How Much Is 20 Pesos In US Dollars Explained (Simply)

If you’ve got a crisp blue bill with Benito Juárez’s face on it or a handful of coins from a recent trip, you’re probably asking the same thing everyone else does: how much is 20 pesos in US dollars right now?

Honestly, the answer changes while you're reading this.

Currency markets are twitchy. As of mid-January 2026, the Mexican Peso (MXN) has been hovering around a specific range that makes that 20-peso note worth roughly $1.13 USD.

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But wait.

Before you try to go buy a cheeseburger in Chicago with it, there is a lot more to the story. Are we talking Mexican pesos? Philippine pesos? Maybe Colombian? The word "peso" is used by eight different countries, and their values are definitely not created equal.

The Quick Breakdown: Mexican Pesos to USD

Let's look at the heavy hitter first. The Mexican Peso is one of the most traded currencies in the world.

Right now, the exchange rate is approximately 0.057. If you do the math—$20 \times 0.0567$—you get about $1.13.

A year ago, this might have been closer to a dollar even. Two years ago, maybe $1.20. The "Super Peso" era we saw in 2024 and 2025 has seen some corrections, but it’s still holding its own. You've got to remember that what you see on Google isn't what you get at a kiosk.

If you go to a physical currency exchange at an airport like JFK or Benito Juárez International, they’re going to take a "spread." You might walk away with only $0.95 or $1.00 after they take their cut.

Wait, Which Peso Do You Have?

This is where people get tripped up. I once saw someone try to figure out their "fortune" in Colombian pesos using the Mexican exchange rate. They were... disappointed.

Here is how 20 pesos stacks up across different countries right now:

Philippine Peso (PHP): 20 pesos here is basically pocket change. It's worth about $0.34 USD. In Manila, that might get you a small snack or a jeepney ride, but in the States, it won’t even cover the tax on a soda.

Colombian Peso (COP): This is the one that confuses everyone because the numbers are huge. 20 Colombian pesos is effectively $0.005 USD. It’s worth less than a penny. In fact, most people in Colombia don't even carry 20-peso coins anymore; they usually deal in thousands.

Argentine Peso (ARS): Argentina's economy has been a wild ride lately. 20 Argentine pesos is worth roughly $0.014 USD. Again, less than two cents.

Chilean, Uruguayan, and Dominican Pesos: These all fall somewhere in between, but none of them are going to make you rich at the 20-unit mark.

What Can You Actually Buy With 20 Mexican Pesos?

Context matters. If you're standing in a 7-Eleven in Dallas, $1.13 gets you maybe a pack of gum if it's on sale.

But if you're in Mexico City or a small town in Oaxaca, how much is 20 pesos in US dollars is less important than what that paper can get you on the street.

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• A Street Taco: In many local spots, you can still find a "taco de canasta" (basket taco) for about 10 to 15 pesos. So, 20 pesos gets you a lunch—sorta.
• A Public Transit Ride: The Mexico City Metro is famously subsidized. A trip costs 5 pesos. Your 20 pesos is essentially four cross-city commutes.
• A Small Bottled Water: At a local tienda, this is the standard price for a 600ml bottle of water.
• A Single Piece of Sweet Bread (Pan Dulce): Depending on the bakery, you can snag a concha for exactly this amount.

Why the Rate Keeps Shifting

You've probably noticed that the rate is never the same two days in a row. It’s annoying, right?

Interest rates are the biggest driver. When the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) keeps rates high to fight inflation, it attracts investors. They want to buy pesos to get those high returns. That drives the price of the peso up.

Then you have the "remittance" factor. Millions of people working in the US send billions of dollars back home to Mexico every year. When that flow is heavy, it creates a lot of demand for pesos.

Political news also plays a role. Any time there is talk of trade shifts or new tariffs between the US and Mexico, the currency market reacts like a caffeinated toddler. It jumps.

Where to Get the Best Exchange Rate

Don't be the person who exchanges money at the hotel front desk. Just don't.

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If you really need to convert your 20 pesos (or more likely, 2,000 pesos), use an ATM. Your bank will usually give you the "interbank rate," which is the closest thing to the real market value.

If you use a "Casa de Cambio" on the street, look at the gap between the "Buy" and "Sell" prices. A narrow gap means they aren't ripping you off as much.

Honestly, for just 20 pesos, it's almost not worth the effort to exchange it. Most people just keep it as a souvenir or toss it into the "take a penny, leave a penny" jar at the airport.

Actionable Tips for Your Next Trip

If you’re holding onto pesos and waiting for the "perfect" time to swap them back to USD, keep these things in mind:

1. Check the Trend: Don't just look at today's rate. Look at the 30-day chart. If the peso is getting stronger, wait a few days before selling.
2. Avoid Small Transactions: Most places charge a flat fee or a minimum percentage. Exchanging $1.13 worth of currency will likely cost you more in fees than the money is worth.
3. Use Digital Wallets: Apps like Wise or Revolut allow you to hold "balances" in different currencies. It's often cheaper than handling physical cash.
4. Spend it there: The best "value" for 20 pesos is always spending it in the country it came from. Buy a coffee, tip a musician, or grab a newspaper.

Ultimately, knowing how much is 20 pesos in US dollars is about understanding the global neighborhood. Whether it’s $1.13 or $0.34, that little piece of paper represents the local economy of somewhere else.

Keep an eye on the news, watch the central bank announcements, and maybe just keep that 20-peso bill in your wallet for good luck on your next flight south.