The Complete Guide to Using ATMs in Mexico

Using ATMs in Mexico is easy, but fees can sting: independent machines and high on-screen exchange rates eat into every withdrawal. Here is which cards work, which bank ATMs are cheapest, and how to dodge the worst charges.

If you’re moving or traveling to Mexico, understanding the ins and outs of using ATMs there is essential for convenient access to your funds.

This ensures you understand the potential fees and limitations associated with using a debit or credit card from another country while in Mexico, so you can decide whether to get a local card.

This article explores topics like which cards are accepted in Mexico, where you can use them, and how much you may pay to withdraw money, so you’re fully prepared for your move.

Inform Your Bank

Before traveling or moving to Mexico, you should always inform your bank so they don’t block your card when you attempt to use a foreign ATM.

Which ATM Cards are Accepted in Mexico?

Most international debit and credit cards, especially those affiliated with major networks like Visa and Mastercard, are generally recognized and can be used at any ATM throughout the country.

Here’s a list of cards that most ATMs in Mexico accept:

• Mastercard
• Visa
• American Express
• Maestro
• Discover
• Cirrus
• Plus
• UnionPay
• Diner’s Club
• JCB

Most ATMs have logos of the cards you can use on the actual machine, and many card companies have global ATM locators you can use to find an ATM that accepts your card.

Which ATMs Can You Use?

You can use any ATM in Mexico, but there are typically two types:

• Independent ATMs
• ATMs that belong to major banks.

The independent ones are more common, especially in touristy areas, but they generally charge higher fees, so using one from a major bank is a better option, as it also minimizes the risk of fraud.

If you live in Canada, the United States, or Europe, you may already have a card with one of the major banks in Mexico, such as BBVA, Scotiabank, and Santander, but even if you don’t, you should still be able to use their ATM.

Here’s a list of the other major banks in Mexico that may accept your credit or debit card:

• Banamex
• Banorte
• HSBC
• Banco Inbursa
• BBVA
• Scotiabank
• Santander

How to Withdraw Money Using an ATM in Mexico

Using an ATM in Mexico is a straightforward process, especially since you can change the language to English on most machines.

Here are the steps you can follow to withdraw money:

1. Locate an ATM: Start by finding an ATM, preferably one with a recognized bank in a well-lit area. Just look out for the words “Cajeros Automáticos.”
2. Insert your card: Find the slot for your credit or debit card and insert it.
3. Select language: Most ATMs offer language options, so you won’t need to bank in Spanish if you don’t speak the language yet.
4. Enter your PIN: Enter your PIN using the keypad to access your account.
5. Select withdrawal amount: Choose the desired amount in Mexican pesos to pay fewer conversion fees.
6. Choose account type: You may be given the option to choose between checking or savings if you’re using a debit card.
7. Take your money, receipt, and card: When the transaction is complete, don’t forget to take your cash, receipt (since it contains some of your personal information), and your card.

ATM Fees

ATM fees may be more expensive in Mexico compared to your home country, especially when using an international card.

To save money on ATM fees, it’s always better in Mexico to open a local bank account, transfer your money there, and withdraw it at the bank.

Please note that to open a bank account in Mexico, you need to be a resident here.

Here are two common fees you can expect:

Exchange Rate Fees

Banks and independent ATM owners typically set their own exchange rate, which often differs from the official rates.

This means you lose some money on the exchange when withdrawing pesos, and the markup can be steep. Scotiabank’s on-screen conversion, for example, has been reported as high as 12% worse than the market rate on a given day.

To minimize this loss, you should ALWAYS DECLINE the ATM’s exchange rate when it shows you a conversion.

Then, the exchange rate will be charged by your bank, which is normally much cheaper than the ATM exchange rate in Mexico.

How to Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

The pop-up asking “would you like to be charged in US dollars instead?” is called Dynamic Currency Conversion, or DCC. It looks convenient, since you see a familiar number before you commit.

It’s rarely a good deal. The ATM sets its own exchange rate for that conversion, and it’s typically 3 to 10% worse than the rate your own bank would give you. Decline it every time and let your home bank handle the conversion. The option to decline is usually the smaller or less obvious button on the screen.

If you’d rather sidestep ATMs altogether for currency conversion, a licensed exchange house (casa de cambio) is worth comparing on a big transaction.

Withdrawal Fees

Most ATMs charge a withdrawal fee for using a card outside their network. This means if you use a Scotiabank card from Canada at a Scotiabank ATM in Mexico, you won’t have to pay any withdrawal fees.

Everyone else can expect to pay roughly 25 to 200 pesos to withdraw their money, depending on the bank (see the fee comparison below). Banamex has long offered one of the better balances of low fees and availability, while BBVA and Scotiabank tend to charge the most of the major banks. If you’d rather not do the math at every machine, a US account like Charles Schwab’s checking account reimburses ATM fees worldwide, and it’s worth setting up before you fly.

Some ATMs charge a percentage of the money you withdraw instead, typically 1% of the amount you want to withdraw, but the machine will list the fee before you complete the transaction, so if it’s too high for your liking,
you can try another ATM.

Bank ATM Fee Comparison

Fees change often, sometimes machine to machine within the same bank, so treat these as ballpark figures rather than a fixed price list. Always read the fee screen before you confirm the withdrawal; if it looks off, cancel and try a different ATM.

Bank	Typical Fee to a Foreign Card	Notes
Banco Inbursa	~22 to 25 pesos (lowest)	Cheapest on paper, but more likely to reject foreign cards than other banks
Banamex	~30 to 35 pesos	Good balance of low fees and wide availability
Santander	~35 to 80 pesos	Fee varies more than most banks depending on the source; widely available
Banorte	~58 to 65 pesos	Reliable with foreign cards
HSBC	~65 to 75 pesos	Reliable with foreign cards
Scotiabank	~130 pesos	Also flagged for a poor on-screen exchange rate
BBVA	~175 to 200 pesos (highest)	Widest branch network in Mexico, but the most expensive of the major banks
Independent/tourist ATMs (Euronet and similar)	150 to 200+ pesos plus a poor exchange rate	Common in tourist zones and convenience stores; avoid when a bank ATM is nearby

Your own bank may add its own foreign-transaction or out-of-network fee on top of whatever the Mexican bank charges, so check that separately before you leave.

Best ATM to Use in Mexico

Best Debit Cards for ATM Fee Rebates in Mexico

If you’d rather not chase the cheapest bank ATM every time, the other route is a foreign debit card that refunds ATM fees and skips the foreign-transaction charge outright.

• Charles Schwab Investor Checking (US): no monthly fee, no foreign-transaction fee, and it reimburses ATM surcharges worldwide with no cap. It’s the card most frequently recommended by long-term expats in Mexico for this reason.
• Wise multi-currency card: holds pesos alongside other currencies at the mid-market rate, useful if you’re paid in a currency other than pesos and want to avoid conversion fees on top of ATM fees.
• Capital One 360 Checking (US): no foreign-transaction fee, though unlike Schwab it doesn’t reimburse the ATM’s own surcharge.

None of these replace a local account if you’re settling in Mexico long-term. Once you’re a resident, getting an RFC tax ID to open a Mexican bank account usually works out cheaper than paying any ATM fee, foreign or otherwise, especially once you factor in day-to-day living costs that add up over a year. Retirees keeping a foreign account running alongside a Mexican one should also see our notes on managing a US bank account safely from Mexico.

Withdrawal Limits

Per-transaction limits vary by bank and by machine, typically somewhere between 3,500 and 12,000 pesos. A few banks allow more at branch-attached ATMs. These limits change, so check the on-screen maximum before you commit to withdrawing from a particular machine.

If you need to take out more than that in a day, you may have to use multiple ATMs, but don’t forget that your home bank also sets a withdrawal limit.

Check with your bank to determine that limit before you travel, as your transactions will be rejected if you go over it unknowingly.

Where to Find ATMs in Mexico

ATMs are widespread in Mexico, especially in busy tourist spots. You can find them in airports, malls, bank branches, grocery stores, convenience stores like 7-11, gas stations, and even on the street, but it’s always best to use ATMs in well-lit areas to stay safe.

If you’re in the countryside or are just having trouble finding an ATM, use Google Maps to search for one. It may not bring up all the major ATMs in your area, but you should be able to find one that’s available.

ATM Safety and Avoiding Skimming

Card skimming is the real risk with Mexican ATMs, more than outright theft. Skimmers are small devices fitted over the real card slot that copy your card’s data, often paired with a hidden pinhole camera or a fake keypad overlay to capture your PIN.

• Use ATMs attached to a bank branch, not standalone machines in convenience stores, bars, or on the street. Bank-branch machines get checked and serviced far more often.
• Wiggle the card slot before inserting your card. A skimmer is usually loosely attached and will move; the real reader won’t.
• Cover the keypad with your other hand while entering your PIN, every time, regardless of who’s around.
• Avoid withdrawing at night or from an ATM in a poorly lit or empty area.
• Check your bank statement regularly rather than waiting for a monthly review, so you catch a fraudulent charge early.

None of this means Mexico’s ATMs are unusually dangerous; Mexico is safer for expats and travelers than the headlines suggest, and skimming happens at ATMs worldwide. It’s just worth the ten extra seconds of caution. If something about a machine looks off, walk to the next one. For the wider picture on scams targeting expats and tourists, see our rundown of common scams in Mexico.

Cardless and QR Code ATM Withdrawals

Several of the big Mexican banks, including BBVA, Santander, and Banorte, now let their own customers withdraw cash without a physical card. You open the bank’s app, generate a one-time code or QR code, and scan it at the ATM instead of inserting a card.

This mainly benefits people with a local Mexican bank account and a Mexican debit or credit card, since it’s built around that bank’s own app. If you’re withdrawing on a foreign card, you’ll still use the card slot as normal. The upside of cardless withdrawal, if you do have a local account, is that there’s no card slot for a skimmer to target.

Mexican ATM Cards

If you plan to stay in Mexico long-term, it may be easier to get a local debit card.

Opening a Bank Account

Opening a bank account in Mexico is fairly straightforward if you are a resident.

All you need to do is bring your government-issued ID (like a passport), proof of address, a local number for authentication purposes, and a Mexico resident card.

You may be required to provide a character reference as well, which you can obtain from your employer.

Take all these documents to a bank to open your account, and the teller will walk you through the necessary paperwork. Some banks require an opening deposit of 800 to 1,000 pesos, which you’ll later see in your account.

Once your account is set up, you can ask your employer to pay you directly into it, and you can also send money from home to your Mexican account, making it cheaper to withdraw cash as exchange rates and transfer rates will be lower.

Bank Withdrawal Limits

Most Mexican banks have fairly low daily withdrawal limits, ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 pesos, but if you need to take out more than that, you can go to the bank to do so.

You may also be able to call your bank and ask them to increase your daily limit, so you’re not constantly going back and forth to withdraw money.

ATM Fees

If you use an ATM in Mexico that belongs to the bank that issued your debit or credit card, you won’t have to pay any withdrawal fees. If you use another bank’s ATM, you may have to pay a small withdrawal fee, typically 1% of the amount you withdraw.

Lost or Stolen ATM Cards

Although losing an ATM card or having it stolen can be stressful, there’s an easy solution to the problem. Just call the bank, ask them to deactivate the card, and request a new one.

They may ask you to come in to show your ID and sign for a new card, but most Mexican banks will just send you a new one after confirming your identity.

What Happens if an ATM Eats Your Card?

Although it’s rare, an ATM may eat your card one day. This can happen for a number of reasons, like a simple technical issue, so don’t be scared.

If the ATM is attached to a bank, you can just go inside and ask them to remove your card from the machine. This happened to me in Playa del Carmen, and the workers were able to retrieve my card quickly.

If you use an independent ATM that isn’t attached to a bank, getting your card back may be more challenging, but not impossible.

Check the ATM for a customer service number and call it immediately while you’re still at the machine. Report the incident, giving the location of the ATM. If customer service can’t help you remotely, you may have to just get a new card.

Most banks will send your card to a different country if you’re traveling, so just call your home bank and explain the situation so they can send a new card out to Mexico.

Withdrawing Money without an ATM Card

If you lose your card or don’t have one, don’t worry. There are still ways to withdraw money, such as:

• Bank transfers: If you open a local account, you can transfer money from your home bank to your Mexican bank.
• Money transfer services: You can use international money transfer services, like Western Union or MoneyGram, to receive funds.
• Cash advances: If you have a credit card, you may be able to receive a cash advance from a bank or financial institution. However, this is not recommended since fees can be high. Only use it when necessary.

Now, on to You

Moving to a new country is already stressful; you don’t want to make it worse by having financial troubles as well. By understanding which cards are accepted, where to find ATMs, and being aware of associated fees and limits, you can withdraw and handle your money more effectively.

The key takeaways are always choosing an ATM in a well-lit area, preferably one that belongs to a bank, and always checking the ATM’s fees before you complete a transaction. Otherwise, you may be losing more money than you thought.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest bank ATM to use in Mexico for a foreign card?

Banco Inbursa and Banamex are usually the cheapest, both charging somewhere in the 20 to 35 peso range. Inbursa is the lowest on paper but rejects foreign cards more often than other banks, so keep a second bank in mind as backup.

Should I always decline the ATM’s currency conversion offer?

Yes. Choosing to be charged in pesos instead of your home currency avoids Dynamic Currency Conversion, which typically runs 3 to 10% worse than the rate your own bank will give you.

Is Citibanamex still called that?

No. Citigroup split its Mexican retail bank from its institutional business in December 2024 and has been selling down its stake since. The retail bank now operates simply as Banamex, not Citibanamex.

What’s the daily ATM withdrawal limit in Mexico?

Per-transaction limits run roughly 3,500 to 12,000 pesos depending on the bank and machine, and you can usually withdraw more than once a day. Your home bank’s own daily limit often kicks in first, so check that before you travel.

Is it safe to use ATMs in Mexico?

Generally yes, especially at ATMs attached to a bank branch. The main real risk is card skimming rather than robbery: check the card slot for anything loose, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and avoid standalone machines in poorly lit areas at night.

Can I use my US or Canadian debit card at a Mexican ATM?

Yes, as long as it’s on a major network like Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, or Plus, which covers most US and Canadian debit cards. Tell your bank you’re traveling beforehand so it doesn’t flag the withdrawal as suspicious and block your card.

Do Mexican ATMs offer cardless or QR code withdrawals?

Some do, including BBVA, Santander, and Banorte, but only for their own account holders using that bank’s app. If you’re withdrawing on a foreign card, you’ll still use the physical card slot.

Is a debit card with ATM fee rebates worth getting before I move to Mexico?

If you’ll be withdrawing cash regularly, yes. A card like Charles Schwab’s checking account reimburses ATM surcharges worldwide, which can save more over a year than hunting for the cheapest bank ATM every time.

Sources Cited

• Citigroup press release, December 2025 (“Citi Announces Successful Completion of the Sale of Equity Stake in Banamex”) – Primary source confirming Banamex split from Citi’s institutional Mexico business and now operates as “Banamex,” not “Citibanamex.”
• Nomadic Backpacker: Cheapest ATMs in Mexico (2026) – Independent tracker of current bank-by-bank ATM fees, used for the comparison table figures.
• ATM Withdrawal Fees Mexico (atm-fees.com) – Second independent fee and withdrawal-limit tracker, cross-checked against Nomadic Backpacker’s figures for the comparison table.