Exploring Riviera Maya and Bacalar on a Budget: A 20-Day Family Adventure

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 paradise—a 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.

Eating Out: $77.35

We treated ourselves to dining out several times, but overall, we kept eating out to a minimum:

• Taco Arbolito: Street tacos that weren’t quite as good as Mexico City, but they did the job. $19.79

• Chilled Coconut: The kids enjoyed their first experience with fresh coconut in the touristy area. $11.08

• Imelda’s Ecocina: A decent meal, and dad got a break from cooking. $27.74

• 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.

• Super Chedraui: $295.51

• Mega Soriana: $454.12

Transportation: $804.79

We rented a car through Riviera Maya Travel Services, a recommended local company. While renting a car wasn’t initially in our plan, we soon realized how essential it was since nothing is walkable in the area. Here’s the breakdown:

• Car Rental: $537.00 ($26.85/day)

• Gas: More expensive than in San Miguel, totaling $174.97

• 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. Here’s how our spending broke down:

• Bacalar: $55.56

• Cenote Azul: A beautiful spot. $24.76

• Xcacel Beach: $10.15 for access to this natural preserve.

• Tulum Ruins: We paid two entry fees—one for the preserve ($6.14) and one for the ruins ($9.07). Kids were free.

• Coba Ruins: Two entry fees as well—$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.

• 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 child’s car seat, which we didn’t 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. It’s 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, we’re glad we visited Riviera Maya and Bacalar. While it’s 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.