How much does it cost to travel to Mexico?
You should plan to spend around $109 (MX$2,181) per day on your vacation in Mexico. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $25 (MX$504) on meals
- $17 (MX$345) on local transportation
- $86 (MX$1,710) on hotels
A one week trip to Mexico for two people costs, on average, $1,528 (MX$30,535). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Mexico expensive to visit?
Mexico is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Mexico is very affordable compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in North America for its affordability. Very few countries in the region are as affordable as Mexico.
For more details, see Is Mexico Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Mexico?
The average Mexico trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Mexico travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
MX$1,710
($86)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
MX$345
($17)
|
|
Food 2
|
MX$504
($25)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
MX$432
($22)
|
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
MX$34 -
103
($2 - 5)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
MX$150 -
451
($8 - 23)
|
Accommodation Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Mexico is $43 (MX$855). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Mexico is $86 (MX$1,710). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Mexico? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Mexico is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $17 (MX$345) per person, per day, on local transportation in Mexico.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$17
MX$345
Typical prices for Local Transportation in Mexico are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Mexico, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Mexico can vary, the average cost of food in Mexico is $25 (MX$504) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Mexico should cost around $10 (MX$202) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Mexico is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$25
MX$504
Typical prices for Food in Mexico are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Mexico, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Dinner for 2
MX$455
-
Mexican Chips
MX$7.00
-
Ice Cream
MX$22
-
Lunch for Two
MX$350
-
Lunch for Two
MX$108
-
Coffee and Snacks
MX$78
-
Lunch for Two
MX$221
-
Lunch
MX$50
Entertainment Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Mexico typically cost an average of $22 (MX$432) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$22
MX$432
Typical prices for Entertainment in Mexico are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Mexico, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Tips and Handouts Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Mexico is $3.89 (MX$78), as reported by travelers.
-
Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps1
$3.89
MX$78
Alcohol Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 (MX$301) on alcoholic beverages in Mexico per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
MX$301
Water Budget in Mexico
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.52 (MX$30) on bottled water in Mexico per day. The public water in Mexico is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.52
MX$30
Last Updated: Jun 14, 2024
Mexico on a Budget
Guadalajara, Mexico
Mexico is a convenient destination for Americans and Canadians looking to find warm weather and tropical beaches. For decades, this country has been popular as a spring break destination. College kids head to its beaches to cut loose and have fun. Popular cities like Cancun, Cozumel and Acapulco have long been the destination for American youth looking to have a good time, but while Mexico is known for its beach resorts, there really is so much more. If you take the time to head inland, you can explore its villages and cities. From the mountains, to the tropical beaches, to the jungle, there are plenty of undiscovered areas still to be found. Hit up a festival. Drive through the countryside. Stop by an undiscovered restaurant. Get off the tourist trail and you'll see this country has so much more to offer.
Mexican food has spread throughout North America. Everyone craves tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, but nothing can top the experience of eating the food in the country where it originated. Food stands abound in most cities and towns. The food is typically quite fresh and delicious and when you're on the coast, seafood is the most common food of choice.
Mexico can be an expensive destination, particularly if you stick to the resorts and package tourism areas. If you venture a little farther off the beaten path then you'll likely save yourself a little money while you have a more adventurous experience. Stay at locally owned hotels and skip the large resort options and your money will go a lot farther and stay within the local economy. Likewise, restaurants that are targeted specifically at tourists are often far more expensive than local options. Stick to where the locals eat you you'll save yourself a good amount of money. Also try picking up some food in the markets. The food is often fresh and far cheaper than the options that are available in sit down restaurants.
Also remember to negotiate prices. This is particularly true with taxis. Drivers often refuse to use their meters, so you'll do better to agree on a set price before you even get in the vehicle.
At A Glance
- If you're going to spend any time on the Caribbean coast you are better off avoiding the hurricane season, which is during the fall months. If a hurricane hits the area during your scheduled trip you'll almost guaranteed to have to cancel. If you do decide to travel during this time make sure you have good travel insurance.
- Many of the best roads in Mexico are toll roads. These roads are usually in good condition and allow for the shortest travel time. You can expect to pay anywhere from 400 to 800 pesos to travel on a toll road with a private vehicle. If you're taking a bus, only the more expensive buses use the toll roads, as this fee is included in the price of your ticket.
- If you're traveling between cities by bus, you want to take the express bus. These buses are called directo throughout the country and they are much faster and more efficient than the local options, which stop in all of the small towns along the way.
- If you have money that you want to exchange for Mexican pesos it is best not to do this in your hotel. The rates in hotels are usually outrageously high. There are often places around town where you can exchange money. If you have a banking card, ATMs almost always give the best rate, but this does vary by bank.
- There are any number of activities to do in Mexico. On the coast you can enjoy surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. It can be cheaper to wait until you arrive in the country as the prices will be a lot less, but you run the risk of some activities being sold out. Many hotels can organize activities and tours, but ask around because the rate is usually better outside of your hotel, particularly if you're staying at a resort.
Related
Looking for a
party hostel in Mexico? Heading to
San Diego or
LA?
Top Tourist Attractions
Dias des los Muertos: Head to this festival in Oaxaca for one of the best examples of the
Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico. It is celebrated at the end of October and is a time when Mexican families remember those who have died. Gifts are often left on graves and prayers are said for those who are deceased.
Palenque: This archaeological site in Chiapas, although smaller than some other sites throughout the country, is a wonderful example of Mayan architecture. It dates back to 100BC and is and impressive sight to see.
Copper Canyon: This is a network of canyons that, when combined, are larger than the Grand Canyon. They are located in the southwest portion of the state of Chihuahua and offer stunning views and breathtaking scenery.
Popular Foods
Mexican food has a lot of regional specialties which you will become familiar with as you travel through the area. In the north most dishes are meat based, and many of the options are influenced by American cuisine. In the central areas most dishes are corn based while in the southeast they are spicier and made with chicken and vegetables. Along the coast you will find a lot of seafood options. For yet even more information about the cuisine, make sure you read this
authentic Mexican food guide which covers everything, or read on for a few highlights.
Tamales: Tamales are a corn and meat based dish that is either steamed or boiled in a leaf wrapper and served with sauce. It's popular in most Mexican restaurants and makes a good lunch or dinner option.
Quesadillas: Quesadillas are a flour or corn tortilla that is typically filled with cheese and a meat or vegetables. They're common throughout Mexican and are also available in most restaurants abroad as well. They're a simple dish to prepare but can be quite good.
Tacos: Perhaps the most popular food option, tacos are made with a corn or wheat shell that is filled with meat or beans and served with cheese and vegetables. You can typically pick up several at food stands anywhere in the country for a very low cost. They're a great option for a filling but cheap lunch.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
We stayed a bit outside of the touristy areas and found cheaper local hotels instead of the larger, more famous resorts.