How To Send Money to Mexico: 5 Best Ways

According to Mexico’s Central Bank, Mexican residents received $58.5 billion from people residing in the U.S. in 2022. And with so many people sending and receiving money between the two countries, multiple options to send money to Mexico are available to people in the U.S.

5 Best Ways To Send Money to Mexico

Here is a look at five of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to send money to Mexico.

1. Bank transfer
2. MoneyGram
3. Western Union
4. Xoom
5. Wise

Keep reading to learn more about each of these to find the method that works best for you.

1. Bank Transfer

One of the safest ways to send money to Mexico is through a bank transfer from your account to the recipient. You can send money using online banking options or visit a local branch and speak to a teller. To send money by bank transfer, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Log into your bank’s website if you are using a desktop or the bank’s app if using a smartphone or tablet.
2. Navigate to the “send money” option on the site.
3. Enter the recipient’s banking information and the amount.

The process is similar for most sites and banking apps but always check with yours to see if other requirements are needed.

Some banks limit how much money you can send daily to a recipient in Mexico, so always check with the bank teller beforehand. If you want to send the money onsite, you must have the same information for a digital transfer ready. You also need to take along a form of identification in case the teller requires it.

The pros of a bank transfer are that it is safe and secure and doesn’t have a markup since there is no intermediary. The downside is that bank transfers take time, and your recipient may not get the money instantly.  

2. MoneyGram

MoneyGram is a popular way to send money to Mexico. To send money through an agent, you can follow these steps:

1. Use the MoneyGram agent locator on their site to find an agent near you.
2. Before your visit, ensure you have a valid photo ID ready, your recipient’s full name matching their ID and the amount you want to send. Keep in mind that MoneyGram charges fees for their service.
3. Once you deposit the money with an agent, you receive an 8-digit reference number you must give your recipient to verify the transaction.
4. The recipient can pick up their money in cash at the nearest MoneyGram location or receive the funds in their bank account or mobile wallet.

The pros of MoneyGram are that you can send money instantly, and the funds are available in minutes for the recipient. But the downside is that they have steep fees, especially when using a debit or credit card.

3. Western Union

Like MoneyGram, Western Union is another popular way to send money to Mexico and other international countries from the U.S. You can send the money using the smartphone and tablet app, online through their website or by visiting an agent near your location. Western Union also offers three different ways to pay — you can use your bank information, credit or debit cards or cash at an agent location.

The money is available to your recipient in minutes, and you can use the app to track your money transfer details. There are some limitations, however, when sending money. You can only send or receive $7,499 in cash or $2,750 for bank transfers. Moreover, you must pay an $8.00 fee for in-store payments and $25.00 if using a credit card.

The pros of Western Union are that it is fast, convenient, and you have multiple ways to send money to Mexico. The downside is that some fees are steep, especially when using a credit card.

4. Xoom

Xoom, owned by PayPal, is a safe and convenient way to send money to Mexico. You can send money through Xoom using your PayPal balance, a bank account or credit and debit cards. The fee structure is transparent, and it is very easy to determine how much you will pay.

The fees differ depending on your payment method, ranging from $2.99 – $3.99. The pros of using Xoom are that it is fast, safe and reliable with minimal fees. The cons are that it has transfer limits and doesn’t always deliver the money to recipients instantly.

5. Wise

Wise is an online money transfer service that allows you to send money to Mexico instantly, with transparent pricing. Wise is highly-intuitive and easy to use. To start, you can follow these steps:

1. Create an account.
2. Enter the amount you want to send to Mexico in USD. You can pay using a debit or credit card or send it directly through a bank transfer.
3. Enter the details of your recipient in Mexico and their desired payout method.

The fee structure is simple and you can see exactly how much you will be charged before making the transfer. There are no hidden fees and the money gets to your recipient in seconds. The pros of using Wise are its transparency, ease of use and convenience. The cons are that it may be slightly pricier than competitors.

Wrapping Up

Sending money to Mexico is a relatively straightforward process, with many options available to consumers nowadays. Online options are your best bet if you need to send the money instantly. When deciding on what method works best for you, try to gauge how time-sensitive the transfer is and what method is most convenient.

Information is accurate as of June 1, 2023. 

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