Using Money and Credit Cards in Mexico

As you prepare for your Christian cruise with Inspiration, managing finances and avoiding fees is crucial for a smooth travel experience. Here are some guidelines:

• Leave unnecessary debit and credit cards at home to reduce risk and clutter.
• Notify your bank about your travel plans for the cards you do bring to prevent fraud alerts and transaction blocks.
• Keep a separate record of your bank's contact information in case you lose your wallet or purse.

Almost all Mexican destinations accept U.S. credit or debit cards (debit cards will only work with ATMs, however, as most Mexican businesses don’t have PIN machines). If you plan to use your credit cards, you’ll want to check with each credit card company to determine the international exchange fee for each card. Because the difference of a few percentage points could cost you hundreds of dollars (depending on your purchases), we recommend using cards with lower international exchange fees. Using your credit card for large purchases gives you more protection for the items you buy on your trip (you can look at your credit card statement to verify all of your purchases).

Mexico’s official currency is the Peso (MEX$); however, U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Most businesses will give change back in U.S. dollars, but it is always a good idea to bring small bills in case you get change in Pesos. If traveling with currency other than the U.S. dollar, you may exchange money onboard the ship, although we always recommend checking the exchange rate before traveling to a foreign country.

For more information, please call one of our Reservation Coordinators at 800 247 1899, Monday through Friday between 8:30am – 5:00pm, Pacific Time.