Mexico

Mexico is not what most people picture. Yes, the all-inclusive resorts in Cancun exist. But Mexico is also Mexico City, one of the most exciting cities in the world. It’s Oaxaca, where the food is so good people fly there just to eat. It’s the Yucatan Peninsula with cenotes, Mayan ruins, and Caribbean coastline. It’s San Miguel de Allende with its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. It’s Baja with desert landscapes meeting the Pacific Ocean.

The food alone is worth the trip. Not Tex-Mex. Real Mexican food. Tacos al pastor from a street cart for $1. Mole that takes three days to make. Tlayudas in Oaxaca. Fresh ceviche on the coast. Mezcal that bears no resemblance to the tequila you’ve had at home. Mexico has more UNESCO-listed cuisine than almost any country on earth.

It’s also genuinely affordable. A comfortable mid-range trip costs $50-120/day including accommodation, food, and transport. Budget travellers can do it on $30-50/day easily.

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When to go

November to April is dry season and the best time for most of the country. December to February is peak tourist season with higher prices, especially in beach destinations. The weather is warm and dry everywhere.

May to October is rainy season. Afternoon downpours are common but mornings are usually clear. Prices drop 20-40% and crowds thin out. Hurricane season on the Caribbean coast runs June to November.

Mexico City is good year-round. It sits at 2,200m altitude so temperatures are mild (15-25C) even in summer.

What it actually costs

Mexico is excellent value. All prices in USD.

Budget ($30-50/day) Hostels ($8-18/night), street tacos and market food ($1-4 per meal), colectivo vans between towns ($2-8), free beaches and plazas.

Mid-range ($50-120/day) Boutique hotels or nice Airbnbs ($30-70/night), restaurant meals ($8-15), Uber everywhere, cenote and ruin entry fees ($5-15 each).

Comfortable ($120-250+/day) Beach resorts, fine dining, private tours, domestic flights.

Where to go

Mexico City (3-5 days). One of the best cities in the world right now. The historic centre, Chapultepec Park and Castle, Coyoacan (Frida Kahlo’s neighbourhood), Roma and Condesa for food and nightlife, the Anthropology Museum, and street food everywhere. Safe, cheap, and endlessly interesting.

Oaxaca (3-4 days). The food capital of Mexico. Markets, mezcal distilleries, Monte Alban ruins, and the best mole in the country. The food scene here rivals anywhere on earth for quality and value.

Yucatan Peninsula (5-7 days). Cancun (skip the hotel zone, visit Isla Mujeres instead), Playa del Carmen, Tulum (ruins on a cliff above the Caribbean), Valladolid (charming colonial town), Chichen Itza, and dozens of cenotes (natural swimming holes). Rent a car for flexibility.

San Miguel de Allende (2-3 days). Colonial architecture, art galleries, rooftop bars, and a large expat community. One of the most beautiful small cities in the Americas.

Puerto Vallarta and the Pacific Coast (3-5 days). Beach town with a real Mexican identity beyond the resort strip. The Malecon boardwalk, old town, whale watching (December-March), and the nearby Sayulita surf town.

What to skip

All-inclusive resorts in Cancun if you want to experience Mexico. You’ll eat resort food, drink resort drinks, and leave without seeing the country. Stay in Playa del Carmen or Tulum instead and eat at local restaurants.

Tulum town during peak season without a plan. It’s become overpriced and overcrowded. The ruins are still stunning. The cenotes nearby are still magical. But the town itself has lost some of its charm. Visit the attractions, stay somewhere quieter.

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Must-do experiences

Eat tacos al pastor from a street cart. The rotating spit of marinated pork with pineapple on top. $1 per taco and better than any restaurant version. Mexico City, Oaxaca, or any city with a busy taco stand.

Swim in a cenote. Natural limestone sinkholes filled with crystal-clear water. Thousands across the Yucatan. Cenote Ik Kil, Cenote Suytun, and Gran Cenote near Tulum are popular. $5-15 entry.

Drink mezcal in Oaxaca. Visit a palenque (small mezcal distillery) in the countryside around Oaxaca city. Tastings are usually free or cheap. The smoky, complex flavours are nothing like cheap tequila.

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Practical tips

The currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). Cards accepted at restaurants and hotels. Street food, markets, and taxis are cash. ATMs everywhere.

Most Western passport holders get 180 days visa-free.

Uber works in all major cities and is the safest, cheapest transport option. Colectivos (shared vans) run between towns for $2-8.

Tap water is not safe to drink. Bottled water everywhere for $0.50-1.

The food is safe at busy street stalls. High turnover = fresh food. If locals are eating there, you’re fine.

Planning your trip

1 week Yucatan: Cancun/Isla Mujeres (2), Valladolid + cenotes (1), Chichen Itza (day trip), Tulum (2), Playa del Carmen (1).

2 weeks Mexico highlights: Mexico City (4), fly to Oaxaca (3), fly to Cancun, Yucatan road trip (5), Playa del Carmen (2).

Book your trip

Use the search tools above to compare prices on flights, hotels, tours, and rental cars across Mexico.

More destinations: For similar budget travel in the Americas, see our USA or Canada guides. For a different kind of affordable beach trip, try Bali or Thailand.