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The Mexican Caribbean may not be home to the most expensive Mexican vacation destinations to visit, but some of them might not be the cheapest either.
This is because the region has become so popular that the demand has led to higher prices for hotels, dining, and activities than years ago.
That being said, there are some destinations that are still pretty affordable, and the following are the most affordable Mexican Caribbean destinations to visit this fall and winter.
Playa Del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is only about an hour south of Cancun and is essentially a smaller version of the more popular vacation destination.
It has beautiful white sand beaches, crystal clear Caribbean water, plenty of all-inclusive resorts, with rates starting at around $230 a night on the weekend this fall, and an active nightlife.
While it’s a bit quieter than Cancun, it is growing in popularity but is still an affordable Mexican Caribbean vacation destination.
@cataaaaaasg 📍Playa del Carmen 🌴 #fypシ #foryou #playadelcarmen #cancun #travel ♬ LALA bumbum Mashup – bumbum
Isla Mujeres
To get to Isla Mujeres, you simply fly into Cancun, head to the ferry terminal, and hop aboard a boat to travel the 20 – 30 minutes to the island.
The ferries, operated by three different companies, only run about $10 – $15 each way and leave every half hour to an hour throughout the day.
Isla Mujeres has a mix of all-inclusives and more affordable smaller hotels for as little as $60 a night and has some of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean.
@pictureperfectwrld Come with me to Isla Mujeres – One of the top 10 beaches in the world #islamujeres #traveladdict #travelwithme #tiktoktravelgoals #mexicocancun ♬ Moments / Tides – Goth Babe
Puerto Morelos
Between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, just over 20 minutes from the airport, sits Puerto Morelos, a small but highly underrated Mexican Caribbean destination.
Once a small fishing village, Puerto Morelos gives visitors a good dose of charm to go along with the beautiful, less-crowded beaches.
Surprisingly, for being such a small, charming, laid-back destination, there are a decent number of all-inclusives, ranging from about $200 to over $800 a night on weekends this fall, as well as smaller hotels, with affordable options in both categories.
@claucastillav My Paradise Puerto Morelos 🌴#puertomorelos #puertomorelosquintanaroo #quintanaroo #quintanaroomexico #rivieramaya #rivieramayamexico #myparadisebeachclub #mexico #cancun #freedom #life #hot #beach #playa #clubdeplaya #bonito #calor #verano2022 #summer2022 #beachplease #vitaminsea ♬ Paradise – Coldplay
Chetumal
Even further from Cancun, but no less breathtaking and filled with amazing things to do, is Chetumal, which is about 4.5 hours from Cancun Airport.
It is the destination for true nature lovers, as it is surrounded by jungle, stunning beaches, a fascinating lagoon, and beautiful cenotes, with numerous archeological sites nearby as well.
While you won’t really find the big all-inclusive resorts here, there’s no shortage of smaller boutique-style hotels, many of which are super affordable, starting at about $45 a night.
@nicelook_nikko Family Vacation to Chetumal. #MINDORDERING #vacation #family #fypシ #mexico #chetumalqroo #chetumal ♬ original sound – Yaahn Hunter Jr.
Mahahual
Located on the coast of the southern part of the state of Quintana Roo and four hours from Cancun, Mahahual is known for its peaceful beaches and laid-back atmosphere.
It’s also known for its fresh seafood, evidence of its fishing village past, its starry skies, due to its more remote location, and for being a popular cruise stop.
There aren’t really any all-inclusive resorts in Mahahual, but a number of highly-rated smaller hotels can be found for as little as $50 a night for a Saturday night this fall.
@hoteljaibamahahual Hagamos de todo menos daño. 🩵🐠 #hoteljaibamahahual #hoteljaiba #mahahual #travel #caribbean #traveler #traveltok #traveltiktok #paradise #beach #love #mahahualmexico #goals #happiness #summer ♬ sonido original – hoteljaibamahahual
Cancun
Cancun is more expensive than all of the aforementioned Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations, but it also has the most to offer in a touristy sense.
It has the most all-inclusive resorts, ranging anywhere from just under $300 to nearly $1,000 a night this fall on the weekends, multiple beautiful beaches, a vibrant nightlife, exciting adventure parks, and stunning nature just steps away.
So, while you might pay more for a Cancun vacation compared to some of the other destinations, you’re getting a lot of value for your money.
@marieth.ort Estoy enamorada 🩵😍#cancun #ocean #fypシ #CapCut #mar #islamujeres ♬ sonido original – YAMBIIR
Tulum
Tulum, a coastal destination only about an hour and a half from Cancun Airport, has become extremely popular among foreign travelers, particularly those from the U.S. and Canada.
Because it keeps growing in popularity, it has gotten more pricey to vacation in Tulum, but affordable options do exist.
You’ll find a mix of boutique hotels, hostels, and even a few all-inclusives, with nightly rates this fall between $60 and $300 for highly-rated options.
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