Round-trip flights from most U.S. and Canadian cities to Mexico City range from $350 to $600, depending on the time of year, though some high-demand cities like Chicago, Dallas and Toronto will see round-trip fares drop as low as $250 on occasion. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara can sometimes be cheaper destinations than Mexico City.
Local transportation costs are minimal, since public transportation is usually only a few pesos and most taxis cost $1.50 to $3 for local trips. For multiple-destination trips, one-way flights on domestic carriers run anywhere from $75 to $200. Mexico's buses are efficient and economic options. A bus from Mexico City to popular destinations within five or six hours, such as Oaxaca, Acapulco or Guanajuato, cost about $20 to $30.
If you don't mind a bunk in a dorm room shared by four or five other travelers, consider a youth hostel, where a night's stay costs about $7 to $15. If you want more privacy, many cities will have acceptable budget hotel options starting around $20 per night, though those in the beach resort towns are likely to start closer to $35 in town, and even higher on the beach.
Some budget and mid-range hotels offer a shared bath option, which can bring the price down further. For example, the Hotel Isabel, a popular budget option in the historic center of Mexico City, has double rooms with private bath for $34 and double rooms with a shared bath for $25 in November 2009.
For $40 to $50 per night in Mexico City, you can find a very comfortable, tile-decorated room with a balcony overlooking the historic center. At beach resorts like Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa or Huatulco, a mid-range option on the beach will likely cost at least $80 per night.
Breakfast at a standard cafe in Mexico costs $3 to $5. Lunch and dinner at a mid-range restaurant can run $4 to $8 per person, while basic seafood places at the beach will often charge more than $8 for the catch of the day. Tacos purchased from a street stand--a popular option with Mexicans--can start as low as 35 cents apiece.
For budget friendly and appetite-quenching eats, look for restaurants serving a "menu del dia" during the afternoon hours. These filling meals usually include a soup, an appetizer, a choice of main dish, a dessert and a drink for between $2.50 and $4.
A coffee at a cafe in Mexico usually costs $1.25 to $1.75. A bottle of domestic beer at a bar costs around $1.50. Museum entries are usually between $2.50 and $3.50, though some museums are free on Sundays and a few government-run facilities are always free.
