Pemex and Credit Cards

[lbassi]

We have been joined with our friends who will travel with us to Mazatlan next week. In a recent conversation they said they were told 3 years ago while on the Copper Canyon tour, that Pemex stations do not accept credit cards. I would appreciate any information that anyone can provide. Thanks. Larry

[cliosf]

My brother and I traveled from Nogales to Mazatlan (and back!) over Christmas break, and still we didn't find a Pemex that has a credit card reader. There are a few places that will accept a card, but it seems to be a big hassle. My brother used his in Ciudad Obregon, if I recall correctly, and last year (same trip) I used mine in Mazatlan. But they have to make a slip (the old-fashioned way) and the person who pumped the gas had to take the card to a cashier. We could be wrong about this next, but it also seemed that the gas pumper is liable for the gas he pumps and he won't get paid until/unless the credit card clears and then he gets his $$ from the cashier. Sort of like how a cocktail server starts with a "bank" and then whatever is left over at the end of the shift is what she earns.

On the trip last year, I noticed several new Pemex stations under construction, and I wondered if they would have card readers installed. It seemed that the same places were STILL under construction this trip, too.

Take cash. It's really not difficult to use. Gas prices were slightly higher than the US "bargain" stations (Love's, Flying J) this year; but last winter they were quite a bit lower. I'm just saying-- a fill-up costs about the same, so you can figure out how much you'll need to spend based on how many fill-ups you'll need. Convert to pesos, and put the cash in your "gas wallet!" (We also kept a "toll wallet.")

Hope this helps.

[lbassi]

Thanks for the information about Pemex. I will make sure I keep a stash for gas money available. Larry

[anthony]

thats a good question, it safer to take some cash for tolls and gas..... some toll stations dont take dollars. i will add that if you are from the usa and have a bank of america account, you can go to a SCOTIA BANK in mexico and you will not be charged any withdrawal fees.......... and their atm's allow 3,000 pesos withdrawal at a time....
i hate to say it but with the peso at 14.00 this weekend, its great for all the tourist that come down to mexico.......