trick for saving money when you go to the Yucutan (some Spanish required)

book the flight but don't book a hotel for your whole trip, only for 2 nights

fly to Cancun and take a bus to the mall in Playa Del Carmen

they have a bulletin board there with rental apartments

this way it is possible to book an apartment even near the beach for a whole week for as little as 500 dollars

compare that with staying at a fancy resort for 150 to 200 a night