Average price of meals per day?

[ASA400]

Hi guys!

My dive buddy and I are planning a trip to Coz in July, 2012. We had thought to go the all-inclusive route, but many on this board have been saying that it's better to get a non-AI hotel since the food you get at the AI isn't all that great anyway. Some even say it's cheaper to get meals in town and all (pretty much) say the food is better in town.

So, since I haven't been to Coz since 1991, I'd like to find out how much average meals cost on Coz these days. Back in 1991, you could get a typical Mexican lunch for around $3-10 and dinner was $10-20 with lobster going for $25 or so. Morgans and Pepe's Grill were a bit more expensive than other places. How much has that changed?

Thanks!

Jerry

 

[annlaur]

Of course it all depends on where you eat. Typical set lunch (comida corrida) is about 60 to 100 pesos max. USD 10 to 20 sounds about right for dinner (one main dish and a drink). The bill will be much higher if you're a heavy drinker though, or if you want a starter and dessert.

 

[Jackie]

You remember right.. Pepe"s was $85 pp for the works, rib eyes, martinis, a bottle of wine. mr Taco's by near where i stay, around the corner from Casa Mission, ran us $5 pp for dinner.
There is a place for every price range. Of course drinks play into prices.
I've stayed in both inclusives and not. I prefer to have a variety of venues for food and drink, depending on my mood. I also do not like the drinks at the AIs but I am pretty particular...

 

[cvchief]

You remember right.. Pepe"s was $85 pp for the works, rib eyes, martinis, a bottle of wine. mr Taco's by near where i stay, around the corner from Casa Mission, ran us $5 pp for dinner.
There is a place for every price range. Of course drinks play into prices.
I've stayed in both inclusives and not. I prefer to have a variety of venues for food and drink, depending on my mood. I also do not like the drinks at the AIs but I am pretty particular...

Does MR Taco have cervesa?

 

[Diver Kat]

We budget $25 a day pp for all meals, snacks, alcohol, grocery shopping, etc. and usually come in under budget. That includes the DH buying a couple bottles of wine and his favorite reposado for sipping back at the hotel.

 

[MMM]

I like eating at the local cheap places, most of which are east of 15th and more likely 30th. Husband and I can eat supper for about $20 total, including a beer each. Lunch is usually much less: between $2-$5 pp. depending on where and what. But if you want to splurge at a nicer restaurant for supper, figure $30 pp. and up.

 

[Jackie]

Mr Taco does not serve beer....

 

[ggunn]

My experience is that the expense of eating on Cozumel is pretty much the same as it is here in Austin. You can eat cheap or you can splurge and the range in price is very similar.

 

[dolomite]

Agreed. I find the food and booze prices in Coz to be very similar in cost to eating out here in Milwaukee. The overall experience is of course superior in CZM - but that goes without saying.

 

[beth_castroll]

I tend to prefer to eat local when I'm in Mexico. I have found we can eat for 25 a day or less. Helps to speak enough Spanish to get by.

Generally we shop at the Cheduri and buy things for breakfast and or post dive lunch. Places for Cheap and good food can be found at say:

3 Paitios Empanadas Ave 30 & Calle 15. Amazing Orange Juice and 4 Empanandas for lunch is like 35 Peso for 2 people.

Los Chilangos Loncheria on Ave 10 between Calle 13 & 15 is basically a family home they open for lunch and mama does the cooking. We still dream about the Chile Rellenos we got there. 2 on a plate plus a pitcher of tamarindo iced tea and some bland soup for like 45 peso's each and we ate left overs later that week. We are going back in January and are already planning to eat there several days.

Tons of Chicken Shacks up and down 30th ave. These are great. We even found one that delivered. You get a whole spit fired roasted chicken, tortillas, beans, rice, weird canned spaghetti and salsa for a bout 80-90 pesos. Will feed the two of us for dinner with enough left overs for lunch or post dive snack.

Tacos. 8-10 pesos each. 3-4 will fill you up for sure. Any where I see a guy carving El Pastor of a spit with a pineapple on top and locals inside is where we go. Most of these places don't sell beer but my husband puts a Sol in his pocket and brings it with him. Never has anyone cared.

Super Hit. This is a chain. 30th Ave and 15 Calle. We like them for breakfast. Like 5 bucks a person and it includes a big pot of coffee, oj, huevos rancheros, and a basket of sweet breakfast rolls.

Any guy riding a bike selling corn with mayonnaise cheese and hot sauce is a must!