MXN Calculator: how much you get in each currency
Updated May 2026. By FlightsMX Editorial Team · 6 min read · Verified with Banxico, OANDA, real money changers May 2026.
Bottom line: MXN exchange rates May 2026 (Banxico official): $1 USD = ~MXN $17.50, €1 EUR = ~MXN $19.30, MXN $1 = COP $190, MXN $1 = ARS $85. At informal exchanges (Argentina cuevas, Cuba casa particular) you can gain 30-40% more than official bank — valid for Argentina (blue rate) and Cuba (informal CADECA).
In this guide
- Current MXN exchange rates (May 2026)
- Calculator — convert your amount
- Official vs. informal rates by country
- Why airport exchange is bad deal
- Best strategy per destination
- FAQs
Current MXN exchange rates (May 2026) {#rates}
Source: Banxico official + average exchange houses May 2026.
| Currency | 1 unit = MXN | $1 USD = | MXN $1 = |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD (US dollar) | $17.50 | — | $0.057 |
| EUR (euro) | $19.30 | €0.91 | €0.052 |
| COP (Colombian peso) | $0.0053 | COP $3,300 | COP $190 |
| ARS (Argentine peso official) | $0.0146 | ARS $1,200 | ARS $85 |
| ARS blue (informal peso) | $0.0103 | ARS $1,700 | ARS $97 |
| PEN (Peruvian sol) | $4.65 | PEN $3.75 | PEN $0.215 |
| CLP (Chilean peso) | $0.0193 | CLP $905 | CLP $51.7 |
| GBP (British pound) | $22.40 | £0.78 | £0.045 |
| CUP (Cuban peso official) | $0.73 | CUP $24 | CUP $1.37 |
| CUP informal (Cuba real market) | $0.063 | CUP $280 | CUP $16 |
| BRL (Brazilian real) | $3.55 | BRL $4.93 | BRL $0.282 |
How to use this table
Example 1: How many Colombian pesos for MXN $1,000?
- 1,000 × COP $190 = COP $190,000
Example 2: How many dollars is my MXN $25,000 budget?
- 25,000 ÷ 17.50 = $US 1,429
Example 3: How many Argentine pesos for $US 500 at blue market?
- 500 × ARS $1,700 = ARS $850,000
Calculator — convert your amount {#calculator}
Convert MXN to other currency
To find amount in target currency = MXN [your amount] × [column rate]:
| Your MXN | USD | EUR | COP | ARS blue | PEN | CLP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MXN $100 | $5.71 USD | €5.18 EUR | COP $19,000 | ARS $9,700 | PEN $21.50 | CLP $5,170 |
| MXN $500 | $28.57 | €25.91 | COP $95,000 | ARS $48,500 | PEN $108 | CLP $25,850 |
| MXN $1,000 | $57.14 | €51.81 | COP $190,000 | ARS $97,000 | PEN $215 | CLP $51,700 |
| MXN $5,000 | $285.71 | €259 | COP $950,000 | ARS $485,000 | PEN $1,075 | CLP $258,500 |
| MXN $10,000 | $571 | €518 | COP $1,900,000 | ARS $970,000 | PEN $2,150 | CLP $517,000 |
Convert USD to other currency
| Your USD | MXN | EUR | COP | ARS blue | CLP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50 USD | MXN $875 | €45.5 | COP $165,000 | ARS $85,000 | CLP $45,250 |
| $100 USD | MXN $1,750 | €91 | COP $330,000 | ARS $170,000 | CLP $90,500 |
| $500 USD | MXN $8,750 | €455 | COP $1,650,000 | ARS $850,000 | CLP $452,500 |
| $1,000 USD | MXN $17,500 | €910 | COP $3,300,000 | ARS $1,700,000 | CLP $905,000 |
Official vs. informal rates by country {#official-vs-informal}
Argentina — 30-40% difference
| Concept | Rate | For Mexican |
|---|---|---|
| Official (Banco Nación) | ARS $1,200/USD | Foreign card gives this (bad) |
| Tourist card with charges | ARS $1,400/USD | Foreign card with +30% PAIS tax |
| Blue (informal cueva) | ARS $1,500-1,700/USD | YOUR best option ✅ |
| MEP (via bonds) | ARS $1,650-1,750/USD | Investors |
Mexican tourist difference: between official and blue = ~40% more purchasing power. See blue rate guide
Cuba — 12× difference (1,200%)
| Concept | Rate | For Mexican |
|---|---|---|
| Official (airport CADECA) | CUP $24/USD | Terrible deal |
| Informal (casa particular host) | CUP $260-280/USD | YOUR real option ✅ |
| MLC virtual | 1 MLC = 1 USD | For Cuban residents |
Difference: ~12× more Cuban pesos with informal rate. See Cuba currency guide
Colombia — small difference
| Concept | Rate | For Mexican |
|---|---|---|
| Official (Bank) | COP $3,300/USD | OK |
| Cuevas (Bogotá, Cartagena) | COP $3,350-3,400/USD | Marginally better |
| MX card at Colombia ATM | COP $3,250/USD (with 3-5% commission) | Mediocre |
Tip: In Colombia, withdraw COP at ATM with Mexican card = good deal. Difference vs. cuevas ~2-3%.
Chile — single rate, no parallel market
| Concept | Rate |
|---|---|
| Official (all exchange houses) | CLP $905/USD |
Chile has no significant informal market. Unit rate.
Peru — small informal advantage
| Concept | Rate |
|---|---|
| Official | PEN $3.75/USD |
| Lima street changers | PEN $3.80/USD |
Minimal advantage. Use card for most.
USA / Eurozone / UK — official only
USD, EUR, GBP have no parallel markets. Single rate. Exchange at Mexican bank before traveling or use card for convenience.
Why airport exchange is bad deal {#airport}
Airports where you shouldn’t exchange
Official exchanges at airports:
- AICM (CDMX) → Banamex/Santander official exchange: 2-4% worse than online
- GDL → similar
- MTY → similar
- International airports: 4-8% commission worse than local options
Why you lose
- Operator margin (3-5%)
- Additional commission (2-4%)
- Airport rent passed to you
- Buyers in hurry = captured market
When you SHOULD exchange at airport
- Only USD $50-80 for emergency (taxi, food on arrival)
- In airports in countries with no local alternative (not Mexico)
Best alternative per destination country
| Destination | Best option |
|---|---|
| USA, UK, Eurozone | Exchange at Mexican bank before traveling OR use Mexican credit card (1-3% better commission) |
| Argentina | USD cash + cueva in Buenos Aires (blue rate) |
| Cuba | USD cash + exchange with casa particular host |
| Colombia | Mexican card at Colombia ATM (3-5% commission) |
| Chile, Peru, Brazil | Mexican card at local ATM |
Best strategy per destination {#strategy}
Strategy A: USD cash + local exchange houses
For: Argentina, Cuba
- Bring $US 1,500-3,000 cash
- Exchange gradually at cuevas/casa particular
- Benefit: blue rate / casa-particular rate
Strategy B: Mexican credit card + local ATM
For: Colombia, Chile, Peru, Brazil
- Banamex/Santander have 3-5% commissions at international ATM
- BBVA Mexico “Tarjeta Negocios” has reduced 2% commission
- Mexican American Express Platinum: no international ATM commission (best option)
Strategy C: Exchange at Mexican bank before traveling
For: USA, UK, Eurozone, Japan
- Buy USD/EUR at Mexican bank (Banamex, Santander) with anticipated order
- Commission: 1.5-3%
- Better than airport exchange
Strategy D: Western Union for emergency
For: Any destination emergency
- Your family sends MXN in MX → you receive local currency at destination
- Commission: 5-12%
- Exchange rate: close to official
Strategy E: USDT crypto (advanced)
For: Argentina, Brazil
- Buy USDT (Tether) on Bitso Mexico with MXN
- Sell USDT at destination via Binance P2P
- Exchange rate: close to blue
- Only for crypto-experienced users
FAQs {#faq}
What’s cheapest rate to send MXN to Argentina (family)?
Wise (TransferWise): commission ~$US 3-8 per transfer, rate close to Argentine official. Better than Western Union for amounts > $US 500. For Argentina specifically: crypto USDT transfer via Bitso → Buenos Aires P2P is cheapest.
Does my American Express Platinum card have international ATM commission?
NO if you have Platinum Card issued in USA. YES 2-4% commission if Mexican. Verify with your issuer before.
Does my Banamex Visa work at ATM in Cuba?
NO. Cuba blocked for US-based cards (includes Mexican via US-routed Visa). Bring cash USD.
How long to exchange USD to ARS blue in Buenos Aires?
Local Palermo cueva: 10-20 minutes typical. Western Union send from MX: 1-2 hours to receive AR peso. Crypto USDT-to-ARS: 5-30 minutes typical via Binance P2P (depends on counterparty).
Worth buying EUR at Mexican bank before traveling to Spain?
Yes. Banamex/Santander Mexico sell EUR with commission ~1.5-3%. Better than exchanging EUR at Barajas Madrid airport (4-7% worse).
Tipo de cambio AMEX paying $US 500 to euros in Spain?
Mexican AmEx at European restaurant:
- Auto conversion by merchant (DCC): ~+5-8% worse than real
- Mexican Amex conversion (no DCC): ~+2-3% worse than real
- Tip: Always reject DCC (“currency conversion”) and let Amex pay in EUR. Save 3-5%.
Reliable BRL (Brazil) rate at Mexican bank?
Yes. Brazil has stable single rate. Buy BRL at Mexican bank before traveling (commission 2-3%) or withdraw BRL at Brazil ATM with Mexican card (3-5% commission).
Does my Mexican passport work as ID for foreign cueva exchange?
Sometimes. In legitimate Argentina/Cuba cuevas, yes ask for passport. At street changers (not recommended): don’t ask for ID. ALWAYS bring passport.
Will MXN appreciate or depreciate 2026?
May 2026 trend: MXN slightly appreciated vs. USD ($17.50 vs. $19 1 year ago). Factors: high Banxico interest rate (10.25%), controlled inflation. For Mexican travelers to USA/EU: slight extra discount vs. 1 year ago.
Sources
- Banxico — Official exchange rates (May 2026)
- OANDA — Historical exchange rates (May 2026)
- Wise — International transfer rates (May 2026)
- American Express Mexico — ATM commissions (May 2026)
- Central Bank of Argentina — Official rate (May 2026)
- Central Bank of Cuba — Official rate (May 2026)
Related reading
Edited by FlightsMX Editorial Team. Rates fluctuate daily — this is a snapshot.