Tulum may have modern restaurants, apps, card terminals and online banking, but cash is still a major part of everyday life here.

Mexico remains highly cash-oriented. According to Mexico's 2024 National Financial Inclusion Survey, cash continues to be the most frequently used payment method for most everyday purchases.

That doesn't mean cards and bank transfers aren't used. They are. But if you live in Tulum, relying completely on cards can make everyday life unnecessarily difficult.

Where You're Likely to Need Cash

Cash comes up regularly when paying:

  • Cleaners, gardeners and maintenance workers
  • Contractors and repair technicians
  • Tips
  • Small local shops and vendors
  • Markets and roadside stands
  • Delivery drivers
  • Parking and small purchases
  • Independent service providers

Some people may not have a traditional Mexican bank account. Others simply prefer cash.

Even businesses that normally accept cards can temporarily become cash-only when a terminal, internet connection or payment system isn't working.

Cards and Transfers Are Growing

Mexico is changing.

Debit and credit cards, banking apps and electronic SPEI transfers are increasingly common.

So Tulum is not "cash only."

A better way to think about it is:

Cash + card + bank transfer all coexist.

If you live here, it helps to be prepared to use all three.

Keep Some Smaller Peso Bills

You don't need to carry a huge amount of cash.

But having a few smaller bills available can save a lot of hassle.

MXN $20, $50, $100 and $200 notes are especially useful for tips, smaller purchases and everyday services.

A MXN $500 bill may be harder for a small vendor or worker to change, especially early in the day.

Coins are useful too.

Paying Local Workers

Before someone starts a job, it's worth asking how they want to be paid.

You may hear:

  • Efectivo — Cash
  • Transferencia — Bank transfer

If the person doesn't have a bank account, another option may be sending money for cash pickup through a service such as Remitly or Xoom.

This can be especially useful if your own money is still sitting in a U.S. or Canadian bank account.

How to Send Money from the U.S. to Mexico

What If You Run Out of Pesos?

It happens surprisingly easily.

You may have plenty of money available — just not physically in Mexico.

Depending on your setup, you can:

  • Withdraw pesos from an ATM
  • Transfer money into your Mexican bank account
  • Send yourself a cash-pickup transfer
  • Use a card where accepted

Having more than one way to access money is much easier than depending on a single ATM or card.

A Word About Cash Safety

Cash is useful, but there's no reason to carry large amounts unnecessarily.

Keep enough for normal daily needs and use bank transfers or other traceable payment methods when appropriate for larger transactions.

For larger service payments, deposits, construction work or other significant expenses, keep a receipt or other proof of payment.

Spanish You'll Hear

  • ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you accept cards?
  • ¿Solo efectivo? — Cash only?
  • ¿Aceptan transferencia? — Do you accept bank transfers?
  • ¿Tienes cambio? — Do you have change?
  • Efectivo — Cash
  • Cambio — Change

Tulum Sorted Note

If you come from somewhere where you rarely carry cash, Tulum takes a little adjustment.

Our basic rule: Have pesos. Have a card. Have a way to transfer money.

You don't need a wallet full of cash — just enough that a cash-only situation doesn't turn into a problem.