Quick answer: Cancun runs about EUR 90 per day mid-range - noticeably less if you eat local and walk. Cheapest window: December-April - dry season with warm days and low humidity; avoid September-October, the peak of hurricane season.
What things actually cost
| taco al pastor | 1 EUR |
| local R1 bus ride | 0.65 EUR |
| round-trip ferry to Isla Mujeres | 22 EUR |
| Chichen Itza entry | 30 EUR |
| beer at a beach bar | 3 EUR |
| cenote entry | 10 EUR |
Eat well for little
- Tacos al pastor at Taqueria Los Chachalacos or any downtown taqueria - about 1 EUR per taco
- Ceviche at Mercado 28big fresh portion for around 8 EUR
- Cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork) at La Parrillaabout 10 EUR
- Marquesitas (crispy crepe with Nutella or cheese) from street carts on Parque de las Palapas - about 2 EUR
- Fish tacos at El Fish Fritanga in the Hotel Zoneabout 6 EUR for a plate
Money mistakes to avoid
- Staying only in the Hotel Zone and paying double for everything - eat downtown at least a few times
- Getting into a taxi without agreeing the price firstfares are not metered and tourists get quoted 3x
- Arriving at Chichen Itza at middaygo at 8 am opening to beat the heat and the tour buses
- Exchanging money at the airportrates are poor; use bank ATMs in town and pay in pesos, not dollars
Transport without the tourist tax
From the airport, the ADO bus to downtown costs about 5 EUR; pre-booked shuttles to the Hotel Zone run 15-25 EUR. In town, the R1/R2 buses run the whole Hotel Zone strip for about 0.65 EUR per ride.
Planning the full trip? Start with the 4-day Cancun itinerary.