Money is a moving target. If you’re standing at a currency exchange counter in Mexico City or just checking your bank app before a trip, you want the bottom line. Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the Mexican peso is hovering around 5.6 cents in US money.
Specifically, the rate is about $0.0566 USD per 1 MXN.
That sounds tiny. But when you flip it—the way most travelers do—one US dollar will net you roughly 17.65 pesos. It's a weirdly strong spot for the "Super Peso," a nickname it earned back in 2024 and 2025 that just won't seem to go away. Honestly, if you were expecting the old days of 20 pesos to the dollar, those days are currently in the rearview mirror.
The Raw Math: How Much Is a Peso in US Money Today?
Market rates change every second that the banks are open. It’s a literal tug-of-war between the Federal Reserve in the US and the Bank of Mexico (Banxico).
To give you a quick "cheat sheet" based on the current rate of 17.65 pesos per dollar, here’s what your wallet looks like:
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- 1 Peso = roughly 6 cents ($0.056)
- 10 Pesos = roughly 56 cents
- 50 Pesos = about $2.83
- 100 Pesos = about $5.66
- 500 Pesos = about $28.30
- 1,000 Pesos = about $56.60
Prices in Mexico can be deceptive because they use the same "$" sign as Americans. If you see a taco for $30, don't have a heart attack—it’s 30 pesos, which is only about **$1.70 USD**. It’s a steal.
Why Is the Peso So Strong Right Now?
You might remember a time when the dollar felt like a superpower in Mexico. In early 2025, we saw rates spike toward 20 pesos per dollar. But 2026 has started with a curveball.
Mexico’s central bank has kept interest rates high—around 7%. Compare that to the US, where the Fed has been more aggressive with cuts, and you get what investors call "carry trade." Basically, big money likes sitting in Mexican accounts because it earns more interest.
There's also the "nearshoring" effect. Companies are moving factories from Asia to Mexico to be closer to the US market. This brings a constant flow of dollars into Mexico, which, ironically, makes the peso more expensive for you to buy.
The USMCA Shadow
Wait, there's a catch. We’re coming up on the summer 2026 review of the USMCA (the trade deal that replaced NAFTA). Analysts like Alberto Ramos at Goldman Sachs have pointed out that any friction in these talks usually sends the peso into a tailspin. If the trade talk gets ugly, expect the peso to weaken, meaning your US dollars will suddenly buy a lot more.
What Most People Get Wrong About "The Peso"
First off, "peso" is a generic term. If you’re asking how much is a peso in US money, you’re probably talking about the Mexican Peso (MXN). But if you accidentally buy Chilean Pesos, you're in for a shock.
- The Mexican Peso (MXN): Currently ~17.65 to $1 USD.
- The Colombian Peso (COP): Usually around 3,900 to $1 USD. (You’re a millionaire here with $300).
- The Philippine Peso (PHP): Usually around 55 to $1 USD.
Always double-check the currency code. It matters.
The "Tourist Tax": Why Your Rate Sucks
If you check Google and see 17.65, but the airport booth is offering you 15.50, you aren't being scammed—well, not exactly. You're just paying for convenience.
Retail exchange rates are almost always 5% to 10% worse than the "mid-market" rate you see on financial news sites. The booth has to pay rent, staff, and take on the risk that the currency value might drop while they’re holding it.
Pro tip: Use an ATM. If you use a Mexican ATM (like BBVA or Santander) with a US debit card, you usually get a rate much closer to the real 17.65. Just make sure to "Decline the Conversion" on the ATM screen. Let your home bank do the math; they’re almost always cheaper than the machine’s built-in exchange rate.
Historical Perspective: Is This a Good Time to Buy?
Looking back at the last five years, the peso has been a rollercoaster.
In 2021, it was common to see 20 pesos to the dollar. During the chaos of early 2025, it even flirted with 21. Seeing it at 17.65 in early 2026 means the dollar is "weak" relative to recent history.
If you're planning a wedding or a big real estate purchase in Mexico, you're actually paying a premium right now. Experts at Citi and Reuters suggest the peso might settle back toward the 18.50 or 19.00 range later this year as the Mexican economy slows down. S&P Global recently noted that Mexico's GDP growth is likely to stay around a modest 1% for 2026, which usually puts downward pressure on a currency over time.
Actionable Steps for Your Money
If you need to move money between the US and Mexico today, don't just wing it.
- Watch the 18.00 mark. This is a huge psychological barrier. If the peso crosses 18.00 per dollar again, it’s a sign the "Super Peso" is finally cooling off.
- Use Wise or Revolut. For larger transfers, these apps give you the real mid-market rate with a transparent fee. Avoid wire transfers from big traditional banks if you can; they hide their fees in a bad exchange rate.
- Keep an eye on the Fed. If the US Federal Reserve stops cutting rates or starts raising them again, the dollar will likely jump back up against the peso instantly.
The bottom line is that for every $100 USD you spend in Mexico right now, you're getting about 1,765 pesos. It's not the best deal we've seen in the last decade, but it beats the rates from late 2025.
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Monitor the USMCA headlines as we head toward June. Those political debates will move the needle on the peso more than almost anything else this year. If you see trade tensions rising, wait a few days—the dollar will likely get a lot stronger.