Fair prices in México — what things really cost

The ADO bus from Cancún airport to the Hotel Zone and downtown costs only about US$7–8 per person and runs on a fixed published fare, making it by far the best-value way in from the airport. Buy the ticket at the official ADO counter or machine in the terminal, not from a tout.

A pre-booked private taxi or shuttle from the airport to the Hotel Zone is about US$32–38 for a small group, but a taxi hailed at the curb with no reservation can be quoted US$60–100 or more. Book a transfer in advance with a fixed price, or take the ADO bus if you are travelling light.

A plate of street tacos or a simple meal at a downtown taquería is only a few dollars — some of the best and cheapest eating in the city. The same food in a Hotel Zone tourist restaurant can cost several times more, so eat where the locals do in El Centro for real value.

A cappuccino or espresso at a cafe runs about US$3–5, a little less at a local spot downtown and more at a beachfront resort. Cancún has a growing independent-cafe scene away from the strip where the coffee is better and cheaper.

The R1 and R2 city buses run the length of the Hotel Zone and into downtown for around US$0.70 a ride, paid in cash to the driver. They are frequent, cheap and easy, and save you the price of repeated taxis for getting up and down the strip.

Tap water is not for drinking here, so bottled water is a daily buy — about US$1–2 for a large bottle from an OXXO or supermarket, and much cheaper by the big garrafón. Buy it from a shop rather than a beach vendor or minibar, where the same bottle costs several times more.

A dinner main at a decent mid-range restaurant is roughly US$20–40 per person in the Hotel Zone, less downtown. Check whether a service charge (propina) is already added to the bill so you don't tip twice, and be wary of menus that only quote prices in US dollars.

A beach club or resort day pass runs about US$45–100, often with some food-and-drink credit included — a way to enjoy a resort's pool and beach without staying there. Compare what credit is included before booking, and remember the beach itself is free to walk on.

Las aplicaciones de transporte compartido muestran la tarifa por adelantado y suelen ser más seguras y transparentes que parar un taxi en la calle. Si tomas un taxi de calle, confirma que esté registrado y acuerda la tarifa o insiste en usar el taxímetro antes de arrancar.

Una comida sentado en un restaurante de gama media en un barrio central cuesta notablemente más que la misma comida más lejos de las zonas turísticas. Los menús con precios expuestos en el exterior son una buena señal de un precio justo y fijo.

Los tacos de la calle se venden por pieza y son una de las comidas con mejor relación calidad-precio de la ciudad. Elige puestos con mucha rotación de clientes locales para asegurar la frescura.

Los museos independientes más pequeños y los municipales cobran una entrada modesta, pero los grandes sitios federales del INAH (el Museo Nacional de Antropología, el Castillo de Chapultepec, el Templo Mayor y similares) ahora cobran una tarifa plana más alta para visitantes extranjeros desde enero de 2026; consulta los precios vigentes en el lugar.

Pedir un transporte compartido desde dentro de la terminal del aeropuerto evita a los taxistas no oficiales que esperan en las salidas. Confirma que la matrícula coincida con la de la aplicación antes de subir.

La cerveza local en un bar de barrio es económica; los precios suben rápidamente en los bares en azoteas y locales en zonas turísticas, así que revisa la carta antes de pedir.