Warnings from U.S. officials and the government, as well as from news anchors, have been flooding social media and news outlets. you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports That may seem like basic information, but some people come to Bacalar expecting to see beaches and are disappointed. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Stromatolites look like flat rocks sitting in the water, but theyre actually alive some of the worlds oldest living beings, and key in providing oxygen. Playa del Carmen to Bacalar | Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. We are a bit in the Wild West in terms of drone laws, so keep in mind that this could change anytime. WebBacalar is super safe. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. Fort San Felipe is a remnant from the days when Bacalar was being attacked by pirates but today its a fun place to explore and enjoy views over the lake. Los Rapidos is one of the most fun places Ive been in Mexico. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Its on an isolated spot on the lake, but you have large suites (some with a tub in the middle of the room! Bacalar, Mexico You are going to be disappointed by comparison. Many of the warnings about security in Cancun stem from a couple of recent incidents that have taken place in the city. As much as I love Isla Holbox, and I think its very similar to Bacalar in terms of how it feels, its not the most logical destination its a 5.5-hour drive, or you can take the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, then switch to a bus to the town of Chiquil, from where you can hop on the 30-minute ferry to Holbox. Kayaks are also available for rent. You also have the option of flying into Belize City, which is closer to Bacalar than Cancn, but I dont recommend doing this unless youre spending time in Belize as well. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes (2023 note: these were the prices in early 2020. There are lots of actions that you can take to preserve this environment. The cost to visit the Kohunlich ruins is 150 pesos ($8) for adults. to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. The inky navy reserved for exclusive high-end fountain pens. From there you can cross into Belize and take a 2.5-hour bus to Belize City, from where you can take ferries or buses to further Belize destinations, like my favorite, Caye Caulker. Thanks! Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. the flight planner: Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Bacalar, Mexico. Surprisingly fantastic pastries the best Ive had in Mexico! Understand that there are no beaches in Bacalar, Mexico. Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. The bohemians. Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. Then I went to Tulum in 2015 and I was disappointed. waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination. A: Yes, it is safe. How far is Bacalar from Cancun READ MORE: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women. This should be your #1 priority while traveling to Bacalar. But for now, here's an example we've selected to We got hit by a gust of wind and the mast knocked the drone into the water, which usually destroys drones, but our captain Felipe jumped in and grabbed it quickly. The tourist areas in Cancun are monitored more than anywhere else in the city by the Tourist Police and by agents of the military. There are several ATMs on the main square in town, but none of them were working when we were there. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Use biodegradable sunscreen exclusively. And being in nature is the perfect place to take time away from the Internet. Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. You can get an ADO bus from Bacalar to Mahahual; it takes one hour and 20 minutes. Bacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. Bacalar If you would rather be in a really nice place right in Bacalar town, where you can walk to all the restaurants, I recommend Hotel Carolina. I absolutely love Belize and think it makes an great place to visit after you spend time in Bacalar. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. Right now Bacalar is a small, lesser-known place in Mexico on the verge of exploding in popularity and while that can be positive for the economy, it can be very threatening to the environment. Resist the urge to go to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancn. Depends on your budget, but I like Casa Chukum for a mid-range hotel and Yak Lake House for a budget-friendly spot. Cancun to Bacalar drive Drive from Cancun to Bacalar They do sell water shoes at Los Rapidos. Progress is happening whether we want it to or not, and its selfish to insist a place remain pleasing to your travel memories when locals could use the economic opportunity that comes with development. Some people even call Bacalar The Maldives of Mexico. And honestlyI think thats a ridiculous title. The nearest big city to Bacalar is Chetumal, and the distances to other bigger cities are below: Cancun to Bacalar | 346 km, 4.5 hours drive. READ MORE: Solo Female Travel Guide to Belize. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? To Bacalar It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. You cant always find this in Bacalar shops so be sure to buy some before you arrive. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. So that means we really need The town of Jos Mara Morelos is a good stopping point halfway between Mrida and Bacalar, and its home to a place called Samys (Google Maps calls it Carnes Asadas Mr. If you have the option of flying direct to Mexico City from your departure airport, it may be worth it to fly to Chetumal via Mexico City. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. Get used to late night music, firecrackers, celebrations, and two people next to each other trying to drown out the others music. ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. For this reason, I think its best to visit the Cenote Azul after breakfast, have a nice swim, then put on your sunscreen and head to Los Rapidos, which is further down the road. Small drones are permitted at Bacalar for now. 2023 Adventurous Kate | Powered by Reggio Digital, my two-week Mexico road trip itinerary on the Yucatn peninsula, Best Luxury Accommodation in Bacalar Mexico: Mia Bacalar Luxury Resort & Spa, Best Mid-Range Accommodation in Bacalar Mexico: Casa Chukum, Best Budget Accommodation in Bacalar Mexico: The Yak Lake House, If Youre Driving From Mrida to Bacalar, you can join a boat tour here (with open bar!). Here the land is like limestone Swiss cheese, with thousands of cave-like openings filled with fresh water where you can go swimming. Most boat tours last about three to four hours and take you to some of the spots I detail below, like Pirates Canal, the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, and Bird Island. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. I ordered some banana bread and while it wasnt terrible, it was two teeny pieces about one inch by three inches long. One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. If youre traveling in Mexico, foreigners can only use a small drone like the DJI Mavic Mini its under 250 grams so it doesnt need to be registered. Of all the seven shades of blue, the bright turquoise surrounding Bird Island is probably my favorite shade. Samys is a barbecue stand specializing in pork. Hot water isnt always a given. This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. from Cancun to Bacalar Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. This has ended and was back to normal in 2022. Its not uncommon to see soldiers walking along the beaches, in the Cancun Hotel Zone, and in the downtown area, where all of the bars and clubs are. This is an incredibly popular breakfast spot, made for Instagram with its plant-filled courtyard and free trade market inside. Its located on the edge of Bacalar town. my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary. If you have any extra days, feel free to fill them with whatever you want but please prioritize a boat trip and Los Rapidos. This is a very easy place to stay off your phone for a few days. The coolest site at Kohunlich is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid flanked by human-like masks. Dont touch the stromatolites. Bring earplugs. Is Bacalar near Cancun? helping you figure out travel plans in detail. , (), , , () , : , Squid Game , . Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. This felt very much like a place capitulating to the Tulum aesthetic all style, no substance, and very overpriced. I havent been yet, but its a priority on my list. . WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. Cancn Bacalar Unrestricted Share Travel safe during COVID-19 Rules to follow in Mexico 1.5m Recommended Travel within Mexico Observe COVID-19 safety rules COVID-19 help in Mexico If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 911 Frequently Asked Questions Am I allowed to travel from Cancn to If youre driving from Mrida to Bacalar, as I did with my friends, I have a GREAT lunch spot to recommend. Here are four nice rentals that cost about $40 per night in low season and are located close to the center of town: Find deals on Bacalar hotels and rentals here. from Cancun to Bacalar From Cancn you can hop on a five-hour bus to Bacalar. WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. If you forget something, there are shops and sellers in town. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. Half Of Cancun Tourists Leave Their All-Inclusive Resorts During Vacations, Here Is Where They Go, This Off Path Beach Near Cancun Is The Perfect Place To Escape The Crowds, The Cancun Sun is an Off Path Enterprises production, original sound Worldwide Travel Guide . In March 2021, I reported that Lake Bacalar had turned green due to a combination of sewage issues and a hurricane, and that it was no longer possible to visit certain parts. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. Sometimes its normal sand, but sometimes it can be hard and sometimes its squishy mud. In that case, your travel time would really need to Those establishments are equipped for increased crowds. Bacalar has accommodation available at a variety of price tiers, but know that much of it can be more basic than you expect. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. It probably wouldnt have survived had we been in salt water. It is both urgent and necessary to protect Bacalars delicate environment, and I thus hope it brings the right kinds of travelers to Bacalar: people who come here to enjoy the lakes beauty and the small town vibe and who are determined to leave it as they found it. Im convinced no other country gets a more inaccurate representation in the American media this is not a lawless land of cartels, beheadings, and gun violence. WebRe: Cancun to Bacalar 2 years ago Save As others have said, an easy drive and worthwhile if you have a couple of days to spend. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. Cancns flights to Chetumal tend to be at awkward times for transfers. Is there any chance of Bacalar remaining just as it is now? Visiting cenotes is one of the best part of traveling in Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula. ! And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. Bacalar is situated in the state of Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, near the border with Belize. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. Most notably, when all the ATMs in town are out of money at the same time. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Suns latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox. Cancun to Bacalar Tulum to Bacalar | 215 km, 2.5 hours drive. How far is Bacalar from Cancun There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Now finally, let's look at an actual flight from CUN to CTM on Mayair, S.A. de C.V. and figure out how long it would take to fly including Standing on the edge of a lake-enclosed cenote, as the water changed from light to dark. Im serious. My friends loved the cocktails, too. This riverside club is perched on part of the river that feeds into Bacalar lagoon. Located a short walk from the main square, the rooms are quirky and colorful, the bathrooms are modern, and theres a cute backyard area. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate Bacalar WebStart in Cancun. Alternatively, you can bring areusable bottleand invest in aSteriPen water purifier(much better and faster than tablets). ! Tulum to Bacalar. Here are some destinations from which you can reach Bacalar on a nonstop bus ride: You can book tickets on the ADO site or you can buy them at bus stations. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? This caused a fair amount of animosity from taxi drivers, to the point where they have even attacked Ubers with tourists in them, although none have been extremely violent and the attacks seem to have slowed down. Staying Safe . Alternatively, book a private transfer from the airport to Bacalar. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. fastest possible straight line between Cancun, Mexico and There are tour companies all over Bacalar, and you will constantly be offered rides from people on the street. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. If you dont have hot water, shower in the late afternoon.