Best Cheap Places in Mexico | Must-Visit and Affordable Spots

Are you looking for some cheap places to visit in Mexico?

Mexico is a country everyone is bound to love, especially budget travelers. Known for its charming regions like Tulum, Oaxaca, and Cancun, Mexico has always been a worldwide bucket list destination for travelers.

From glorious beach escapes to tantalizing culinary retreats and a culturally immersive experience, Mexico has so much culture and much to offer.

If you want to explore this beautiful destination without breaking the bank, you need to know about the best cheap places to visit in Mexico. 

Mexico as a Travel Destination

Whether you’re embarking on a family vacation or an adventurous backpacking trip, Mexico offers incredible opportunities to explore without breaking the bank. This vibrant country is rich in culture, history, natural beauty, amazing food, and affordable options for travelers.

From stunning beaches to the bustling Mexico City, you’ll find some of the most budget-friendly places to visit, along with accommodations that suit every price range, from affordable hostels (with or without a private room) to charming guesthouses.

One of the best ways to maximize savings while traveling in Mexico is by planning your trip during the off-season or shoulder season.

These periods, typically outside of the peak tourist months, offer significant discounts on everything from flights (including major routes like London to Mexico flights) to lodging and popular activities.

You’ll save money and enjoy a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture and attractions fully.

Of course, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts, high-end restaurants, and art galleries too, but saving money is very easy.

Now, let’s explore the best destinations in Mexico for cheap travel.

6 Best Cheap Places to Visit in Mexico

1. Puerto Vallarta 

Puerto Vallarta is a hidden gem and an excellent option if you want to escape the crowded beaches of Mexico.

The beach towns here offer an unforgettable yet affordable beach escape. Located on the Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta is an exceptional beach town that offers its tourists various experiences, whether you want to explore the more popular Los Muertos Beach or hide away in a quieter area like the Conchas Chinas Beach. 

While here, you can enjoy the picture-perfect beaches and watch the most incredible sunsets.

Moreover, Puerto Vallarta is a dream for foodies as it is known for its world-famous restaurants.

You will not only get a chance to savor the local cuisine here, but you can also try various international flavors. 

Not sure what to do in Puerto Vallarta? Check out some of these awesome activities:

2. Bacalar

Bacalar is another excellent alternative for people looking for cheaper alternatives to the famous destinations in Mexico such as Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

This quaint Mexican town has a charming vibe that keeps everyone hooked and is the perfect spot for you if you are traveling with your family.

The region has the most breathtaking natural beauty and is known for its adventurous retreats. Therefore, you get a magical blend of peaceful escapes into nature and exhilarating adventures at this destination. 

One of Bacalar’s most prominent and exciting spots is the otherworldly freshwater lake Laguna Bacalar.

The lake’s captivating gradients of blue make every nature lover fall in love with it. From kayaking and sailing to boat tours, you can do it all here. 

Get the best out of your time in Bacalar with some of these tours:

3. Oaxaca City 

Are you visiting Mexico mainly for its promising culinary experience and a memorable city escape? You will love to explore Oaxaca City, which has gained quite a lot of popularity over the years but is still among the most affordable cities in the region.

From its bustling markets to top-class museums, everything here is worth exploring.

While in this city, you must also explore the ancient ruins, which will take you back in history and offer the most exciting retreat to all history lovers.

There are many waterfalls in Mexico, and you will find a few stunning ones in Oaxaca that add to the whole experience. 

Oaxaca is also known for its street art and street food scene. Immerse yourself in the tantalizing flavors of Mexican cuisine and join a free walking tour.

Many delicious ingredients grow on the fertile ground of Oaxaca, from chili peppers and tomatoes to pumpkins and avocados.

There is no denying that this is one of the best food and drink destinations in the world, making it an absolute haven for food lovers, especially fans of Mexican cuisine. 

The entire Oaxaca region offers a lot of great experiences:

4. Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is the ultimate backpackers’ holiday spot in Latin America.

Although it is located just off the coast of Cancun and its luxury resorts, it has an entirely different experience.

Unlike Cancun, Isla Mujeres offers a quieter beach escape and will save you more than a few pesos.

A holiday in Isla Mujeres is about relaxing at the beautiful beaches and savoring the most delicious Mexican food. Everything at this destination is about relaxing. Whether amidst the breathtaking natural beauty or sipping delicious cocktails and beers by the beach. 

Even though Isla Mujeres is famous among tourists and has many tourist traps, this region offers budget-friendly escapes.

Isla Mujeres is a paradise for adventurous travelers looking for unique experiences:

5. Holbox

If you want to escape the bustling tourist crowds and relax at the beaches in a laid-back environment, you will surely not want to miss out on Holbox.

This is where you set your budget flexibly and spend however you want. You can have an unforgettable holiday on a tight budget. But you can also have the most luxurious escape if you are willing to spend more money. This is a small island that you can easily explore on foot. 

This beautiful island offers the exhilarating experience of swimming with whale sharks. It is also known for its world-class fishing, which makes it a fisherman’s paradise. Holbox’s most unique experience is witnessing flocks of the most beautiful pink flamingos gathered here.

Treat yourself to affordable yet delicious mangos and mouthwatering Mexican street food in the region. 

Be sure not to miss out on some amazing experiences while visiting Holbox:

6. Valladolid

Valladolid is another excellent option for Mexico’s most exciting and affordable city escape.

Being off-the-beaten, Valladolid lets you experience the most authentic Mayan culture and avoid tourist traps. It won’t be wrong to say that this city is a colonial gem with grand historic churches, picture-perfect pastel buildings, and vibrant streets.

This city offers various accommodation options, from the most luxurious and costly to countless budget-friendly options. This makes it perfect for budget travelers. 

There are quite a few experiences that Valladolid promises. These include a historic retreat in the incredible Mayan ruins, an immersive cultural escape in the bustling markets and streets, and an unforgettable culinary retreat.

Check out some of these tours:

Final Words

With Mexico’s wide variety of experiences, there can never be a dull day in this beautiful country.

It is undoubtedly a paradise with picture-perfect beaches, bustling city escapes, and heavenly food. And it is unbelievable how you get such exceptional experiences on a tight budget.

Once you know about the best cheap places in Mexico, you will fall in love with the region more.

So, if you have always dreamed of going to Mexico but have a tight budget, it is time to plan your trip with cheap flights and affordable destinations.

You can get cheap Aeromexico flights or flights from other airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, TUI, Iberia, and many others. 

So enjoy your next adventure in Mexico and feel free to drop any questions or comments below.

All the very best,
//Josephine