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Open since 2000, this is affiliated to the Mexican hostel association AMAJ. It has 50 dorm-style beds and a few double rooms. Bright and clean, good shared showers, and an open kitchen.

The laid-back Carmelina has been welcoming budget travelers for years. Arranged around a big patio, rooms are simple but cheerful. All have showers, and some even air con.

Friendly and helpful owners make the difference in this big, popular hotel. Rooms are well cared for and have such extras as air con and small fridges, and complimentary coffee is provided.

Puerto Morelos’ best low-priced rooms, with a friendly feel and popular restaurant. Rooms come in many shapes and sizes, and include four in the style of explorer huts.

A remarkable survivor from Playa’s wild hippy days, gripping on to its great beach location in the face of glossier developments. Inside two garden enclosures you have a choice between simple cabañas , with or without showers, or hammock space under a big, mixed-sex palapa.

A well-run cabaña cluster with 32 cabins around a palm grove by the beach. A choice of dorms, double, or singles (with or without showers), and family-sized huts. Some have a sea view. Affiliated to the AMAJ hostel federation, it has a small café and a more relaxed feel than some other bottom-price cabañas .

Affiliated to AMAJ, this newish hostel in a pretty, old house has excellent, bright dorm rooms or hammock space in the garden, good shared bathrooms, a lounge and patio area, free coffee, and cheap Internet access.

Challenging the cheap hotels of Mérida for value, this AMAJ hostel has bright, airy dorm rooms and a few doubles. There’s also an open kitchen, a lounge space, and cheap Internet access.

Pleasantly easygoing hotel on Ticul’s main square. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, with good bathrooms, fans or air con, and TVs; get one overlooking the square.

The best budget accommodation really near to Uxmal is provided at this very welcoming site just south of the village of Santa Elena. The Mexican-French couple who live here offer camping space (with good showers and solar power), dorm beds, and very pretty doubles, with showers, in cabins. Meals, equally a bargain, are also available.