Capítulo 13
Money & Pharmacy
ATMs, banks, and the surprisingly-easy Mexican pharmacy visit.
Two scenarios that reliably come up during a multi-week Mexico stay: getting cash, and picking up something minor at the pharmacy (traveler’s stomach, a headache, a sore throat). Both are quick interactions with predictable vocabulary, and Mexican pharmacies especially are a pleasant surprise — most over-the-counter needs are solved in five minutes without a doctor visit.
Cash basics
Mexico is still a heavily cash economy outside major chains. Expect to use pesos at markets, small restaurants, taxis, and many taquerías.
- cash
- pesos
- change (the money given back)
- a bill (banknote)
- a coin
- card
- credit card
- debit card
At the ATM (cajero automático)
ATM screens are bilingual — this is just for edge cases.
- ATM
- Where’s the nearest ATM?
- The ATM isn’t working
- The ATM kept my card
- I need to report my card (lost/stolen)
Practical note: withdrawal fees are lower at bank-branded ATMs (Santander, Banorte, BBVA, Banamex) than at freestanding ones in convenience stores. Decline the dynamic currency conversion option — always take the charge in pesos, not USD.
Paying with card — a regular exchange
- Do you accept card?
- Debit or credit? (they’ll ask at the terminal)
- PIN or signature?
- Can I have the receipt, please?
- Can I pay in two charges? (rare, but comes up)
At the bank / for the INM payment
For the INM canje you’ll make your government fee payment at a partner bank (often Banorte or Banamex). The teller needs specific info from your INM paperwork:
- I’m here to make a payment for the INM
- Here’s the form
- It’s for an immigration procedure
- I need the receipt, please
- What’s the amount?
If the teller looks confused, showing them your INM form with the payment code printed on it resolves everything without more Spanish.
Exchanging currency
- currency exchange
- What’s the dollar exchange rate?
- I want to change dollars to pesos
- Do you charge commission?
- In small bills, please
500-peso notes are hard to break at small vendors. Ask for 100s and 200s.
Pharmacy
Mexican pharmacies are everywhere — Farmacia Guadalajara, Farmacias Similares, Farmacias del Ahorro — and the staff (farmacéuticos) are well-trained for minor complaints. Many pharmacies have a small attached consultation room (consultorio) where you can see a doctor for ~50 pesos without an appointment.
- pharmacy
- pharmacist
- prescription
- medication
- pill
- syrup
- consultation office (in-pharmacy doctor)
Describing what’s wrong
The pattern: Me duele [body part] — “my [body part] hurts.” Use this for almost any complaint.
- I have a headache
- My stomach hurts
- I have a sore throat
- My ears hurt (plural)
- My back hurts
Or describe the symptom directly:
- I have a cold (Mexican term; gripe in other countries)
- I have a cough
- I have a fever
- I have diarrhea
- I’m nauseous
- I’m dizzy
- I feel bad
- I can’t sleep
Asking for what you want
- What do you recommend for a cold?
- Do you have something for a headache?
- Something for the stomach?
- Is a prescription needed?
- How do I take it?
- Every how many hours?
- How much does it cost?
Allergies and conditions (declare early)
- I’m allergic to penicillin
- I take [medicine] every day
- I have high blood pressure
- I’m diabetic
When it’s more serious
- Is there a doctor?
- Where’s the nearest hospital?
- I need to see a doctor
- It’s an emergency
- Call an ambulance
Emergency number in Mexico: 911 (same as U.S.).
Rehearsal: pharmacy visit
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Farmacéutica:
Usted:
Next: Chapter 14 — Rehearsal Scripts. A dedicated practice chapter with expanded mock dialogues for the consulate interview and the INM canje, plus tips on how to drill them.