Best Place to Exchange Money in Guadalajara

01Exchange

Where to change money in Guadalajara

Guadalajara uses the Mexican peso (MXN). Exchange directories old and new list a run of casas de cambio (exchange houses) on Calle Manuel López Cotilla in the Zona Centro. Wise urges caution with street vendors and unofficial changers offering tempting-looking rates, and the UK Foreign Office says criminals in Mexico have targeted people using exchange offices, so pocket your pesos before leaving.

• Casas de cambio on Calle Manuel López Cotilla, Zona CentroSeveral exchange houses close together. Check two or three, and ask for the total in pesos before you hand over your notes.
• Bank cash machinesBanamex, BBVA, HSBC and other banks have machines across the city; their charges for non-customers are below.

02On arrival

Changing money at the airport

At Guadalajara airport (GDL), an independent directory updated in February 2026 lists 24-hour bank cash machines in Terminal 1 before security, and exchange counters in both arrivals halls and near the departure gates, the international arrivals one open around the clock. Wise says airport and hotel exchanges are handy but tend to cost more. For the ride into town, the UK Foreign Office advises using only authorised pre-paid airport taxis.

03Cash machines and cards

ATMs and cards in Guadalajara

Mexican banks charge non-customers to use their machines: Condusef's December 2025 figures, reported by El Informador in March 2026, show 26.50 pesos at Banamex, 29.50 at BBVA, 30.90 at HSBC and 25 to 40 at Multiva, excluding VAT. These are for Mexican cards, so a UK card may be charged differently, and your own bank may add a fee. When a Guadalajara cash machine or restaurant card reader gives you the choice of pounds or pesos, take pesos; a conversion done at the till or machine often costs more than your card's rate. The Foreign Office favours machines inside shops or shopping centres, by day, for modest sums. Not every business takes cards, so ask first.

04Getting around

Paying for transport in Guadalajara

Mi Movilidad, the city's transport card, costs 30 pesos and covers every Mi Tren light-rail line, Mi Macro Calzada and Mi Transporte buses. Machines at Mi Tren Line 1, 2 and 3 stations and Mi Macro Calzada stations sell and reload it, taking 20- to 200-peso notes and coins; OXXO shops reload it too. For a single Mi Tren trip, the machines print an 11-peso Univiaje QR ticket. TV Azteca reported in February 2025 that Mi Macro Periférico, the ring-road bus line, takes the card and QR payment via the Hoozie app.

05Local know-how

Good to know

• Afar's Mexico tipping guide (updated July 2026) gives 15 per cent as the usual restaurant tip in the country's interior, which includes Guadalajara. Taxi drivers don't expect one, but 10 or 20 pesos is a kind gesture if they carry your bags or stop so you can buy something.
• Around town, the Foreign Office recommends 'sitio' taxis from authorised ranks, or one ordered by your hotel.