A few words about money in Mexico. Much as you would never flash large amounts of currency on a busy street in the U.S., the same cautions should apply when you are in another country. Since personal checks are useless in Mexico, we all carry more cash than we are accustomed to when we're back home. You can minimize the amount of cash you carry through judicious use of your bank cash card in the Automated Teller Machines found at the banks in most cities. Some places where you will NOT find ATMs are Puerto Angel, Zipolite, Mazunte, and Barra de Navidad. The use of these "Cajas Automáticas" will enable you to obtain the Interbank rates for your currency exchange. In a pinch, you can usually change money at your hotel or some other local business. You will probably lose about 15% in the transaction though. Be careful!
When pricing goods and services in Mexico, be sure that you remember that there are nearly always three prices for everything. You can't generally bargain with a cab driver nor expect a discount from posted prices in a restaurant, but beyond that, it's all open. Use your flea-market and garage sale skills to haggle! If you are ever quoted a price in US dollars, ask for the peso price. Paying for any goods or services in dollars is a privilege that costs you! Try to keep a supply of pesos and minimize the number of dollars you're carrying. And try to keep a supply of small bills and change by spending larger bills at restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, etc., where they can be handled.
Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Reward only exceptional service. Waitpersons in restaurants and guides at resorts (including dive guides) do! Hotel maids do not expect tips but certainly deserve them. Your hotel maid is probably working for three or four dollars a day. A tip of twenty nuevos pesos (N$20) will nearly double her daily income and could mean the difference between her children attending school or not. But do not show open pity for even the most impoverished of workers. These are a people with a lot of pride, and justifiably so. World economy and an often corrupt government has dealt them some harsh blows that our tourism helps to soften.
When you are visiting the more rustic portions of Mexico, it pays to remember that the genetic stock is heavily indigenous American. American Indians, like many others of Asian stock, such as the Japanese, lack the primary gene for safely metabolizing alcohol. Sometimes this results in a person who is a bit of a sloppy drunk. If you indulge in bar crawling away from the tourist areas, please keep this in mind and keep your wits about you. If the group at the next table is acting more surly with each round, or making rude sounds obviously directed at your table, it's time to find another bar. Don't get mad. It's their country. You can't win in an altercation.
Your old high school/college Spanish may be a bit rusty, but try to use it anyway. You will find that most Mexicans appreciate your efforts to use their language. They will do everything in their power to facilitate communication. Most Mexicans know at least a little English, but are just as embarrassed to try it on you as you are to try your Spanish on them! With both sides trying, you'll be surprised at how much information can be gotten across. You might also consider a quick Berlitz or other cassette language program before you leave. Most public libraries have such material at no cost.
If you find something you want to buy to take home, and you're sure it'll fit in the luggage, go ahead and buy it. If you do, you'll probably see the same item or better at lower prices at every stop along the way. But if you pass it up, you'll never see it again.
Remember that this is a vacation! Let yourself enjoy it! Relax. Blow off any slights you may imagine that you feel. Take half the clothes and twice the money you think you'll need. Furthermore, remember that Murphy was an optimist! Have fun, and if there's any
way I can help...
Article submitted by:
John M. Williams
PADI Scuba Instructor
December 1995
www.tomzap.com
Tom Penick:
tom@tomzap.com
