Mexico on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Yes, Mexico is excellent for budget travel: about MX$1,050 per person per day covers a hostel or shared room, street food, buses and one site. The Caribbean coast costs more, so balance it with longer stays in Mexico City, Oaxaca and Mérida.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | MX$400 | MX$1,200 | MX$3,000 |
| Food & drink | MX$350 | MX$800 | MX$1,800 |
| Sights & tickets | MX$200 | MX$500 | MX$1,000 |
| Local transport | MX$100 | MX$300 | MX$800 |
| Per person, per day | MX$1,050 | MX$2,800 | MX$6,600 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Mexico day-cost table.
Free things to do
- See the Diego Rivera murals in the Palacio Nacional (free with ID, when open)
- Walk the Zócalo and the Metropolitan Cathedral
- Walk through Chapultepec Park and the leafy streets of Roma and Condesa
- Stroll the Andador Macedonio Alcalá in Oaxaca to Santo Domingo
- Watch the free music and dance nights in Mérida's squares
- Walk the Paseo de Montejo mansions in Mérida
Cheap eats
- Tacos al pastor at El Huequito or Los Cocuyos, about MX$20-30 each
- Grilled meat in the Pasillo de Humo at Oaxaca's Mercado 20 de Noviembre, about MX$150-250
- Tlayuda in Oaxaca, about MX$80-150
- Cochinita pibil tortas in Mérida, about MX$40-80
- Comida corrida set lunch, about MX$100-180
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in hostels and simple hotels in Mexico City's Centro and Oaxaca's centre, with dorm beds around MX$250-450 and budget doubles at about MX$700-1,200. In Tulum, stay in town rather than on the beach.
Getting around cheaply
The Mexico City metro costs a few pesos per ride, and Uber or DiDi are cheap for short trips. From Mexico City airport, the metro or Metrobús line 4 is cheapest; authorised taxis are the safer door-to-door option. ADO buses and the Tren Maya are the cheapest long-distance options in the Yucatán; between Mexico City and Oaxaca, flights save a long bus ride.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Zócalo, cathedral and Templo Mayor, about MX$100
- Lunch: comida corrida in the Centro, about MX$140
- Afternoon: Palacio Nacional murals and Bellas Artes, free to see from outside
- Evening: tacos al pastor and a mezcal, about MX$250 with an Uber back
- Total: about MX$1,050 per person including a shared room
More ways to save
- Carry small notes and coins; street stands often cannot change large bills.
- Book Museo Frida Kahlo and Chichén Itzá early in the day to avoid crowds without paying for tours.
- Choose Uxmal over Chichén Itzá if you want a quieter, cheaper Maya site.
- Swim in smaller local cenotes, often cheaper than the famous ones.
- Remember the VISITAX fee when leaving Quintana Roo.
- Travel in shoulder season (May-June, September-November) for lower prices.
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Common questions
Is Mexico good for budget travel?
Yes, at about MX$1,050 a day with hostels, street food and buses, especially outside the Caribbean coast.
What is the cheapest way to travel around the Yucatán?
ADO buses and colectivos, or the Tren Maya on some routes.
What is the cheapest food in Mexico?
Street tacos, tlayudas, tortas and market food, plus comida corrida set lunches.