Budget Travel in Cancun: Tips for an Affordable Vacation

Do you think of Cancun as a glitzy and glamorous playground that’s reserved for the rich? We’re pleased to say that’s no longer the case. Although it’s easy to drop thousands on accommodation and entertainment, there are also plenty of ways to enjoy a budget break in Cancun. 

In this article, we share the best tips to help you plan an affordable vacation in Mexico’s most popular beach spot. By considering when to visit, where you’re staying, and how you’re getting around, your Cancun break can be done on a budget while still experiencing its best bits. 

Choosing the Right Time to Visit

First of all, let’s consider when to visit Cancun if you’re working to a budget. 

Best times to visit Cancun for budget travelers

The best time to visit Cancun - especially if value for money is your number one concern - is in the fall. But why? Well, fall is in the peak rainy season with the highest chance of encountering storms or hurricanes. Temperatures are at their height and so is humidity, which can mean a less comfortable experience. Add to that the fact no major holidays happen in the fall. These factors combine to keep demand - and therefore visitor numbers - lower. 

But, as a budget traveler, this all works in your favor. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions all want to secure you as a customer, so there are often bargains to be had at this time of year. 

Shoulder season

If the less attractive fall weather makes travel unappealing, then the shoulder season could be a good compromise. April (apart from Easter) and May generally see a fall in prices, as humidity ramps up but the rainy season hasn’t quite begun. Similarly, November and early December are quieter in Cancun, but the risk of hurricanes has fallen and temperatures are becoming more comfortable again after the sticky summer and fall. Find out more about the weather in Cancun to help you plan your visit. 

While you’re unlikely to snag the biggest discounts in the shoulder season, you can usually find decently-priced hotels and rentals. Lower numbers of vacationers can also mean better pricing on tours and excursions. Plus you’ll likely be sharing the areas best attractions with less people, which will make your experience more relaxing. 

Avoiding peak season and holidays

If there’s one piece of advice when looking for an affordable Cancun vacation, it’s to avoid peak season and holidays. So Christmas and New Year, Easter, and school vacation times are out because this is when the Mexican Caribbean sees peak demand - with prices skyrocketing accordingly.

Finding Affordable Accommodations

While it’s true the fanciest resorts in Cancun’s Hotel Zone can run to hundreds or even thousands of dollars a night, there are also budget options to be found. 

Budget-friendly hotel options in Cancun

The best way to visit Cancun on a budget is to consider staying downtown. While you won’t get the direct beach access offered by the shiny mega-resorts of the Hotel Zone, you can find characterful and comfortable accommodations at an affordable price. And you can still enjoy some unadulterated beach time, with regular buses running between downtown and the Hotel Zone for less than a dollar each way. 

Here are a couple of high quality but affordable hotel options in downtown Cancun: 

• Oh! Cancun The Urban Oasis
• Adhara Express
  

If being in the Hotel Zone is a non-negotiable, then there are a few lower-priced options available - although they are more expensive than downtown. While reviews aren’t across-the-board positive, they offer proximity to Cancun’s biggest attractions - its beaches and nightlife. 

• Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun 
• Aloft Cancun

Hostels and vacation rentals

Another way to save cash on a Cancun vacation - which is often overlooked by visitors - is staying in a hostel or vacation rental. 

Cancun hostels

Hostels are usually aimed at a younger crowd, most often backpackers and people who are comfortable sharing a multi-bed dorm room and bathrooms with other guests. The main benefit is the cost - because you don’t have your own room, you can save big money. This is especially true if you’re a solo traveler, when the savings offered by hostels are largest. If you’re visiting alone, check out this article packed with tips and recommendations for solo Cancun travel. 

Because hostels usually have great common spaces, including lounges, gardens and kitchens, they’re one of the best ways to meet like-minded people visiting Cancun on a budget. Not only can you pick up more money-saving travel tips from your fellow hostelers, but you can cook in the communal kitchen, which will also save significant amounts on eating out. 

A couple of great hostels in Cancun are:

• Mezcal Hostel - located in downtown Cancun
• Selina Cancun Laguna Hotel Zone & Cowork - located in the Cancun Hotel Zone

Cancun vacation rentals

Vacation rentals range in price from super-cheap to luxury. And, whether you want a whole apartment to yourself, or are happy just to rent a room, you can find safe and comfortable options at almost every price point. If you look for a rental with kitchen facilities, you’ll have a solid way of saving money on food, as cooking for yourself is almost always cheaper than eating out. 

Here are a couple of vacation rentals that offer great spaces while helping keep the cost of your vacation down:

• Airbnb: Bee House
• Vrbo: Charming waterfront apartment 

Staying in nearby towns 

Another way to avoid inflated accommodation prices in Cancun is to consider staying outside the city limits, perhaps in nearby Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Both cities are immensely popular and have their own scenes to entice you, but they’re also within easy traveling distance of Cancun.

Playa del Carmen

Located around 45 minutes south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen has rapidly expanded over the last two decades to become one of the Mexican Caribbean’s most popular destinations. In this article, we share our favorite things to see and do in Playa del Carmen. 

There’s a wealth of hotels and vacation rentals in Playa del Carmen and pricing is way more competitive than in Cancun. The city attracts huge numbers of digital nomads too, which means there are deals to be found if you’re looking to stay for weeks rather than days.

Tulum

Tulum is one and a half to two hours south of Cancun, but is still a viable alternative, as transport links between Cancun and Tulum are cheap and almost non-stop. 

While Tulum has been criticized for increasing prices in recent years, if you look towards Tulum Pueblo - the part of the city that’s not by the water - you can find great accommodation options, whether you want to stay in a hotel, hostel or vacation rental. Find out more about Tulum in this expert visitor guide. 

Saving Money on Transportation

Although it’d be great to have a personal driver on call, unfortunately, budget travel doesn’t usually allow such indulgences. Thankfully, Cancun offers a wide range of alternatives, most of which offer fantastic value for money.

Using public transportation

Buses in and around Cancun

Traveling within Cancun is easy, with city buses running between downtown Cancun and the Hotel Zone every few minutes around the clock - just look for route R1 or R2 on the front of the bus.

Inter-city transport from Cancun is also simple and the quality of the buses takes many visitors by surprise. ADO is the go-to company, boasting comfortable, reliable and most importantly, well-priced transport across three classes of transport - standard, deluxe (GL) and luxury (Platino).

A money-saving tip if you plan to travel by ADO bus: Try to buy your tickets a couple of weeks before traveling, as ADO offers up to 50% discount on advance purchases. You can buy tickets via the ADO website or app, or by using BusBud.

Colectivos in Cancun and to other cities

Colectivos are another cheap form of transport within the city and also between Cancun and nearby destinations like Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos. If you’re not familiar, a colectivo is a little like a public taxi. They’re usually small vans that run on set routes picking up people along the way. 

While there aren’t always timetables, if you plan on using the most popular routes - say, Cancun to Playa del Carmen, or Playa del Carmen to Tulum - colectivos run pretty much constantly. Costs vary and payment is usually made to the driver when you board.

Renting a car vs. taking taxis

Car rental in Cancun

Renting a car gives you the ultimate freedom of traveling wherever and whenever you want. And that’s an enticing prospect, especially for independent travelers. However, it’s worth knowing that Cancun car rental can be more expensive than you’d expect. 

Although headline rates can be attractive, you should anticipate extra fees when you collect the car. For example, there’s a mandatory insurance in Mexico called Third-Party Liability (TPL) or Public Liability Insurance (PLI) which can cost upwards of $20 on top of your daily rental rate. There may also be surcharges if you’re under the age of 25. 

However, if you book a rental in advance, and make sure additional mandatory charges are included in the price you’re quoted, you could find a deal that - if not exactly a bargain - can at least be considered reasonable. 

Taxis in Cancun

Taxis are one of the most convenient ways of getting around Cancun, and they’re certainly plentiful. However, the cost of taxis in the city varies wildly. If you’re staying and traveling in downtown Cancun, you can generally expect much cheaper fares than if you’re traveling to or from the Hotel Zone. 

Make sure you agree the cost of your trip with the driver before your journey begins, otherwise you could be in for an unpleasant surprise when you reach your destination. Also remember that haggling is ok when agreeing the price of a taxi - even if you only manage to knock 5 or 10 pesos off the fare, that still means extra money in your pocket. 

Booking airport transfers in advance

If there’s one piece of advice to turn your Cancun airport arrival into a money-saving exercise, it’s this: make sure you book your airport transfer in advance. 

While jumping into a cab that’s waiting at the airport is convenient, it will usually come with an extortionate price tag. Instead, try to book either a private or shared shuttle. Private shuttles are the most costly, but can be worth the extra outlay if you’re in a rush. However, shared shuttles are the most economical way to get to your Cancun hotel, hostel or vacation rental from the airport. 

Free and Low-Cost Activities

While Cancun has a plethora of pricey activities ready to part you from your hard-earned cash, there are also loads of free or cheap activities to enjoy.

Exploring beaches 

Cancun is blessed with some of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean and a day spent swimming in the turquoise ocean and sunning on the powder-fine white sand will be one you remember for years to come - and not because it was expensive. It’s worth remembering that all beaches in Mexico are public, so find a patch of sand that takes your fancy, lay down a towel, and nobody can charge you for it. 

Our favorite beach is Playa Delfines, which is located in the lower half of the Hotel Zone. Not only is the beach free of the mega resorts that line much of the shoreline, but there’s also free parking and public restrooms. Playa Delfines is also home to the iconic Cancun city letters - perfect for a free photo shoot.  

Other Cancun beaches with public access points include Playa Tortugas, Playa Marlin, and Playa Langosta.  

Visiting Mayan ruins

Did you know that the Cancun Hotel Zone has several Mayan ruins sites of its own? 

The El Rey Archaeological Zone sits in the lower half of the Cancun 7 - this is conveniently close to Playa Delfines, if you wanted to visit both locations at the same time. El Rey dates back as far as 250 AD and is surprisingly large, with almost 50 ruined structures in total. For only a few dollars entry fee, this is a great way to include some authentic Mexican history and culture in your budget Cancun vacation. 

San Miguelito is another Mayan archaeological site that’s definitely worth a visit. It’s located slightly north of El Rey and is accessed via the Museo Maya de Cancun, with combined entry costing around 80 pesos. 

Of course, there are many other Mayan archaeological sites close to Cancun and although most aren’t as cheap as El Rey and San Miguelito, many can be visited using public transport. And with the new Tren Maya, or Maya Train, running from Cancun Airport west towards Merida and south towards Playa del Carmen, the Yucatan Peninsula’s Mayan ruins are becoming easier to visit independently.

Free walking tours and public events

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a new destination is on foot. So it’s good news that in Cancun, you can enjoy a free walking tour taking in the best parts of the city while paying only a discretionary tip. The walking tours on offer can change quickly, but a Google search will bring up any free tours currently available.

Cancun also has a busy program of free city events, including:

• Carnaval (February): Parades, parties and art unite in this vibrant annual city-wide festival. 
• Cancun International Gay Festival (May): A celebration of LGBTQ+ identities in a colorful array of events.
• Fiesta de la Playa en Cancun (August): A festival dedicated to showcasing Cancun’s world-renowned beaches - why not?!
• Mexican Independence Day (16 September): Music, dancing and fireworks mark Mexican pride in a day of national celebration. 
• Dia de Muertos (November): One of Mexico’s most famous festivals is celebrated enthusiastically in Cancun. 
• Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (late November): A totally free program of events hosted at Mamitas Beach showcasing the best national and international jazz musicians. 

Our Favorite Affordable Tours and Excursions

While you may think that a Cancun tour or excursion is too expensive to include in a budget vacation, you’d be surprised how far your money can go. And organized tours offer a great way to visit attractions and take part in memorable experiences that can be difficult to plan independently. 

Combo tours combine multiple activities into one trip, giving you more vacation memories - and even more bang for your buck. Here are some of the best tours for Cancun budget travelers.

Cancun Speed Boat & Mangrove Tour - $55

Cancun offers plenty of thrills and spills, so for adventure seekers, a Cancun Speed Boat & Mangrove Tour - especially one that doesn’t break the bank - could be right up your street. Spend a couple of hours exploring Cancun’s mangroves and the Nichupte Lagoon, feeling the wind in your hair and spotting native wildlife along the way. 

• Combo bargain: If you’re interested in snorkeling on the same trip, we can make that happen on the Cancun Speed Boat and Snorkeling Adventure. With slightly less time speeding through the waters, but the addition of snorkel time at Punta Nizuc and enjoying the MUSA, Cancun’s famous underwater museum, this is a great value combo tour. 

Ultimate Cancun Taco and Street Mexican Food Tour - $49

If exploring Mexico’s food culture is high on your must-do list, then this Ultimate Cancun Taco & Mexican Street Food Tour is ideal. Join a local expert as you explore Cancun’s best foodie spots, taking in every kind of taqueria and learning all about this most Mexican of dishes. 

Cenote Adventure and Mayan Tasting - $79

Cenotes are a unique phenomenon found only in the Yucatan Peninsula. They’re collapsed limestone caves filled with water which are considered sacred to the region’s Mayan population. Take the opportunity to visit three distinctive cenotes on this Cenote Adventure and Mayan Tasting. You’ll also enjoy a tequila tasting and your adventure will be topped off with the gastronomic delights of cochinita pibil tacos.  

Chichen Itza, Cenote Swim & Valladolid - $59

In this combo Chichen Itza, Cenote Swim & Valladolid tour, you can expect a day filled with all the best things the region has to offer. After pick-up from your Cancun hotel, you’ll visit one of the seven modern wonders of the wonder, Chichen Itza Archaeological Zone. Then it’s onto Valladolid, a beautiful colonial town in Yucatan state, where you’ll enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch, before taking a dip in a refreshing nearby cenote. 

Tulum Day-Trip Mayan Ruins With Cenote Swim- $59

To experience one of the Mexican Caribbean’s most iconic Mayan ruins sites, join this Tulum Day-trip with Mayan Ruins and Cenote Swim. With transport included, this 8-hour trip will whisk you south from Cancun to Tulum’s stunning beachfront ruins, before visiting the impressive underground and open-air cenotes at Casa Tortuga.

ATV, Ziplining & Cenote Tour at Eco Park - $89

If you’ve got energy to burn, then join this ATV, Ziplining and Cenote tour for an adrenaline-packed day of fun in the sun. After hotel pick-up, travel down to Puerto Morelos where you’ll soar over treetops on a circuit of ziplines, hurtle through the jungle on a shared ATV and swim in an ancient cenote. 

• Combo bargain: If you want even more adventure, consider adding a horse riding element to this tour, or if the underwater world is more your thing, you can include snorkeling on the world’s second largest coral reef. 

Shopping and Souvenirs

We all want to take home something to remind us of a special vacation, but when you’re traveling on a budget, you need to be careful how much cash you splash on non-essentials. Here are some tried and tested places to pick up souvenirs at non-inflated prices, as well as tips on how to avoid spending more cash than necessary. 

Bargaining at local markets

In Mexican culture, haggling is a way of life, so its markets are the perfect opportunity to try out your negotiating skills. One of the most popular markets is Mercado 28, located in downtown Cancun. Famed for the sheer variety of items available, including ceramics, jewelry, and clothing, Mercado 28 is a fun experience whether you plan on shopping or not. Another place that’s ideal for souvenir shopping - and where prices are reasonable - is Coral Negro Flea Market, which is found on the Hotel Zone strip. 

It’s worth knowing that, while haggling in markets is fine, when you’re shopping in stores, prices are fixed. 

Avoiding tourist traps

Prices are often higher for tourists than locals. But you can miss the tourist traps by being aware of the following situations:

• Stores offering terrible exchange rates 

Avoid this by paying in pesos rather than dollars.

• Chain restaurants 

In the Hotel Zone, well-known chain restaurants abound, but beware as these are way pricier than local eateries. 

• Beach sellers 

You won’t experience a day at the beach in Cancun without being approached by beach vendors. But, be aware that the quality of their merchandise is often low and prices can be super inflated. 

• Hotel and airport stores

If you want to take home an affordable souvenir, don’t count on shopping at your hotel’s store, or at the airport. Both locations are notorious for hiking their prices. 

Buying locally-made crafts and goods

In Cancun, you’ll see loads of souvenirs that haven’t been near the hands of a local artisan - in fact, much of the ‘tourist tat’ you’ll see is shipped in from China and other low-cost countries and sold for a huge profit. 

If possible, try to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs from locally-made sources. You’ll be taking home an authentic piece of Mexico, as well as supporting local artists. 

In a nutshell…

We hope this article has shown you that an affordable vacation in Cancun is a real possibility with a little bit of planning and clever spending. Saving cash - whether you’re booking budget accommodation, enjoying Cancun’s best cheap and free activities, or enjoying a low-cost excursion - quickly adds up to significant savings. Is it time to plan your next budget break?