How much cash can I take to Mexico?

Many travelers wonder how much cash they can bring when heading to Mexico for vacation, business, or to visit family. Whether you plan to relax on the beaches of Cancún, explore the streets of Mexico City, or visit loved ones in Guadalajara, knowing the cash rules helps you avoid unnecessary trouble.

Mexico does allow travelers to bring cash, but there are clear legal declaration limits – and practical safety concerns you shouldn’t ignore. Bringing a reasonable amount is perfectly fine; however, carrying large sums without declaring them can lead to fines or confiscation.

Without further ado, let’s break down how much money you can take to Mexico, how to declare it if needed, and smart tips to handle your travel funds safely.

How much cash can you take to Mexico? 

Wondering how much cash can I bring into Mexico without getting into trouble?

According to Mexican customs law (Servicio de Administración Tributaria¹, or SAT) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection² (CBP) regulations, travelers can bring up to $10,000 USD³ (or its equivalent in other currencies) into Mexico without declaring it.

However, if you carry more than $10,000, you must declare the full amount when entering the country by filling out the customs declaration form, known as the “Declaración de Aduana.”

Consider the example:

Let’s say you bring $12,000 in cash.  In that case, you have to declare that you hold that amount on the form. Even if only $2,000 is above the limit, you must report the entire $12,000 – not just the excess. Failing to declare could lead to the confiscation of your money or significant fines.

This rule applies not only to U.S. dollars but also to foreign currencies, checks, and bearer bonds. For instance, if you have $5,000 in U.S. dollars and €6,000 in euros (equivalent to around $6,939 USD), your total exceeds the limit, and you’ll need to declare it.

On the contrary, there are no restrictions on digital transfers. That means if you need to send larger amounts for business, family, or property payments, you can use BOSS Money to send money to Mexico quickly and safely – without dealing with customs paperwork or risk.

What happens if you exceed the cash limit? 

If you bring over USD 10,000 (or its equivalent) and fail to declare it, there can be serious implications.

A declaration means filling in a form on arrival in Mexico, which discloses the amount of cash (or monetary instruments) you are carrying. For Mexico, if you are carrying more than USD 10,000, you must declare this amount to customs.⁴

If you didn’t, here are the potential consequences:

• If you fail to declare the amount when required, you may face confiscation of the money exceeding the limit, and fines of 20 % to 40 %⁵ of the excess above USD 10,000. 
• In more severe cases — especially if amounts exceed USD 30,000 (or if the authorities suspect illegal origin) — one could face imprisonment ranging from 3 months to 6 years⁶ (or even 5-15 years) plus the seizure of funds.
• Customs officials in Mexico may ask for proof of the lawful origin of the funds. If you cannot provide a legitimate source or purpose, further investigation may be conducted.

It’s not just cash notes — foreign currency, checks, bearer bonds, or monetary instruments count. Splitting large sums among travelers in your group to avoid declaration may be considered smuggling and flagged. 

Given these risks, many travelers prefer to cruise well under the threshold or use digital alternatives (such as sending money via a reputable service like BOSS Money) rather than carrying large cash sums.

Can you use U.S. dollars in Mexico?

Many travelers who plan a trip to Mexico often ask a recurring question: Does Mexico accept U.S. dollars, and do I need pesos in Mexico?

Let’s explore each:

Mexico does accept US Dollars – but with a few caveats.  U.S. dollars are widely accepted in many tourist areas, particularly in resort towns such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Cabo San Lucas, as well as in major cities like Mexico City, where merchants often cater to U.S. travelers. 

However:

• Outside affluent or tourist-heavy zones, many local vendors prefer pesos and may refuse USD or offer poor conversion when accepting it. 
• Even when USD is accepted, the exchange rate offered by the merchant may be unfavorable compared to what you’d get by converting currency or withdrawing pesos locally. 
• Some large hotels or resorts⁷ may no longer accept USD cash for stays, or may require you to pay in pesos (or convert them). 

While Mexico does accept U.S. dollars in many places, it’s still better to use pesos for everyday purchases.

How much cash should you bring for your trip?

Now that you know ‘how much money can you take to Mexico,’ let’s talk about the practical side — how much money should I take to Mexico? 

The answer depends on where you go, how long you stay, and what kind of traveler you are. A good rule of thumb is to bring a mix of cash and cards – enough pesos for small, everyday expenses and your credit or debit card for larger purchases.

Here’s a quick example budget:

Always carry smaller bills for convenience – $20s, $50s, and $100s in USD, or 200- and 500-peso notes in pesos. Many local businesses won’t have change for large denominations.

While credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and stores in big cities, you’ll still need cash for taxis, markets, street food, and small shops. 

ATMs are also widely available, especially in tourist areas and malls, so you can withdraw pesos as needed instead of carrying too much upfront.

Declaring cash and practical tips

If you’re traveling with over $10,000 in cash or its equivalent, declaring it is as simple as long as you know the steps.

The process typically includes:

• Filling out the customs declaration form (Declaración de Aduana) and a specific “Declaration of entering or leaving with amounts in cash or receivable documents” if you are above the threshold. 
• Declare both incoming and outgoing amounts over the limit.
• Keep receipts or proof for currency exchange, and documents proving the source of funds, if requested.
• Do not attempt to split large amounts among travelers to evade the threshold — customs agencies regard this as attempted smuggling or evasion and may penalize accordingly. 

Quick checklist for carrying cash

Here’s a quick declaration and safety checklist to follow:

• Bring the cash you intend to carry, count it, and note the approximate value in USD (or equivalent) before travel.
• If above USD 10,000 (or equivalent), declare it honestly upon arrival.
• Have documents/receipts showing the source of funds if feasible (bank withdrawal slip).
• Avoid splitting large sums just to avoid declaration – this can look like structuring/smuggling.
• Use a money transfer service if you need to send larger funds ahead of a trip (rather than bringing huge amounts of cash).
• Keep your cash and cards in secure places (money belt, hidden pouch). Limit the amount you carry on your person.

If you’re worried about carrying large sums in cash – or you’re staying a while and need funds – consider sending money electronically instead of physically transporting it. 

For example, reliable services like BOSS Money offer a secure way to send money to Mexico without the risks of carrying large amounts of cash, and the same legal declaration requirements for physical cash don’t apply to digital transfers. 

Using digital transfers can provide transparency, better exchange rate control, and less risk of loss or theft.

How to avoid extra fees and bad rates

When traveling to Mexico, knowing where and how to exchange your money can save you a surprising amount. Exchange rates and hidden fees can quickly eat into your travel budget, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Conclusion

There you have it! Now you know how much cash can you bring to Mexico. To put it simply, you can bring up to $10,000 USD (or equivalent) into Mexico without declaring it. Anything above that must be declared on arrival using the Declaración de Aduana form.

While U.S. dollars are accepted in major tourist destinations, it’s better to use Mexican pesos for everyday transactions to get fair rates. Always carry a reasonable mix of cash and cards, and avoid holding large sums to minimize risk.

If you need to transfer larger amounts or support family back home, consider sending money digitally in place of carrying it physically.

With BOSS Money, you can send money to Mexico easily, securely, and at transparent exchange rates – no customs forms, no extra fees, and total peace of mind.

Travel smart, stay safe, and enjoy your time in Mexico knowing your money is handled the right way.

Sources: all third party information obtained from applicable website as of November 3, 2025

1. https://start-ops.com.mx/sat-in-mexico-the-tax-administration-service/
2. https://www.cbp.gov/
3. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/money
4. https://anam.gob.mx/declaracion-de-dinero-ing/
5. https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/montreal/index.php/en/foreigners/services-foreigners/407-what-objects-can-i-bring-in-my-luggage-to-mexico#:~:text=If%20you%20enter%20or%20leave,40%25%20of%20the%20exceeding%20amount.
6. https://anam.gob.mx/declaracion-de-dinero-ing/#:~:text=Note:%20Should%20you%20fail%20to,operation%20with%20illegally%20obtained%20resources.
7. https://www.mexperience.com/buying-pesos-exchanging-foreign-currency-in-mexico/

This article is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to address every aspect of the matters discussed herein. The information in this article is not intended as specific personal advice. The information in this article does not constitute legal, tax, regulatory or other professional advice from IDT Payment Services, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “IDT”), and should not be taken or used as such by any individual. IDT makes no representation, warranty or guaranty, whether express or implied, that the content in this article is current, accurate, or complete. You should obtain professional or other substantive advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the information in this article.