A good rule of thumb is to bring 25% of your overall budget in cash to avoid carrying around huge wads of money. For example, if your daily budget is $50 and you'll be in Mexico for six days, you should plan to bring $60-70 in cash.
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While U.S. dollars are often accepted in the Riviera Maya, you will generally get a better deal by paying in pesos as explained below.
I agree with $1,500-$2,000 with the activities you are planning. I usually bring the equivalent of $500 USD converted to pesos, along with another $1,000 in cash. If you estimate $100 per person per excursion (some will cost more, some will cost less), plus extra for tips and souvenirs, you should be good.
Preparing your travel money options beforehand is the key to a stress-free vacation. Credit cards, debit cards, prepaid travel cards and cash are all accepted in Mexico. Outside of a few purchases like transportation fare or local shops, a credit card will be your best bet for everyday purchases.
Cash or credit: the main credit cards are accepted practically everywhere, except in small street stalls and smaller shops, so take some money (pesos) with you, especially on excursions (to buy water or some crafts, etc.). ATMs: you have ATMs at your disposal in many places of Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Its pristine, white beaches, beautiful cenotes, archaeological sites, divers cuisine, restaurants, hotels, condos and resorts. Here are 10 reasons to visit the Riviera Maya, in the south of Cancun, from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen, Sian Ka'an in the south of Tulum.
There are expensive options in both cities and budget options in both. However, we've noticed on the whole, Rivera Maya tends to be a bit cheaper than Cancun. It's a little off the beaten track and as a result, the resorts tend to be a little easier on the wallet. This is also true of the surrounding area.
In general, you'll want to plan on tipping restaurant staff, the concierge, bartenders, housekeepers, the bellman, pool staff, and shuttle drivers at all-inclusive resorts. Impeccable service can always be rewarded with higher tips, but there are some accepted standards for travelers to lean on.
For a one-week stay at an all-inclusive resort, a couple should budget to spend about $150 US (or the local currency equivalent) total in tips. This means that you should bring about $20 in small bills with you to spend on tips throughout the day.
The bottom line for how to pay in MexicoMany Mexicans make it easy to use Dollars and this certainly makes it easier for many tourist that come to Mexico. You will however make the best use of your money if you exchange it and use Pesos.
There are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco. Criminal groups and drug cartels are present in tourist areas.
Fringed by a lush jungle and washed by the tranquil Caribbean Sea, the beaches of the Riviera Maya are among the best in Mexico, mostly deserted, and when the sargasso weed is not invading, the best spots to swim and enjoy the refreshing water.
June 2023 Update: Of course it's quite a diverse region, so the safety situation can vary in different areas. However in general the Riviera Maya remains one of the safest areas you can visit in Mexico.
Follow the 25% rule regardless of how many days you will be in Mexico. For example, if your total budget for a seven-day vacation is $1500USD, you should bring a total of $375USD or $7,000 MXN. This totals about $50USD in cash per day.
We find water shoes to be protective and useful when snorkeling or swimming in the cenotes. If this is your first time here in the Riviera Maya, bring your water shoes so that you have them on hand for those exploration days. You will soon learn that the sea is clear, sandy and beautiful and water shoes are not needed.
Use your best judgment when deciding how much cash to bring with you to Mexico. A good rule to follow is to bring 25% of your total budget in cash. If you happen to run out, use your debit card or prepaid travel card at a verified national bank ATM to get the best exchange rate.
The best way to spend in Mexico is a combination of both cash and your debit card. Larger businesses and those in major cities are likely to accept debit cards, but not all will. Some smaller stores and businesses may only accept cash. For example, market stalls, street food stands and taxis.