Ways to stretch your budget in the Riviera Maya
Avoid staying inside all-inclusive resorts and skip the tourist-trap restaurants along the Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Use local 'colectivo' vans for transport and stick to authentic street stalls or local 'fondas' for your meals to cut daily expenses by at least 50%.
- Use public transit. Skip private airport shuttles and taxis. Use the ADO bus line for intercity travel and local 'colectivos' (white minivans) for getting between towns like Tulum, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen. Colectivos cost between 20-50 pesos per ride.
- Eat like a local. Avoid any restaurant with an English menu posted outside. Eat at 'loncherias' or 'fondas' where you can get a 'comida corrida' (fixed-price lunch menu including soup, main, and drink) for about 80-120 pesos.
- Visit cenotes smartly. Don't book guided tours for cenotes. Take a colectivo to the entrance of cenotes like Azul or Jardin del Eden. You will only pay the entrance fee (usually 150-300 pesos) rather than the $60-$100 premium a tour operator charges.
- Drink smart. Buy beer and spirits at local OXXO convenience stores or supermarkets like Chedraui. A beer at a beach club can cost 150 pesos, while the same beer at a store is 25 pesos.
- Is it cheaper to stay in Tulum or Playa del Carmen?
- Playa del Carmen is generally cheaper for accommodation and food, especially if you stay a few blocks away from the beach. Tulum prices are significantly inflated due to its boutique/luxury focus.
- Should I exchange money before I go?
- No. Use ATMs connected to major banks (HSBC, BBVA, Santander) to withdraw pesos directly. Avoid the standalone ATMs in tourist areas as they have high fees and poor exchange rates.