Cash(US), Traveler's Cheques , or Credit Cards...

[Jay-mo]

I'm surprised so many are recommending using ATM's. My wife and I were in the Mayan Riviera and Cancun area last January. The ATM's were taking $6-7USD per transaction. Maybe that's not normal, I thought it was way too much.
I would take as much US cash and pesos as you feel comfortable carrying. Use your CC where possible.

[Casered]

tweety.... i am "encouraging" them to get off the resort and go see some stuff(hence the question about how to handle the money), guided group tours for safety reasons. Keep your nose clean attitude. And you know, for someone who has never done a lot of the hot destination thing maybe staying on the resort is a good place to start. Confidence...? Caution...? The last one I won to Jamaica I gave to them as well.... they did the group tour thing off resort and had a blast.

To each their own...

I think people are way too afraid of the danger in many foreign countries. Especially in the tourist areas. I have walked the 7 mile beach alone in Negril, Jamaica many times at night. I have never been seriously threatened. However, I wouldn't walk through north central Regina at night. So it's all in knowing where you can and can't go. A little danger keeps things interesting. Kind of like farming.