How to avoid this common tourist scam in Mexico

While using the Greenback in Mexico might seem convenient, it can lead to getting hit with a terrible exchange rate.

Be warned that it’s common for vendors to offer "their own exchange rate".

Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

We are travelling to Mexico in October. What type of currency should we take and in what format?

While many tourist-heavy establishments – particularly in coastal resort areas – quote prices in US dollars and accept the currency, the Mexican peso remains king. Using US dollars may seem convenient initially, but be warned that it’s common for vendors to offer their own exchange rate, inflating prices by as much as 25 to 30 per cent. Sticking to local currency will help you keep costs low.

You can use your debit, credit or travel money card for transactions in most hotels, and for excursions, attractions and in some higher-end restaurants, but you’ll need to carry enough local currency on you to pay for food and snacks in small diners and stalls, and for souvenirs and tips. The more time you’re planning to spend outside the major tourist hotspots, the more Mexican pesos you’ll need. A word about travel money cards here: choose one that lets you load Mexican pesos onto the card (Wise is an excellent choice); otherwise you’ll pay sky-high conversion rates.

ATMs are readily available across the country but be sure to only withdraw cash in a secure location, such as a bank branch, and don’t forget to let your bank know about your travels before you leave Australia. Withdrawing cash is a great option if you have an account that doesn’t charge international transaction fees, but not so great if you get stung every time you use the ATM.

I would avoid changing money at the airport, which traditionally offers the worst exchange rates. Exchange bureaus in inner-city locations are a better option as they tend to have plenty of competition and therefore have to be a bit more aggressive with their pricing. You could also consider buying Mexican pesos online. Both Travelex and S Money offer a convenient one-day pick-up. Or, if you have time up your sleeve, you can even arrange to have your cash delivered. Visit Currency Shop for further details on how to score a better exchange rate for your travels.

Finally, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. I would go with a mix of cards and local currency and pay for as much as possible online before departing Australia.

You have a few options when it comes to Christmas market river cruising.

My family and I would like to do a Christmas market river cruise in 2024, but I can’t find any that welcome children. Please help.

Start knitting your matching Christmas jumpers – you have a few options when it comes to Christmas market river cruising for families.

Tauck is celebrated for family river cruises and its Danube Christmas Market River Cruise is the jewel in the young and young-at-heart’s crown. Across eight festive days, the cruise takes in the wonders of Budapest, Vienna, Dürnstein, Wachau Valley and Salzberg, and includes a visit to Oberndorf (the birthplace of Silent Night), a sweets making workshop in Passau, and a holiday dinner on-board.

Uniworld, too, is much adored among holiday-makers with children. Its eight-day Classic Christmas Markets sailing from Nuremberg to Frankfurt looks a treat, the itinerary making the most of the country’s fairytale villages and gingerbread-scented landscapes as you enjoy shore excursions in not only aforementioned Nuremberg and Frankfurt, but in Bamberg, Würzburg and Wertheim.

Lesser-known within the Australian market, A-ROSA is popular with family cruisers overseas thanks to its extensive all-ages Christmas itineraries which vary in length from four to seven nights. A-ROSA even has a kids’ club for four to 15-year olds, so it’s well worth considering.

And be sure to also check out Adventures by Disney which hosts a range of Christmas celebrations on AmaWaterways vessels AmaViola, AmaLeah and AmaLucia. Its eight-day Danube River Cruise takes in the top sights of Germany, Austria and Hungary and includes the likes of pretzel-twisting classes on-board, a kids’ lounge and an age-appropriate menu.

Visit comparison websites and enter your details to see which travel insurance policy works best for your needs.

What company is best for travel insurance? My husband and I are in our 60s, while our daughter and her partner are in their 20s.

I wish I could give you a couple of names, but what you need really depends on where you’re travelling to, the length of the trip you plan to take, medical conditions you need covered (if any) and the breadth of coverage (will you be cruising, for example, or tackling snow sports?).

I urge you to visit websites such as iSelect, Compare Travel Insurance and Compare the Market, and enter your details to see which policy provider works best for your needs.

Originally published as How to avoid this common tourist scam in Mexico