How to do Playa del Carmen on a Budget | Outside the All-Inclusive Resorts

Last Updated on March 20, 2021

JC and I went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico in May this year for my best friend’s wedding. I had been to Mexico twice before. Once I stayed in an all-inclusive resort and the other time in hostels/hotels. JC had been to Cancun before and had also stayed at an all-inclusive resort. My best friend’s wedding took place at the gorgeous Mahekal Beach Resort in Playa del Carmen. However, at $250 per night, JC and I had to look elsewhere for accommodation. We were staying six nights in Playa del Carmen and we couldn’t afford to blow our budget just on the hotel alone. Having to go the budget route in Playa allowed us to not only save a bundle, but also experience Mexico in an authentic way that you simply can’t staying in a resort. Read below how you can experience Playa del Carmen on a budget.

Getting to Playa del Carmen

Take the ADO Bus for cheap

If you arrive in the Cancun airport and do not want to pay a lot of money for a taxi or other private shuttle, you can take the ADO bus. You can view the bus schedule on their website here. The current price is 280 Mexican pesos, or $13 one-way. The ride is a little over 1 hour and drops you off in the city center. You can buy tickets on the spot, either at the ticket booth inside the airport or at the curbside of the bus platforms. The buses were very comfortable with AC and TVs, and we felt completely safe taking them.

Where to Stay

Use Airbnb to save money

My best friend got married at a beautiful resort. However, it was simply out of our price range to stay there. The advantage of staying in a resort in Playa del Carmen is that you have all the facilities at your disposal: pools, restaurants, spa, gym, etc. A pool is essential for your stay in Playa el Carmen. The beaches in Playa del Carmen have unfortunately been ruined by dead algae washing up the shores due to global warming. The smell is so bad that you will want to avoid going to the beach at all costs. Therefore, if you go the Airbnb route in Playa, I would recommend looking for one with a pool. We stayed at this Airbnb for 6 nights and paid only 214 EUR or about $250 for the entire stay. We would have spent that for only one night at the resort. The Airbnb was like a small boutique hotel, complete with a small pool, maid service and security guards. It was only 10 minutes walking from the Mahekal resort, which made it super convenient for us to walk to the wedding. If you want to save a lot of money, book your stay in Playa del Carmen with Airbnb.

*A pool is essential in Playa del Carmen*

Where to Eat

Eat local for the best food, cheap

If you have stayed in an all-inclusive resort before, you know that the food is always horrible. Sure, it’s convenient. But it’s terrible. Which is a shame if you are in Mexico, because the country has such rich culinary traditions. Better to get out and explore the local taquerías, such as El Fogón. JC couldn’t get enough of their tacos al pastor (pork), and I loved their aguas frescas (fruit flavored water). You can eat like a king here for less than 10 EUR.

Playa del Carmen on a budget - el Fogon — *Quesadillas, Tacos and Aguas Frescas at El Fogón*

For breakfast, we visited a juice and smoothie stand in front of the supermarket on Avenida 30 that was 7 minutes walking from our Airbnb. Much more delicious than a cold breakfast buffet at a resort.