Dollar Falls Below $17 in Mexico and Continues to Plummet in Colombia
Posted on 08/20/26 at 09:52
The dollar lost ground again on Thursday: it fell below 17 pesos in Mexico and continued to drop sharply in Colombia. The Dominican Republic had a different outlook, with prices remaining virtually stable.
Why it matters: A cheaper dollar can benefit those who need to buy the US currency, but it can also mean less local money for families who receive remittances and exchange their dollars.
How the Dollar is Doing in Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic Today, August 20
Dollar in Mexico
The dollar fell on Thursday to below 17 Mexican pesos. According to data from Banxico, it is currently at 16.9593 Mexican pesos.
In the foreign exchange market, the reference prices are:
- Purchase: $16.67
- Sale: $17.22
In Banco Azteca, the dollar is trading at:
- Purchase: $16.55
- Sale: $17.69
The decline can make a difference for those who need to buy dollars to travel, make payments, or cover other expenses in US currency. However, the final price depends on the chosen bank or establishment.
Exchange Rate Continues to Fall in Colombia
Colombia once again registered the strongest change among the three countries. The dollar continues to plummet and on Thursday was trading at 3.049,036 Colombian pesos, according to data from the Banco de la República.
In the Bogotá foreign exchange market, the values are:
- Purchase: $3.130
- Sale: $3.250
For those who receive dollars and need to convert them to Colombian pesos, the decline has a very concrete effect: each dollar can yield fewer pesos at the time of exchange.
On the other hand, those who need to buy US currency may find more favorable prices than when the dollar was higher, although it will again depend on the location where the operation is carried out.
Dollar Quotation in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic presents a much calmer scenario on Thursday. According to data from the Central Bank, the dollar remains stable with no major changes.
The prices are:
- Purchase: RD$58.81
- Sale: RD$59.05
The difference from Mexico and Colombia is clear: while in those two countries the dollar continues to fall, in the Dominican Republic the price remains around recent levels.
The Dollar’s Decline Changes Who Wins and Who Receives Less
Thursday’s behavior leaves Mexico and Colombia with a cheaper dollar, although Colombia’s decline is once again the most marked.
For families, the effect depends on which side of the operation they are on:
- Those who need to buy dollars may benefit from a lower price.
- Those who receive a remittance in dollars and need to convert it to local currency may end up receiving fewer pesos for the same amount sent from the United States.
It also matters where the exchange is made: Bank and establishment prices can be different, so comparing prices before buying or selling dollars can help avoid an unnecessary difference.