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ATMs - 11/2/2012 3:17:51 PM

dawnie

Posts: 11
Joined: 11/22/2011
Status: offline

Heading back to Akumal for the sixth time in a few weeks. We usually use the ATM at he Super Chomak but find the maximum amount is not enough for us and the fee charged is high. Would love to find an ATM which allows you to pull more money and also lower fees. We do go into Playa del Carmen quite a bit so that would be fine. Any tips would be so appreciated.
Thanks much.

Post #: 1

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 4:06:21 PM

Wifey

Posts: 8748
Joined: 10/4/2006
From: Portland,OR
Status: offline

there is another ATM across the street in the Pueblito store. Not sure about the fees or how much you can take out though.

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RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 4:13:12 PM

gal4giants

Posts: 1624
Joined: 1/10/2008
From: Portland, OR
Status: offline

all the big grocery stores have bank ATM's inside - we use Bancomer fee is 24 pesos. They distribute in 200 peso notes. HSBC is 38 pesos and they mix up notes...from 500 down to 20

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Post #: 3

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 5:17:38 PM

SchnauzerDog

Posts: 6356
Status: offline

Hey Dawnie....
Check out my thread on warning people about ATM's in Akumal. My account was recently comprised through one of the machines there.... six months later. There is good info on that thread about protecting your funds.

http://forums.locogringo.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1498198&mpage=1&key=atm�

Post #: 4

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 6:08:14 PM

dominique

Posts: 104
Joined: 9/30/2005
From: Too Far North!
Status: offline

I have used both the Chomak and El Pueblito Grocery Store in Akumal without issue, although I haven't used the Chomak for the past several trips to Akumal. Do be sure you let your bank know and set limits on the amounts. Restrict the time frames so it can be used outside of your travel dates. I have also had good luck with the ATM at the airport, just after you come out the glass doors from customs. It is directly across the hall next to the bathrooms.

Post #: 5

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 6:09:29 PM

KRBNBob

Posts: 198
Joined: 10/31/2011
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We always use the ATM at Pueblito across the street from super chomak, the fee was like 30 pesos about 2.50$. You can take out 3000 pesos in one transaction, never have had any problems with there ATM.

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Post #: 6

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 7:01:24 PM

dawnie

Posts: 11
Joined: 11/22/2011
Status: offline

Thanks for the replies. Each ATM charges a fee for the transaction but do the exchange rates vary as well in the ATMs? For example do I get a more favorable exchange rate at the airport than at a local grocery store or a super market or bank in Playa?

Post #: 7

RE: ATMs - 11/2/2012 11:09:58 PM

Vancouver Sundog

Posts: 5927
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
Status: offline

quote:

but find the maximum amount is not enough for us and the fee charged is high

you canchoose a larger amount than their max amount

1st are you staying in a condo or resort

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Post #: 8

RE: ATMs - 11/3/2012 10:25:27 AM

KRBNBob

Posts: 198
Joined: 10/31/2011
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The exchange rate seemed to be updated daily with the ATM we used, I'm not sure if that's controlled by my bank here in the states or what. We used the ATM a few times in a week and the rate was different with each transaction. I have an app on my IPad that gives me the daily exchange rate and that's what we got using the ATMs.

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Post #: 9

RE: ATMs - 11/3/2012 2:27:19 PM

dawnie

Posts: 11
Joined: 11/22/2011
Status: offline

Thanks much....we always stay in the same condo at Vista del Mar...love it!

Post #: 10

RE: ATMs - 11/4/2012 11:48:22 AM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline

For me the best move is to grab 6000 pesos from the airport ATM. When you come to the amount screen just hit other and put in 6000. I have used the ATM's in Akumal once and that was enough. I'd rather drive to Tulum and go to the bank than use those machines again. Besides I really like Tulum.

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Post #: 11

RE: ATMs - 11/5/2012 10:02:43 AM

mhwv05

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Joined: 11/5/2012
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I was wondering if it was just easier to use the airport ATM as well, but how can I get smaller bills to use for tipping?

Post #: 12

RE: ATMs - 11/5/2012 11:46:14 AM

Whale

Posts: 5537
Joined: 10/25/2004
From: Littleton, Colorado
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My understanding is that the exchange rate is set by the banks and is based on the international exchange rate when the transaction occurs. So this would be the same no matter what ATM you use, however ATM fees and bank fees may vary, even those charged by your own bank. The one thing that I have noticed is that the fee charged for using the ATM is almost always a set fee no matter how much you withdraw. So, if you are paying a set fee of 25 pesos for using the ATM, it makes sense to withdraw the maximum the machine will let you. The less you withdraw the higher the percent you pay.

I have run across one machine in the US recently that rather than charging a set fee charged a percentage of the total withdrawn. I hope that doesn't spread to Mexico.

Ultimately, you are in Mexico on vacation. Obsessing over whether you can save a few pennies based on using one ATM instead of another means you are wound to tightly and need to relax on the beach and have another margarita. In the big scheme of things, I guarantee that when you get home you will not be telling everybody how you saved two dollars by driving ten miles to a different ATM. Unless of course there is some other reason to go that ten miles. If it is to Tulum I would certainly recommend it for the visit, not the ATM.

< Message edited by Whale -- 11/6/2012 10:29:55 AM >

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Post #: 13

RE: ATMs - 11/5/2012 11:52:46 AM

GRUMPERS

Posts: 1790
Joined: 8/18/2007
From: Kansas City, the "Heartland"
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You should also check with your US bank to see if they have any affiliation with any of the ATM systems in MX. I'm with BofA and didn't get charged an ATM fee at the Bancomer ATM's (I think) in Playa. And there are quite a few of those around in Playa. At the bus station, and along 5th Ave.

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Post #: 14

RE: ATMs - 11/5/2012 3:16:16 PM

Vancouver Sundog

Posts: 5927
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From: North Vancouver
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quote:

check with your US bank to see if they have any affiliation with any of the ATM systems in MX.

or if the OP is from Canada, use Scotia ATMs if you have a Scotia account

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Post #: 15

RE: ATMs - 11/5/2012 4:59:02 PM

sandsunsurf

Posts: 134
Joined: 10/25/2007
From: Reno, NV
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: GRUMPERS

You should also check with your US bank to see if they have any affiliation with any of the ATM systems in MX. I'm with BofA and didn't get charged an ATM fee at the Bancomer ATM's (I think) in Playa. And there are quite a few of those around in Playa. At the bus station, and along 5th Ave.

Close, BofA is affiliated with Banco Santander, which is the ATM in the airport. I do the same as mentioned above: max withdrawal at the aeropuerto, then El Pueblito for more, unless I happen to go to Chemuyil. The ATM at Super Pool is way cheaper. El Pueblito was a total of almost 70 pesos with fee and tax for 3000 pesos.

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Post #: 16

RE: ATMs - 11/6/2012 10:14:50 AM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline

I was recently told by a board member that the BofA/Santander relationship has ended. I'll check with BofA here and see what they have to say about current situation.

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Post #: 17

RE: ATMs - 11/6/2012 4:10:50 PM

Scott in Akumal

Posts: 345
Joined: 10/28/2005
From: Akumal
Status: offline

BoA/Santander still works fine. I just verified my accounts and I still don't get ATM fees or international charges from that. I took out $8,000 pesos on Sunday in Cancun. That converted to $616.23 USD. That's a rate of $12.98! That's damn near the Forex rate! Can't get that rate exchanging cash anywhere!

Unfortunately, I don't know if any other banks that have deals with other banks in Mexico.

In general, I'm finding more and more people complaining about the high charges on the 3rd party ATM's in Akumal. My advice: Don't use them. Plan ahead a little and save yourself some money using the ATM's at the banks in Playa or Tulum. It's going to be your best bet.

< Message edited by Scott in Akumal -- 11/6/2012 4:18:09 PM >

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Post #: 18

RE: ATMs - 11/6/2012 8:19:32 PM

Vancouver Sundog

Posts: 5927
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
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quote:

Unfortunately, I don't know if any other banks that have deals with other banks in Mexico

Capital One (I am told) has great no fee withdrawels

As does Scotia and HSBC - Hong Kong (in Canada)

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Post #: 19

RE: ATMs - 11/7/2012 2:28:22 PM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
Status: offline

They have no fee withdrawls but I think there is the usual cash advance charges. I'll call them today and find out.
After all they are paying for my next trip to Mexico. Use the card for my business and have used 150k miles so far for the next trip. Still have 100k left for the rest of the trip if we make it. Right now it's looking like the trip insurance I bought will come in handy. I'll know after I see the surgeon today.

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Post #: 20

RE: ATMs - 11/8/2012 3:43:43 PM

Scott in Akumal

Posts: 345
Joined: 10/28/2005
From: Akumal
Status: offline

Vancouver Sundog, do you know what bank down here Capital One has their deal with, or it just any ATM?

Panesh, yes, if you're taking cash out of an ATM with a credit card, they'll probably charge you a fee for the cash advance. My comment above and the way I get cash is ONLY with my debit card. Though I live here, I do my banking in the US, so this is the easiest way for me to get cash.

Great info in this thread everyone!

< Message edited by Scott in Akumal -- 11/8/2012 3:44:05 PM >

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Post #: 21

RE: ATMs - 11/8/2012 11:38:16 PM

Vancouver Sundog

Posts: 5927
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
Status: offline

quote:

Vancouver Sundog, do you know what bank down here Capital One has their deal with, or it just any ATM?

not sure Scott, but PM Steve O

here is his thread on Coz exchange rates

For the past 5 or 6 years I have used a Capitalone debit card for use in Mexico only. I get charged no ATM fees and there is no foreign transaction fee. That saves me 3% on the transaction fee and a dollar or so on the ATM fee. When you stay for a long period of time it can add up but nothing to worry about for a one or two week vacation

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Post #: 22

RE: ATMs - 11/9/2012 9:21:43 AM

longing4sun

Posts: 464
Joined: 12/12/2006
From: St. Louis, MO
Status: offline

Hi, I recently pulled my bank statement from last Sept. when we were last in Akumal. We pulled 3,000 pesos from the airport ATM and was not charged any additional fee (we're BofA). At the time, 3,000 pesos was $288 dollars. On the other hand, the ATM at the Chomak charged us up to 5.00 for each transaction, and wouldn't let us take out more than 1,000 or 1,500 pesos at a time. Lesson learned. Next trip we will withdraw a larger sum from the airport. Hope that helps!

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