What budget for activities and outings Yucatán Peninsula?
Rates at archaeological sites vary according to the geographic origin of visitors: a reduced price for state residents, slightly more expensive for Mexicans from other states, and higher for non-resident foreigners. Most sites have entrance fees of around $90, but state taxes make the final price vary considerably. At Chichén Itzá, for example, admission in 2024 was $95 and the tax $548 for foreign adults. Younger visitors, up to the age of 12, and people with disabilities generally benefit from free or reduced admission. For the services of a guide, expect to pay between $900 and $1,400 for a group of up to 8 people. Some "ecological" parks, such as Xcaret, offer promotions for online purchases directly on their websites.
Don't forget to pack a mask and snorkel in your suitcase or backpack! Snorkeling is one of the peninsula's great attractions, especially on the Caribbean coast, with its clear, turquoise waters, where you can spend hours observing the thousand-colored fish and coral (don't forget your anti-UV T-shirt so you don't come out red as a lobster). Snorkeling is free, except when you have to take a boat to reach spots far from the beach. You'll also need a mask and snorkel to explore the many cenotes! You can of course rent equipment on site, but at a cost of US$5 each time, it's much cheaper to bring your own. For scuba diving proper (with tanks), the budget isn't the same, of course! For a two-dive trip to two different sites, expect to pay around 95-110 US$. For cenotes, you'll need between US$150 and US$180 (two dives).
The region is also an ideal place to try kitesurfing, particularly on the Progreso, Holbox, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Cozumel spots. You can rent equipment on site and take lessons. The best season is from December to May.
While climbing is not possible in the flat region, hiking (on foot, horseback or bicycle) is possible in many of the peninsula's nature reserves. The services of a guide are essential, however, to avoid getting lost and to discover the local flora and fauna in greater depth.
Cancún boasts a number of modernshopping centers in the hotel zone, such as Plaza Kukulcán, with boutiques selling most of the major international brands, at the same prices as at home, or even more expensive for imported products (especially gourmet foods). In Playa del Carmen, you can't escape the Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, which is overflowing with stores of all kinds, sometimes leading to overdose... Hard to resist for some, even if prices are higher than elsewhere. Note that Quintana Roo does not levy taxes on cosmetics and luxury goods. Perfumes and cosmetics are 30% cheaper than elsewhere.
For more typical and authentic items, head for the colorful markets, such as Mercado 23 or Mercado 28 in Cancún, or Mercado Lucas de Gálvez in Mérida, for example. In the markets, bring cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted.
Entrance to dance bars and discotheques is usually charged for men, and free or at a reduced rate for women, often with girl nights where girls can drink as much as they like, or almost. Drinks are much cheaper than in France (between US$1.5 and US$5 for a local beer in a discotheque), except in the elitist clubs and tourist clubs of Cancún or Playa, where gringos pay top dollar. In these places, it's often all-you-can-drink(barra libre), with dance or circus shows, and bikini or wet T-shirt contests... For those who want to get their head turned upside down, expect to pay between US$40 and US$110 for entry with unlimited drinks and an American-style show. Tickets purchased over the Internet, through agencies or at your hotel, are often a little cheaper than at the door. Unlike restaurants, waiters and bartenders are rarely tipped more than 5%, or even just a few pesos in bars. Happy hours in beach bars are frequent, with varying opening times, usually in the middle of the afternoon.
What budget to eat Yucatán Peninsula?
To eat local and cheap, turn to the fondas, puestos or comedores of the markets. In all cases you can eat for the equivalent of 3 or 4 euros for a full meal, to be paid in cash only. The fondas, also called cocina económica, where the working and middle classes mix, are small restaurants offering hearty and often tasty family cuisine. You can find the real Mexican flavours there, so be careful with the chillies! Puestos are street stalls where tacos or burritos are prepared and eaten standing in the street. These are convenient when you are hungry or need to eat quickly. Taquerías are small restaurants or shops that specialize in making tacos. You will find a wide variety, it is ideal to try new flavors for cheap. Finally, you can also have breakfast or lunch in the comedores, which are grouped together in the market area. Everything is prepared on the spot with fresh products from the market. Be careful with the hygiene conditions, which are sometimes limited.
Concerning the restaurants, there are of course all prices and the variety of dishes is greater. The more chic and touristy the area, the more difficult it will be to find cheap establishments. In most restaurants you can pay by credit card, especially in the tourist areas.
On average, a draught beer costs around $30 (€1.50); double that for a craft or imported beer. A coffee: around $15-20, a cappuccino: $40-50. Natural fruit juice: around $30-40.
What is the budget for accommodation Yucatán Peninsula?
Accommodation is available on any budget in Mexico, even in the most popular tourist resorts such as Cancún and Playa del Carmen. The key is whether you prefer a private pool or a shared bathroom (on the landing)... Budget travelers can opt for hammocks or camping. In classic hotels, rates are generally quoted per room (which can sometimes accommodate 4 or 6 people, depending on the number of beds), except for all-inclusive establishments(todo incluido), which are very numerous in Cancún's Zona Hotelera. Prices are also quoted per person in hostels, but only for dormitory beds, not for private rooms (most hostels now offer both). Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but generally incur additional charges of around 5%. Rates are quoted in pesos or US dollars, especially for the more expensive establishments. It's best to pay in pesos, as the exchange rate is rarely favorable when paying in dollars. Some higher-category hotels do not include taxes (14% to 19%); always check. Hotel classification ranges from 1 to 5 stars, followed by Grand Tourism, Special Category and Boutique Hotel for luxury hotels. However, no organization controls the classification of establishments and, very often, the services of a 3-star hotel in Mexico are inferior to those of an establishment in the same category in France. It should be noted that some higher-level hotels, including all-inclusives, are reserved for adultsonly, in order to preserve the tranquility of the premises. Many hotels offer substantial discounts, up to 50% in low season, on their websites.
Haciendas remain Mexico's most typical luxury accommodation. The rooms, often few in number, nestle in an atmosphere steeped in history, especially when the furniture is original. Room rates often exceed US$150.
Economy-class hotels are called hostals, casa de huéspedes, pensión or hospedaje. Rooms range from US$20 to US$40. But be careful where you put your feet, as the cheapest ones are sometimes used as a hotel de passe.
Motels in Latin America don't mean cheap roadside hotels, as they do in the U.S., but places where discretion is de rigueur (you arrive by car directly into a cubicle that gives access to a room), to spend a pleasant moment with your partner, official or otherwise. Payment is by the hour. They are often located on the outskirts of towns. In case of doubt, the "romantic" name of the establishment should tell you what it is!
Bed and breakfast. Staying with a local is not part of the country's habits and customs. The few establishments of this type are often run by foreigners. On the other hand, platforms such as Airbnb now offer a substantial range of apartments for rent, providing an interesting alternative to hotels for families or groups of friends (usually with kitchen facilities).
Youth hostels. Known as hostels or hostal, these offer single rooms or dormitory beds (sometimes mixed or exclusively for women). Dormitory beds cost between US$9 and US$25. Room rates are similar to those of conventional hotels, but you'll generally have access to a shared kitchen and to facilities and activities that make it easier to meet other travelers. Comfort, cleanliness and ambience vary greatly from one hostel to the next: from the zen and tranquil seaside hostel, to the more festive with rooftop bar and tequila fiestas and wet T-shirts every night, to the hostel for digital nomads with coworking space; or a mixture of all of these more often than not.
Camping takes place on beaches or in natural areas. Wild camping is strongly discouraged, however, due to the prevailing safety conditions in Mexico. The usual practice is to ask a hotel for permission to camp in its garden or on its beach in exchange for a few pennies, to avoid spending the night isolated and to be able to use the hotel's toilets and showers. On the Riviera Maya, there are a number of campgrounds designed to accommodate Canadians spending the winter in Mexico in their motorhomes. You can also rent a hammock and sleep under the stars. In any case, beware of bugs: spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes and ants. Before going to sleep, always make sure that no one has taken up residence in your sleeping bag... Take the same precaution with your shoes in the early hours of the morning. It's the kind of thing you'll regret forgetting to do! The cost of pitching a tent or renting a palapa for a hammock is around US$10 and US$5 respectively.
Travel budget Yucatán Peninsula and cost of living
Mexico is a relatively inexpensive country. The standard of living in Mexico is low overall, with great inequalities: the difference in standards between those who have money and those who don't is striking. In the country of Carlos Slim (one of the richest men on the planet), the minimum wage is around US$5 a day, but a large part of the population working in the informal sector doesn't even reach this. The middle class is in the minority, and the Western traveller is often regarded by Mexicans as a rich person. Indeed, the average vacation budget of foreigners is often higher than the monthly (or even annual) salary of a large majority of Mexicans.
Budget. Although the Yucatán Peninsula, and in particular the Mexican Caribbean, remains one of Mexico's most expensive regions, you can find very decent rooms in youth hostels for less than €10 per person, breakfast included. Higher-quality hotels also offer good-value rooms (around €50 a night for two), especially outside school vacations and on weekdays. It's also sometimes cheaper to pay in cash, rather than by card. Meals are no different. It's easy to eat locally for less than $100 (€4). Finally, the biggest part of the budget will most certainly be spent on transport. First-class buses charge around 100 pesos per 100 km, and a 4-hour trip from Cancún to Mérida costs $450 in first class. As for renting a car, you'll need to spend the same budget as you would for a European destination, even if gas is cheaper in Mexico. But it's still the best way to get around the peninsula.
Tipping. In restaurants and cafés, it's customary to leave the waiter at least 10% of the bill. The propina is also appreciated by guides and hotel staff.
Haggling. This is not particularly an institution in Mexico. It takes place in tourist markets, when a lot of purchases are made. To be on the safe side, prefer pesos to dollars. On the other hand, don't forget that handicrafts and embroidered fabrics require a certain amount of work. Don't try to buy the most beautiful huipil on the corner for the price of a T-shirt made in China - it's a lack of consideration for the craftsman, who often takes it badly, and rightly so!
