What budget for activities and outings Yucatán Peninsula?

Fees 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 around $80, but state taxes make the final price vary significantly. At Chichén Itzá, for example, admission in 2022 was $85 and the tax $486 for foreign adults. Younger children, up to 12 years old, and people with disabilities are usually given free or reduced rates. For the services of a guide, count between $600 and $900 for the group up to 8 people. Some of the so-called 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 great attractions of the peninsula, especially on the Caribbean coast with its beautiful clear turquoise waters, where you can spend hours observing the fish and corals in a thousand colors (remember to bring a UV-proof T-shirt so you don't end up red as a lobster). Snorkeling is free, except when you have to take a boat to reach spots far from the beach. A mask and snorkel will also be very useful to explore the many cenotes! You can of course rent equipment on the spot, but for 5 US$ each time, it is much cheaper to come with your own equipment. For the scuba diving itself (with tanks), the budget is of course not the same! For a two dives trip on two different sites, count between 80 and 100 US$. In cenotes, count around 120-130 US$ (two dives).

The region is also an ideal place to try kitesurfing, especially on the spots of Progreso, Holbox, Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Cozumel. You can rent equipment on site and take lessons. The best season is from December to May.

If the flat region does not allow climbing, hiking (on foot, horseback or bicycle), is quite possible in many natural reserves of the peninsula. The services of a guide are however essential to avoid getting lost and to discover the local fauna and flora in greater depth.

Cancún has many modernshopping centers in the hotel zone, such as Plaza Kukulcán, with shops offering most of the big international brands, at the same prices as here, or even more expensive for imported products (especially gourmet products). In Playa del Carmen, you will not be able to escape the Quinta Avenida, the Fifth Avenue, which is full of shops of all kinds, sometimes causing an overdose... It's hard to resist for some, even if the prices are higher than elsewhere. Note that Quintana Roo does not apply taxes on cosmetics and luxury products. Perfumes and cosmetics are 30% cheaper than elsewhere

For more typical and authentic articles, go to the colorful markets, like the Mercado 23 or Mercado 28 of Cancún, or the Mercado Lucas de Gálvez of Mérida for example. In the markets, bring cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted.

Entrance to dance bars and discotheques is usually paid for by men, free or at a reduced rate for women, often with girl nights where girls can drink as much as they want, or almost. Drinks are much cheaper than in France (between 1.5 and 5 US$ for a local beer in a discotheque), except in the elitist clubs and the tourist clubs of Cancún or Playa, which make the gringos pay full price. In these places, it is often an all-you-can-drink formula(barra libre), with dance or circus shows, and bikini or wet T-shirt contests... For those who want to get their head around it, count between 60 and 80 US$ for an entrance with unlimited drinks and an American-style show. The entries bought by Internet, via agencies or its hotel, are often a little less expensive than directly at the entry. Unlike restaurants, waiters and bartenders are rarely tipped more than 5%, or even just a few pesos in bars. Happy hours in the beach bars are frequent, the hours vary greatly, 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 beer or an imported beer. A coffee: around $15-20, a cappuccino: $40-50. A natural fruit juice: around $30-40.

What is the budget for accommodation Yucatán Peninsula?

It is possible to stay in Mexico for any budget, even in the most touristic resorts like Cancún or Playa del Carmen. The only thing is to know if you prefer the private pool or the common bathroom (on the landing)... The smallest budgets can opt for the hammock, or the camping. In the classic hotels, the prices are generally indicated per room (which can sometimes accommodate 4 or 6 people depending on the number of beds), except for the all-inclusive establishments(accommodation, food, drinks, certain activities...), which are very numerous in the Zona Hotelera of Cancún. Prices are also indicated per person in hostels (youth hostels) but only for dormitory beds, not for private rooms (most hostels nowadays have both formulas). Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but sometimes there are additional fees, around 5%. Rates are quoted in pesos or US dollars, especially for the more expensive establishments. It is best to pay in pesos, as the exchange rate is rarely favorable when paying in dollars. Some higher category hotels do not include taxes (14-19%), so always check. The classification of hotels is based on a scheme of 1 to 5 stars, followed by the categories of Grand Tourism, Special Category and Boutique Hotel, which apply to luxury hotels. Nevertheless, 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 of the same category in France. It should be noted that some hotels of higher levels, including all-inclusive hotels, are reserved for adultsonly, in order to preserve the tranquility of the place. Many hotels offer significant discounts, up to 50% in low season, on their websites.

The haciendas

remain the most typical luxury accommodation in Mexico. The rooms, often few in number, are nestled in an atmosphere steeped in history, especially when the furniture is original. Room rates are often over US$150.

Economy hotels are called hostals, casa de huéspedes, pensión or hospedaje

. Rooms in these hotels range from 20 to 40 US$. But be careful where you step, as the cheapest ones are sometimes used as hostels.

Motels

in Latin America are not cheap roadside hotels, as they are in the United States, but places where discretion is the rule (you arrive by car directly in a box that gives access to a room), to spend a pleasant moment with your partner, official or not. The payment is made by time slot. They are often located on the outskirts of cities. In case of doubt, the name "romantic" of the establishment should tell you what it is!

Bed and Breakfast.

Sleeping in a guesthouse is not a common practice in the country. The few establishments of this type are often run by foreigners. On the other hand, platforms such as Airbnb now offer a significant number of apartments for rent, constituting an interesting alternative to hotels for families or groups of friends (usually with kitchen facilities).

Youth hostels. Called hostel or hostal

, they offer single rooms or beds in dormitories (sometimes mixed or exclusively female). Dormitory beds cost between US$9 and US$18. Room prices are similar to those of traditional hotels, but they usually have access to a common kitchen and facilities and activities that make it easier to meet other travelers. The comfort, cleanliness and atmosphere are very different from one hostel to another: from the zen and quiet hostel by the sea, to the more festive one with a rooftop bar and tequila fiestas and wet t-shirts every night, to the hostel for digital nomads with a coworking space; or a mix of all of these most often.

Camping is practiced on beaches or in natural areas. But wild camping is strongly discouraged because of the security conditions that prevail in Mexico. It is customary to ask a hotel for permission to camp in its garden or on its beach in exchange for a few cents, in order 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 who spend the winter in Mexico in their motor homes. You can also rent a hammock and sleep under the stars. In any case, beware of bugs: spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, ants. Always make sure before going to sleep that no one has taken up residence in your sleeping bag... Same precaution for your shoes in the morning. This is the kind of thing we regret having forgotten to do! The location of a tent or the rental of a palapa where you can install your hammock cost respectively 10 and 5 US$.

Travel budget Yucatán Peninsula and cost of living

Mexico is a relatively cheap country. The standard of living in Mexico is generally low, with great inequalities: the difference in standards between those who have money and those who do not is striking. In the country of Carlos Slim (one of the richest men in the world), the minimum wage is about US$ 5 per day, but a large part of the population working in the informal sector does not even reach it. The middle class is in the minority and the western traveller is often considered by Mexicans as a rich person. Indeed, the average holiday 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 especially the Mexican Caribbean, remains one of the most expensive regions in Mexico, you can find very decent rooms in hostels for less than €10 per person, including breakfast. Some higher quality hotels also offer good value rooms (around €50 per night for two), especially outside school holidays and on weekdays. It is also sometimes cheaper to pay in cash than by card. As for meals, it's the same story. It is easy to eat "local" for less than $100 (4 euros). Finally, the biggest part of the budget will most likely be spent on transportation. The first class buses charge about 100 pesos per 100 km, a 4 hours trip from Cancún to Merida costs $450 in first class. As for renting a car, you will have to spend the same budget as if you were going to a European destination, even if gas is cheaper in Mexico. But it remains the best way to get around the peninsula.

Tipping. It is customary to leave at least 10% of the bill to the waiter in restaurants and cafes. The propina

is also appreciated by guides and hotel staff.

Haggling. This is not particularly an institution in Mexico. It is practiced in tourist markets, when many purchases are made. To be on the safe side, it is best to use pesos rather than dollars. On the other hand, don't forget that the elaboration of handicrafts or embroidered fabrics requires some work. Do not try to buy the most beautiful huipil of the corner at the price of a T-shirt manufactured in China, it is a lack of consideration for the craftsman, who often takes it badly, rightly!