- Remitly — bank deposit or cash pickup
- Xoom — bank deposit or cash pickup
- Wise — bank deposit (often the best exchange rate)
- PayPal — only if the person already has an account
- Bank wire — for large or formal payments, like property
Banking / Money
How to send money from the U.S. to Mexico
Send money from the U.S. to Mexico with an app — to a bank account, or to a store for cash pickup.
Choose your transfer method
Understand It
- You will need a bank account or debit card to pay, plus the recipient's full name exactly as it appears on their bank account or ID.
- Bank deposit requires the correct CLABE (the 18-digit number that identifies a Mexican bank account) and the recipient name exactly as shown on their account.
- Cash pickup requires the recipient to show matching identification at the pickup location.
- Fees and exchange rates vary. Compare the final pesos the person will receive, not just the fee. A "$0 fee" offer can still have a worse exchange rate.
- If you pay with a credit card, the issuer may treat it as a cash advance and charge extra fees.
Bank deposit
- Open Remitly, Xoom or Wise.
- Choose Mexico and pesos (MXN).
- Choose bank deposit.
- Enter their name and CLABE exactly as shown on their bank account.
- Check the final pesos they will receive, then pay.
Cash pickup
- Open Remitly or Xoom and choose cash pickup.
- Enter their name exactly as shown on their ID.
- Choose a pickup network (OXXO, Elektra, Walmart).
- Pay for the transfer.
- Send them the pickup code.
Done
- Save the confirmation number or receipt.
- For bank deposit, check that the recipient received the funds.
- For cash pickup, share the pickup code with the recipient. They will need it and a matching ID to collect the money.
Tulum Sorted Tip
Before paying someone in Tulum, ask: "Bank transfer or cash?" If they prefer cash, a Remitly or Xoom pickup may work.
Spanish words you may see
- Transferencia bancaria — Bank transfer
- Pago en efectivo — Cash payment
- Retiro en efectivo — Cash pickup
- ¿Aceptas transferencia? — Do you accept bank transfer?
- ¿Prefieres transferencia o efectivo? — Do you prefer bank transfer or cash?