Knowing the beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya has a very big disadvantage: you will not be dazzled by any other beach in the world.
The first time I saw the turquoise blue sea of Cancun I was 13 years old. Before, I had only seen the beaches of the Mexican Pacific... there is no comparison; this is true paradise.
To many, the Riviera Maya can seem like a luxurious and very expensive destination, especially if you have seen in magazines the huge and exclusive resorts where famous personalities stay.
But the reality is that there is something for every taste and pocket, and here we will give you the best tips for traveling to the Riviera Maya on a budget.
When is the best season to travel to Cancun and the Riviera Maya
To find the best prices you have to travel in the low season. Both airplane tickets, hotel rates and tours will be much cheaper. With this you will also avoid large concentrations of tourists.
The best periods to find cheap rates in Cancun and the Riviera Maya are:
- Mid-January and all of February
- During May and mid June
- From the beginning of September to the beginning of December.
The hottest and most humid period is from July to September; June is the rainiest month; and during the months of November to February it is usually a little cold and very windy. But in general, Cancun and the Riviera Maya have an excellent climate to enjoy their beaches.
Buy your plane ticket in advance and during a promotion. The latter is super important, as sometimes buying the flight well in advance does not guarantee the best price. Always look for the offers of the airlines
How to get around cheaply in the Riviera Maya
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In the Riviera Maya there is a lot to see and do and to make it worth your while you have to move around a lot. The transportation issue will not be a problem, as there is public transportation, taxis, buses... they come and go from one place to another, and they will drop you off right where you need to go.
From the Airport
When you arrive at the airport in Cancun you are offered a variety of ways to get to your hotel. The most expensive would be to take a taxi (excessively expensive). The two best options for getting around the Riviera Maya are renting a car and using private transportation, both of which may seem expensive at first, but you should book in advance.
Transportation from Cancun Airport
This service has many benefits, it is easy to book in advance, it is very comfortable and safe, and you will not have to worry about anything else but enjoying the trip.
Book online in advance, I recommend you to book your transportation with eTransfers, it has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, and phone attention with English speaking operators, book your Cancun to Playa del Carmen Shuttle with eTransfers.
Rent a car in Cancun
The most comfortable and practical way to tour the Riviera Maya is to rent a car. A great advantage is that you can rent it in Cancun and return it in another city, besides this area of the country has very good roads well signposted and safe.
If you go with several friends and they share the cost of renting and gasoline, this option is ideal for you.
If you book it online you will find better prices, you can find very cheap cars by booking in advance your Car Rental Cancun by City Car Rental, remember to guarantee it to ensure availability.
Where to eat cheaply in the Riviera Maya
Photo by Josh Hammond on Unsplash
In Cancun and the Riviera Maya life is a little more expensive than in the rest of the country. When I go to visit my family in Michoacán, I am surprised at how much food I can buy with 100 pesos. But in the Caribbean, even the tacos at the corner stand are more expensive than in the rest of Mexico. But let's not be alarmed, there is always an option to take care of our pockets.
Restaurants
The most exclusive restaurants are located in the hotel zone of Cancun, but sometimes you only have to go a couple of blocks away from the most touristic areas to find a restaurant with affordable prices.
On 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen there are a great number of restaurants, and some for small budgets: you can find pizza, tacos and quesadillas places.
Also if you walk to 10th Avenue, you will find even more restaurants, taquerías and fondas. To find even more affordable prices, you have to go to the area known as the "Ejido", which is on the other side of the federal highway.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
