For experienced travelers to Mexico

[XemaSab]

I am planning to go to Oaxaca and Chiapas for two weeks in December. I'm hoping to do the trip low-medium budget. I don't want to stay in the roach motel, but the Casa de Mucho Dinero's not on the menu either.

How much money should I have? In checking, savings, and on me?

Advice, please?

[Danger Mouse]

1. Be careful. Things seem pretty bad in Mexico right now. That's the best advice I can give...

protect yourself.

[elleng]

2. Check with nadinbrez. . .

She's got family there.

[Kali]

3. about 15% less than you would do here for the same level of service/comfort

Mexico hasn't been a huge bargain in a long time - there are still some things, like bus travel that are quite a bit cheaper and MUCH better than the US, but food and lodging have gone up. Best thing to do is get friendly with a local and rent a bed plus meals for $15 - 20/day.

I wouldn't carry wads of cash either, depending on your bank's fees ATMs are the way to exchange and keep your funds safe - kind of depends on how rural you are going to get, but any town with a bank has ATMs.

[grasswire]

4. watch out for bedbugs

it's a global epidemic for travelers.

[mike_c]

5. I just use the ATM machines in banks, just like in the US....

If you have a debit card with one of the usual, major service chains (you know, those symbols on the card other than VISA etc), it'll work at just about any mexican bank with an ATM. I usually keep a couple of hundred dollars in pesos just to make sure I always have cash on hand, then visit ATMs for refills as needed.

It's fun to see your balance in pesos!

We routinely travel through Baja and Chiapas with a couple of thou in the bank. Depends on your style, of course. We camp a lot.

If you're driving, make sure you buy Mexican insurance BEFORE you go. It's been a few years since I drove on the mainland, so I don't know about current restrictions/costs for taking vehicles across the border. Haven't been any issues in Baja.

on edit: If you're going to Chiapas, I highly recommend San Cristobal, the cheese in Ocosingo, and the butterflies at Aqua Azul. If you visit Palenque, stay at the Mayabelle campground below the ruins, if it's still there. Wake up with howler monkeys. Funky and nice, and if you ask around nicely, the gringo trail old hands will tell you how to score a bag of mushrooms from the local indigenous folks. A fine way to spend a sunny afternoon!