods for carrying around cash in TJ? Up until now, I've just carried cash in different pockets and the bulk of it in a money belt.
Any issues/concerns/problems using the ATMs? Or is that the "safe"/preferred method of pulling cash from the ATM at Cascada/Rizo?
I used to bring in a bunch of cash from stateside. Now, say for a 3 day visit, I might bring $500 from the states and then pull as needed.
I would not advise against using the ATMs in the zona for the reasons RonJax2 recommended. I would recommend Ubering to Zona Centro and checking out a bank to withdraw there personally.
Search Amazon for travel belt or travel underwear. My $12 belt carries about 8-16 bills folded and looks like a normal black belt.
The cheap way is a pocketed t-shirt worn inside out.
Having multiple locations of cash on your body or belongings is best so that losing one stash in an incident wouldn’t ruin your trip.
I have used the bank ATMs in Mexico when I have come up a little short. Between the bank skimming a little on the exchange rate and the fees, it isn’t too bad. However, I haven’t found any bank ATMs that provide dollars and the clubs all function with dollars. If I need to make a large withdrawal in dollars, I will walk across the border to the ATMs in the mall.
Coming back, you can cross on the Mexican side by flashing the visa/FFM you got when you first entered. Even without Sentri, if you time it right, you can cross to the USA fairly quickly and easily. Not carrying any luggage, you can walk past those waiting for the X-ray machines on both sides.
There is a HSBC bank on Revolućioñ a block south of The Arch. I used it on one of my first trips to TJ a few years ago and the transaction fee to withdraw dollars was reasonable, about $5 or so. That said, I withdraw whatever I need before entering Mexico, whether at home or in the PNC branch in the mall in San Ysidro. If somehow I need to get more money, I do what @PutaTester said: go back to the mall.
I’ll also add that I stash my money inside the room safe, whether I’m at Cascadas or Rizo, and only carry the money I plan to spend when I’m at the ZN clubs each day. For me, if I’m planning to spend $500 each day, I’ll hit the clubs twice a week- once in the afternoon, then again in the evening after dinner, carrying $250 each time.
Cash is cool for coffee, but Bitcoin wins for anything tech-related. I use it all the time to pay for things like hosting. Just got a VPS from vikhost.com, paid with BTC in seconds—no KYC or card needed. Super easy if you're into crypto or wanna keep things more private.
^Fucking lol. You're gonna find a chica that takes bitcoin? Get out of here with that spam.
@RonJax2: I don’t know why @founder lets spammers like the bitcoin poster post on this site. So annoying.
@PutaTester - I never thought of that but showing the FFM to enter through the Mexican citizen side makes sense.
Like Op and Puta, I have on 2 trips just gone to the mall parking lot banks due to unanticipated spending like doubles sessions. If I'm going to take a ride, then might as well be the Zona shuttle to the border versus a random cab to the HSBC banks. Both times I stopped in the IHOP for a breakfast to recover from the night(s) before as well...lol
There are ATMs right in Cascadas and Rizo. Usually two side by side, one for Pesos, one for Dollars. The problem with the Dollar dispensing ATMs in the Zona is that they charge a fee of about 15%. So you'll pay $120 to take out the max of $800 USD. Yikes.
So, what many mongers do is get cash in the states and haul their warchest over the border. The belt is a great location for it if your belt can accommodate it.