25 Ways to Save Money on Your Mexican Getaway

If you're aching for the white sand beaches, delicious seafood dishes, and carefree attitude found in Mexico, now may be the ideal time to book. These tips can help you score a Mexican getaway for less than you'd pay to stay in other, comparable tropical destinations.

All-inclusive resorts offer you room, food, drink and entertainment for one low nightly rate. Mexico's resort cities are bursting with all-inclusive options from big brands like El Cid, Hyatt, and Barcelo. Compare destinations and resorts to find the best deal.

Where you book in Mexico can make a huge difference in the price of your trip. Consider Los Cabos for its many affordable lodging options, stunning scenery and recreational activities like whale watching and stand-up paddle boarding. Plan on indulging in cheap, authentic Mexican food. Fish tacos, anyone?

Riviera Maya extends down the beautiful coast of Quintana Roo, offering an array of all-inclusive resorts with stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Book a cheap trip to Cancun for its party scene or opt for serene Tulum for its cheap lodging options, yoga retreats, and ancient Mayan ruins.

If you're angling to get your hotel covered for free, consider the Hyatt credit card. This card lets you earn points you can redeem at numerous all-inclusive properties, including Hyatt Ziva and Zilara resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta.

The IHG Rewards credit card lets you rack up points that are good for stays at Holiday Inns and other IHG brand properties across Mexico. Possibilities include the Holiday Inn Los Cabos all-inclusive resort for 40,000 points per night or InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort for 35,000 points per night, among others.

When it comes to exploring Mexican getaways on a budget, don't forget the historic city of Mazatlan. This lively town offers gorgeous beaches, an infamous Malecon known for its fun Pulmonia rides, affordable Mexican cuisine using only the finest ingredients and hotels starting at just $40 per night.

Travel agents are trained to help you save money on any trip, including vacations to Mexico. Seek out a travel agent for help scoring a deal to a Mexican resort with airfare and special perks like resort credits included.

Wyndham Rewards offers several all-inclusive hotels in Mexico you can book for free with rewards. Pick up a Wyndham Rewards credit card to score free nights at the Viva Wyndham Maya or Viva Wyndham Azteca in Playa del Carmen.

Luxury may cost less than you think in Mexico, and that's especially true at the new TRS Yucatan Hotel- an adults-only VIP "hotel within a hotel" within the Grand Palladium Resorts of the Mayan Riviera. Basic rooms start at $400 per night and include food and drink, premium liquor, huge soaking tubs, butler service and 5-star pampering.

Southwest Airlines offers inexpensive flights to Mexico and your first two checked bags free. Sign up for a co-branded Southwest credit card to earn miles you can redeem for flights to Cancun, Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta. Round-trip flights to Mexico can be found for 20,000 miles plus taxes and fees.

Most major airlines fly to Mexico and many offer frequent flyer programs that let you book flights for free. Consider co-branded airline credit cards like the United MileagePlus Explorer card, British Airways Visa or JetBlue Card to earn miles good for flights to Mexico and beyond.

Travel to Mexico is exciting on its own but you'll want to get off the resort to get the full experience. Fortunately, Chase Ultimate Rewards lets you book snorkeling excursions, whale watching tours, day trips to Mayan ruins and other exciting tours with points.

If you don't have credit card points to burn, compare prices for top Mexican excursions and tours on Viator.com. This website lets you compare prices and read reviews on popular Mexican day trips, then book with local Mexican vendors from the comfort of your home.

Renting a car in Mexico can be pricey and confusing but many cities offer bus routes that are both affordable and convenient. Cancun's public buses cost less than $1 per leg, for example, while transporting tourists from their hotels to other parts of the city for sightseeing and shopping.

Some credit cards tack an extra 3 percent on your purchases abroad in the form of a foreign transaction fee. Consider the Discover it Miles, Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard or Chase Sapphire Reserve to avoid this fee for all purchases made overseas.

Playa del Carmen is yet another affordable and charming town to consider for any Mexican trip. This bustling city offers inexpensive hotels and all-inclusive resorts, a thriving party scene, a walkable main drag and a variety of cheap eateries offering authentic Italian food, Mexican, Asian Fusion and more.

Shopping in Mexico is an experience in itself, mostly because you can haggle for deals. Before you pay the asking price for souvenirs, ask each vendor for their lowest price. Be ready to walk and you could get authentic Mexican clothing, handmade dolls and other keepsakes for a lot less.

Websites like Expedia.com, Travelocity.com and CheapCaribbean.com offer package deals with hotel and flights included. Explore your options and compare websites to find the best price on a vacation package that includes transportation and lodging.

Mexican beaches are perfect for snorkeling, especially in Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. In many spots, you can see amazing sea life directly from shore. Pack your own snorkel gear to avoid paying a rental fee and the ability to snorkel when and where you want.

While Mexico may be known for its all-inclusive resorts, you can also consider booking condos or private homes through websites like Airbnb and VRBO.com. Having a condo with your own kitchen makes it easy to save on food costs since you can shop at the store and make some meals at "home."

Speaking of food, get off the beaten path in any Mexican resort town and you'll find plenty of it for much lower prices than you find at home. Visit authentic Mexican eateries for locally grown produce and fresh seafood, spicy fish tacos and Mezcal cocktails for cheap.

While you can buy souvenirs in American dollars in many Mexican cities, you'll often pay more if you do. Save money by converting your cash to Mexican pesos and paying local prices without a tourist upcharge.

Mexican resorts are famous for charging outrageous sums of money for sunscreen. Bring your own sunscreen from home and you can use the brand you want without paying an outrageous price or feeling extorted.

If you're staying at an all-inclusive resort or traditional hotel, you need cash to tip servers, drivers and anyone who handles your luggage. Bring small bills from home (ones and fives) and you can avoid costly ATM fees or fees for exchanging big bills for small ones.

Akumal offers the same beautiful beaches as the resort of Riviera Maya but with smaller crowds and lower prices. The region is also known for its affordable outdoor activities, ranging from cenote dives to snorkeling with sea turtles.