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Northstar · 05-10-2011, 20:44

Check out a VISA "pre-paid" check card: Visa TravelMoney | Personal | Visa USA

"Some people" make it "their business" to take other peoples money...why take the chance?

Best of luck with your refit and trip south!

Glenn

**osirissail** · 05-10-2011, 20:52

And I don't "buy" your assumption that I am advising him to do anything - Notice the word "probably"? That is put there to alert him that he might need to deal with Mexican authorities if they inquire about how much currency he has on board. They may not inquire. Zeehag might know if the question was on her "check-in" papers.
- - Most countries do not inquire so he would not be "breaking" any laws. You don't know and I don't know, so the rest of the post about "hiding" cash/stash is valid advise and just as much relevant as advising on how to "stash" your electronics, etc. so thieves cannot find them on board.
- - You need to get out into the "rest of the world" and see how it operates - it is not operated like the USA. There is an almighty assumption here on CF by many that only the USA exists and the rest of the world is not important or relevant.
- - When the OP clearly states "Like I said, no atm, just deal in cash." - bringing up ATMs is way off topic and of no use to him.

**sarafina** · 05-10-2011, 20:58

Please take care to remain with in the boundaries of civil discourse.

Thanks,

**zeehag** · 05-10-2011, 21:03

gato---i know you dont do banks-- but if there is any way you can possibly do atms, then please do it--is best way to get dollar to stretch in mexico as peso to dollar is excellent ----nearly 14 to one dollar from atms. banks is a peso less and money changers are another peso less. donot flash yer dough . is ok to use a 100 dollar in soriana, but dont let anyone see you have any. is fairly safe in mexico--same as anywhere else--and human nature is stil human nature.
no one does travellers checks. not at all.can you make a paypal credit card or a buy it and fill it credit card somehow?? makle sure is easy to transfer funds.
good luck and smooth sailing.

be careful in ensenada of chupa lodo--he is a decent guy but is a kind of bandido. ok to trust juan lu from botes juanitos. he is honest. tell him i sent ye. that is if you go to ensenada.

they didnt ask me how much money i had with me.

**Minggat** · 05-10-2011, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by osirissail

- - You need to get out into the "rest of the world" and see how it operates - it is not operated like the USA. There is an almighty assumption here on CF by many that only the USA exists and the rest of the world is not important or relevant.
- - When the OP clearly states he "Like I said, no atm, just deal in cash." - bringing up ATMs is way off topic and of no use to him.

As a US citizen I can tell you that I have been embarrassed by the behavior of some of my countrymen when I've been overseas. But sometimes the bashing is just bashing. We are a pretty good target, but we do get plenty of things right too,

Whatever vulnerability the OP has experienced or simply perceives, there is plenty of room to be even more vulnerable by just dealing in cash.

I once withdrew more than the slot could handle. Lost $20 because I just couldn't pull it out. I learned the lesson and moved on. But that's just me.

**bangkaboat** · 05-10-2011, 21:42

If you don't want to use ATM, use traveller's cheques. Simple. The visa gift cards may not work in Mexico, btw. I've been using them for some purchases/bookings in L.A., but, while the Canadian version of the card works in Mexico, according to my bank in Vancouver, the American version doesn't, according to what I've been told, here(L.A.). So, For me it'll be ATMs but for the OP traveller's cheques should be easy enough.

Don1500 · 05-10-2011, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loco Gato

Heading to Mexico for the winter to haul out and do a bunch of work to the boat. Question is how do you handle having a huge wad of cash? Travelers checks? or???? Don't use banks much so no atm.
Ideas?

#1 - DO NOT LET ANYONE KNOW YOU HAVE A LARGE WAD OF CASH!!!
Even if it is in a bank. There are people out there that know how to separate you from that cash so fast you wouldn't know what happened.

**zeehag** · 05-10-2011, 21:49

NO ONE IN MEXICO USES TRAVELLERS CHECQUES. THEY CANNOT BE CASHED NOR USED FOR ANYTHING. i already asked about this early on in my trip.
i have seen good money belts work== be safe and low profile.

**bangkaboat** · 05-10-2011, 22:05

But, Zee, I've used traveller's cheques in Mazatlan & CSL, cashing at the hotel and/or bank, no issues.

**sarafina** · 05-10-2011, 22:05

Ditto on travelers cheques. Except for large hotels and city restaurants and shops you would be out of luck for the most part.
Not going to do much good if you are trying to buy a taco.

And the exchange rate is nowhere near as good as a debit card will be.

Travelers cheques are SO last century ; -)

The op can stay as old world and cash only as he wants, but he is gonna cost himself a heap of money in fees...

**zeehag** · 05-10-2011, 22:08

i was told no one does em anymore so would be extremely difficult to change em or pass em
marina coral is a part of a hotel, they may.. but i dont frequent places that drip money and demand more.

i was advised by the banks here, inm azatlan, that travellers checques are not approved method of payment anymore-- i dont know how long this has been , but i believe the local banks and shops.

callmecrazy · 05-10-2011, 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don1500

#1 - DO NOT LET ANYONE KNOW YOU HAVE A LARGE WAD OF CASH!!!
Even if it is in a bank. There are people out there that know how to separate you from that cash so fast you wouldn't know what happened.

What? You mean like, posting it on a multi-national public forum with 10's of thousands of readers? NEVAR!

callmecrazy · 05-10-2011, 22:50

Just stick the wad in your pants and call it an incentive?

No really, I haven't been there, but I hearsay american dineros spend just as well as pesos. Just carry small bills because getting correct change may become a problem... Hide it underneath your guns and rum...

Don1500 · 05-10-2011, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

What? You mean like, posting it on a multi-national public forum with 10's of thousands of readers? NEVAR!

Exactomundo!

Loco Gato · 06-10-2011, 07:31

Note that I have made no mention of the boat, her name,color home port or destination, just the question. I am just the Captain and the owner is a bit eccentric when it comes to dealing with banks and governments. The tips and suggestions you all have provided are all good ideas and food for thought.
I thank you all.
Keep 'em coming!