Originally Posted by
Eastbay1K
I've been to some banks in Latin America with fees approaching US$10. As I get a Schwab rebate, I don't pay much attention (other than only using real bank ATMs). As for "best practice," regardless of fees, is to get your $ inside the airport terminal at a bank ATM (which I typically do prior to getting a car), as it is probably the safest place in the City to use an ATM. (I've never had a real security issue in Mexico City after dozens of visits over 3 decades, but I still prefer not to use ATMs, especially at night, while alone.)
My best ATM practices regardless of the country/city is to use an ATM attached to a real bank, and before using check out the terminal for fraudulent equipment that could be used remotely which happens in basically every city worldwide and only use it during the time the actual bank is open to be able to report any issues. That's why I always use the same bank/ATM 99% of the time. I never use standalone ATMs, like never ever never 😀