adminMexico is a vibrant and diverse country, a perfect destination for families. But how much does a trip like that really cost? I planned the entire trip myself – no travel agencies involved. This wasn’t a difficult task to do. Mexico is an easy travel county. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what we spent during our 4-week family adventure.
You can read more about travel budget and some general tips here!
Before departure
How much does a trip to Mexico cost before the trip starts? For Mexico you only need a passport. We also needed an ESTA because we had a layover in the US. We still had both, so no extra expenses here! There are no mandatory vaccinations for Mexico. Credit cards are accepted everywhere in the country. You need cash a few times, so be sure to get some when you arrive in Mexico!
Flights
We flew from Düsseldorf to Cancún with British Airways, with layovers in London and Dallas on the way out, and Philadelphia and London on the way back. Each leg took around 17 hours.
- €520 per person round trip, including checked luggage and meals
We parked our car at Parking P24 at Düsseldorf Airport for €170 for the full 4 weeks.
Tip: Use a combination of miles and fare alert tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to snag the best deals.
Car rental
We rented a car for our full 4-week Yucatán road trip.
- 4 weeks rental: €770
- Insurance included
- Fuel: approx. €245
I found deals via Rentalcars.com. The first booking I made cost €1,300, but a few weeks before departure, prices dropped significantly. I cancelled the original booking and rebooked the same car for €770.
The rental offices are located near the airport, and shuttle buses take you there directly.
We were pressured to take out additional insurance, but we declined — and had no problems during the trip. That said, when we returned the car, the spare tire turned out to be missing. We had to pay €300 for it separately, although we did get our full deposit back. Whether the tire was actually stolen or part of a scam… we’ll never know.
In Mexico, you don’t need a fortune to feel rich — just time, curiosity, and an open heart.”
Accommodation
How much your trip to Mexico will cost in general depends for a great part on the accommodations that you’ll choose. We stayed in a mix of hotels, guesthouses and eco-lodges. I booked them all on Booking.com.
On Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres, prices were high — around €250 per night — while in cities like Valladolid and Campeche, we found stays for about €50 per night for a family room.
- Average: €97 per night
- Breakfast was often included
Food & Drinks
Eating in Mexico is generally affordable. In touristy areas like Cancún or Tulum, prices are similar to Belgium. But in quieter towns or at local eateries and street food stalls, you can get a decent meal for just a few euros. We often just bought some bread and fruit in a supermarket.
- Average: €50 per day for the whole family
Activities
We visited a variety of sights and did some amazing activities. In tourist hotspots like Tulum, you can end up paying 10 times more for some tours compared to lesser-known locations. So choosing what you do and at which location will have an effect on how much your Mexico trip will cost!
- Entrance to archaeological sites: €115 pp
- Whale shark tour: €125 pp
- Other activities (museums, cenotes, etc.): €75 pp
Extras
- Souvenirs and miscellaneous expenses: €75
- Internet & SIM card: An eSIM is the best option during your trip to Mexico. For €75, you’ll have an eSIM with unlimited data for 4 weeks. My favorite for the unlimited data packages is Holafly). If you need less data, a few euros will already get you several GBs. Airalo is a good option for small packages.
Total cost for 4 weeks trip to Mexico
| Category | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| Flights | €520 |
| Local transport | €192.5 |
| Accommodation | €679 |
| Food & drinks | €350 |
| Activities | €315 |
| Extras | €150 |
| Total | €2,206.50 |
🏝️ Is Mexico worth it?
Absolutely! Mexico is a fantastic country. We took our time to soak up the culture, explore the stunning landscapes and enjoy the incredible food. With thoughtful planning, you can turn a Mexico trip into a memorable family trip without a high cost.
Yes, we splurged on some big-ticket experiences like swimming with whale sharks and visited almost every major Maya site. But for the budget we spent, we truly got our money’s worth.
If you’re looking to cut costs, consider skipping the Cancún–Tulum area, and maybe visit either Isla Mujeres or Isla Holbox, instead of both. Roughly speaking, the budget for a comfortable 5-week family trip through Mexico can range between €1,500 and €2,500 per person.
Curious about specific tips for your own Mexico trip? Be sure to check out my other blog posts, where I share the best places to visit, detailed routes, and honest experiences!
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