Is Cancun Expensive?

Is Cancun expensive to visit?

Cancun is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $136. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Halifax and Niagara Falls.



Cancun, Mexico

How expensive is Cancun?

Travelers spend an average of $136 per day when visiting Cancun (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Cancun here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Cancun?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Cancun costs around $409 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $817.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Cancun?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Cancun will cost around $954 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,907.

Is it expensive to backpack in Cancun?

Cancun is a popular backpacker destination with more than 30 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $14 per night. (See hostel prices in Cancun here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $27 and the cheapest around $6 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Cancun.

  • $14 for a dorm bed at Nomads Hotel Hostel & Rooftop Pool
  • $20 for a dorm bed at Mayan Monkey Cancun
  • $10 for a dorm bed at Nomads Party Hostel

Are hotels expensive in Cancun?

If you're considering hotel prices in Cancun, you'll find them to be fairly even and moderate in price compared to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $118. In Cancun, there are about 29 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $316. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $77 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $47 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Cancun
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 29 $316
4 stars 74 $200
3 stars 111 $77
2 stars 42 $47
1 star 4 $92
No rating 43 $114

Boulevard Kukulkan Km 7 5, Cancun
Overall Rating 9.1
Vialidad Paseo Mujeres, Cancun
Overall Rating 8.9

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Cancun?

In Cancun, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $28 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $21.

  • Kayaking Tour in Cancun: $45
  • Kayak Tour at Sunset in Cancun: $37
  • Experience Cancun's Hidden Gems, Mayan museum, cenote & Market 23: $160
  • Adrenaline Adventure, Zip Line, ATV and Cenote Maya: $159
  • LDS Tour to Coba Ruins + Cenote : $215
  • Private Evening Taco and Beer Tour with Transportation Included : $237
  • Private City Tour Tulum: $139
  • ATV Tour from Cancun and Puerto Morelos with Ziplines and Cenote.: $24

Is food expensive in Cancun?

In Cancun, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $40 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $40.

  • Cancun - Cooking Class with Local Chef (small groups - 3 hours): $100
  • Cancun Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $78
  • Spanish Galleon in Cancún - Romantic Lobster Dinner Cruise & Live Saxophone: $112
  • Pirate Ship Jolly Roger with Dinner and Open Bar: $139
  • Puerto Morelos Walking Food Tour: $69
  • Delicious Street Food Tour from your hotel in Cancun!: $145

Is transportation expensive in Cancun?

The prices of local transportation in Cancun can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $14 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $17. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Cancun

If you're planning a trip to Cancun, Mexico, check out these other informative travel guides.



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.



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