Do we really need traveler’s cheques these days, now that we have credit cards, and there are ATMs on every corner? I figure the more methods for obtaining local currency, the better, so I have a few traveler’s cheques with me. Not many, but a few. In US dollars.

Last year in Mexico, I discovered that the money changers in Oaxaca would not accept traveler’s cheques in Canadian dollars! This is strange, they will accept cash in Canadian dollars, and Mexico is supposed to be in the same tracking block as Canada and the US. Try telling the money changers that, they are not interested.

I am very glad I have traveler’s cheques on hand. I am embarrassed to find I have insufficient cash to pay my hotel bill in Ek Balam. There is no bank in this tiny village. It would surprise me if any of the residents even had a bank account. The remedy to this situation is appealing: a 150 peso taxi trip to Valladolid, and probably about two hours of my time.

Luckily, Lee accepts my traveler’s cheque, although this comes at some cost and hassle to her. I pay her for her costs.

Traveler’s cheques still have their place in the traveler’s financial tool-kit!

Last Modified : January 14th, 2007
Filed under : Mexico 2006
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