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What money should you use in Cabo?
The Mexican peso is the local currency, and it’s the better choice when a price is listed in pesos. U.S. dollars are accepted at many businesses, particularly around resorts and Cabo San Lucas, but a shop or restaurant may use an exchange rate that makes paying in dollars cost more. Use a credit card or a bank ATM for the conversion when you can.
For a simple setup, bring a credit card with no foreign transaction fee, a backup card, and some small bills for tips. Get pesos from a bank-operated ATM rather than relying on hotel exchange or a standalone machine. ATMs in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo dispense pesos, and major cards are accepted at most establishments, though some businesses take cash only or don’t accept every card. Cabo San Lucas lists the local banking and ATM options.
Pesos or dollars in Cabo: which is cheaper?
If a menu, store tag, or bill gives the price in pesos, pay in pesos. One Cabo money guide estimates that paying in pesos can be 5% to 15% cheaper than paying in dollars, depending on the merchant’s exchange rate. For example, its illustration compares a restaurant rate of MXN 18 per dollar with a bank rate of MXN 19.5, an 8% difference. Those figures are examples, not a promise about the rate you’ll get on your trip. Cabo Trip Planner’s September 2026 money guide explains the comparison.
Businesses may accept dollars, and some resort, tour, marina, and Cabo San Lucas shop prices are listed in U.S. currency. But accepting dollars doesn’t mean the business uses a competitive conversion rate. If a price is already in dollars, paying in dollars is straightforward. If it’s in pesos, choose pesos on your card terminal and let your card provider handle the conversion.
Exchange rates move, so treat posted figures as a snapshot rather than a rate you can expect everywhere. An airport currency page listed 1 USD at MXN 18.6215 on November 7, 2026, while a local fast-facts page cited a Banxico FIX rate of about MXN 18.6 on October 26, 2026. The rate offered by a business or exchange counter can differ from those reference figures. Los Cabos Airport’s currency page and Cabo San Lucas’s fast-facts page show those dated rates.
Compare Cabo stays before you go
Compare hotels by area and check current rates before you book your Cabo stay.
Where should you exchange money?
Our pick is to avoid exchanging a large amount at the airport or hotel. The Los Cabos Airport page says credit cards and ATM withdrawals normally offer the best exchange rates, and that hotels usually offer the worst. A separate 2026 money guide says airport and town exchange counters aren’t worth using. The airport does have exchange facilities in each terminal, so they’re an option if you need cash right away, but compare the rate before you hand over money. The airport currency page and Cabo Trip Planner differ on the usefulness of exchange counters, but both point travelers toward cards or ATMs for a better deal.
Banks and Casas de Cambio, or exchange houses, are alternatives if you want to exchange cash. Local fast-facts information says exchange houses are found in downtown areas of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, are quicker than a bank, and may offer a slightly lower rate. Banks have limited exchange services, and some don’t exchange dollars, so ask before waiting in line. The same source says banks generally operate Monday to Friday and close on Sundays and holidays. Cabo San Lucas’s fast-facts page has those local service details.
If you’re staying mostly at a resort, you may not need to exchange much. For dinners or errands away from the resort strip, carry pesos in small notes and coins. San José del Cabo and Todos Santos use pesos commonly, according to Cabo Trip Planner’s money guide. If you’re choosing a base, our guides to where to stay in Cabo and San José del Cabo can help you plan where you’ll spend most of your time.
ATM Cabo tips: where to withdraw pesos
Use a bank-owned machine, ideally inside a bank branch, supermarket, or resort. Banorte, BBVA, and Santander ATMs dispense pesos and charge a local fee per withdrawal, according to Cabo Trip Planner. The guide warns that standalone machines along the marina boardwalk, in bars, and in OXXO stores can add higher fees and offer worse rates.
When the ATM asks whether to convert the withdrawal to U.S. dollars, decline and continue in pesos. The ATM operator’s conversion can be worse than letting your own bank or card network convert the charge. Your bank may also charge its own fee, so the guide recommends taking out a larger amount less often if that suits your plans. It gives MXN 4,000 to MXN 6,000, about $200 to $330, as a week’s cash for many couples away from the resort. That’s a planning example from September 2026, not a required amount, and your spending will depend on your itinerary.
Airport ATMs at SJD are described as bank-operated and acceptable to use. If you’re arriving late or need pesos for the first leg of your trip, that can be simpler than hunting for an exchange counter. For transport options from the airport, see our Cabo airport transfers guide.
Can you use cards in Cabo?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many resorts, restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, supermarkets, and tour operators. American Express is accepted at many resorts and upscale restaurants, but its acceptance is less consistent elsewhere. Tap-to-pay is common on newer terminals, and restaurant staff often bring a handheld terminal to the table, so you can keep your card in sight. Ask whether your card is accepted before ordering, since some businesses take cash only or don’t accept every major card. Cabo Trip Planner and Cabo San Lucas’s fast-facts page cover local card acceptance.
At a card terminal, choose MXN if you’re offered a choice between pesos and U.S. dollars. The merchant’s dollar conversion is typically several percent worse than the bank’s, according to Cabo Trip Planner. Tell your bank you’re traveling, keep a second card on a different network, and check your banking app periodically. The same guide recommends using cards at real businesses and keeping them in sight.
How much should you tip in Cabo?
Dollars or pesos are both acceptable for tips. Small U.S. bills are welcome at resorts, but pesos are handy for everyday tips away from resort areas. Bring small bills from home if you want to tip in dollars; Cabo Trip Planner says it can be difficult to break a $20 bill at a swim-up bar. The suggestions below come from that guide, updated September 2026. Prices and customary amounts can change, so use them as a starting point.
| Service | Suggested tip |
|---|---|
| Restaurant server | 15% to 20%; check whether service is already included |
| Housekeeping | $3 to $5 per day, left daily |
| Bellhop | $2 to $5 per bag, per stop |
| Airport transfer driver | $5 to $10 per vehicle |
| Tour guide | $5 to $10 per person |
| Fishing charter crew | 15% to 20% of the charter |
| Gas-station attendant or grocery bagger | MXN 10 to MXN 20 |
For a couple at an all-inclusive, the guide suggests about $100 to $200 in small bills for tips, plus a few thousand pesos if you’ll leave the resort for meals, transport, or a day trip. Its sample daily routine of housekeeping, pool-bar, and dinner tips adds up to about $100 to $150 for a couple over a week. Check the bill before tipping at a restaurant or resort, since service may already have been added. Cabo Trip Planner’s tipping guide has the full breakdown.
Before you go: a simple money plan
Keep your plan uncomplicated: use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card, choose pesos when a terminal or ATM offers conversion, and withdraw pesos from a bank-owned ATM. Carry a modest amount of small bills for tips and keep a backup card separate from your main one. You don’t need to convert every dollar before you arrive, especially if you’ll mostly use cards or stay at an all-inclusive.
For cash-only purchases or tips, ask for change in pesos when paying with dollars, and check the amount before you leave. If you want to compare what a resort stay may cost in different areas, start with our guides to Medano Beach hotels and budget hotels in Cabo.
Quick answers
Should I use pesos or dollars in Cabo?
Use pesos when the price is listed in pesos, since a business’s dollar conversion may be less favorable. Dollars are accepted at many businesses, but the exchange rate varies.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Cabo?
A bank ATM or a card payment usually offers a better exchange rate than a hotel desk. Banks and exchange houses are alternatives, but compare the rate and any fees before exchanging cash.
Are there ATMs in Cabo San Lucas, and do they dispense pesos?
ATMs are available in Cabo San Lucas and nearby towns, and they dispense pesos. Prefer a bank-owned ATM and decline its offer to convert the withdrawal to U.S. dollars.
Can I use a credit card in Cabo?
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at many resorts, restaurants, and shops, though some businesses take cash only. Choose MXN rather than U.S. dollars if a card terminal offers a currency choice.
How much should I bring for tips in Cabo?
The amount depends on your stay and plans. One September 2026 guide suggests $100 to $200 in small bills for a couple at an all-inclusive, with extra pesos for spending away from the resort.
