Spanish Survival: Cambiar dinero en el extranjero

 

How to change money in a Spanish-speaking country?

 

Welcome one more week! In this week’s post we will give you some tips to change money during your trips in the exchange houses where they speak Spanish.

 

First, when we change money in other countries or in ours, we always think that we lose with the change, and it is true, but if you read the following steps, you will learn to change money in the most effective and beneficial way for you:

 

1. The place where money is changed in Spanish-speaking countries is called Casa de Cambio .

 

2. Look for the street or typical area where most exchange houses are . They are always in the same place. Avoid the exchange houses of the airports because they have the worst rates.

 

3. In all exchange houses , you will find signs with PURCHASE and SALE prices of different currencies or currencies abroad.

 

4. Arrival: In the case of wanting to acquire local currency / currency, you must compare and find the exchange house with the highest PURCHASE value of your currency / currency, for example, US dollars.

 

5. Return: When you return to your country and want to change the local currency / currency for your country, in this example, dollars, you must compare and find the exchange house with the lowest SALES value of your currency / currency, that is, of US dollars.

 

6. Ask to change small bills so you don’t have problems paying at stores and shops.

 

7. Check well that the change made is correct and the amount delivered too, use your mobile calculator if necessary.

 

8. Save the receipt, in case of any claim.

 

In the exchange house:

 

Exchange house fees:

 

• PURCHASE of dollars (USD) = 17.80 Mexican pesos (MXN)
• SALE of dollars (USD) = 18.15 Mexican pesos (MXN)

 

* T = You (you)

* C = Cashier

 

• T: Hi! I need to change US dollars to Mexican pesos.
• Hello! Of course. How many dollars do you want to change?
• T: I wanted to change 500 USD, please.
• C: Ok, the purchase of dollars in our exchange is at 17.80 Mexican pesos per dollar, so for 500 USD we will give you 8,900 Mexican pesos (500 USD x 17.80 MXN). Do you agree?
• T: Yes, of course.
• C: Could you show me your passport, please?
• T: Yes, here it is. Could you give me small bills please?
• C: Okay, I’ll do my best. Here you have the money. Check that the voucher and the amount delivered are correct.
• T: Ok, one moment please. Ok, everything is correct. Thank you.
• C: Thank you.

 

 

If you have any questions about vocabulary to change money, here is a list of the most important words in the post:

 

• Changing money = money exchange
• House exchange = exchange house
• Rate = rate
• Poster = poster
• Currency / Currency = Currency
• Buy = buy
• Sale = sell
• Compare = to compare
• Search = to look for
• Proof = voucher
• Small tickets = small denominations
• Claim = complaint
• Quantity = quantity
• Review = to check

 

Here we leave you a translation of the dialogue in case you still have any doubt:

 

(In the exchange house)

 

Rates of the exchange house:

 

• BUY of American dollars (USD) = 17.80 Mexican pesos (MXN)
• SELL of American dollars (USD) = 18.15 Mexican pesos (MXN)

 

• T: Hello! I want to change american dollars to mexican pesos.
• C: Hello! Of course How many dollars do you want to change?
• T: I’d like to change 500 USD, please.
• C: Ok, the buying of dollars today in our exchange house is 17.80 mexican pesos per dollar, thus for 500 USD we give you 8,900 mexican pesos (500 USD x 17.80 MXN). Do you agree?
• T: Yes, of course.
• C: Could you show me your passport, please?
• T: Yes, here it is. Could you give me small denominations, please?
• C: Ok, I will do my best. Here you have the money. Please, review the voucher and the quantity given are correct.
• T: Ok, wait a moment please. Yes, everything is ok. Thank you very much.
• C: Thanks to you.

 

Finally, we believe that this post on how to change money in a currency exchange will be very useful for you and your trips to Spanish-speaking countries.

 

In addition, we have a very interesting post about vocabulary and expressions that you should know if you are going to travel to Chile . If this is your next destination, click on the previous link. You will not regret!

 

Finally, if you need to prepare for a specific purpose, do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you with your Spanish in the following link .

 

Until next week!

AJ