It is quite possible to visit Cancun without using Mexican currency. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, and prices are often quoted in U.S. currency. If you obtain money from an ATM in Cancun, you will receive U.S. dollars or pesos according to your choice. If you plan to travel to other parts of the Yucatan, pesos may prove more useful (though U.S. dollars are widely accepted in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and other resort areas). Always take small denominations of pesos to the more rural parts of the Yucatan because it's often tricky to cash traveler's checks or large bills.
Be careful using ATMs: ATM customers are inviting targets for thieves, although muggings are infrequent in Cancun. If you need to change foreign currency or traveler's checks, the best exchange rates are found at banks in Ciudad Cancun; the worst rates are at the airport or at hotels. Banks are generally open Monday-Friday 9 am-1:30 pm. Some are open on Saturday as well. Privately owned exchange booths or casas de cambio in Ciudad Cancun and at shopping centers in the Hotel Zone offer slightly lower rates than banks. However, exchange booths are open longer hours and seldom have lines. Most will exchange both U.S. and Canadian dollars as well as traveler's checks.
Taxes
The government of Mexico charges a value-added sales tax of 15% on virtually all transactions in the state of Quintana Roo. In most cases, it's included in the price quoted. Visitors cannot obtain refunds on any taxes.
Tipping
Plan to arrive in Cancun with 10-20 US$1 bills for tipping. US$2 per bag is sufficient for an airport porter or hotel bellhop. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip. In restaurants, 15% is the general rule.
