Money and costs
Mexico's currency is the Mexican Peso (MXN). They abound in most cities, ATMs and the most sophisticated establishments are prepared to accept credit card payments. Mexico is a country with very affordable prices.
ACCOMMODATION
There is a strong backpacking culture in Mexico which means you can find hostels throughout with overnight stays in dorms and private rooms. Expect to pay around €3 for a dorm, €10 to €15 for a double room with shared bathroom, €15 to €25 for a double room with a private bathroom.
Another type of stay is guaranteed by roadside hotels and motels but, all too often, they prove to be uncomfortable and even unsafe.
At a higher price and refinement level, resorts and hotels from international chains are increasingly frequent in the country. Comfortable and refined, they don't exactly allow guests to feel the Mexican soul. The Riviera Maya and Acapulco are good examples of coastlines full of gigantic resorts with beaches, swimming pools and many other private infrastructures, all-inclusive services and, in high season, a chaotic crowd of guests of countless nationalities. Expect to pay from €400 to €1.500 for a week's stay in half-board in this type of hotel.
Taking into account the objective of experiencing Mexican culture, the best hotels are the colonial ones established in old haciendas. you equate (cactus cultivation) and other historic buildings and properties. A large part of these hotels are luxury (5 stars) and have high prices, easily €200 to €800 per night for a double room, depending on the location, ranch in particular and the time of year.
FOOD
Mexico, much more than the United States, contains an endless national gastronomic universe worthy of careful exploration. The cuisine is divided into northern, central, southeastern and coastal.
You'll find street food everywhere except, of course, in and around resorts and big hotels. Served in small stalls, cars and caravans, street food is the least expensive in the country. Problems with this type of food are not exactly frequent, but, in any case, carefully observe the aspect of what you buy to avoid any complications. Traditional complete meals are sold at simple market stalls for as little as €2,50, drinks on the side.
Despite the quality and variety of its cuisine, Mexico imported the culture of the fast junk food and many of the same franchised restaurants that exist north of the border are also proliferating in Mexican territory, with prices higher than street food.
Apart from these types of meals, you will find popular small restaurants that serve different breakfast combinations that, depending on the richness and diversity, range from €2 to €5. Mexicans are used to heavy breakfasts with eggs, tortillas, beans and even meat. However, in places with the greatest affluence of tourists, you will also find places that have adapted to what foreigners were most looking for: yogurt with muesli, fruit, oatmeal and bread with butter and sweets.
Most conventional Mexican restaurants offer, between 13:16 pm and XNUMX:XNUMX pm, the so-called race race, cubiertos ou menu of the day. These last menus include several dishes of the best traditional Mexican food at very affordable prices, from €8 to €20 with soup, dishes, drinks, dessert and coffee included. At dinner, it is normal for Mexicans to eat fewer dishes and lighter dishes, sometimes simple snacks ou mexican platillos as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, tamales and pies.
Note that you will find these specialties everywhere. On many days of abrasive heat, you can refrain from eating overly composed and bulky meals. Buy from these instead snacks ou mexican platillos at a reduced price – €1 to €3 in the streets and markets, more in restaurants – and at any time of day.
IINTERNET
It spread across the country at great speed throughout the country. Some Riviera Mayan resorts charge extra. most of the hostels and certainly the hotels of international and colonial chains offer Wi-Fi access as part of the rate.
If you find yourself stranded in a rural village, look for an Internet Café as close to the center as possible. It is most likely not to be far from one. Expect to pay €0,50 at a maximum of €1 per hour of navigation.
Alternatively, purchase a SIM from Telmex or a competing company upon arrival in Mexico that you can install in a smartphone unlocked or pen to have internet wherever you go.