Our Family Adventure: A Two-Week Road Trip Through Mexico
This summer, we embarked on an exciting journey, traveling through Mexico with our kids. Over two weeks, we explored the beautiful regions of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. We discovered that Mexico is a fantastic destination for families with kids, and we were pleasantly surprised by our experiences.
Is Mexico a Cost-Effective Holiday Destination?
Aside from the rich culture and stunning landscapes, the affordability of Mexico makes it an attractive holiday destination. But how much does a 2-week road trip through Mexico during the summer holidays cost? Is it more or less than €6,000, all expenses included? In this article, “Costs of a Holiday in Mexico with Kids,” we will delve into this question.
Planning a Family Vacation to Mexico: A Cost Breakdown
When planning a family vacation, it’s helpful to categorize the expenses into three main groups:
- Travel expenses
- Living expenses
- Recreational expenses
Let’s take a look at the costs associated with a family trip to Mexico, specifically to the regions of Yucatan and Quintana Roo. This trip was planned for a duration of two weeks during the summer holidays, for a family of four – two adults and two children aged 5 and 6.
1. Travel Expenses for a Family Vacation in Mexico
Our decision to travel to Mexico was quite spontaneous, with tickets booked only two weeks in advance. This was prompted by some attractive deals found during a routine Skyscanner search. Fortunately, our previously planned trip to Slovenia had a cancellation option, so we didn’t incur any additional costs there.
Here’s a brief breakdown of our travel costs to Mexico:
| Travel Expenses | |
| Flight Tickets | € 2,462.00 |
| Roundtrip Bus Fare | € 30.00 |
| TOTAL | € 2,492.00 |
Our Flight Experience with Aero Mexico
We embarked on our journey to Mexico with Aero Mexico. The flight included a stopover in Mexico City before reaching our final destination, Cancun Airport. This arrangement worked well for us. However, if you’re traveling with very small children or those who aren’t fond of flying, you might prefer to choose a direct flight to Cancun.
Transportation to Schiphol Airport
Living relatively close to Schiphol Airport, we found the bus to be an excellent and budget-friendly mode of transportation for our commute.
Next Up: Cost Item #2
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2. Understanding the Costs of a Family Holiday in Mexico: Living Expenses
When planning a family holiday in Mexico, it’s important to consider the costs of living at your chosen destination. This includes everything you’ll need to pay for, excluding excursions and souvenirs.
Here’s a breakdown of the typical costs:
| Living Expenses | |
| Food and Drinks | € 700,00 |
| Gas/Taxi | € 230,00 |
| Shopping | € 265,00 |
| Car Rental | € 310,00 |
| Toll | € 10,00 |
| Hotels | € 1.123,00 |
| Ferry | € 60,00 |
| TOTAL | € 2.698,00 |
As you can see, the living expenses are slightly higher than the travel costs. Considering we spent 15 days in Mexico, we averaged about €200 per day on accommodations, transport, food, and drinks.
All our hotels were booked through booking.com. We prioritized accommodations with a pool, as our kids enjoy swimming. We also ensured all our accommodations had a three-star rating and a score of 8 or higher.
We rented a car from Auto Europe, and the cost of the rental and insurance is included in the total. The insurance cost was three times the rental cost, but comprehensive insurance is essential in Mexico.
The “food and drink” category is quite diverse. For the first eight nights, we stayed in hotels and often ate out. For the last six nights, we stayed in an apartment, which allowed us to cook our meals and pack lunches, reducing our dining out expenses.
Exploring the Exciting World of Travel: The Fun Stuff
Now, let’s dive into the third and final cost item of our travel budget: the fun stuff. This category is arguably the most enjoyable part of any trip, encompassing all the thrilling activities and unique experiences that make your journey truly memorable.
3. Budgeting for Fun Activities During a Family Holiday in Mexico
When planning a holiday, it’s important to budget for the fun activities that aren’t strictly necessary, but that can make your trip more enjoyable. Here’s a breakdown of the costs for such activities during a family holiday in Mexico.
| Fun Activities | |
| Souvenirs | € 145,00 |
| Excursions | € 420,00 |
| TOTAL | € 565,00 |
As you can see, this cost item is the smallest of the three. But what exactly does it include? The “souvenirs” category is self-explanatory. For instance, we bought a hanging chair and a hammock that now add a touch of Mexico to our living room.
We also embarked on several exciting excursions:
- Cart rental on Isla Holbox
- Visiting Las Coloradas
- Discovering Chichen Itza with a Dutch guide
- Boat trip on Lake Bacalar
- Snorkeling and swimming at Los Rapidos
- Cycling through the ruins of Coba
- Exploring the Tulum ruins
- Snorkeling with gigantic sea turtles in Akumal
- Snorkeling and swimming at three different cenotes
Considering all the activities we enjoyed, the cost for outings and excursions was quite reasonable.
Calculating the Total Cost of a Family Holiday in Mexico
Are you curious about the total costs of our unforgettable family trip to Mexico? If you’re good with numbers, you might have already figured it out. But for clarity, let’s break it down:
| Travel Expenses | € 2.492,00 |
| Living Expenses | € 2.698,00 |
| Recreational Expenses | € 565,00 |
| GRAND TOTAL | € 5.755,00 |
So, to answer the question posed at the beginning of the article: a family holiday in Mexico costs less than € 6.000,-.
While it’s important to remember that this is a significant amount of money, it’s also worth noting that these were the costs for a two-week summer holiday in Mexico. The value of the experience, however, is priceless.
Smart Ways to Save on Your Family Trip to Mexico
Looking for ways to save money on your family vacation to Mexico? Here are some practical tips:
- Opt for public transport over a rental car: Yucatan and Quintana Roo have a robust bus infrastructure, and you can also use the small buses known as “colectivo”.
- Book two-person bedrooms or apartments and request an extra bed: This is often done at no additional cost. Our kids comfortably shared one bed.
- Shop at the supermarket for meals instead of dining out: Prepare breakfast with homemade sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt with cruesli, and pack lunches for the afternoon.
- Eat like a local: We often grabbed a bite “on the road”. You can get two burritos for less than €3.
Our Family-Friendly Accommodations in Mexico
We stayed at the following hotels during our trip, and we found all of them to be family-friendly and enjoyable.
Top Accommodations in Mexico
Here are some of the best places to stay in Mexico, each offering unique features and amenities:
- Cielito Holbox – Isla Holbox
- Mayaland Hotel & Bungalows – Chichen Itza (with the secret entrance into Chichen Itza)
- Azul 36 Hotel – Bacalar
- Coco Village – Tulum
All these hotels and apartments feature a pool, family rooms, two bedrooms or free extra beds for kids, and are located in prime locations.
Is Mexico on Your Travel Bucket List?
Has Mexico earned a spot on your travel bucket list? If you’re interested in learning more about our trip to Mexico, feel free to read our travelogue.