Banks, ATMs, Money Exchange

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Financial resources

Using your debit or credit card in the ATM is the safest way to take care of your money while traveling, as well as giving you an excellent rate of exchange. If you use Travelers Checks, be sure to keep a clear record of your check numbers so that they can be replaced in case of theft or loss. Cash should only be carried in small amounts and only as necessary. You will be required to present a valid passport and sometimes a second ID at banks and exchange houses in order to exchange travelers checks. Many of the banks in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo will not exchange dollars or travelers checks unless you have a bank account with them, therefore using an exchange house becomes necessary.

Mexican Currency

Many of the local hotels and restaurants will accept dollar cash (bills only), but the rate of exchange is, as a rule, not very good, so this option should be used only if you have no other method of payment available.

Travelers Checks are issued by American Express, Citicorp and Visa. Below are contact numbers for companies issuing travelers checks and major credit cards should you lose your checks or require credit card replacement while in Mexico:

• American Express: Mexico 001 866 247 6878, USA (1) 801 964 6665 (collect) (travelers checks or credit card replacement)
• Visa Travelers Checks: Mexico 001-800-257-3381
• Visa Credit Cards: Mexico 001-800-847-2911
• MasterCard: Latin America/Caribbean/Mexico: 001-800-307-7309

ATMs

ATM machines are located in many areas around town, attached to the individual banks as well as inside the Comercial Mexicana supermarket and at the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo airport.

Banks

Ixtapa

• Banamex – Centro Com. Los Arcos, 16/16A, Ixtapa. Tel. (755) 553-0405, 553-0470
• BBVA Bancomer – Plaza Don Juan Ixtapa. Tel. (755) 553-0140, 443-0228 Los Portales s/n. Tel (755) 553-1670
• HSBC – Blvd. Ixtapa s/n (in the Hotel Riviera), Ixtapa. Tel. (755) 553-0642, 553-0646
• Banco Santander/Serfin – Blvd. Ixtapa s/n. (755) 553-3293

Zihuatanejo

• Banamex – Calle Ejido 1, Zihuatanejo Centro, across from Tamales Any. Tel. (755) 554-2656
• Banco Azteca is located in Mega-Elektra (Av. Morelos), in Salinas y Rocha on Los Mangos 5-B (behind the market) and in Elektra, on Benito Juarez street in downtown Zihuatanejo
• Banorte – Benito Juarez 15, Zihuatanejo. Tel. (755) 554-3292, 554-4900
• BBVA/Bancomer – Benito Juarez & Nicolás Bravo, Zihuatanejo Centro. Tel. (755) 554-0670, 554-7491
• HSBC  – H. Colegio Militar s/n, Zihuatanejo. Tel. (755) 554-5475
• Santander/Serfin, Av. Benito Juarez and Calle Los Mangos, next to Municipal Market, Zihuatanejo. Tel. (755) 554-3941
• ScotiaBank/Inverlat – Benito Juarez s/n, Zihuatanejo Centro. Tel. (755) 554-9355

Money Exchange Houses

• Intercam – Paseo Garzas s/n, Ixtapa. Tel. (755) 553-0510, 553-0550 – a foreign exchange brokerage specializing in international payments and portfolio management for international trade activities.
• Central de Cambio Guiball – Galeana 4, Zihuatanejo Centro. Tel. (755) 554-3622
• Multi Divisas Sol y Mar, Ejido 18, Zihuatanejo Centro. Tel. (755) 554-8388