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More Time ≠ More Money

I’m spending a month in a casita in Chelem, in the Yucatan Mexico with a pool and the beach two short blocks away.

The rent is $600 USD for the whole month.

Slow travel often costs me less than a traditional week-long holiday. I also get to settle in, eat local food and have ordinary days instead of rushing to fit everything in.

And at my age I am so tired of rushing.

After 16 years of travel I've learned a lot. Here are my best tips:
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1. Book directly with property owners

This is where most of the budget is saved, And it’s the question people most often ask me. How do I find accommodation?

I start with Facebook groups.

Search for vacation rentals, short-term rentals or monthly rentals in the area you’re visiting.

Most towns have several groups with everything from budget casitas to upscale condos, and real estate agents and property managers post there too.

Even this little village of Chelem had several Facebook groups with lots available.
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Worried about Scams?

You have to be smart. If you send a stranger money be prepared you may lose it. But there's a work around.

For example, last September in Puerto Vallarta I initially booked hotel for a few nights, I posted in a few local rental groups on Facebook and expedited things by naming my price.

My second day I viewed a great place in Zona Romantica. The third day I paid an agent directly in cash when she handed me the keys.
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Not everyone agrees with posting your budget

I usually post $100 less than I am prepared to pay to leave room for negotiation. More importantly I knew $900 the going rate for what I was looking for.

But the agent that reached out to me showed me something better than expected. The owners decided they'd rather take $900 than leave the condo empty.

In the end, by paying cash on site I paid less than half of the published high season rate.
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If you're interested in Puerto Vallarta check out this 30 Days Cost of Living video, in the description is the agent that lists holiday rentals, I would definitely use her again.

This year I took a gamble

In Chelem I also found my casita in a Facebook group. But this time I paid a deposit.

Instead of an agent who handles condos here and there, this was a formal establishment. They only book direct because they have a great reputation locally.

There are eight cottages on this gated property and mine looks out directly onto the pool.

It is listed on Google and Facebook so there were enough reviews, photos and videos of the cottages.

We discussed the terms on Whatsapp and I felt confident enough to pay a $300 deposit, with Visa for added protection.

Sometimes you just get a feeling. In this case I thought I could take the risk.

But unless you're traveling in high season I would say simply showing up with appointments to view a few places is the best strategy.

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2. Why not Airbnb?

Airbnb was a great idea when it started. But it has changed. Big development companies buy entire apartment buildings, kick out locals and jack up the price for tourists.

At my core I believe tourism should help communities. The best way to do that is to rent from local owners.

Airbnb feels convenient, but you're often paying 25% more in fees and hosts pay a lot too. So booking directly can save both sides money.

But... you can start with Airbnb

Most independent Airbnbs are listed on multiple platforms. Here's what to look for:

• Sometimes the Airbnb booking name is their property name that you can search on Google or Facebook. Most independent properties have Facebook pages.
• Some listings include a shot of their accommodation sign on Airbnb so you know their name, that you can then search.
• Some sneak in the phone number on a photo so you can reach out to them on Whatsapp.

If none of that works I also screenshot a few photos on the Airbnb profile to run through Google image search. It will show you where lese they are listed.

Then I contact the accommodation to see if I can get a deal by booking direct. This works 90% of the time because they always save on fees. Paying cash or sending a bank transfer with Wise often lowers the rate.

The downside: A direct booking has no protection. But to be honest the booking sites don't guarantee it either. Confirm the total price and cancellation terms in writing and pay with a traceable method, such as Visa.

Airbnb has safeguards, but they don’t guarantee a problem-free stay.
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3. Travel in shoulder season

Coming from Canada the idea of "rainy season" brings images of hurricanes and torrential rain.

But shoulder seasons tend to have rain in the evening or the occasional afternoon. And when you have a month rain doesn't ruin a holiday,

Accommodations have lower rates. Restaurants aren't full. You're no longer just another annoying tourist taking photos at the market.

4. Stay outside the popular neighborhood

If you're traveling in high season to a popular town look to stay just outside the center of town, or better yet in community next to it.

Prices are lower, crowds are fewer and you'll be treated less like a tourist.

I have regretted staying central many times. And only regretted staying outside the core once. More on that in #6.

This trip, I chose Chelem my base to get away from it all. I can take day trips to Progreso for $1 but not have to deal with cruise ship crowds. Merida is also a $2 bus ride away but I'm still by the beach.

I'd say the only inconvenience is that there isn't an ATM in town. But I withdrew cash once and I doubt I'll need to do it again. If so, Progreso is 15 minutes away.

5. Find a place with a kitchen

It's not just about money. Deciding where to eat for every meal is exhausting. Sometimes I just want to open a fridge and make breakfast.

With a kitchen I have been cooking meals more and occasionally eating out. If you know don't, every woman over 40 is obsessed with protein and I've had no issue finding Greek Yogurt and cottage cheese in Progreso.

Everything else I try to buy locally to get to know people and discover the local tips.

It also means that I can spend mornings at my laptop with a coffee on my patio. And I'm not lugging water bottles from Oxxo every day because my casita owner ordered a water cooler for me.

Learn From My Mistakes

When you look at rentals, get a full list of what is included: stove top? blender? Make sure it has pots, pans etc. Ovens are less common in many countries. In Thailand and Vietnam I bought an airfryer as the price per use for Asian brands made sense.

On the flip side in Malaysia I rented a condo with a kitchen for a week. I didn't check what they stocked and discovered two plates, two bowls, two glasses and one frying pan large enough to cook an egg but no spatula!

6. Take local transport

Slow travel gives me time for shared vans and public buses instead of Ubers or private transfers. It takes longer, but I’m not in a hurry.

But I laughed last week when I met a friend for lunch in Merida. He invited me out to a paella and Spanish wine event in the evening. I told him I had to check when the bus stopped running.

He said, "you can't afford a DiDi or Uber?"

Public transit from Chelem to Merida is under $2.25 USD but an Uber could be over $30 USD at night.

I could do it, but also it gave me a great excuse to decline invitations. Because once you near 50 the idea of being out after 10pm is unthinkable.

That is past my bedtime!

Transport Tip:

Check for easy local transit, including the hours. Can you get to the main bus or train stop? How far are groceries?

In Rome this summer I made a big mistake choosing a local neighborhood that was great. But it required an expensive Uber for every day of sightseeing, we should have stayed closer to the sites.
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7. Let some days be ordinary

This time in Chelem is a workcation. I need to do update my website and do boring work chores.

But I wake up to the sounds of so many birds in the trees. I have my coffee and read in the morning. Then I work for a while or run errands.

And the beach is so close.

One-week holidays are hectic. Every day feels like it needs to count. You want to see the sights, try the restaurants and book the excursions before you leave.

Over a month there’s room to slow down, and ordinary days are my favorite.

Quick Checklist

The more questions you ask the easier it is to find a good host. Make sure you understand what’s included.

• Cleaning: Are you responsible for cleaning, or can you arrange weekly or mid-stay cleaning? Is there an extra charge?
• Laundry and linens: Is there a washing machine? Or a cheap laundry place nearby? How often are towels and sheets changed?
• Water: Is drinking water provided, or do you pay for refills and delivery?
• Cleaning supplies: Are basic supplies available or do you need to buy your own? Do they provide shampoo? Toilet paper?
• Utilities: Are electricity, water and internet included in the rent? Electricity is often charged separately, especially if you’ll run air conditioning.
• Check-in and check-out: Confirm the arrangements and any additional fees.
• Wifi: I always ask for an internet speed test as I need to work.

A good host should be happy to answer all of these.

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It's just a short time at the beach and then I'm heading to Ecuador to finalize group trip details.

If traveling with me in Ecuador sounds fun, you can sign up here to be the first to get details. No commitment by signing up, it's just for information.
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Keep Life Delicious

Ayngelina