Prices and Money
I always find it interesting what people pay in other countries, so I'll give you a report on what we're doing financially right now in northern Mexico.
The current exchange rate is hovering right around 11 pesos for a dollar, so it's easy for us to figure out how much we're spending by just knocking a digit off the price or dividing by 10. We're not really working very hard at saving money, but it's pretty inexpensive nonetheless.
Approximate costs in US Dollars:
Hotel: $15-$25 (all have had hot water. Some very nice, others grungier)
Coke in restaurant: $.70-$1.00
Beer: $1.00-$1.50/bottle
Simple Dinner, per person: $4.00
Taco or burrito: $.35
5-hour bus ride: $19
Entrance to bullfight: $20
Gallon of purified water (in plastic bottle): $.90
5 gallons of purified water (need returnable bottle): $1.30-$2.00
Public Restroom: $.25 (includes toilet paper)
Museums: $1.00-$2.00
Doctor consultation at pharmacy: $1.50
1 Kilo (2.2 pounds) of corn tortillas: $.80
Nice torta sandwich: $1.00-$2.00
Spanish Language School: $20/day/person ($100/week)
School Homestay, with 3 meals/day: $16/day/person