We recently spent 20 days in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and Bacalar region, known for its stunning beaches, cenotes, and resorts. If you’re not careful, this area can quickly drain your budget, but we managed to explore with our two kids while keeping costs under control. In total, we spent $2,713.16 for 20 days, which breaks down to $135.66 per day for our family of four. Here’s how we allocated our budget, with all amounts in USD.
Accommodation: $804.50 ($40.23 per night)
We stayed in a jungle paradiseāa two-bedroom condo with a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious common area, and access to a pool. This was perfect for our family, offering everything we needed for a relaxing stay. The pool was a hit with the kids and a great option for no-spend days.
Hotels in Riviera Maya: Top hotels
| Hotel | Stars | Discount | Price before and discount | Select dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Mayakoba | ā ā ā ā ā | -21% | 458 361 | View hotel |
| Fabiola Condo Hotel | ā ā ā ā | -60% | 126 51 | View hotel |
| Hacienda Real del Caribe Hotel | ā ā ā ā | -17% | 52 43 | View hotel |
| HM Playa del Carmen | ā ā ā ā | -16% | 110 93 | View hotel |
| Hotel Riviera Del Sol | ā ā ā ā | -54% | 121 56 | View hotel |
| Wyndham Garden Playa del Carmen | ā ā ā ā | -12% | 80 71 | View hotel |
| Hacienda Paradise Hotel by Hospitality Wellbeing | ā ā ā ā | -29% | 46 33 | View hotel |
| Soho Playa Hotel | ā ā ā ā | -26% | 110 81 | View hotel |
| The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton | ā ā ā ā ā | -16% | 149 125 | View hotel |
| Hotel Kinbe | ā ā ā ā | -32% | 70 47 | View hotel |
| Illusion Boutique Hotel By BFH | ā ā ā ā | -39% | 54 33 | View hotel |
| The Reef 28 - Adults Only - All Suites - Optional Gourmet All Inclusive | ā ā ā ā ā | -44% | 222 124 | View hotel |
| The Palm at Playa | ā ā ā ā | -11% | 77 69 | View hotel |
| Hotel Las Golondrinas | ā ā ā ā | -22% | 77 60 | View hotel |
| We Uniq Hotel El Carmen Adults Only | ā ā ā ā ā | -17% | 114 94 | View hotel |
| Grand Fifty Suites | ā ā ā ā | -34% | 75 50 | View hotel |
| La Reina Roja Hotel Boutique | ā ā ā ā | -14% | 50 43 | View hotel |
| Magic Blue Spa Boutique Hotel Adults Only | ā ā ā ā ā | -52% | 152 72 | View hotel |
| Thompson Playa del Carmen - Adults Only - a concept by Hyatt | ā ā ā ā | -22% | 224 175 | View hotel |
| Unic Design Hotel - 5th Avenue | ā ā ā ā | -14% | 78 67 | View hotel |
| Posada Mariposa Boutique Hotel - 5th Avenue | ā ā ā ā | -51% | 85 42 | View hotel |
| In Fashion Hotel & Spa | ā ā ā ā | -12% | 52 46 | View hotel |
| Siesta Fiesta Hotel | ā ā ā ā | -39% | 52 32 | View hotel |
| Hotel Colibri Beach | ā ā ā ā | -41% | 168 99 | View hotel |
| City Express Playa del Carmen | ā ā ā ā | -12% | 104 92 | View hotel |
| Residences at The Fives | ā ā ā ā ā | -29% | 367 260 | View hotel |
| Petit Lafitte Beach Front Hotel & Bungalows | ā ā ā ā | -31% | 229 159 | View hotel |
| Artisan The Handmade Hotel Collection 5ta Avenida | ā ā ā ā ā | -22% | 65 50 | View hotel |
| Aspira Hotel Playa del Carmen | ā ā ā ā | -31% | 64 44 | View hotel |
| Omni Puerto Aventuras Beach Resort | ā ā ā ā ā | -35% | 220 143 | View hotel |
Eating Out: $77.35
We treated ourselves to dining out several times, but overall, we kept eating out to a minimum:
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Taco Arbolito: Street tacos that werenāt quite as good as Mexico City, but they did the job. $19.79
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Chilled Coconut: The kids enjoyed their first experience with fresh coconut in the touristy area. $11.08
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Imeldaās Ecocina: A decent meal, and dad got a break from cooking. $27.74
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Ah Cacao: In Playa del Carmen, we indulged in some chocolate treats. $18.74
Groceries: $749.63
Finding good produce in this region was challenging. We had to drive 15-30 minutes to grocery stores in either Puerto Aventuras or Playa del Carmen, where the selection was better but still limited. On average, we spent about $3.12 per meal for our family of four, including snacks.
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Super Chedraui: $295.51
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Mega Soriana: $454.12
Transportation: $804.79
We rented a car through Riviera Maya Travel Services, a recommended local company. While renting a car wasnāt initially in our plan, we soon realized how essential it was since nothing is walkable in the area. Hereās the breakdown:
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Car Rental: $537.00 ($26.85/day)
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Gas: More expensive than in San Miguel, totaling $174.97
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Airport Transfer: $82.25
Tourist Attractions: $162.65
We explored various sites, including Bacalar, cenotes, and Mayan ruins. Click here for our FREE Google Maps Guide for pins of all the best locations. Hereās how our spending broke down:
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Bacalar: $55.56
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Cenote Azul: A beautiful spot. $24.76
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Xcacel Beach: $10.15 for access to this natural preserve.
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Tulum Ruins: We paid two entry feesāone for the preserve ($6.14) and one for the ruins ($9.07). Kids were free.
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Coba Ruins: Two entry fees as wellā$10.02 for the first entry and $8.52 for the ruins. Bike rentals were $3.26 for the day, and tricycle taxis for 2 adults were $13.03 for a 2-hour tour.
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Cenote Yax-Kin: A great cenote with shallow areas, perfect for small kids. $15.13
Miscellaneous: $114.24
We picked up some essentials like goggles for swimming and a waterproof phone case. Volaris Airlines also hit us with an unexpected fee for checking our childās car seat, which we didnāt realize was mandatory.
Total Spent: $2,713.16
How We Can Improve Next Time:
Transportation: Initially, we considered not renting a car, but in this area, it was essential. While an economy car gave us the freedom to explore, including Bacalar and the Coba Ruins, the distances we needed to cover were greater than expected, and transportation costs added up.
Groceries: The lack of fresh produce near our accommodation was frustrating, and the drive to Playa del Carmen for better grocery options became a regular task. Itās something to keep in mind if you plan to stay in a less central area.
Tourist Costs: While many of the natural attractions are beautiful, nearly every beach or ruin requires an entry fee, and sometimes multiple fees for parking, entry, or guided tours. This can get tiresome and adds up quickly, so it’s helpful to budget for these expenses ahead of time.
Overall, weāre glad we visited Riviera Maya and Bacalar. While itās easy to overspend in this tourist-heavy area, especially with kids, we managed to balance budget-friendly activities with a few splurges. The cenotes were breathtaking, and Bacalar was a highlight for us. Most importantly, the kids loved the pool, which provided endless fun and was the perfect retreat after our daily adventures.
More on the Blog:
Want to know how much it costs for 1 week in Mexico City?
See the cost breakdown of a month in San Miguel de Allende.
Thinking about Oaxaca for Dia de los Muertos? Check out a weeks cost.
