DM All due respect here, I contend that the casual traveler will have no problems using their dollars at the touristy places, hotels, restaurants etc. Their experience will be hampered if they must use dollars everywhere though as this is Mexico and it is sovereign and can enact its own policies.
Penasco did not enact this rule, this is from the Federal Task force on money laundering through the federal government of Mexico. It is a countrywide mandate. Not a local smack at Americans. Smart travelers understand that when they go to a foreign country there are some adjustments to be made, this is a simple one.
Regarding PP going for the buck you kind of have to put that in perspective of the time....towers were being built by not only Mexicans but Canadians and Americans and Japanese and others....these guys and gals knew their market to dump this stuff on was primarily Americans so they had to accept US dollars. All of the companies had Stateside accounts to handle the transactions. They did it so they could sell the crap out of these projects in the shortest time possible.....those days are gone senor'.
From your argument I get the feeling that the USA should adopt a policy that merchants should accept other country currency for purchases made by travelers to enhance the experience of the foreigner. So you could go buy T-shirts in Sedona and they had to accept your lira or whatever. It makes no sense.
On a trip several years ago I was surprised (only been to Sonora and never further south at that time) when you get to Mazatlan the buck stops there. I being a semi wealthy American (at the time but no more) (I cant even afford to pay attention) (church mouse poor hombre) was maddened by the fact that I could not pay for my petrol south of Mazatlan with C notes. I was forced to comply and buy pesos. It was a good lesson for me and enhanced my travel from that point forward. That was many years ago but I never will forget the feeling that this country would not accept my "special" money and I had to use theirs...... Oh well I got over that in a hurry!
Russ, I know you are very pro PP as are a lot of us. The input I'm talking about is that it is hard to spend pesos in the US. This goes for yen , lira and other currency also. Mexico is definitely shooting itself in the foot over this and the other new changes. Mexico needs to cater more to the casual visitor than folk like ourselves whom have become comfortable with the peso. I respect your love for Mexico but the fact is that PP has become home for many undesireables and something more than making it hard for a gringo to spend dollars needs to be done. After all, PP went after the buck, now they should accept it.
