Mexico price guide — what to expect in 2026

Planning my first trip to Mexico and could use some advice from those who have been recently.

I have been reading the older threads and the country guide but wanted to check if info is still current.

Specifically interested in:
1. Best area to stay for easy access to the scene
2. Realistic daily budget (looking for mid-range quality)
3. Safety concerns and areas to avoid
4. Best approach — online platforms or in person?
5. How long to stay — thinking 12 days

Any recent trip reports or tips appreciated. Thanks.

This matches my experience. Mexico is a solid destination.

Spot on with the prices. That's exactly what I paid when I visited in February.

Solid advice. I'd rate my experience similarly.

Thanks for the detailed write-up. Very helpful for planning my upcoming trip.

I had a bad experience there last year. Maybe I went at the wrong time?

Did you feel safe carrying cash?

Solid advice. I'd rate my experience similarly.

Great report, thanks for sharing. I had a similar experience when I was there last month.

Did you feel safe carrying cash?

Agreed on all points. One thing I'd add — make sure to download an offline map.

100% agree. The atmosphere there is hard to beat.

Did you feel safe carrying cash?

Did you feel safe in the red light areas?

Spot on with the prices. That's exactly what I paid when I visited in February.

Thanks for the detailed write-up. Very helpful for planning my upcoming trip.

Nice report. I'm heading there next month and this is exactly the intel I needed.

Any restaurants or bars you'd recommend for hanging out during the day?

Did you feel safe using taxis?

Great report! Quick question — how was the hotel security?