Have 100 Pesos? Here's What You Can Actually Buy In Mexico (2024)

Mexico is a paradise. One minute, travelers are sipping smokey mezcal, the next, they are lying in the clearest natural pool or listening to mariachi musicians while Frida Kahlo gazes down at them from a mural.

No matter how frequently you travel there, Mexico's breathtaking landscapes and energetic communities allow you to experience a way of life that is infused with surrealism, the beauty of nature, and tremendous history.

The country has something to offer every kind of visitor, with iconic tequila, Aztec and Maya sites, celebrations of the Day of the Dead, gorgeous beaches, and more. Perhaps the best part of visiting Mexico is that most travelers can do so on a budget, starting with inexpensive flights from the US. Once you arrive, here's how far you can stretch 100 Mexican pesos.

What You Can Buy With 100 Pesos In Mexico

100 pesos goes pretty far while traveling in Mexico

In US dollars, 100 pesos is the equivalent of just over six dollars. Fortunately for travelers, there's plenty you can buy with this amount, from food to attractions to transportation.

For example, street tacos in Mexico often hover around 12 to 30 pesos each; you can pick up anywhere from three to eight tacos, depending on pricing.

Street food is more than sustenance, too; that handful of pesos gets you an experience in addition to a meal. Apart from tacos, travelers can also buy ice cream, fruit, or juice from local food markets.

A bottle of juice or horchata runs travelers about $2 per bottle, so 100 pesos gets three bottles, which appear to be about 16 ounces based on traveler videos like simonjwils' video on TikTok.

But what else can 100 pesos get you in Mexico? You could also spend that amount on taxi fare and travel around five miles, according to Numbeo. That may not get you transportation to destinations such as Chapultepec Castle, the Tulum Ruins, or Museo Nacional de Antropologia, but those attractions themselves cost less than 100 pesos.

Various attraction costs in Mexico

Here Is How You Can Pay In Mexico

Carnitas vendor in Mexico

It might be challenging to decide how to pay in Mexico if tourists visit there because of the country's unique currency, money customs, and banking system. Fortunately, a variety of payment methods are now widely accepted everywhere, such as:

Credit Cards

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere in Mexico, notably at tourist-oriented enterprises.

Debit Cards

Tourists may buy at point-of-sale terminals and withdraw some cash using debit cards that are connected to their bank accounts.

Boats along the waters of Puerto Morelos in the Riviera Maya

Cash

Having some Mexican peso banknotes on hand might be useful for unexpected expenses, gratuities, and small purchases. Normally, tourists may exchange money at a bank or any exchange office before or when they arrive.

Mobile Payments

Although they are becoming more and more common, tourists should first check the places in Mexico to see if they accept mobile payment systems.

• Examples: Google Pay, Apple Pay

Is 100 Pesos A Lot Of Money In Mexico?

100 pesos has much more value in Mexico than the equivalent does in the US

Chiapa de Corzo in Chiapas, Mexico

One hundred pesos is a large sum of money in some places, yet it is typical or even a little low in other areas. Generally speaking, Mexico has a cheaper cost of living than many other nations. Thus, 100 pesos will buy tourists more there than it would in countries like the United States. Food and the majority of other daily essentials are rather inexpensive.

When it comes to anything other than food or attractions, 100 pesos won't go far. However, it's much more than many families in Mexico have to work with. For reference, the average annual wage in Mexico in 2022 was $16,685 US dollars.

• Doing some quick math, the average worker in Mexico might make around 130 pesos per hour.

This Is How Much Money You Need For A Week Spent In Mexico

A week in Mexico doesn't have to be expensive

An aerial view of Jalisco, Mexico

Each traveler's budget will be a bit different, depending on their itinerary, preferences, and comfort level. After all, not everyone wants street food for each meal. However, it's easy to experience Mexico on a budget if you're flexible.

In fact, it's easy to budget for a full week in Mexico City for under $1,000, including your flight. You can spend even less if you're willing to venture outside your comfort zone, AKA the big cities. For example, Puerto Vallarta, a coastal town, is one of the friendliest towns in the world — and also affordable.

Estimated costs for a budget week in Mexico

According to the destination and travel goals, a fair budget for a week in Mexico might range from $500 to $2000. However, there is plenty that visitors can do on a budget of $100 USD, from an almost-endless bar to premium lucha tickets to a week-long stay in a hostel — proving that Mexico is a budget-friendly destination for the books.