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Mexico hotels, from $50

Mexico hasn't been this cheap in 15 years. The only question is where to go for your sunny escape: Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Cabo San Lucas, Riviera Maya or Mexico City.
/ Source: ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL

Cabo San Lucas, from $50 per room per night
The Hotel Mar de Cortez, in downtown Cabo, has a great rate for those of you looking to escape the resort scene. The 90-room colonial-style hotel has a swimming pool and a restaurant — it was one of the original hotels when Cabo San Lucas was a sleepy fishing village. Now, the hotel is near upscale shops, as well as the beach and marina. Rates start at $50 per room per night.

When: Ongoing.

Details: Does not include taxes of 13 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.

Contact: 800/347-8821, mardecortez.com.

Cabo San Lucas, from $80 per room per night
Tesoro Los Cabos is offering a Peso Pincher rate of 12 percent off regular rates. The hotel, which has a swimming pool and a spa, is in downtown Cabo San Lucas, near restaurants, shops and hopping bars. It's also easy to get to the many area beaches. Rates start at $80 per room per night.

When: March 1-April 30, 2009.

Details: Does not include taxes of 13 percent or a resort fee of about $4 per night. Based on single or double occupancy. Use promo code PESO.

Contact: 866/998-3767, tesororesorts.com.

Punta Arena, from $120 per room per night
The Costa Club Punta Arena Hotel is offering a great all-inclusive rate now through mid-April. For $120 per room per night, you receive accommodations, three meals a day (á la carte or buffet-style), unlimited snacks and beverages (including alcohol), recreational activities and entertainment, a city tour, and free entrance to discos in Puerto Vallarta, about five minutes away. The resort is decorated in a tropical style and has two pools. Rates start at $120 per room per night.

When: Through April 11, 2009.

Details: Includes all taxes and gratuities. Based on single or double occupancy. Two kids under 12 can stay and eat for free; kids 13 to 17 are $20 per night. Additional adults are $50 per night. Upgrade to a suite for $25 per night.

Contact: 888/351-5017, puntaarena.com.

Ixtapa, from $170 per room per night
The Tesoro Resort has good rates for families from now through the spring. Rates for an all-inclusive vacation for a family of four start at $170 per room per night, including accommodations, food, nonalcoholic drinks, daily entertainment and activities, activities at the Corsarios Kids' Club, and one free room service delivery per day. The resort is located along the Playa del Palmar strip in Ixtapa.

When: Through April 30, 2009.

Details: Includes all taxes and fees. Based on double occupancy; no single bookings. Kids under 12 stay for free; kids 13 to 17 are charged the adult rate.

Contact: 866/998-3767, tesororesorts.com.

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When: Through March 30, 2009.

Details: Includes all taxes and gratuities. Based on double occupancy; single occupancy rates start around $209 per night. Kids under 12 stay free.

Contact: 800/858-2258, occidentalhotels.com.

Puerto Vallarta, from $200 per room per night
The Escape! Family Package at the CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa includes accommodations in a private room with a balcony, breakfast daily, a pizza and movie night, nightly milk-and-cookies turndown, and complimentary access for two kids, ages 4 to 12, to the Kid's Club (a $40 value). Kid's Club activities include Spanish lessons, pottery painting, and cooking lessons. The 433-room resort just finished a $10 million renovation and is right on the beach. Rates start at $200 per room per night, or $600 for the required three-night stay.

When: Through Dec. 11, 2009.

Details: Does not include taxes of 17 percent. Based on quad occupancy (two adults and two kids). Requires a three-night stay. Access to the Kid's Club is $20 for each additional child ages 4 to 12.

Contact: 888/727-23473, puertovallartamarriott.com.

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When: Through Dec. 31, 2009.

Details: Does not include taxes of 17 percent. Based on single or double occupancy.

Contact: 877/238-9399, marquisreforma.com.

Riviera Maya, from $226 per room per night
The all-inclusive, adults-only Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort offers seven restaurants, as well as four bars for unlimited snacks, cocktails, juice, and soft drinks. The 252 villa-style rooms have standard amenities (including air-conditioning), and the resort has a pool and four Jacuzzis. Rates start at $226 per room per night.

When: Sept. 1–Oct. 31, 2009; add $30 for May 1–June 30 and Nov. 1–Dec. 31; $44 for Apr. 13–30 and July 1–Aug. 31; $134 through Apr. 12, 2009.

Details: All taxes included. Based on double occupancy; single occupancy rates start at $113 per night.

Contact: 011-52/984-875-1800, hoteles-catalonia.com.

If you're looking for bottom-of-the-barrel prices, one site to monitor is Cheap Caribbean. The deals page almost always has Mexico properties with great prices but short booking windows.

Orbitz's Deal-O-Rama, a twice-monthly promotion, is featuring Cancún now through February 15. You can save 40 percent at the La Amada Hotel in Cancún, among other deals.

Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.