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The MexiPass system offers foreign visitors nearly 50% discount on Mexicana, AeroCaribe, and Aeroméxico domestic flights. Visitors traveling from North America need to book at least three internal flights to qualify for the discount; visitors from Europe need only two. You must book the MexiPass tickets at the same time as booking your entry flight (which can be with any airline).

Several small car-rental agencies in Mérida offer the best rates in the whole of the Yucatán – about 25% cheaper than in Cancún – especially for rentals of a week or more. Also, local agencies often look after their cars better than the bigger chains.

Hotel prices shoot up in the peak winter season, above all around Christmas and New Year, from mid-December to mid-January. To get the best combination of prices and weather, travel in May to June or late November to early December.

It may be convenient to pay in U.S. dollars, but you will save money in the long run if you change your money to pesos.

Local free magazines (see Free Magazines) often contain discount coupons for a whole range of local hotels, bars, restaurants, and other attractions, and you may also be given booklets of nothing but discount coupons for free drinks, meals, or park admissions. They may be annoying to carry around, but can save you significant amounts of money, especially in Cancún.

Admission to all Mexican national monuments, including Mayan ruins, is free on Sundays. The hitch is that everybody knows this, so the most popular ruins become very crowded – you may prefer to go on a weekday and pay the admission.

There is always a row of simple restaurants in the food markets, offering traditional Yucatecan and Mexican food. These are the cheapest and often also the most atmospheric places to eat a full meal. You’ll also find plenty of snack stands, offering tacos, tortas, peeled fruit, and other pleasures, which are very good value for money.

Boat trips to see flamingos in such places as Río Lagartos and Celestún, fishing trips, and tours to nature reserves like Sian Ka’an are often very expensive if you travel alone or as a couple; or there may be a minimum number to make a trip viable for the guide or tour operator. You can cut costs drastically and avoid disappointment by getting together a group of four to six to share a boat or bus.

Most diving operators offer discounts for people diving in a group, or booking several dives at the same time. Many operators will also offer discount rates if you book in advance.

Most bars on the Riviera offer a two-for-one deal on beers and other drinks for at least a few hours each night.