Counterfeit Bills Are Surging in Mexico, Here's How to Protect Yourself

That 500-peso bill you just got back as change at the mercado, take a close look at it.

 

Counterfeit banknotes are circulating at their highest levels in three years across Mexico, and small tourist towns like Puerto Morelos are not immune.

 

The Numbers Are Real, Even If Some Bills Aren't

 

Mexico's central bank, Banco de México (Banxico), reported that 291,673 fake banknotes were pulled from circulation in 2025, marking the highest level since 2022. That's a 1.65% increase over 2024, and the highest number since 2022, when 360,926 counterfeit bills were detected.

 

The 500-peso bill remains the most counterfeited note in the country. Even though detections of fake 500s dropped by nearly 16% last year, they still made up approximately 51% of all counterfeit bills found in 2025.

 

The big surprise in 2025 was the 100-peso note. Fake 100-peso bills surged a staggering 212% compared to the year before. That's the bill you're handing over for a taco plate or a cold drink at a beach bar.

 

What to Watch For Right Here in Puerto Morelos

 

In a town built on cash transactions, from the fishing docks to the artisan market to the colectivo stop, fake bills can move fast and quietly.

 

The 100, 200, and 500-peso notes are the ones to watch most carefully. The good news is that the 20 and 50-peso notes, along with the 100, are now printed on polymer plastic, which is much harder to fake. They feel slick and flexible, not like regular paper.

 

The 200, 500, and 1,000-peso notes are printed on traditional banknote paper. If one of those feels too thick, too smooth, or just "off," trust that instinct.

 

Hold the bill up to light and look for the security thread and watermark. Tilt it and watch for the color-shifting ink near the denomination number.

 

If You End Up With a Fake Bill

 

Do not try to spend it. Passing counterfeit currency is a federal crime in Mexico, punishable by up to 12 years in prison. That applies to tourists and residents alike.

 

Take the suspected bill to any bank branch. In Puerto Morelos, the nearest full-service banks are in Cancún or Playa del Carmen. The bank will send it to Banxico for analysis at no cost to you.

 

If the bill turns out to be genuine, you get reimbursed. If it's fake, it stays with Banxico and you won't get the money back.

 

The best defense is a quick habit. Check your change before you walk away from any transaction.