Travelling through Mexico, a nation abundant with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, will expose you to a diverse range of experiences. Mexico is a diverse and fascinating country, with everything from the vibrant streets of Oaxaca and the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan to the beautiful beaches of Cancun and the pulsating energy of Mexico City. To get around this ever-changing nation, you gotta know how to use the cash, how cash and ATMs in Mexico work, and what other payment methods are available. A journey filled with unforgettable moments and flavours awaits you as you explore Mexico’s rich heritage and stunning landscapes. This guide will provide you the financial insights you need to navigate with ease and confidence.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Mexico?
In Mexico, you can find more than 70,000 ATMs. Fifteen or more commercial and specialised banks, including a few international banks, run most of these. If you need to withdraw money in Mexico, you can locate them in larger towns and even in some smaller ones (at least one or two ATMs).
You can find ATMs at:
- Important airports,
- Central plazas and markets,
- Main thoroughfares of all big cities,
- Commuter shopping centres,
- Food routes,
- Financial institution branches,
- A few office buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Mini airports,
- Uninhabited Seas,
- Bus stops serving various regions,
- The rural interior,
- Outside of main thoroughfares in smaller towns,
- Places of worship,
- Escapes to secluded resorts.
Best ATMs to use in Mexico for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Mexico are those owned by popular banks such as:
Inbursa,
Banca Mifel,
Citibanamex, and
Bancoppel
Additionally, Mexico is home to ATMs from the following international banks: Scotiabank, HSBC and Santander. There are other local banks like Azteca, Banorte, Multiva etc. that also accept international cards, albeit they charge high ATM fees.
Global ATM Alliance: Customers of participating banks around the world are able to withdraw cash from any of these ATMs without ATM Fees. This network includes Scotiabank in Mexico.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Mexico, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in MXN).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Mexico, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in MXN’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Mexico?
Yes, many types of foreign cards are easily accepted at ATMs in Mexico.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Mexico.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs in most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year. ATMs inside bank branches typically between 9 am to 3 pm, onces inside supermarkets open longer.
What do they call ATMs in Mexico?
“Cajero” or “ATM” is commonly used, or you will simply see the name of the bank.
PIN type
The majority of ATMs in Mexico require a 4-digit PIN. Most people will not accept PINs that are too long.
For swiping, many stores still use antiquated technology that can’t process modern chip-and-pin cards without also reading the magnetic stripe.
Languages at ATMs in Mexico
By default, ATMs in Mexico offer two language options: English and Spanish.
If you cannot understand, get real-time translations of your phone’s menu options by using Google Translate’s camera feature. Please take your time and not rush through the transaction because these translations are not always 100% accurate.
Do ATMs in Mexico work similarly as other countries?
With their user-friendly interface, ATMs in Mexico are similar to their counterparts in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and India. After using these ATMs to withdraw cash, be sure to take your card with you because some of them fully insert it during the transaction.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in North & Central America.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Mexico?
ATMs in Mexico dispense only the official currency Mexican Peso (MXN).
ATM withdrawal limits in Mexico?
ATMs in Mexico have varying withdrawal limits per transaction. Majority of the bank ATMs allow to withdraw MXN 6000 to MXN 12,500 per transaction (Mexican Pesos). Some banks allow as low as MXN 2,000 or maximum up to MXN 4000 per transaction. The transaction limits depend on the ATM location and availability of the cash at the ATM at the time of withdrawal. Most banks also have daily withdrawal limits of similar amounts.
ATM Fees in Mexico?
There is only one fee-free ATM in Mexico, that too for some specific cards only. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Mexico have varying ATM fees for foreign cardholders and charge between MXN 22.04 to MXN 197.2 per transaction (Mexican Pesos). Only one bank ATM has zero ATM Fees for Global ATM Alliance member bank cards.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Mexico – something every traveller handling cash in Mexico should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Mexico?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Mexico?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Mexico. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Mexico.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Mexico ATMs?
Safety when using ATMs in Mexico depends on the location of the ATM. There have been numerous reports of people being mugged for their cash while waiting outside ATMs, particularly at night, on deserted streets, or even in busy areas.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Mexico takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its usually not possible. There is only one fee-free ATM in Mexico, that too for some specific cards only. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Mexico have varying ATM fees for foreign cardholders and charge between MXN 22.04 to MXN 197.2 per transaction (Mexican Pesos). Only one bank ATM has zero ATM Fees for Global ATM Alliance member bank cards.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Mexico?
Yes. Most ATMs in Mexico accept cards issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Indeed, Mexico is home to approximately 15 Bitcoin ATMs.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Mexico
Bank of America: In Mexico, you won’t find any ATMs belonging to Bank of America.
Citibank: Indeed, Mexico is home to a plethora of Citibank ATMs, which go by the name Banamex.
Barclays: Sorry, but no, Barclays Bank ATMs are not available in Mexico.
HSBC: Yes, Mexico does have a large number of HSBC ATMs.
Standard Chartered: Sorry, but no, Standard Chartered ATMs are not available in Mexico.
