Mexico's Range
Mexico is one of the world's most versatile budget destinations — you can spend $20/day backpacking through Oaxaca or $500/day at a Riviera Maya resort. The average independent traveler spends $40–70/day. What makes Mexico special is that even budget travel here feels luxurious: excellent food, comfortable accommodation, and beautiful settings.
Accommodation
Hostels: $8–15/night (excellent quality in Mexico). Budget hotels: $20–40/night. Mid-range hotels: $50–100/night. Cancún resort zone is the most expensive region; Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Guanajuato offer the best value. Airbnb is popular and often cheaper than hotels, especially for longer stays.
Food
Street tacos: $0.50–1 each (3–4 make a meal). Comida corrida (set lunch menu): $3–5 for a full 3-course meal. Restaurant dinner: $8–15. Craft beer: $3–5. Mexico's food is world-class at every price point. The comida corrida is the best lunch deal in the Americas — soup, main course, drink, and dessert for $3–5.
Transport
Mexico City metro: $0.25 per ride (one of the world's cheapest). Intercity buses (ADO first-class): $15–30 for long distances. Budget airlines (Volaris, VivaAerobus): $30–80 for domestic flights. Colectivos (shared vans): $1–5 for regional travel. Uber/Didi work in all major cities and are very affordable.
By Region
Mexico City: $35–50/day budget, $80–120 mid-range. Oaxaca: $30–45/day budget, $60–100 mid-range. Cancún/Riviera Maya: $50–80/day budget, $120–250 mid-range. San Miguel de Allende: $45–70/day budget. Puerto Escondido: $25–40/day budget. Guanajuato: $25–40/day budget.
Sample 2-Week Budget
Flights from US: $200–400 round trip. Mexico City (4 nights): $200. Oaxaca (3 nights): $150. Beach (4 nights, Puerto Escondido): $200. Guanajuato (3 nights): $130. Internal transport: $80. Total: approximately $960–1,160 for 2 weeks, or $70–85/day all-in from the US.