Peso Exchange Rate
The Mexican peso currently exchanges at approximately 13 pesos to one US dollar, but fluctuates from day to day. Today's exchange rate can be obtained through one of the links below.
When traveling in Baja, it is usually better to pay for goods and services in pesos, rather than in US dollars. Although US dollars will be accepted at most larger businesses from Tijuana to Cabo, the exchange rate when paying in US dollars can be significantly less than the official rate.
We recommend always paying for gas in pesos. Making the liter-to-gallon and peso-to-dollar conversions can be confusing, since the price will be expressed in pesos per liter, and change will invariable be given in pesos when payment was in made in dollars. Unfortunately a few unscrupulous gas attendants will also short change the buyer. If the pump reads 375 pesos for your tank of gas and you pay the attendant 400 pesos, you know he owes you 25 pesos in change. Simple, if you pay in pesos.
Pesos can be obtained before you cross the border at a number of cambios located off the Via de San Ysidro exit from I-5 and I-805 (be sure the cambio does not charge a commission). We recommend obtaining pesos from ATM machines (called Cajero Automaticos, Caja Permentes, as well as ATMs) located in larger towns along the peninsula (ATMs are also available at the first and third toll plazas between Tijuana and Ensenada). The ATM exchange rate will be the best bank rate for the transaction date. Since there is a service fee (per transaction) charged by the ATM-affiliated bank (and possibly your bank), it is wise to get a large amount rather than several small amounts.
Exchange Links
X-rates
Peso info from Exchangerates.com
xe.com currancy conversion