| Something too few tourists will ask before coming to | | | | using an "alien" ATM in another country. Check around |
| Guanajuato, Mexico, for a visit is, "Can I use my ATM | | | | but this might be more of a hassle than it is worth. |
| and credit card for everything or anything?" I have | | | | Try to ask around to see what local Guanajuato |
| seen many a display of the Ugly American Syndrome | | | | banks will permit the biggest ATM withdrawls. Then, to |
| in many restaurants and shops over this very issue. | | | | avoid too many ATM fees, take out the maximum |
| So, to avoid the temptation of reinforcing the Ugly | | | | amount of pesos you can each day. This will keep you |
| American Syndrome stereotype here in Guanajuato, | | | | from incurring ATM fees each day. |
| let's have a go at this topic. | | | | In the state in which I live, but so far not in my city, |
| The truth is that while you might be able to use your | | | | there have been some ATM thieves that attach a |
| credit card in most of the typical tourist resort areas, I | | | | false computer front to the ATM machine. It will have |
| would not count on being able to use it here in | | | | a slide mechanism for your card. This false front will tell |
| Guanajuato. In some of the bigger, two-hundred-dollar | | | | you that there is no cash in the ATM while it recorded |
| a night hotels in this Colonial Mexican town, you can | | | | your account number and password. |
| use your credit card. The hotels that have restaurants | | | | Then these nasty characters clean out your account. |
| will usually take your credit card. However, outside the | | | | The lesson is always go to the ATM's where you |
| confines of your hotel, I wouldn't bet the farm on being | | | | have to insert rather than slide your card. |
| able to use your card. | | | | Local merchants, and there are very few, that do |
| The automatic teller machines are plentiful in | | | | accept credit cards, seem very nervous when |
| Guanajauto and will dispense the local currency. You | | | | completing a transaction. This could be for several |
| can get cash with different limits depending on the | | | | reasons. I always pay for everything in cash so as to |
| local bank. One of the banks will not dispense more | | | | avoid hassles. Even travelers checks are rarely |
| than $3,000 pesos a day while others will dispense | | | | accepted in the city. With your passport, you can go to |
| almost three times that amount. | | | | most banks to cash these. But the banks have certain |
| There will be fees involved. Before traveling to | | | | hours that they do this, so check before you get too |
| Guanajuato, you need to check with the bank that | | | | low on cash. |
| issued your credit or ATM card to see what fees they | | | | A lot of gringos who want to see more of Mexico |
| charge. Some will charge for the use of foreign ATM | | | | than the beach resorts have a difficult time adjusting to |
| or those outside their network. Make sure you tell | | | | the differences. This credit and ATM card business |
| them that you are going to be in Mexico and ask if | | | | seems radically different than it is in the coastal |
| your PIN will work in Mexico (some don't work outside | | | | resorts. Too many fly into the costal resorts, spend a |
| the USA). I would even go to your bank and talk with | | | | little time, then bus from the coast to central Mexico |
| someone in person rather than call on the phone. | | | | where one finds a different kind of tourism. |
| Banks in Mexico charge a fee for you to use their | | | | If the coastal areas take your credit card without a |
| ATMs. So, you are going to have fees upon fees. Be | | | | hitch, do not expect that in central Mexico. It is almost |
| sure you know this ahead of time to prevent yourself | | | | entirely a cash based society here. Pay with cash. It is |
| from going into shock. Currently, we are charged about | | | | so safe here compared with the resorts that you can |
| 75 cents for using our American ATM card here in | | | | walk around with larger sums of money than in other |
| Mexico. We keep accounts in both the U.S. and | | | | areas. |
| Mexico. | | | | I've been in line in the bank when men, women, and |
| You will be charged extra fees at any Mexican ATM. | | | | children, yes kids, withdraw large sums of pesos. They |
| There is no avoiding it so be prepared and do not let | | | | fold it up, put it in a pocket or purse. They're done. |
| something like this ruin your trip. You might be able to | | | | You can do it too! |
| find banks in the U.S. that do not charge a fee for | | | | |