¡Bienvenido a un nuevo país! Tienes tu maleta, tu pasaporte y muchas ganas de explorar. Pero para tomar un taxi, comprar una botella de agua o disfrutar de la comida local, necesitas dinero del país. ¿Cómo lo consigues? Las dos opciones más comunes son la 'casa de cambio' y el 'cajero automático'. En una casa de cambio, puedes cambiar tu dinero (por ejemplo, dólares o euros) por la moneda local. En un cajero automático, usas tu tarjeta del banco para sacar dinero directamente. Saber cómo hablar en estas situaciones es muy importante. Te ayuda a conseguir el dinero que necesitas de forma segura y a entender el proceso. Esta guía te enseña las frases clave para que te sientas con más confianza. Con un poco de español, manejar tu dinero en el extranjero es mucho más fácil.
Where is a currency exchange office?
Use this when you arrive at an airport or are in a city center and need to find a place to exchange money.
Is there an ATM around here?
A more informal way to ask for an ATM nearby. 'Por aquí' means 'around here'.
I would like to exchange dollars / euros.
This is the polite and direct way to state your intention when you approach the counter at a 'casa de cambio'.
What is today's exchange rate?
Ask this before you agree to the transaction to know how much local currency you will receive for your money.
Do you charge a commission?
A crucial question. Some places offer a good rate but add a high fee ('comisión'), so always ask.
I need to exchange one hundred dollars.
Clearly state the amount you want to exchange. You can replace 'cien dólares' with any amount and currency.
The ATM isn't working.
Use this to inform a bank employee or someone waiting in line that the machine is out of order.
The ATM swallowed my card.
A nightmare scenario, but an essential phrase. Say this immediately to a bank employee if your card is not returned.
I want to withdraw money.
While most ATMs have an English option, these are the key verbs you'll see on the screen for 'withdraw'.
Enter PIN
This is the standard instruction you will see on an ATM screen before you can access your account.
Amount
This word will appear on the ATM screen when you need to choose or enter the amount of money you want to withdraw.
Confirm
The button you press on an ATM to finalize your transaction.
A traveler approaches the counter of a 'casa de cambio' in the international airport in Mexico City.
Buenos días. ¿Es aquí para cambiar dinero?
Good morning. Is this the place to exchange money?
Sí, buenos días. ¿Qué necesita?
Yes, good morning. What do you need?
Quisiera cambiar dólares a pesos mexicanos.
I would like to exchange dollars for Mexican pesos.
Claro. El tipo de cambio hoy está a 19.50.
Of course. The exchange rate today is 19.50.
Perfecto. ¿Ustedes cobran comisión?
Perfect. Do you charge a commission?
No, no hay comisión. ¿Cuánto quiere cambiar?
No, there is no commission. How much do you want to exchange?
Doscientos dólares.
Two hundred dollars.
Muy bien. Necesito su pasaporte, por favor.
Very good. I need your passport, please.
Sí, aquí tiene.
Yes, here you go.
Gracias. ... Listo. Son 3,900 pesos. ¿Está bien?
Thank you. ... Ready. That's 3,900 pesos. Is that okay?
Sí, perfecto. ¿Me puede dar billetes pequeños, por favor?
Yes, perfect. Can you give me small bills, please?
Por supuesto. Aquí tiene su dinero y su recibo.
Of course. Here is your money and your receipt.
Muchísimas gracias. ¡Buen día!
Thank you very much. Have a good day!
ATM Safety is Paramount: Whenever possible, use ATMs located inside banks, pharmacies, or large grocery stores rather than those on the street. Always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. Be aware of your surroundings, and if a situation feels unsafe, leave and find another machine.
Always Ask for Small Bills ('Billetes Pequeños'): When you exchange money or withdraw from an ATM, you often receive large denomination bills. These can be very difficult to use, as taxi drivers, small shops, and market vendors often don't have enough change. Politely asking '¿Me puede dar billetes pequeños?' can save you a lot of trouble.
Avoid Street Exchangers (with one exception): In most countries, changing money with individuals on the street is a bad idea; you risk receiving counterfeit bills or being short-changed. The major exception is Argentina, where the unofficial 'dólar blue' market is a widespread practice. However, this carries its own risks and should only be done with trusted local contacts.
Inform the Bank of Your Travel Plans: Before you leave home, tell your bank which countries you'll be visiting and for how long. If you don't, their fraud detection systems might block your card when you try to use it abroad, leaving you without access to your money. This is a simple step that can prevent a huge headache.
Check for ATM Fees: Your home bank might charge a fee for international withdrawals, and the local ATM provider will likely charge one too. These can add up. It's often more economical to take out larger sums of money less frequently than to make many small withdrawals.
In major tourist zones like Cancún or Cabo San Lucas, many businesses accept US dollars. However, the exchange rate is usually unfavorable. It's always better to pay in Mexican pesos (MXN). The word for ATM is simply 'cajero'.
Argentina has a complex economy with an official exchange rate and a much better unofficial rate known as the 'dólar blue'. Exchanging US dollars for cash pesos at unofficial bureaus called 'cuevas' can give you significantly more money. This is common practice but use caution and go to recommended places. 'Plata' is a very common word for money.
The word 'plata' is used colloquially for money, as in 'No tengo plata' (I don't have money). When withdrawing from an ATM, the term 'retirar' is standard. Be extra cautious with ATM security; prefer machines inside buildings.
The currency is the Euro (€). ATMs are called 'cajeros automáticos' or just 'cajeros'. The verb 'sacar dinero' (to take out money) is more common than 'retirar'. While Spain uses 'vosotros' for 'you all' (plural, informal), all machines and staff will understand the formal/Latin American 'ustedes'.
Found this useful? Save it for later.
Do I need my passport?
Most official exchange bureaus require identification, usually your passport. Ask this if you're unsure.
Can you give me small bills, please?
Extremely useful. Large bills can be hard to use for taxis or small purchases. 'Sencillo' or 'cambio' can also mean small change.
I need a receipt, please.
It's always a good idea to get a receipt ('recibo') for your transaction.