What denominations of pesos should I bring for street food in CDMX?
Bring 50s and 100s. Street stands can't break a 500, and most won't try — you'll be sent to the OXXO across the street to get change. A day of tacos, coffee, and market snacks runs 400–600 MXN per person; carry that in small bills.
What locals actually do
Chilangos who eat on the street carry a small stack of 20s, 50s, and 100s — never 200s or 500s. The taquero doesn't have a cash drawer; he has a fanny pack, and a 500 breaks his entire float. Handing over exact change is a small courtesy that changes how you're treated at the second visit. The ATMs on Amsterdam and Álvaro Obregón dispense 100s and 500s by default — request 'billetes chicos' or take smaller amounts to force the smaller bills.
Withdraw 1,500 MXN at a Santander or BBVA ATM (they dispense 100s more reliably than Banorte) and ask for it in 100s. That's two days of eating.
Practical notes
- 01Street food price bands: taco 20–35 MXN, quesadilla 45–70, torta 80–120, agua fresca 25–40. Do the math in 50s.
- 02Card readers are appearing at sit-down taquerías but not at street stalls — assume cash below $200 MXN per meal.
- 03Tipping street food is not expected. Rounding up is fine.
Good to know
- ✗Handing over a 500 for a 60-peso taco order and being annoyed when there's no change.
- ✗Assuming your card will work at El Turix or El Vilsito. It will not.
- ✗Withdrawing dollars-worth in one shot. Multiple small withdrawals give you the bill mix that actually works.