3.6% before you ever convert it back to $ seems steep. Gotta figure that's going to hit you for a couple percent as well. Did you get online banking set up? It should show if there were any fixed fees.

What SWIFT did you use?

Cool, tyvm. Are people just exchanging Pesos into USD at their Mexican bank and what rates are you getting on that end (or elsewhere)?

If anyone has/does withdraw using MB/Skrill to a USD Mexican bank account, please post about it.

I used the "BMSXMXMM" SWIFT code...

Looks like I got a "COM TRANSF INTAL RECIBIDA" for 261 for the MB transaction and 257 for the Stars transaction. And an "I.V.A. POR COMISION" for 28.71 (MB) and 28.27 (Stars).

It does seem like there are slightly lower fees associated with doing the Stars wire. I'm at least happy the direct wire option exists.

Assuming these are fixed one-time fees, not percentages, it doesn't seem too bad for larger transactions, but I dunno how to assess what's reasonable since I bleed equity as a pastime lately it seems.

Edit: also possible the fees are the same and the exchange rate changed from one day to the next. I'm hoping/expecting that those fees are fixed wire fees.

Hey man i'm from anaheim and i make the drive back and forth all the time, it usually takes me 2hours to get to rosarito, and about 2.5-3hrs to get from rosarito back to anaheim because well the border going back to the us you actually have to wait a bit... its a real clutch location and if you wanted to come down and check it out your welcome to make a trip out of it before you decide to move.

Interesting. Report back if you do another larger transaction. I'm really curious.

Thanks I appreciate the offer, I just may do that. Some holidays are coming up soon, I'll head down one of those days I have off. I don't have a passport (haven't traveled outside the US since i was 10). Do i need a passport?

What bank are you using?

I have Scotiabank and did not know you could do PS>Bank directly

Yeah do you actually need a passport? My friend wants to come visit but her passport expired like 2 months ago. I read online that if you travel via car across the border and back your passport can be expired for up to 9 months and still be fine or something. I also read that if you travel to mexico and back in a car, you only need a birth certificate and drivers license.(This part I think is old).

Maybe Miguel knows exactly?

Hello Guys, Sorry If sometimes I don't reply as fast as I wish but been out of the computer doing field work.

The truth about the Passport is that you need it, now if you are American no one can refuse you the access to your own country even if you have a expired Passport (at least by land); what's going to happen is that the Border Patrol Agent will send you to secondary inspection and there you will wait at least 2-4hrs (on top of waiting time to get to the border) until the officer is able to get all the necessary information from you (might ask for fingerprints) that confirm that you are really a US citizen. In the mean while if the officer suspect that you have anything wrong in your record, they could be tearing apart your car looking for evidence. (Not fun)
Conclusion "Always Bring your Passport or Passport Card".

I use Santender but the option was available in the Stars cashier...all you need is the Clabe # (not even account #) and SWIFT code.

Miguel just brought up some good info not everyone knows about....the passport CARD.

The passport CARD cost about $80 less than the normal passport BOOK. The main restriction is that the CARD can only be used to travel into and out of like Canada/Mexico by land. No traveling by air and no traveling to other countries besides those two. But the card would obviously work for most going to Rosarito since most are going by land.

I'm out of town for a few days, but wanted to thank a few people who have been a big help to me down there as I hit more snags then I ever could imagined.

Thanks Boliver, brendan T, Nelson, Shnaiac, Vegatarion guy, Nemo, Izack!!

I Just rated this thread!! Maybe others should too since it has been so helpful to all of us who have relocated to Rosarito.

<3

What kind of snags? Just personal stuff or is it some stuff that others may need to be aware of when they make the move?

I would also be interested in anyone moving larger amounts of money and if people are able to withdrawal in both USD and in Pesos from Stars.

Here in Canada I found ways to withdrawal in CAD and USD and there are actually USD canadian bank accounts and the total fees regardless of the size of your cash out seems to be < $5.

This thread is the nuts. Thanks to everyone for contributing. It is the main reason why myself, LOL_thatguy, and omg soo sick are making the move down there.

Really stoked to find a sick place and start grinding and surfing everyday. We'll be rolling into town Tuesday night. Does anyone have a hotel to recommend for two of us to stay at while we condo hunt? If anyone has an extra room they want to rent us for 2 or 3 nights that would be cool too. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Did you think about moving to playa del carmen? If so, what was the reason to move to rossarito, except that it is close to the u.s..

Most people describe Playa del Carmen as the nicer place.

you answered your own question. Most people don't want to move all the way to the South tip of Mexico although I am sure it is a great place! The proximity to the US makes it an easy move to Rosarito.

Wanted to stay closer to home. I would go to SE Asia before PDC

Wow when that was mentioned before I assumed it was just a little south of Rosarito, I didn't realize it was over by Cancun. That's actually almost the exact point I went to when I visited Mexico on vacation a few years back. It was amazing down there, got to see Mayan Ruins, learned to scuba dive well enough for them to let us go out to their coral reef in about 2 hours and just a super nice beach etc. But yeah it is a ways... Definitely tempting though it's awesome over there.

For which reasons would you prefer SE Asia?

I was thinking about moving to Thailand, but the fact that Online Poker is illegal and thinks like the flooding made me resing it.

The very first time I came to Rosarito to look for places, I didn't bring a passport (last time I came down here, I didn't need one). Border agent just asked where my passport was and I explained. Told me that it is mandatory to bring a passport and let me leave; I guess I run good.

i hear this place is awesome for massages ( not the happy ending type)

http://www.vivamexspa.com/massage-service-menu.html


redic cheap too!

any 1 need partypoker $. I have up to 3k for cash, or chase wire/transfer/speedpay

hello around
i am reading this thread for a while now and i decided, that
I'd like to go down to rosarito for a few weeks grind..
is anyone out there, with a room/bed/internet for rent between the end of november until chrismas?
cheers l

What's the community on the sea-side that is like 15KM north of rosarito, just north of San Antonio Del Mar I believe.

Also, does anyone have a list of the exits off the toll road?