ATM & Cash Guide
Know where and how to get cash, avoid fees, and pay smart in every host country
Payment Culture by Country
United States
US Dollar (USD) ($)
The US is heavily card-based. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small vendors. Many places accept Apple Pay and Google Pay. Cash is rarely required but useful for tips and small purchases.
Cash Needed
Low — carry $50-100 for tips and small purchases
Contactless Payments
Widely available at major retailers, restaurants, and transit systems
Best ATMs
- Chase Bank
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Citibank (in-branch ATMs)
Avoid These ATMs
- Bodega/convenience store ATMs ($3-5 fees)
- Casino ATMs
- Standalone ATMs in tourist areas
- Euronet ATMs
Key Tips
- Most US ATMs charge $2.50-$3.50 per transaction for non-customers
- Use in-bank ATMs to avoid skimmers and extra fees
- Contactless tap-to-pay is common at most retailers
- Dollar bills come in $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 — $20s are most practical
Canada
Canadian Dollar (CAD) (C$)
Canada is one of the most cashless-friendly countries in the world. Contactless payment (tap) is universal. Even small vendors and food trucks accept cards. Cash is rarely needed.
Cash Needed
Very Low — carry C$50 for tips and small purchases
Contactless Payments
Excellent — Interac Flash, Visa/Mastercard contactless accepted almost everywhere
Best ATMs
- Scotiabank (part of Global ATM Alliance)
- CIBC
- TD Bank
- RBC
Avoid These ATMs
- White-label ATMs in convenience stores ($2-4 fees)
- Currency exchange kiosks at airports
Key Tips
- Canada eliminated the penny — prices are rounded to nearest 5 cents for cash
- Canadian $1 (loonie) and $2 (toonie) are coins, not bills
- Canadian bills are polymer (plastic) and very colorful — don't mistake denominations
- Scotiabank ATMs are fee-free for many international bank partnerships
Mexico
Mexican Peso (MXN) (MX$)
Mexico uses significantly more cash than the US or Canada, especially outside tourist zones. Cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and chain stores, but street food, taxis, markets, and small shops are cash-only.
Cash Needed
High — carry 1,000-3,000 MXN ($50-150 USD equivalent)
Contactless Payments
Limited — available at larger chains and modern restaurants, but not widespread
Best ATMs
- Citibanamex (Citi-affiliated)
- HSBC Mexico
- Scotiabank Mexico
- Banorte (in-branch ATMs)
Avoid These ATMs
- Standalone ATMs in tourist areas
- ATMs that offer "dynamic currency conversion" — always choose pesos
- ATMs outside at night
Key Tips
- ALWAYS decline the ATM's exchange rate (DCC) — choose to be charged in pesos
- Withdraw pesos from ATMs rather than exchanging cash at currency booths
- Street food and markets are almost exclusively cash — carry small bills
- Mexican coins can look similar — familiarize yourself with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 peso coins
- Some ATMs dispense 500 peso notes — these can be hard to break at small shops
Cash Needs by City
| City | Cash Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Low | Almost entirely card-friendly. Cash useful for food carts and tips. |
| Los Angeles | Low | Card-dominant. Some food trucks and smaller taquerias prefer cash. |
| Dallas | Low | Card-friendly. Cash useful for BBQ joints and local spots. |
| Miami | Low-Medium | Some Cuban and Latin restaurants prefer cash. Little Havana is more cash-oriented. |
| Houston | Low | Card-friendly. Some diverse food spots in ethnic neighborhoods prefer cash. |
| Atlanta | Low | Very card-friendly. Cash for tips and small vendors. |
| Philadelphia | Low | Card-friendly. Cash for cheesesteak spots and Reading Terminal Market. |
| Seattle | Low | Very tech-forward and card-friendly. Pike Place Market mostly takes cards. |
| San Francisco | Low | Extremely card-friendly. Some places are card-only. |
| Kansas City | Low | Card-friendly. Cash for BBQ joints and local spots. |
| Boston | Low | Card-friendly. Massachusetts law requires businesses to accept cash. |
| Mexico City | High | Street food, markets, and many taxis are cash-only. Tourist restaurants take cards. |
| Guadalajara | High | Cash is king outside of malls and hotel restaurants. Bring plenty of pesos. |
| Monterrey | High | More modern than other Mexican cities but still very cash-oriented for daily purchases. |
| Toronto | Very Low | Extremely cashless-friendly. Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere. |
| Vancouver | Very Low | One of the most cashless cities in the world. Card/tap accepted nearly everywhere. |
How to Avoid Fees
Get a no-foreign-transaction-fee card
Cards like Charles Schwab debit, Wise, or Revolut refund ATM fees and charge no foreign transaction fees. Apply weeks before your trip.
ALWAYS choose local currency at ATMs
When an ATM asks if you want to be charged in your home currency, ALWAYS say NO. Choose pesos/USD/CAD. This avoids Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) markup of 3-8%.
Use in-bank ATMs only
ATMs inside bank branches are safer (fewer skimmers) and often have lower fees than standalone machines.
Withdraw larger amounts less frequently
Each withdrawal incurs a fee. Take out larger amounts to minimize the number of transactions.
Avoid airport currency exchange
Airport exchange rates are typically 5-15% worse than ATMs or market rates. Only exchange a small amount for immediate needs.
Notify your bank before traveling
Tell your bank your travel dates and destinations to prevent fraud blocks on your cards abroad.
Carry cards from multiple networks
Bring both Visa and Mastercard. Some ATMs or merchants may only accept one network. Amex has limited acceptance in Mexico.
Use Wise or Revolut for best exchange rates
Fintech cards offer mid-market exchange rates with no markup. Load them before your trip and use them for purchases.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Warning
When an ATM or card terminal asks: "Would you like to be charged in your home currency?" — ALWAYS select NO. Choose to pay in the local currency (USD, CAD, or MXN). DCC adds a hidden markup of 3-8% on top of the exchange rate.
Wrong Choice
"Charge me in EUR/GBP/AUD" — You pay 3-8% extra
Right Choice
"Charge me in USD/CAD/MXN" — Your bank gives you the real rate