jaunt on a budget is not at all a unmanageable undertaking . Step 1 : Go to Mexico . Just ask the throngs ofLonely Planet - summate backpackers that visit every year . But just how far can you stretch out your greenbacks in Mexico ? To absurd lengths , in fact . you could go to ( and enjoy ) our neighbor in the south of the border on just $ 30 a day , in some bloody nerveless cities . Imposible , you might say . But the dollar mark is going far than ever in Mexico at the moment , with an exchange pace of MX$18.50 to the dollar bill . Challenge accept . ¡ Vaya gyp dios !
Mexico City
Once theNew York Timesnamed thisoverlooked foodie cityas itstop destination to visitin 2016 , the megalopolis conk out from under the radiolocation to an international hot spot in a hurry . That say , prices have n’t caught up with the repp yet in Mexico City , or the " DF " as the local anaesthetic ( and now you ) call it . Now is a big clip to give it a whirl .
Where to abide : Hostel Home , $ 10 / night
What to do : Hop the subway for 5 peso ( 25 cents ) and head Downtown to theCentro Historico , where you’re able to peruse ( for free ) historical sites such as the famousZocaloand Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral . Wander past the National Palace , the Federal Treasury , theNacional Monte de Piedad . The gorgeousPalacio de Bellas Artesis nearby , and behind the Zocalo is the Templo Mayor , an ancient Aztec temple uncovered only in the 1970s .
Cancún, Mexico|Mike Liu/Shutterstock
Get back on the metro ( still 5 little pesos ) and maneuver over to Chapultepec Park , one of the large metropolis parks in the humans , and a major shot of nature into straggle Mexico City . Admission to the park is innocent , and deserving a stroll . It ’s also dwelling house to theMuseum of Anthropology– an absolute must for any first sojourn to the DF . Here you will find archaeologic and anthropological artefact from all of Mexico ’s pre - Columbian endemic cultures . And at MX$65 ( $ 3 ) for entree , you ca n’t go wrong .
Where to eat : eat on a budget in Mexico Cityis beyond slowly , but you wo n’t be dine in the glamourous eatery in voguish Polanco . Oh no , it ’s street food for you , my supporter . But this is an infinitely good and more traditional experience . In DF you’re able to find culinary art from across the full country . It ’s a dizzying array of tacos , tamales , quesadillas , roasted corn , grasshoppers ( legit ) , all hot and delicious , all on a strict budget . The metropolis ’s indigenoustacos de canasta , fill with potato , refried beans , andchicharron , are easy to find throughout the city . They cost about 30 centime . Even if you eat 10 of them you are n’t close to maxing out your budget .
Cancun
Cancun on a budget does n’t have to charge you to take a hop break - panache all - inclusive accommodation with 30 other foggy bros . you could all do Cancun in more sophisticated style on the cheap . You wo n’t be log Z’s flop on ( or even near ) the beach , but nothing in Cancun is far from anything else .
Where to stay : Pueblito Hostel , $ 11 / night
What to do : Beaches in Mexico are public , mean even though a hotel might posture beside one , anyone is welcome . You wo n’t be able-bodied to relish the hotels ' beach Butler without shelling out for a day pass , but you could still place out your towel and BYO for innocent . The ADO omnibus will cost about 40 cents and will take you from almost anywhere in Downtown Cancun to the hotel geographical zone ( aka the beach ) .
The Fine Arts Palace in Mexico City, Mexico|ChameleonsEye/Shutterstock
" Cancun on a budget does n’t have to consign you to spring break - fashion all - inclusive accommodations with 30 other bleary bros . "
If you ’re feeling spendy you could board the ferry to Isla Mujeres , a laid - back island off the seacoast of Cancun . A far cry from the mellow - octane energy of places in the hotel zone like , say , Señor Frog ’s , Isla Mujeres is a sleepy fishing village with a lot of character . The town center is only four blocks by six , easy to cover in an good afternoon … or in an hour . Scope out the sea wall murals , explore the boardwalk , and discover the pirate tomb in the town cemetery . seize the ferry from Cancun for about $ 8 round - slip .
Where to eat : Unlike most Mexican city , Cancun does not have a traditional zocalo . or else it hasParque de las Palapas , the primary mall where you may see entertainment and low-cost street snacks . taco are among the most popular food items in Cancun , and for these you ’ll want to visit Barbacoa de la Tulum on Avenida Tulum . There is also Los de Chiwas on Avenida Bonampak , Carnitas Michoacan on Avenida Las Torres , and Tacos Los Perrones on Avenida Donaldo Colosio . Tacos will never be more than $ 1 at these traditional stall , but keep in mind most places go out by 11 am and wo n’t make more .
Svetlana Bogomolova/Shutterstock
Playa del Carmen
An minute south of Cancun is its slenderly more advanced sister , Playa del Carmen . Only 15 twelvemonth ago Playa was a stretch of beach skirt by a small-scale Ithiel Town , palapabeach huts , and fisher . Today she ’s bloomed into a thriving beach metropolis , pack with beach bars , restaurants , voguish boutique hotel ( where you wo n’t be staying ) , and a unanimous company scene . The crowd is a hearty portmanteau of locals , expats , mankind who consider it ’s OK to fall apart stalk felt hat at the beach ( and their girlfriend counterparts ) , and backpackers .
Where to outride : Hostel 3B , $ 15 / night
What to do : With so many tourer in a concentrated area , cost are gamey in Playa del Carmen . Still , it ’s possible to take your additional $ 15 and have a okay Clarence Day . You wo n’t be out ' til 4 am slinging back Coco Locos ( as an adult you ’ve outgrown those anyway , proper ? ) , but you wo n’t be sit in your 10 - bottom mixed residence hall room all nighttime , either .
Portal Maya monument in Playa del Carmen, Mexico|Jose Ignacio Soto / Shutterstock.com
The " beaches are free in Mexico " rule still applies , so that basically takes care of your Clarence Day . Drinking on or near 5th Ave or the beach bars is n’t fail to be a cheap affair , where cocktails start at an egregious $ 4 . Beer , at a buck or two a pa , will be your unspoilt option here . TryWah Wah Beach Barfor the cheapest options . Or you may BYO and park on the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin . Mexico ’s ubiquitous orange tree - and - crimson chemist’s OXXO sells snacks and beer , which are marginally trashy than beer sold at any bar .
The " beach are barren in Mexico " rule still give .
Where to eat : run through on the beach is relatively garish for a regular tourist . But you are not a veritable tourist so you will not be eating on the beach . Instead you ’ll be eating at El Fogon , home of arguably the best tacos in Playa del Carmen . Tourists are on the verge of overtaking this late - night local daub , yet the local - patch Leontyne Price still go for , withtacos al pastorhovering around 40 centime each . If you really want to splurge throw some cheese on that bad son for an additional 20 cents .
Los Arcos National Marine Park, near Puerto Vallarta|Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock
Puerto Vallarta
In the ' sixty Puerto Vallarta was a glamorous beach destination , made famed by Liz Taylor and Richard Burton ( whose former home has been turned into a suuuuper - swanky hotel . Next fourth dimension . ) . The buzz on PV ( as the local call it ) quieted down until the past decade or so , as hotel development and attractions have sprung up . It ’s still among the chillest Mexican beach Town , which is saying something . Plus it ’s square - up gorgeous , with spectacular sunsets behind the Bay of Banderas , and lush , hobo camp - wind mountains that tumble down to the weewee .
Where to stay : El Sunset Hostel , $ 9 / night
What to do : Puerto Vallarta on a budget is a cinch . The vivacious , colourful city is jam with bum chow and action . When you ’re not at the beach in Puerto Vallarta proper , you’re able to take the motorcoach to smaller , less touristy beach nearby . Consider the beach " hike " from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas . This coastal walk is dot with quiet private beach that are unadulterated for secluded swim and Instagrammable moments . The bus to Boca de Tomatlan from Puerto Vallarta cost 40 cents one manner .
Puerta Maya in Cozumel, Mexico|mikolajn/Shutterstock
A motorcoach will also take you to Sayulita , a bohemian beach township about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta that ’s equal section bougie - chic and leathery , unwashed packer . It ’s one of the most visited situation outside Puerto Vallarta these day , which make it beyond touristy , but it ’s still deserving a trip for more beach bars , nontextual matter galleries , surfing , and people - watching . The motorbus to Sayulita costs about $ 2 one way .
Where to exhaust : People in PV will argue to your face about the best tacos . You ca n’t go incorrect with late - night tacos from the various motortruck lining the streets in the more residential section of the Romantic Zone , but if you want an establishment with existent light and chair , Pancho ’s Takosis your mess . This nighttime hotspot is best - know for the beautiful , circumvolve , smoky , dripping hunk of pork that twirls as the James Cook cuts sensual slices ofal pastorall night long . One wetback is about 65 cents . If you ’re sick of tacos ( if ) , you’re able to grab a quesadilla for about $ 1.60 , or a cheese fondue with veggies for $ 3.60 .
In Boca de Tomatlan you are urged to park yourself atMi Ranchito , an open - melody beach saloon with thatchedpalapason the pee . Guacamole cost $ 4 ; quesadillas are $ 3.20 ; and fish ceviche ( a MUST in PV ) is about $ 4.80 .
Restaurants and bars tend to be a little more expensive in Sayulita . Still , it is possible to use up on a budget here if you know where to look . Tacos El Ivanis known for its tacos al pastor , which run for about 50 penny . El Metrodoles out delicioustortas(Mexican sandwiches ) , which start at around $ 3 , and are massive so chances are you wo n’t need dinner . ( But we know you – you ’re eat dinner party . And you could still afford to . ) For Pisces the Fishes taco you might be tempt to stop at the tangible Fish Taco , which is right near the beach . But you ’d do advantageously to head straight toRinconcito , which is far superior and far loud ( with far few tourist ) . For something odorous head to the Cake Lady , who serves flan and tres lecher cake for about $ 1.15 .
Cozumel
The last time you were in Cozumel was believably on a cruise . Here ’s what happened : You engender off the ship , headed straight for Señor Fro ' ’s , chugged beer and/or did some body shots , buy a T - shirt , sloppily kissed one ( or many ) evenly splosh Jack-tar , got back on your ship , and then checked Cozumel off your bucket list . dear job Cozumeling . But it pains me to say , you ’ve scarcely scratched the surface . Get out of the cruise - phone line rut and you ’ll find a city epically stunning and rugged with gorgeous coastline and pristine hobo camp , pack with street artwork , and domicile to tasty treat – all which can be bask on little to nothing .
Where to continue : Amigos Hostel Cozumel , $ 12 / night
What to do : With the second - largest roadblock Witwatersrand in the world , Cozumel ’s diving is one and only . If you ca n’t fling on scuba appurtenance and a boat turn , go ahead and snorkel right off the shoring . bribe your own schnorchel , paddle out , and be marvel by the kaleidoscope of coral and fish .
If you prefer to bake on dry land , the local anesthetic favour the beaches Playa de San Martin and Chen Rio . Playa de San Martin is democratic with unseasoned people who wish to surf , while Chen Rio is more family - oriented with smaller lunar time period pools that create little red-hot tub - like pool .
Good job Cozumeling . But it pains me say , you ’ve hardly scratched the surface .
Where to eat : For a local dejeuner , considerLa Choza . It offers a local menu , where $ 4 will get you water , soup , and a main class , of which there are five to seven option . You will have to ask for the local menu , but you do n’t have to be a local to eat off of it .
Cozumel is do it for its " tapas - panache " civilisation , as well . Locals like to visit small legal community lie with asbotaneros , which are fundamentally cantinas that give out costless collation as long as you keep drink in . And with beers bulk large around $ 2 , you could have a very filling repast for under $ 6 . Abotaneroto know : La Yucatequita .
For tacos , bothEl FocoandMister Tacoare great option . The Yucatan Peninsula ( of which Cozumel is a part ) is make out for itscochinita , which is slowly - roasted porc . Forcochinitatacos ortortas , visitEl Amigo Mario . This fix - in - the - rampart taqueria serves only three things : cochinitatacos , cochinita tortas , and drinkable . The greaser start at 80 cents . If you ’ve got 30 bucks burning a gob in your pocket after a full daytime at the beach , you may grease one’s palms three 12 .
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