Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Airport taxi in US dollars

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My daughter will be flying down to meet me on Playa Ropa after missing the last 3 years. In the past, I always let her know in advance how many pesos she’ll need for the private taxi ride from the airport. (I see it’s currently posted as $680). She makes sure to have the correct peso amount, but has said that the drivers often tell her they prefer US dollars. (What would the US dollar amount be these days?) Also, they ask for a tip after she pays them. This message board seems to encourage the use of pesos over dollars in general, as well as not expecting to tip on simple taxi rides. What shall I tell her?

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My daughter will be flying down to meet me on Playa Ropa after missing the last 3 years. In the past, I always let her know in advance how many pesos she’ll need for the private taxi ride from the airport. (I see it’s currently posted as $680). She makes sure to have the correct peso amount, but has said that the drivers tell her they prefer US dollars. Also, they ask for a tip after she pays them. This message board seems to encourage the use of pesos over dollars in general, as well as not expecting to tip on simple taxi rides. What shall I tell her?

On the few occasions when I have taken a Transporte Terrestre taxi from the airport, the driver has not received money from me. I bought the ticket at the booth and gave it to the driver.

I suggest it is uncommon for a taxi driver to receive a tip if what they did was drive somewhere. If I ask them to do something else, like take me to angrocery store and wait while I shop, then I would tip

Just a couple of days ago I was talking with a 40-year Zihuatanejo resident about currencies. She told me that in the past people some of the people she dealt with preferred US dollars. With the stability of the peso and its appreciation against foreign currencies like the US and Canadian dollars, she said that most now prefer pesos.

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Thanks for the info. I have never purchased a ticket from a booth for the taxi ride from the airport. You mention “ Transporte Terrestre taxi”. Are we talking about the same taxi service? If so, where is the booth located and do they accept pesos, dollars, credit cards??

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Buying Pesos at home gives the worst exchange rate. She should use her credit card to get Pesos from an ATM at the airport and decline the exchange rate posted. The desk for Transporte Terrestre used to be inside the terminal, just after leaving Customs. I'm assuming they've moved it just outside. I do tip drivers if they carry my luggage to the door.

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Do NOT use a credit card. It will be treated as a cash advance and accrue interest on the entire balance from day one. Only use a DEBIT card at ATMs.There are three ATMs at the airport, so there is no need to use dollars. You buy the voucher from the counter outside of the exit doors to your right as you exit. Drivers are traditionally not tipped unless they provide a special service. When we were last there the rate to La Ropa was 550 pesos (rates have gone up). They would accept $31 which at the time was about 620 pesos. Wherever you go, always use the local currency that you get from an ATM. Wherever you are you will always get a lousy exchange rate if you pay in dollars.

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Do NOT use a credit card. It will be treated as a cash advance and accrue interest on the entire balance from day one. Only use a DEBIT card at ATMs.

I use a credit card because I don't have a debit card. I always pay my total bill upon receipt, so there's no interest charged.

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Check your statements again. Bank of America and Capital One both charge interest from the day the withdrawal is made, and continue to until the balance is paid. If you have other charges since the last payment date, the interest is charged on that too, so you start accruing interest as soon as you withdraw cash on the card AND any other charges you have on the card. It has nothing to do with paying the full balance every month.

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It would be a very unusual credit card that does not charge a cash advance fee and charge interest from the day of withdrawal. Which bank issued your card?

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B of A/Alaska Airlines Visa

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Under Terms and Conditions almost at the bottom, you are charged "Either $10 or 3% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater" for cash advances.

Considering the $95 annual fee, it does give you that benefit.

https://secure.bankofamerica.com/apply-credit-cards/public/consumer/#/welcome/

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I use that card almost exclusively when shopping and I accrue miles.

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We both have it and love the companion fare. But we never use it for a cash from an ATM. The fee of a cash advance is $10 or 5% of the amount whichever is greater. Interest starts accruing from day one and applies to the entire balance.
Here’s a blurb from a credit card review site.

You can get an Alaska Airlines Credit Card cash advance from any ATM. A cash advance PIN will be required, and you can obtain it by calling customer service at 800-432-1000. You can also request a cash advance in-person at a local Bank of America branch.
An Alaska Airlines Credit Card is a very expensive transaction though. There’s a 5% cash advance fee with a $10 minimum charge on all transactions. If you do a cash advance from a non-Bank of America ATM, you may face an additional ATM charge.
Also, cash advances are subject to interest charges at the cash advance APR. The interest compounds daily, which means interest charges apply every day on top of both the previous days’ interest and the principal balance.
With this said, it's best to only use your credit card for cash advances in emergency situations

If you’re getting cash this way, you may want to get a debit card from your bank.

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:megusta:

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My daughter will be flying down to meet me on Playa Ropa after missing the last 3 years. In the past, I always let her know in advance how many pesos she’ll need for the private taxi ride from the airport. (I see it’s currently posted as $680). She makes sure to have the correct peso amount, but has said that the drivers often tell her they prefer US dollars. (What would the US dollar amount be these days?) Also, they ask for a tip after she pays them. This message board seems to encourage the use of pesos over dollars in general, as well as not expecting to tip on simple taxi rides. What shall I tell her?

DON'T pay in dollars! And do NOT tip them unless they actually do something besides driving the car to your destination without getting you killed.

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My daughter will be flying down to meet me on Playa Ropa after missing the last 3 years. In the past, I always let her know in advance how many pesos she’ll need for the private taxi ride from the airport. (I see it’s currently posted as $680). She makes sure to have the correct peso amount, but has said that the drivers often tell her they prefer US dollars. (What would the US dollar amount be these days?) Also, they ask for a tip after she pays them. This message board seems to encourage the use of pesos over dollars in general, as well as not expecting to tip on simple taxi rides. What shall I tell her?

DON'T pay in dollars! And do NOT tip them unless they actually do something besides driving the car to your destination without getting you killed.

Why do you seem adamant about not tipping unless they do something extra?
For the first time I had a woman taxi driver take me 'home'?
I guess I got carried away. I tipped her simply because she smiled at my jokes...

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I have heard that taxis will bypass locals because they feel they will get tipped by the tourists. I must admit that immediately after the pandemic I tipped them and nearly everybody else I encountered since things had been so hard for them. Now that things are returning to normal, I will follow local tradition. Perhaps that’s part of being a good guest.

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That is very true. I saw it first hand. Taxi drove right past a local friend of mine needing a ride home after helping me out at my place to pick up a tourist. I was not happy about it one bit and made my feelings known.

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I often take a taxi home on Saturday night after the combis quit running to the colonia where my place is. If it is well before midnight and I am quoted a reasonable rate and they deliver me in one piece, I often give a 10 or 20 peso tip,

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We've used the same guy for over 5 years and have become friends. I know that driving a cab doesn't make much money. He has a wife and 2 kids, one of whom is sick and needs regular trips to the doctor in Morelia. He speaks perfect English and needs the work so, if anyone needs transportation: Pedro Moreno 672-119-2398 or pedro.914772@gmail.com He'll take good care of you. BTW, we've also used him for trips out of town.

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This gmail comes back as....couldn't be found or unable to recieve mail.

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Sorry. I'll give him a call.

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Hi Bob, Sorry, my fat fingers. Pedro's e-mail address is pedro.91477@gmail.com

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Can he pick you up at the Airport? I thought not!

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No. Only Transporte Terrestre is allowed to pick you up at the airport. Pedro takes us TO the airport and anywhere else we want to go.

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No. Only Transporte Terrestre is allowed to pick you up at the airport. Pedro takes us TO the airport and anywhere else we want to go.

Can't they pick you up after you walk outside the parking lot by the combis?

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No. Only Transporte Terrestre is allowed to pick you up at the airport. Pedro takes us TO the airport and anywhere else we want to go.

Can't they pick you up after you walk outside the parking lot by the combis?

That's not cool.

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Do you tip a van ride if they travel 30 minutes?

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We tip only for extra service, such as carrying our luggage to the door.

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How wonderful your daughter is coming!

I would tell her to buy a ticket from the taxi counter, right outside the door on arrivals. She can pay in dollars with a pote Italy bad exchange rate, they have it posted. Pay with a credit card, they charge you the fee that the banks charges, I think 3%, or get pesos in any of the atms and pay in pesos.

As far as tipping, up to her. If they help with the luggage, I would.

Enjoy your time it’s her!

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