Want to send money to Mexico without getting hit with bank fees and bad exchange rates? Here’s how I do it using Wise + EQ Bank to keep costs as low as possible.

Why This Combo?

The trick? Funding Wise the cheapest way possible, and that’s where EQ Bank bill pay comes in.

The Essentials Checklist

Essential Documents

• Passport (valid 6+ months)
• Visas (if required)
• Driver’s license
• Travel insurance documents
• Flight confirmations
• Accommodation confirmations
• Emergency contact list
• Copies of all documents (digital & physical)
• International driving permit (if planning to drive abroad)

Health & Medical

• Extra batteries for medical devices
• Prescription medications (in original containers)
• Doctor’s note for medical supplies
• Basic first aid kit
• Pain relievers
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Bandages and antiseptic wipes
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen (reef-safe preferred)
• Blister prevention, toe sleeves (Amazon)
• Water purification tablets or filter bottle (for destinations with unsafe tap water)

Electronics & Tech

• Phone & charger
• Travel router (Amazon)
• Universal power adapter (Amazon)
• Portable charger/power bank (Amazon)
• VPN subscription for secure public Wi-Fi
• Laptop/tablet & charger
• Camera & charger
• Headphones/earbuds
• Small surge protector
• Bluetooth speaker (optional)

Clothing

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Light jacket or shawl
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Underwear & socks
• Sleepwear
• Swimsuit (if applicable)
• Hat/cap
• Rain jacket/umbrella

Toiletries

• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Soap/body wash
• Razor & shaving cream
• Hairbrush/comb
• Feminine hygiene products
• Contact lens solution/case
• Glasses/contacts
• Lip balm
• Travel-sized containers (TSA 3-1-1 compliant for carry-on)

Comfort Items

• Reusable water bottle
• Healthy snacks (nuts, dried fruits)
• Eye mask
• Earplugs
• Neck pillow
• Compression socks (for long flights)
• Quick-dry towel
• Tissues/wet wipes

Organization

• Clear toiletry bags (TSA-friendly)
• Packing cubes (Amazon)
• Dry bags for electronics
• Small day bag/backpack (Amazon)
• Zip-lock bags
• Laundry bag
• RFID-blocking wallet

Money & Security

• Credit/debit cards
• Cash (local currency)
• Emergency cash stash
• TSA-approved locks
• Money belt/hidden wallet
• Portable safe (optional)

Destination-Specific

• Beach: Beach towel, snorkel gear, waterproof phone case
• City: Comfortable city shoes, umbrella, city map
• Adventure: Hiking boots, backpack, first aid kit
• Cold weather: Insulated jacket, gloves, scarf, thermal layers

Pre-Trip Prep

• Check medication expiration dates
• Verify travel insurance coverage
• Research local medical facilities
• Download offline maps
• Install travel apps (translation, maps, currency converter, airline)
• Inform bank of travel plans
• Set up emergency contacts
• Research local customs
• Learn basic phrases in local language

On-the-Go Essentials

• Hand sanitizer
• Pen
• Notebook/journal
• Plastic bags (for laundry/wet items)
• Reusable shopping bag
• Portable laundry detergent sheets

Carry-On vs. Checked Bag

Not everything belongs in the same bag. Here’s what goes where:

The first time I crossed into the US with my regular Canadian phone plan, I got a $127 bill for three days in Maine. I used almost no data. The charges came from the daily roaming fee that kicked in the moment my phone connected to a tower.

The second time, I bought an eSIM for Mexico. It refused to activate. I spent two hours in a Puerto Vallarta café trying to make it work while the barista watched me restart my phone like a confused tourist. I eventually gave up and used offline maps for the rest of the day.

If you travel between Canada, the US, and Mexico, we recommend Public Mobile’s Canada-US-Mexico plan. It is $40/month for 75GB of 5G data that works in all three countries. No roaming fees. No daily charges. No surprises.

We have used it across all three countries, including a six-month stay in Mexico, and the coverage has been solid. You don’t think about roaming fees when you cross a border. You don’t do math. You just have data.

Wealthsimple Visa Infinite gives you:

• 2% cashback on everything — no categories to track
• 0% foreign transaction fees — no extra cost when you travel
• $240 annual fee — but it can be waived

When Is the Fee Waived?

You pay $0 if you have:

• $100,000+ invested with Wealthsimple, OR
• $4,000+/month direct deposit to Wealthsimple chequing

If neither applies, you pay $240/year. You’d need to spend $12,000/year to break even on the fee.

All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on American Express Canada published terms as of May 2026. A significant lounge access change takes effect January 1, 2027 — covered in full below. The Business Platinum is a charge card; all Due in Full charges must be paid monthly. Always verify current terms with American Express before applying.

1. Summary

The Business Platinum Card from American Express Canada is the business counterpart to the personal Platinum — a charge card carrying the same $799 annual fee, the same Centurion Lounge access, the same Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold automatic status, and the same Fine Hotels + Resorts program. What distinguishes it from the personal version is its business-oriented earn structure (1.25x MR on general purchases vs 1x on personal), employee card support, expense management tools, and travel coverage framed around business travellers rather than families. It is not an Aeroplan card — MR points must be transferred to Aeroplan to reach Air Canada redemptions. The same Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounge access changes taking effect January 1, 2027 apply here as well.

All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on American Express Canada published terms, NerdWallet Canada, Prince of Travel, and Milesopedia as of May 2026. Always verify current terms directly with American Express before applying.

1. Summary

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is Canada’s strongest hotel co-branded card for Marriott loyalists, offering a $120 annual fee that is more than offset by the annual Free Night Award (worth up to 35,000 points), automatic Silver Elite status, and 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year. The card earns 5 points per dollar on Marriott purchases and 2 points per dollar on everything else — a straightforward earn structure that makes this an excellent default card for anyone who stays at Marriott properties regularly. The absence of travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is a meaningful gap, but the rental car coverage, purchase protection, and hotel-specific benefits create a compelling value proposition for hotel-focused travellers.

All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on Wealthsimple published terms and Help Centre as of May 2026. Always verify current terms with Wealthsimple before applying. You do not choose your card tier — Wealthsimple assigns Visa Infinite+ or Visa Infinite Privilege based on your qualifications.

1. Summary

The Wealthsimple credit card offers 2% flat cashback on everything, zero FX fees, and a waivable $240 annual fee — a combination that doesn’t exist elsewhere in Canada. It is issued by a fintech (not a bank), requires an active Wealthsimple chequing account, and limits balance payment to that chequing account only. Two tiers exist (Visa Infinite+ and Visa Infinite Privilege) and Wealthsimple assigns your tier automatically. When the fee is waived, it is the most efficient flat-rate cashback card available to Canadians — but the ecosystem commitment it requires is real and must be evaluated honestly.

All figures are in CAD unless noted. Data based on Home Trust published terms and Ratehub Canada as of May 2026. Always verify current terms with Home Trust before applying. This card is not available to residents of Quebec.

1. Summary

The Home Trust Preferred Visa is not a premium travel card. It has no lounge access, no travel medical insurance, no trip cancellation, and no points program worth optimizing. What it offers is structurally simple and genuinely useful: $0 annual fee + 0% foreign transaction fee, making it the lowest-friction way to eliminate the 2.5% surcharge that most Canadian cards add to every foreign-currency purchase. Its role is as a backup card in a travel stack — use a premium Aeroplan or Amex card for Air Canada spend and lounge access; use this card for every foreign-currency transaction at restaurants, hotels, shops, and international websites.