Akumal Tips

Offered on September 30th, 2006 by Tortuga.
Akumal tips: Financial tips.

There are many money exchange houses throughout Playa del Carmen, 30 minutes north of Akumal, and several in Tulum, 20 minutes south of Akumal, but in central Akumal there is only one place you can exchange currency for pesos, and that is at the TSA (Travel Services of Akumal).

Akumal money exchange

One of the first places you will visit when you arrive in Akumal is the TSA where you can exchange currency, schedule tours, rent a car or bicycle, arrange for airport transfers and even secure accommodations if you have not done so already.

When exchanging money for pesos, the best policy is to arrive early. The TSA opens at 9AM and closes for siesta at 1PM, then opens back up at 4PM until 6PM. And always be aware of daily fluctuations in their hours of operations, especially if they run out of cash. For that reason, don’t wait until 12:30 PM to go exchange money. Our tip is to get there early but allow if they don’t open on time. Arriving at 10AM to exchange your money is smart.

Currently, the exchange rate is 12.5696 pesos to 1 American dollar, but don’t expect to get this good of a rate in Mexico. For the best rates, you will have to exchange your money at a bank in Playa del Carmen or Tulum. But you will have to drive to either city and wait in line — probably a long time — and you have to be aware of various hours of operations, some banks not even exchanging money but during certain hours that they are open.

The exchange houses in Playa del Carmen then give the next best rates and some are better than others. They are the most convenient option. They give good rates; there are many to be found up and down 5th Avenue; and they are open all day until late at night. You will still, however, have to travel to Playa del Carmen 30 minutes north to find one.

The TSA doesn’t give the best rate when compared to the above options but considering the convenience, it is an excellent deal. It is the only local money exchange house in Akumal. If you schedule yourself to make sure you arrive at the TSA during their hours of operations, you can make sure you have Mexican pesos to pay businesses to get your best deal on food, activities, gifts, and services.

All businesses in the Riviera Maya accept US dollars but generally give a flat 10:1 exchange for the ease of mental calculation. If you pay at businesses in pesos, you will get the best deal and save a few extra bucks over the course of your vacation.

The TSA is located next to the CEA Ecological center in Central Akumal.

Other tips and articles you should read…

• Akumal Tip #018 - Exchanging money tips

• Akumal Tip #033 - the Money Machine

• The Top 10 Indispensable Akumal Vacation Tips

• Akumal hotel and other Akumal properties for rent

• Akumal Tip #002 - Top Ten Mayan Riviera Souvenirs for $10 or Less

• Akumal Tip #024 - Top 20 Packing Tips for the Riviera Maya

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