How much does it cost to travel to Cancun?
You should plan to spend around $145 (M$2,469) per day on your vacation in Cancun. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $28 (M$477) on meals
- $17 (M$296) on local transportation
- $192 (M$3,261) on hotels
A one week trip to Cancun for two people costs, on average, $2,031 (M$34,563). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Cancun has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Cancun expensive to visit?
Prices in Cancun are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Cancun is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Isla Mujeres or Islamorada.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Cancun Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Cancun?
The average Cancun trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Cancun travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | M$3,261($192) |
| Local Transportation1 | M$296($17) |
| Food2 | M$477($28) |
| Entertainment1 | M$589($35) |
| Tips and Handouts1 | M$30 -91($2 - 5) |
| Alcohol2 | M$112 -336($7 - 20) |
Accommodation Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Cancun is $96 (M$1,630). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Cancun is $192 (M$3,261). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$96
M$1,630
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
$192
M$3,261
Hotel Prices in Cancun
Looking for a hotel in Cancun? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Cancun based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $118. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Transportation Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Cancun is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $17 (M$296) per person, per day, on local transportation in Cancun.
Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$17
M$296
Recommended Services
Flights to Cancun
How much does it cost to go to Cancun? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in Cancun
The price of renting a car in Cancun will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
What did other people spend on Transportation in Cancun?
Typical prices for Transportation in Cancun are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cancun, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Taxi Around Town
M$28
Airport Shuttle (for 2)
M$232
Ferry to Isla de Mujeres (for 2)
M$280
Local Bus (for 2)
M$34
Food Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Cancun can vary, the average cost of food in Cancun is $28 (M$477) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Cancun should cost around $11 (M$191) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Cancun is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$28
M$477
Recommended
What did other people spend on Food in Cancun?
Typical prices for Food in Cancun are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cancun, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Lunch for Two
M$350
Entertainment Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Cancun typically cost an average of $35 (M$589) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$35
M$589
The Go City Cancun Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Cancun. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.
Recommended Activities
What did other people spend on Entertainment in Cancun?
Typical prices for Entertainment in Cancun are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Cancun, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Seasick Pills
M$10
Whale Shark Tour (for 2)
M$1,700
Tips and Handouts Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Cancun is $3.55 (M$60) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Cancun is 5% - 15%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$3.55
M$60
Alcohol Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $13 (M$224) on alcoholic beverages in Cancun per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$13
M$224
Recommended
Water Budget in Cancun
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $1.31 (M$22) on bottled water in Cancun per day. The public water in Cancun is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$1.31
M$22
Last Updated: Dec 17, 2022
Cancun On a Budget
Cancun, Mexico
In the northeast corner of the Mexican Caribbean, Cancun is one of Mexico's most popular destinations. The area that is now Cancun was actually selected specifically by the Mexican government for development as a tourist destination. The area was chosen because it has fourteen miles of beautiful white beaches, nearby Mayan ruins, and turquoise blue water with nearby snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Prior to its development as a tourist destination, there were few inhabitants in the area.
The winter months are the peak season, while the summer and fall, during hurricane season, are the low months. Hurricanes are a real threat in the area and you should plan accordingly. The city has a tropical wet and dry climate. There is minimal temperature variation throughout the year but there are distinct rainy seasons. The city remains warm throughout the year and the average temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest temperatures are between May and September.
Sights
Obviously, most people visit Cancun for its beaches, which are nice year round.. They are relaxing and beautiful and where you will likely spend most of your time. If you want to get away from the water for a while though, there are a handful of sights. In the hotel zone you can visit the Interactive Aquarium. This is a small but decent aquarium with rays, sharks, dolphins, and many fish. Isla Contoy is about 30km north of Isla Mujeres and it is an important nesting place for sea birds as well as a beautiful place to visit.
Museums in the area include Museo Maya de Cancun and MUSA Museo Subacuatico de Arte. Both are interesting to visit.
There are also many Mayan ruins nearby that you can visit as a day trip from Cancun. Because of the weather, these locations and other attractions are great to visit no matter what time of year you visit Cancun.
Neighborhoods
The hotel district in Cancun is filled with all inclusive resorts and little more. It makes for a relaxing vacation, but you'll see little of the real Mexico. If you want a glimpse of a true Mexican city you can head to downtown Cancun, where the locals live. Here you'll find a number of interesting restaurants and a more authentic Mexican vibe. Shopping areas include Plaza Las Americas, Plaza la Isla, and Plaza Outlet.
There are also beaches along the coast about an hour or two south of Cancun. These beaches are less crowded but equally as beautiful. It's easy to find accommodation and there are scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Prices are cheaper as well.
Activities
Today there are many options for adventurers, vacationers, or foodies alike in Cancun. Swim with the dolphins, snorkel, go scuba diving, or simply lounge on the beach. Head to La Isla if you want to do some shopping. Several resorts also offer golf in the area. Cruise ships keep Cancun popular, so you won't find the beaches isolated, but it can still be a relaxing vacation. Nightlife is always active in Cancun. If you want to escape the tourist crowds and see where the locals hang out, head over to Yaxchilan Avenue for an evening of club hopping.
Food and Dining
As a tourist destination, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy a meal in Cancun. Many are geared specifically to tourists, so prices reflect this. Seafood is readily available almost anywhere and it's it's usually fresh and good. There are also several sports bars, Italian restaurants, and chain restaurants for those who want a taste of home.
The nightlife scene in Cancun is matched by no other. There are countless drinking places in the Hotel Zone. If you want to live it up, make sure you check out this guide to the best drinks in Mexico before you order your next round. Senor Frog's has made a name for itself throughout the Caribbean, particularly with cruise ship passengers - it's fun but can be touristy. You'll find a variety of clubs along Yaxhilan Avenue in downtown Cancun with good crowds most days of the week, especially weekends. If you want a taste of where the locals hang out, then this is where you should go.
Transportation
Getting around Cancun is relatively easy. Most people use the bus system which is cheap and generally reliable. Buses are frequent and most bus drivers are helpful and informative. Buses run up and down Blvd Kukulcan, which is the city's main thoroughfare. Although the buses run regularly, they can get crowded and the ride may be uncomfortable. When your stop is approaching, push the button on top of the hand rail. If you get confused about your destination the drivers are usually helpful and most speak some English.
Alternatively you could take a taxi. Taxis are abundant but much more expensive, particularly in the hotel districts where prices are dramatically inflated. In the downtown area prices are usually fixed to about MXN$20 a ride. Make sure you understand the price before you get into the car.
Related
Looking for a party hostel in Mexico? Heading to San Diego or LA?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
