Mexico is one of the world's best-loved vacation destinations, and for those living in the U.S., it doesn't take long to get there. It doesn't have to cost a lot of money; there are plenty of budget-friendly hotels in Mexico. If you live relatively close, you can even drive there. For everyone else, you can fly to Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, or one of the other international airports.
How to Budget for a Trip to Mexico
How much does a trip to Mexico actually cost? Expert Vagabond claims that budget travelers can get by on as little as $30 to $40 a day, but you'll want to make sure that you convert your dollars to pesos before leaving the United States. Also, you should remember that the conversion rate is lower. These experts add that hostel prices range from $4 to $17 a night, guest houses are $40 to $95, mid-range hotels are $100 to $200, and upscale hotel prices range from $200 to $500 a night.
Your most significant expense will likely be your airfare or gas, so try to trim down the budget in other ways. Naturally, some cities south of the border are much more expensive than others, so you'll want to spend less time in these places. SuccessStory notes that these expensive options as Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City, Cabo, San Luca, and Guadalajara. Look for accommodations elsewhere and visit these cities to sample the sights and cuisine.
Best Budget Vacation Spots in Mexico
World Packers lists the more affordable Mexico vacation spots, beginning with Puerto Vallarta. This excellent resort beach town offers plenty of sand and surf, along with a wide variety of places to stay. Valladolid is in Yucatan northern Quintana Roo and offers impressive beach scenery. They also mention Isla Mujeres, an island off the coast of Cancun that you can take a ferry to for less than $20. You'll also be able to find highly-rated, super cheap hotels.
There's plenty more to choose from: Fodor's likes Puerto Escondido, which has a laid-back charm that you can quickly get used to. It's full of mid-range hotels, hostels, and great eats. Cholula is a few hours outside of Mexico City and has a large student population. It also offers the Tepanapa Pyramid and excellent, cheap cafes and bars at Container City. Experts also recommend Guanajuato, Xilitla, San Sebastian Barnal (home to the planet’s tallest freestanding rock), and Aguascalientes.
Budget-Friendly Hotels in Mexico
Forbes also listed some other cities worth exploring, such as Bacalar, which is close to the Belizean border. They have good things to say about the Yak Lake House hostel, which has its own private dock. In Aguascalientes, you should look for affordable stays by the Jardin de San Marcos near the city's historic center. If you end up in San Sebastián Bernal, you can camp outdoors or stay at the Chichidho Eco Park dormitory; it's right outside of town.
Oyster lists some budget-friendly hotels in Mexico towns that you may or may not know. In Quintana Roo, they like the Diamante K because it sits on a white sand beach and has an excellent boho restaurant; prices for these cabins range from $97 to $275. The Emperador Vallarta Hotel in Puerto Vallarta is a beachfront boutique hotel with 49 rooms; you can find rooms here for less than $100 a night. Last is Hotel B Cozumel, which has a fantastic whirlpool built into natural bay rocks. You'll pay from $96 to $281 a night at this laid-back hotel.
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