How to Get Free Accommodation in Mexico

Have you been wanting to figure out how to get free accommodation in Mexico?

Look no further. Here are a bunch of ways you can score free accommodation in a country that’s already fairly cheap when you compare its currency to the American standard. 

There are a number of alternatives you can look at to expensive hotels, even though they serve their purpose in some regard. (It’s always nice to splurge once in a while). 

Before going to Mexico, make sure (like anywhere you go) to learn a bit of Spanish. It can go a long way when trying to score yourself some free accommodation!

House Sitting

House sitting is an affordable way to travel slowly around Mexico for free. There are plenty of job ads posted year-round to suit all different people.

You can do pretty much anything, from watering plants to minding cats to feeding fish or a couple of pups. Whatever you feel comfortable doing could end up staying in a beachside home in Cancun for free.

This does require the ability to sell yourself to the person you’re messaging though.

The person on the other end of that message wants to hear that you are capable of minding their animal and that their beloved, precious pet will be in good hands if they let you (a stranger) stay at their house. 

If you’ve grown up with pets or house sat before, or just feel that you are able to do the job, house-sitting is probably going to be the option for you.

Here Are a Few Websites You Can Have a Look Through:

• Trusted Housesitters
• Mind a home
• Happy House Sitters
• Nomador

Volunteering

There are a handful of reliable and trustworthy websites that you can look through to find volunteering options in Mexico that will offer you free accommodation alongside your work.

These are mostly non-for-profit organizations looking for extra hands to help do humanitarian work. They will always offer cheap or free accommodation. 

Websites to look at:

• Goverseas.com
• Worldpackers.com
• Volunteerhq.org
• voluntouring.org

This is a great experience if you’re looking to immerse yourself in a true Mexican experience, and you’re generally doing something beneficial as well.

This sort of work is good for the heart and soul, so if you’re that way inclined and want to try volunteering, messaging the appropriate organizations is probably a good short-mid term. 

Things to do include:

• conservation projects for wildlife
• teaching English to primary school kids
• looking after young children
• setting up solar power in rural communities
• other humanitarian work.

Woofing and Farm Work

Working on farms is another option you can do in Mexico, if this is something you prefer. Jobs can last from two weeks to six months, and it normally involves farm work.

So if you don’t like this sort of lifestyle, this option probably isn’t for you, but if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty in this sort of arena, then you can get free accommodation and meals while working around six hours a day. 

This Makes a Great Immersive Experience as Well. These Are Just Some Sites That Offer Woofing Experiences:

• WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
• WorkAway
• HelpX

Yachting

If you like the boat life or had any experience with boating or want to dip your toes in the water, (no pun intended), it’d be worth opting for yachting in Mexico.

Trips can last up to four months (or the whole season), and you get to live on the boat for free and eat for free—plus in most cases be paid generously.

It’s hard work working on a boat, so if you’ve had experience in this department, this is definitely an option for you. 

Camping

Campgrounds are not that expensive in Mexico and camping in the wilderness is free. Campsites can cost anywhere between $5 and $20 USD per night and the campgrounds have facilities, like showers and firewood.

You might have to pay a parking fee or a few other private chargers that the campgrounds charge.

I’m not recommending anyone camp in the wilderness without preparation; obviously, do this if you have the type of skill level, but it won’t cost you anything to wild camp in Mexico and no one should come and bother you.

You can even camp on the beach for free in Mexico and along the Baja coastline, there are facilities for campers.

With either of those options: camping wild or staying at a campground, respect the land, take your trash with you, and be courteous to other travelers.

Home Swaps

A creative way to get yourself over to Mexico is by house swapping. There are loads of websites that facilitate this sort of exchange.

Some websites are free and others charge a premium, but just keep in mind that the accommodation is free. You don’t need to offer any money.

You can upload your property and see if you get any takers. This option is good if you own your home or an apartment that is suitable to swap.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is really great accommodation option that’s only really suited for short-term stays. Generally, on these sorts of websites, even though the accommodation is free, the person that is allowing you to stay on their couch, or in their spare room for a couple of days only.

This is a good option if you’re looking to cruise through a city or town for a short while and head off again.

Travel in the Shoulder-Season of Off-Peak Seasons

The shoulder seasons are July and August and the off-peak seasons are May and June and September to November.

Doing this is economical, because hotels, and flights, all drop down to reasonable prices.

Avoiding the peak seasons can get you a really good deal. This takes a bit of organization and planning ahead!

Book your flights and accommodation months in advance. When visiting Mexico, consider going in May or September instead of July and August when summer starts to crank up and Americans are going on their holidays too.