I think you'll find that most major hotels - even if you aren't staying in one - will be happy to change your traveler's checks. Bring ID with you.

Dude. NO. Pain in the ass. I took them (this is circa 1997) and whenever I tried to cash them they'd tell me that no, it wasn't my signature. And it was. But I'd already signed it, and you have to sign in front of them to be able to cash it. Eventually my hotel took the checks I'd signed. I'd never ever deal with traveler's checks in Mexico again.

Also: the exchange rate at the hotel was highway robbery.

I have not used traveler's checks in years. I think, although, in PV and surroundings, they would not be a hassle because the place is crawling with Americans.

I have gotten pesos out of atm machines down there a lot, and that is the best way to get a good exchange rate, but I also have not had a problem, by luck.

I would be leery also, if what happened to you happened to me.

So, since PV is far from the hinterlands down there, I think that Amex Traveler's Cheques would be fine.

But I'd already signed it, and you have to sign in front of them to be able to cash it. Eventually my hotel took the checks I'd signed.

I'm confused. Aren't you supposed to have one signature already on the check, and then sign the space for the second signature in front of the people who are cashing it?

We used them in Mexico and had no troubles at all.

I'm confused. Aren't you supposed to have one signature already on the check, and then sign the space for the second signature in front of the people who are cashing it?

Yes, and when she provided the second signature, they would say that no, it didn't match the first. Then what do you do, as the check is already signed, so no one else will take it (because you didn't sign it in front of them).

Exactly what Eide said.

Ah, got it. Some people sign both places before traveling; I thought that's what you had done.

scody, another option is a prepaid Visa debit card thingy. (Do those have some sort of actual name?) That gives you access to ATMs, the convenience of a credit card, and no access to your bank account (or dings on your credit report) if stolen. I know there are fees associated with them, though.

Though I just reread the question and it seems you already have the travelers' checks, so never mind. I will stop posting now. :-)

Actually, we don't have the checks yet! We're not leaving till Sunday morning, so I was going to get them tomorrow or Saturday. The prepaid Visa debit card thingy (I would love it if that was the official term) sounds interesting, but I suspect I couldn't get one in the next 48 hours. Good for future reference, though!

I've used them in Guatemala and Dominican Republic, in some fairly off-the-beaten-path areas, so I say go for it. After losing several hundred dollars' worth, and having them quickly and painlessly refunded, I'm a pretty big believer in travelers' checks.

I seem to recall that you can buy Visa Prepaid cards in the gift card section at some supermarkets.

scody, it would look like it's a Visa TravelMoney card that I'm talking about (though it's a little unclear how it's different from a regular Visa Gift Card, though it does say that some of the Gift Cards can't be used outside the US, but some of them can, so.... anyway). The website shows that the TravelMoney cards are, as mdonley said, available in a bunch of supermarkets.

The site seems to conveniently leave off any mention of exchange rates, ATM fees, foreign-currency fees, etc., so I don't know how it would compare to traveler's checks.

Though I haven't traveled internationally for a while, I generally would put a bit of "emergency money" in traveler's checks (figuring if I got mugged or whatever, they'd be the quickest to be replaced) and rely on my debit card for the rest. So you could probably also do some sort of "cover all your bases" split thing to, if you wanted to get complicated with it.

And in case you haven't seen it, a Lonely Planet Thorn Tree thread on travelers'/travellers checks/cheques in Mexico.

Hey, that TravelMoney card looks excellent -- and the fact that I can evidently get one down the street at the grocery store is perfect. I had no idea these even existed. Thanks, occhiblu!

You're welcome!