How Much Does Riviera Maya Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
The Riviera Maya is a destination of stark financial contrasts, catering equally to backpackers and those seeking ultra-luxury beachfront escapes. For those prioritizing local experiences, a daily budget of approximately $59–$65 / MX$1,015–MX$1,117 is achievable, while travelers opting for private villas and high-end dining should expect costs upwards of $883+ / MX$15,232+ per day. While beach zones in places like Tulum can feel as expensive as major European hubs, the inland "Pueblo" areas remain significantly more affordable. Entry to major attractions like the Tulum Archaeological Zone costs ~$29–$41 / MX$508–MX$711 (multiple fees), reflecting recent increases in conservation fees. Overall, the region is a mid-to-high range destination where costs are heavily influenced by proximity to the Caribbean shoreline.
Is Riviera Maya expensive to visit?
The Riviera Maya is a moderate to expensive destination depending on the area — expect to spend between ~$59 / MX$1,015 and $883+ / MX$15,232+ per day based on your travel style.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Riviera Maya
$61
per person /day
$313
per person /day
$898
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $182 | $939 | $2,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $305 | $1,564 | $4,491 |
| 7-Day Trip | $426 | $2,190 | $6,288 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% buffer is recommended to cover the mandatory $16 / MX$282 Visitax and the nightly hotel environmental fee of approximately $1.86 / MX$32. Additionally, many cenotes require a life jacket rental for $5.77 / MX$100 which is often not included in the initial entry price.
How Does It Compare?
See how Riviera Maya stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Riviera Maya
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Three-Course Meal for Two (Mid-Range) Typical dinner cost in Playa del Carmen or Tulum Pueblo (~$46 / MX$800). | $46 MX$800 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) Standard bar/restaurant price (~$4.64 / MX$80) for brands like Corona or Dos Equis. | $4.64 MX$80 |
| Street Taco (Al Pastor/Sirloin) Individual tacos from popular local spots like Don Sirloin cost ~$2.71 / MX$47 each. | $2.72 MX$47 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| ADO Bus (Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen) The most reliable and comfortable way to reach the coast from the airport for ~$14 / MX$250. | $14 MX$250 |
| Colectivo Minibus (Intercity) Local shared vans running frequently between main towns for ~$2.9 / MX$50. Pay in cash when disembarking. | $2.9 MX$50 |
| Bicycle Rental (Tulum) Essential for getting between Tulum Pueblo and the beach zone for ~$12 / MX$200/day. | $12 MX$200 |
| Private Airport Transfer (Cancun to Tulum) Direct door-to-door service (~$141 / MX$2,437) for up to 7 passengers. Always book online in advance. | $130 MX$2,243 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hostel Dorm Bed (Playa del Carmen/Tulum) Centrally located hostels in Playa del Carmen offer beds from ~$18 / MX$305. Prices in Tulum's beach zone can be 2x higher. | $18 MX$305 |
| Mid-Range Hotel (Hilton Garden Inn) Standard mid-to-high range hotel room (~$198 / MX$3,412). Prices vary by seasonal demand. | $189 MX$3,253 |
| Luxury Resort (Mayakoba / Tulum Beach Zone) Premium luxury stays at top Riviera Maya properties like Rosewood Mayakoba or Azulik (~$447+ / MX$7,718+). | $450 MX$7,761 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tulum Archaeological Zone (Total Adult Entry) Includes INAH federal fee ($12 / MX$209), Jaguar National Park fee ($17 / MX$294), and CONANP conservation bracelet ($6.94 / MX$120). | $36 MX$625 |
| Xcaret Park Plus (Full Day Admission) Includes buffet lunch, equipment, and 'México Espectacular' night show (~$179 / MX$3,087). | $165 MX$2,847 |
| Gran Cenote Entry (International Adult) One of the most popular cenotes near Tulum (~$24–$29 / MX$406–MX$508). Cash only at the entrance. | $26 MX$447 |
| Cenote Ik Kil Entry (Entry Only) Located near Chichén Itzá. Entry-only ~$12 / MX$203; entry + buffet package ~$24 / MX$406. | $12 MX$203 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Telcel Tourist eSIM (8 GB) Includes unlimited social media and calls within Mexico, USA, and Canada (~$29 / MX$500). | $29 MX$500 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining ranges from world-class gastronomy to authentic street food, with a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant typically costing $46 / MX$800. For budget travelers, local favorites like Don Sirloin or Taqueria Honorio serve individual street tacos for $2.72 / MX$47, while a domestic draft beer averages $4.64 / MX$80 in most town bars. To maximize value, visitors should eat in the town centers of Tulum or Playa del Carmen rather than at beachfront clubs where prices for similar items can double.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Don Sirloin
$8.7–$17 / MX$150–MX$300Playa del Carmen · Local chain
Try the Sirloin Alambre which is enough to share for ~$8.71 / MX$150.
Antojitos La Chiapaneca
$5.79–$14 / MX$100–MX$250Tulum Pueblo · Street food area
The go-to spot for the cheapest authentic al pastor tacos in Tulum (~$0.94 / MX$16/taco).
Burrito Amor
$10–$14 / MX$180–MX$250Tulum Pueblo · Local chain
Healthy, gourmet burritos wrapped in banana leaves for ~$11–$14 / MX$183–MX$244.
El Fogón
$8.7–$20 / MX$150–MX$350Playa del Carmen · Local chain
Expect a line at peak times; their 'Gringas' are legendary and very filling for ~$9.42 / MX$162.
Taqueria Honorio
$6.96–$14 / MX$120–MX$250Tulum Pueblo · Local chain
Famous for breakfast tacos (Cochinita Pibil). Arrive before 11:00 for the best selection.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the coast is best done via the ADO bus system, which connects Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen for $14 / MX$250. For short distances between towns, local Colectivo minibuses are the cheapest option at roughly $2.9 / MX$50 per trip. Within Tulum, renting a bicycle for $12 / MX$200 per day is the standard way to move between the town and the beach without incurring high taxi fees.
Accommodation Overview
Hostel dorm beds in central areas like Playa del Carmen offer the best value at approximately $18 / MX$305 per night. Mid-range travelers can find comfortable hotel rooms, such as those at the Hilton Garden Inn, for around $189 / MX$3,253, while the region’s famous luxury resorts average $450 / MX$7,761 per night. Staying 1–2 km inland from the coast generally reduces lodging costs by 30–50%.
Accommodation Budget in Riviera Maya
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the ADO bus for $14 / MX$250 from Cancun Airport instead of private transfers which can cost up to $130 / MX$2,243.
- 2 Eat in Tulum Pueblo at spots like Antojitos La Chiapaneca for dinner to avoid the high-priced menus of the Tulum Beach Zone.
- 3 Take the shared Colectivo vans for $2.9 / MX$50 to travel between Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and Tulum.
- 4 Rent a bicycle in Tulum for $12 / MX$200 to reach the beach; taxi fares for the same 5km distance can be significantly higher.
- 5 Visit Cenote Ik Kil near Chichén Itzá for ~$12 / MX$203 (entry only), a more affordable option than Gran Cenote (~$24–$29 / MX$406–MX$508).
- 6 Buy snacks, sunscreen, and drinks at local Chedraui or OXXO stores rather than hotel gift shops.
- 7 Book the Xcaret Park Plus ticket online in advance to secure the $165 / MX$2,847 rate, which includes a buffet meal and equipment.
- 8 Visit the Tulum ruins as early as 08:00 to avoid the heat and the expensive private guides who wait for tour buses.
- 9 Carry a reusable water bottle with a filter, as bottled water costs add up and tap water is not potable.
- 10 Pay the mandatory Visitax tourism tax ($16 / MX$282) only through the official state portal to avoid third-party service fees.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
+30-50%
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
-20-40%
Nov, Apr
High season (winter) offers perfect 27°C (81°F) weather but peak prices. Hurricane season (August–October) sees the lowest rates but higher humidity and storm risk.
Events to Watch
- ● Christmas/New Year (+100% hotels)
- ● Easter/Semana Santa (+50% crowds)
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watching the Voladores de Papantla (Dance of the Flyers) at Parque Fundadores in Playa del Carmen.
- 2 Walking the 4km pedestrian-only 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida) in Playa del Carmen for window shopping and people-watching.
- 3 Accessing the public beach at Playa Paraíso in Tulum for swimming and sunbathing.
- 4 Exploring the leaning lighthouse and town square in the quiet fishing village of Puerto Morelos.
- 5 Viewing the street art and murals in Tulum Pueblo, especially near the main avenue.
- 6 Visiting the small, free-to-access Mayan ruins in the gated community of Playacar.
- 7 Walking along the shore at Half Moon Bay in Akumal to watch for sea turtles near the surface.
- 8 Exploring the colorful local markets and stalls in downtown Puerto Morelos.
- 9 Watching the sunset from the beach at Playa Delfines (El Mirador) in Cancun.
- 10 Strolling through the Parque de las Palapas in downtown Cancun for local music and cultural atmosphere.
- 11 Visiting the public square (Plaza 28 de Julio) in Playa del Carmen for community events and dance performances.
- 12 Hiking the coastal jungle paths near the Xcacel-Xcacelito sea turtle sanctuary.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ (Dinner & Show)
The only Cirque show in the world with a high-end culinary experience (~$241 / MX$4,164 for VIP).
Rio Secreto Plus Adventure
A guided journey through a massive underground river system with stalactites and crystal-clear water (~$118 / MX$2,031).
Private Yacht Charter (4 Hours)
Includes open bar and snorkeling at private reefs, ideal for small groups to avoid crowds (~$1,036 / MX$17,873).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Riviera Maya
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Riviera Maya and what they cost
Chichén Itzá
$35 / MX$600 by ADO Bus
$40 / MX$697
$100 / MX$1,726 (incl. food/local transport)
Cozumel Island
$37 / MX$640 by Ferry
$29 / MX$500
$94 / MX$1,625 (incl. food/local transport)
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Mexican Peso (MXN)
1 $ ≈ 17 $
Yes
Widely accepted in resorts, large restaurants, and ADO buses. Cash is essential for colectivos, small cenotes, and street tacos.
Leave 10–15% in restaurants. For tour guides, $5.89–$12 / MX$102–MX$203 per person is standard. Small change (~$1.18 / MX$20) is appreciated for parking attendants.
Always use bank-affiliated ATMs (BBVA, Santander, Banorte) located inside buildings to avoid card skimming and high fees (~$2.35–$5.89 / MX$41–MX$102).
Connectivity
eSIM: $28–$53 for 8GB-15GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
WiFi: Reliable in hotels and larger cafés in Playa del Carmen; patchy in Tulum's beach zone.
The Telcel Amigo Sin Límite 500 eSIM for ~$29 / MX$500 is the best value for coverage across the coast.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Riviera Maya.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
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Complete Cost Guide
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