In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Mexico - any experiences?
Mexico is pretty affordable if you plan smart. I kept track using an app and spent just under 1400 dollars in 30 days. That included a couple of flights within Mexico, daily coffees, a few splurges on meals in Polanco, and even a tattoo in Oaxaca. What surprised me was how cheap local transport is. You can get across town for less than a dollar and long-distance buses are good value if booked in advance. The real cost creeps in if you do lots of day trips or stay in trendy beach towns like Tulum.
I travelled for two months and had different budgets for different phases. First month was more relaxed with nicer Airbnbs and I spent about 1700 dollars. Second month was budget-focused with dorms and street tacos and I brought it down to about 900. Mexico can fit almost any budget but it depends on your pace and comfort level. Daily minimum for a backpacker is probably 25 to 30 dollars but if you want private rooms and a few tours, expect closer to 50 or 60 per day.
Did a slow trip through Mexico City, Oaxaca, and San Cristóbal de las Casas. I averaged about 1000 pesos per day including everything - that’s around 55 dollars. Hostels were about 250 to 400 pesos depending on the city, food came to 200 to 300 pesos if I ate out three times, and I kept 100 pesos aside for transport. The rest went to occasional museum visits, SIM card top-ups, or drinks. Some days were cheaper but this amount gave me enough flexibility to not feel restricted.
I spent a month in Mexico earlier this year and tracked everything. On average, I spent around 40 to 50 US dollars per day. That covered hostel stays, local meals, public transport, and some fun extras like cenote entrances or mezcal tastings. I wasn’t on a shoestring budget but I wasn’t splurging either. If you cook your own meals sometimes or stick to colectivos and street food, you can easily get by on 30 dollars a day. For a full month, I’d say a comfortable budget is 1200 to 1500 dollars.