Foreigners looking for discount vacation trips to Mexico will have to be a little more resourceful than one might imagine. For someone flying in from Canada or Europe or even just crossing the border from the US, it’s not like everything suddenly becomes super cheap because of the exchange rate. Many tourists realize later that it would have been better to find a better balance between comfort and low cost.
For example, some 5-star facilities in coastal resort areas like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos can be as expensive and marketed as a theme park vacation in the US. But there are cheap vacation packages to the same places. Mexicans that the savvy traveler can book. The same beaches and attractions can be enjoyed, but at a much lower cost.
These packages make use of cheap villas and 4-star beachfront resorts instead of the expensive hotels. It can be much cheaper if travelers book a complete package that includes flight and accommodation together. Included economy-class flights, airport pickups, and budget resort stays allow travelers to save money and spend it on white-sand beaches, local tours, nightclubs, restaurants, and shopping.
Some travelers may also prefer a backpacking excursion from Mexico City to the Yucatan Peninsula. Capital can be done cheaply for a handful of dollars a day as a backpacker, and throwing in a few more dollars will get the traveler an upgrade to better facilities with quality service. From there, travelers can head to the many pleasures of the Yucatan.
This includes the stunning white sand beaches and turquoise waters in the Riviera Maya and the party atmosphere in Cancun. Not forgetting the Mayan ruins of Tulum and trips to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Now again, these places in the Yucatan are popular tourist hotspots, so don’t expect to survive on a few dollars a day.
The only way to save a significant amount on a stay in Cancun or Riviera Maya is to book a package that includes accommodation and flight. Backpacking is always a cheap alternative. But for those who need a proper stay and some comfort and privacy, it’s best to plan ahead and book the stay and flight as a single package.
Across from Mexico City, popular vacation destinations include Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Los Cabos, which includes Cabo San Lucas and San José, plus the golden corridor between the two cities. Again, these are very popular and well-developed vacation destinations. Most traditional options, like 5-star hotels with upscale restaurants and chic boutiques, don’t offer much savings.
Travel budget planning for these destinations must be done separately for each destination. For example, there are plenty of budget options in Los Cabos’ Golden Corridor, and Puerto Vallarta is a laid-back, colonial-style destination with villa resorts that are cheaper than 5-star hotels but just as luxurious. The sum of this is that discount travel vacations to Mexico are very possible, but they must be planned. Don’t expect to just fly in and get everything cheap.
