Accommodation options in Mexico

Beach huts, or cabañas, are a rustic style of accommodation that can be found at backpacker-oriented beach resorts, or nature-rich areas like the Lacandon Jungle or Lake Patzcuaro.

They are often simple and built of wood, and a great option for sustainable travel as they are often managed by local communities.

Some cabañas can be rooms with a simple hammock and no electricity, whereas others in more affluent areas like the eco-friendly cabanas in Bacalar can be fully furnished with kitchens and bathrooms.

Guest ranches are working farms that have transformed to offer tourist experiences and stays with a local family. Many offer hands-on interactions and working with the animals, expect to be rounding up cattle or helping out with feeding. Most include home-cooked meals, but higher-end options can include a spa, guides, cooking lessons, and gourmet food.

A good option is Rancho Los Banos, a 30,000 acre family-run ranch in the middle of the Sonora Desert. The working cattle guest ranch is framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains, and offers epic horse riding experiences in vast protected landscapes.

Sometimes called paradores, posadas and casas de huéspedes, hotels in Mexico are widely available and vary greatly in price and style.

Resorts and all-inclusive hotels in areas such as the Yucatan Peninsula have been a popular options with visitors for a long time in Mexico. Other less formal guest houses offer more of an authentic experience, sometimes with an included breakfast prepared by the affable owners.

Always check whether the room is a double (cama matrimonial) or two singles (doble or con dos camas). Other considerations include whether you need air-con (usually at an additional cost) and what sort of insect-proofing the room has - especially important in jungle areas.

Below are approximate accommodation costs per night in Mexico:

• Tent pitch or hammock at a campsite - around 80 MXN (USD$5)

• Bunk bed in a hostel dorm - around 260 MXN (USD$15)

• Stay in a cabaña - From 500 MXN (USD$30) to 3500 MXN (USD$200)

• Budget hotel (double room for two) - around 1000 MXN (USD$60)

• Mid-range hotel (double room for two) - around 1700 MXN (USD$100)

• Luxury hotel (double room for two) - 5000 MXN plus (USD$300+)

Hostels

There are lots of great hostels for travellers on a budget in Mexico. Many offer large dorms with single bunk beds at extremely low prices, but some more modern hostels also offer private rooms suitable for couples or travellers who prefer to sleep alone.

Shared bathrooms, kitchen facilities, and communal areas all help to reduce living costs and are great for meeting fellow travellers.

If you plan to rely on hostels as a major form of accommodation in Mexico, you can get a HI card to obtain a small discount on hostels that are part of the Hostelling International site. But it’s worth keeping in mind that many independent hostels in Mexico are just as good value and can sometimes be of better quality.

Camping

Camping is another popular accommodation option in Mexico, especially in beach towns along the Yucatan or Baja Peninsula. But it isn’t without its dangers; robberies can be common in some touristy areas and particular attention should be paid to secure storage of any valuables.

Although campsites are plentiful, with some beaches even being open to free-camping, official RV parks in Mexico offer better security and facilities, and can be used by both campers and campervan users.

Larger hotels and resorts have the best amenities and considerations for those travelling with disabilities.

Choosing where you travel can also make a huge difference to accessibility options in Mexico - Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Campeche all have great facilities for wheelchair users in particular.

Some top accessible hotels in Mexico include; Iberostar, Hard Rock Hotel, Paradisus (Cancun), Playacar Palace (Playa del Carmen), and Aluna (Tulum).