How to send money to Mexico from the US
Product · January 29, 2026Clément Bolmont
Whether you're helping out family in Mexico City, paying for a vacation in Cancun, or sending a gift to a friend in Guadalajara, moving your money across the border shouldn't be a headache. You deserve a method that's fast, easy to understand, and doesn't cost you too much in fees.
Knowing how you can send money to Mexico easily is a big help if you're looking to make a transfer without the burden of additional costs or long wait times.
At Revolut, we help you manage your payments with clarity. Discover transfers to Mexico and start sending money right now, or read on to learn all about how it works.
Exchange fees,remittance fees, fair usage limits, and Terms and Conditions apply.
The information provided is accurate as of January 22, 2026.
The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial advisor.
How to send money to Mexico: A step-by-step guide
- Pick your provider: You can send money via your bank, a money transfer app like ours, or a cash pickup service.
- Choose a fast path: We use local payment networks to Mexico when possible, which helps your money arrive faster and reduces the chance of hidden costs.
- Gather your details: You'll need your recipient’s full name and their 18-digit CLABE number.
- Check the rate: Review the USD to MXN exchange rate and any applicable fees.
- Start sending: When you're ready, confirm how much you want to send, then make the payment.
Things to keep in mind when sending money to Mexico
Several factors may influence how much money arrives in your recipient's account:
- Cost-effective solution: We offer a balance of speed, competitive fees, and the ability to hold Mexican pesos (MXN) alongside US dollars (USD).
- SWIFT network: This network is reliable and used worldwide, but it's often slow and carries intermediary fees from third-party financial institutions. We opt for local payment systems that bypass SWIFT when possible.
- Recipient details: You'll need your recipient's 18-digit CLABE.
How to transfer money to Mexico with our global account
A global account is more than just a space to keep your money — it's a center for your life across borders. If you live in the US, opening an account that holds both USD and MXN in one place removes the need for constant conversions.
When you use a global account like ours to send money from the USA to Mexico, you can often skip the long wait times. Because our accounts are built for moving money between countries, you benefit from our competitive exchange rates.
Since you can hold MXN in your account, you can exchange USD to MXN in-app. This means you can convert your money whenever the exchange rate's favourable. You can set up alerts from us so you know when the rate reaches a point you're comfortable with, convert the money, and then use your MXN later for your transfer to Mexico.
A global account also lets you spend like a local when you visit Mexico. You can hold MXN in your account and use your card without worrying about additional fees every time you buy a taco or pay for a hotel.
Fair usage limits and weekend fees may apply, depending on your plan.
Understanding the SWIFT network for transfers to Mexico
The SWIFT network's the global system that financial institutions use to communicate with each other. It connects over 11,000 financial institutions. While it's a secure way to move money, it wasn't built to support the speed or low costs you might expect today.
At Revolut, we use local payment systems when available. For transfers to Mexico, this often means using SPEI (Sistema de Pagos Electrónicos Interbancarios). This system allows for much faster processing than the traditional SWIFT route, often seeing money arrive within the same day.
The cost of traditional wires via SWIFT
If you use a US provider that relies only on SWIFT to send money to Mexico, your costs can go up quickly. Some providers charge a flat fee to send the wire, but it's not the only cost that'll apply. Intermediary financial institutions inside the SWIFT network may also apply their own fees, which are often deducted from the amount you're sending.
Then you have the exchange rate, which is an added cost to watch for. Some providers may add 3–5% to the market rate. If you're sending $1,000 to a friend, a 3% mark-up means you're paying an extra $30 that doesn't show up clearly as a fee but still costs you money.
We may apply a fee for international transfers that we'll show you in-app before you hit Send. However, you won't be charged intermediary fees as long as the transfer doesn't travel via SWIFT, and our exchange rates are competitive, so more of your money will reach your recipient.
How long does a transfer to Mexico take?
A SWIFT transfer to Mexico typically takes 3–5 business days. This is because your money may pass through one or more other institutions before reaching its destination. Each stop can add 24 hours to the journey. This isn't ideal if you've got an urgent bill to pay or you're sending money for a special occasion.
By using local payment systems, we aim to get your money to Mexico faster. We also provide Revolut-to-Revolut transfers between customers, which arrive right away, regardless of where the other person's located.
Safety and regulations for transfers to Mexico
When you're sending money across the border, you've got to think about safety. Both the US and Mexico have strong systems to keep your money safe. In Mexico, the central bank (Banxico) and the CNBV oversee the banking system to ensure all transfers are handled correctly.
Sending a large amount may trigger a manual review of your transfer. This is a normal part of the process and is designed to help keep everyone safe. You don't need to do anything special for this, but it's good to be aware that it might happen. We use high-level security methods to make sure your details and your money are always protected.
You can learn more about how we keep your money safe.
It's also worth checking if the person you're paying has any fees on their end. Some Mexican banks charge a small fee to receive international deposits, which could mean your recipient ends up with slightly less than you sent.
Open a Revolut account and start sending money to Mexico
If you're ready to start making transfers, here's how you can join millions of people moving money smarter:
- Download the app, verify your identity, and sign up in a matter of minutes.
- Add your money: Once you're active, add USD to your account via your card or a bank transfer.
- Go to Payments and tap the + symbol in the top-right corner.
- Set up your recipient: Add your recipient’s details in-app.
- Convert and send: You can convert your USD to MXN in-app at competitive rates before sending, or let us do the conversion for you during the transfer.
- Review the details: We’ll show you details like exchange rates or applicable costs and estimated arrival time. Hit Send when you’re ready to go.
- Track your money: You can check in-app to see exactly where your money is until it reaches your friend.
- Explore the app: We’re more than a money transfer app, so explore other possibilities such as budgeting tools or multicurrency cards.
18+, Terms and Conditions apply.