is it safe to drive from cancun to bacalar

You dont have to do play-by-play Instagram Stories of the sunsets. Bring mosquito repellant. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. There are several ATMs on the main square in town, but none of them were working when we were there. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. My favorite restaurant in Bacalar overall. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. Get driving directions and flights. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. The water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. 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. The cost to visit the Kohunlich ruins is 150 pesos ($8) for adults. You can rent a kayak for the day here. Bacalar is already part of the itinerary so you can easily add in more. The toilets take awhile to refill between flushes. Your boat trip will give you a good amount of time to explore Pirates Channel ours gave us about an hour! They cook the most succulent pork over an open flame, barbecuing it to perfection, and serve it with grilled onions, flour tortillas, and a variety of salsas. There is a restaurant on the premises and we enjoyed fresh ceviche and some drinks. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. I think we all cringed when we saw that. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I absolutely love Belize and think it makes an great place to visit after you spend time in Bacalar. Click the button below to explore Bacalar in detail. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences Finisterre If youre missing Italian food and dont mind spending a bit more, my friends recommend this restaurant serving Italian cuisine, including pizza from a wood-burning oven. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Bacalar. This monitoring greatly deters the presence of criminals in these tourist hotspots, which means tourists who stick to these areas are pretty safe. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. Eventually Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. Kai Pez This restaurant is right on the waterfront and a great place to watch the sunset. Done and done. But increasing tourism in somewhere as beautiful and fragile as Bacalar Im wary of the effects of increased tourism and development in this beautiful, fragile part of the world. Even if you dont go to Los Rapidos (WHY WOULD YOU NOT GO TO LOS RAPIDOS?! Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? 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!). If youve seen a lot of Mayan ruins in the Yucatn, dont feel super-obliged to visit Uxmal, Mayapan, Chichn Itza, and Tulum bring a lot more drama but if you enjoy ruins and you have several days in Bacalar, theyre worth the excursion. your total travel time for this trip. Its absolutely on my list of top three places in Mexico at the very least! Get driving directions ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Its located about a 20-minute drive outside Bacalar, past the Cenote Azul. The water is not safe to drink in Bacalar. Go out to eat in Bacalar and you wont be in a stuffy restaurant instead, youre likely to be mostly outdoors, in a courtyard of some kind, potentially surrounded by greenery and music. (Ive also seen stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia, and they didnt allow people to go anywhere near them in the water. 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. Bacalar has so many wonderful restaurants and one incredibly overrated restaurant that of COURSE I will name. The soft aquamarine of a misty morning sky. 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. WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. Standing on the edge of a lake-enclosed cenote, as the water changed from light to dark. WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. Im so glad I decided to travel here. recommended airports, airline, and route, check out On the second visit, we got 3.5 kilos and paid 150 pesos ($8) each. I know its not sexy, but travel insurance can save your life or finances if you have an emergency on the road. If you are planning a road trip, you might also want to calculate the total driving time from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico so you can see when you'll arrive at your destination. In terms of photography, the Cenote Negro is a great vantage point for capturing all shades of the Lake of Seven Colors. Bacalar is SO worth it! Let me show you what makes Bacalar magical! Bacalar is the place to practice the fine art of chilling. This part of the lake is a lot of fun a lot of boats dock here at the same time and there are lots of people having fun in the water. ! Its not worth flying into another country to head straight for the border and going through immigration a second time. Be gentle with the plumbing. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. The closest city is Chetumal, a 45-minute drive away, and the closest major international airports are in Cancn (five hours away) and Belize City (two and a half hours away). This happened twice so it wasnt an isolated event. The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. Get travel insurance. If youre looking to experience the brightest, clearest, most shimmering body of water of your life, I have some advice: travel to Bacalar, Mexico. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico Traveling from Cancun to Bacalar takes around 5 hours when using the Ado buses and/or collectivos. It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. People travel to Bacalar to immerse in nature and get away from it all. Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. The tourist areas in Cancun are monitored more than anywhere else in the city by the Tourist Police and by agents of the military. It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar. Warning: some of these taxis take a long time to show up, and some of them required multiple phone calls before anyone showed up. Why not remain silent? This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. Tulum to Bacalar | 215 km, 2.5 hours drive. We have been renting cars in Cancun and the Riveria Maya since 2013 and have already rented cars from the Cancun airport 5+ times. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. The travelers who come to Bacalar are looking for something better somewhere away from the popular places with all-inclusive resorts, away from the xenophobes complaining that its dangerous outside their resort and Mexican food is just too spicy for them, away from the drug dealers asking people if they want coke. READ MORE: Solo Female Travel Guide to Belize. It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. Bacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. 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. The Yucatn Peninsula is full of Mayan ruins, and the area around Bacalar is no exception. Is Bacalar near Cancun? One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. My friends loved the cocktails, too. WebStart in Cancun. I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. The two best things to do in Bacalar Mexico are to take a boat tour around the lagoon and spend a day at Los Rapidos. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private Mrida is a great place to live for so many reasons, but perhaps the #1 reason is because there are so many cool places within a few hours drive. There are a few flights per week from Cancn to Chetumal on MAYAir, and a few flights per day from Mexico City on Volaris. Bacalar is a very small town where international tourism is still at a fairly early stage. Ideally, you shouldnt flush toilet paper anywhere in Mexico, but the plumbing system is especially delicate in Bacalar. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Suns latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox. security lines and waiting at the gate, and the actual flight itself. The free trade market was filled with clothing and art flowy dresses that were not remotely Yucatecan but made for Instagram, and crockery that my friend Nathan said he had seen sold for a fraction of the price elsewhere. ), The ABSOLUTE Best Things To Do in Oaxaca, Mexico, How to Visit Sumidero Canyon from San Cristbal de las Casas, 21 Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in Prague, Sicilian Food: 30 Iconic Dishes + What to Eat in Sicily. Departure airport: Cancn International Airport (CUN), Arrival airport: Chetumal International Airport (CTM). This narrow channel leads to the Caribbean Sea; historically, it was used by pirates. Surprisingly fantastic pastries the best Ive had in Mexico! Mosquitos love lakes. I recommend staying within a 10-minute walk of the zcalo, which is the main square in the center of town. People arent allowed to swim here, but boats can take you over it, and your boat trip will likely take you here. There are so many ways to experience the beauty of the lagoon. When an outlet that big writes about a small place, it almost guarantees an influx of visitors. from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown. My friends recently visited in January 2023 and the colors are as gorgeous as the photos in this post! And if the huge presence of security personnel isnt enough, there are security cameras everywhere to help law enforcement catch criminals when a crime does occur. If youre driving, know that there isnt an exit from the highway when youre driving away from Bacalar youll have to do a U-turn after you pass it, then take the exit. The cost to enter the Cenote Azul and restaurant is 25 pesos ($1). Know that its a lot further away than it looks. 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. 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. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Lots of casual ramshackle businesses with a few snazzier spots thrown in. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. Its located on the edge of Bacalar town. Instead, I was served an avocado toast that looked like it needed life support a barely-there spread of avocado and an egg poached so hard it had a powdery yellow center. This is the only kind of sunscreen you should use in the lake. You cant always find this in Bacalar shops so be sure to buy some before you arrive. Plan ahead, especially if you have a dining reservation. This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. Im not the biggest fan of open cenotes they look more like lakes and are far less spectacular than cave-like semi-open cenotes but this was a pleasant place to stop for a swim. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. Instead, maybe youd like to sit on a dock with a beer in hand, watching the sky turn pink. Four people were shot and killed in the Cancun Hotel Zone in broad daylight near the Fiesta Americana Condesa Hotel, an area typically filled with tourists. The eleven of us pooled our cash, used cards, and got by, but we would have had to take a side trip to Chetumal if we didnt have enough cash. Admission is 100 pesos ($5) and the fort is open every day but Monday. YIKES. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? People travel to Bacalar to get away from the package tourist crowds. 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. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. Wifi in Bacalar is generally very slow; if youve got a Mexican phone plan, though, youll be connected. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. Another reason Cancun is safer than the news would have you think is that they show crimes that occur, but they dont necessarily tell you where they take place. This should be your #1 priority while traveling to Bacalar. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. This spot specializes in steaks (though they also serve seafood) and the plating is beautiful. The staff ask you not to wear any sunscreen while swimming in the cenote, not even biodegradable sunscreen. Bacalar-Cancun distance is 346 km (214miles), which is 4 hrs 30 minutes drive approximately. The Cenote Azul, on the way out of Bacalar town, is a large open cenote. Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties, TheCancun Sun Community FB grouphas all the latest travel news, conversations and tourismQ&As for the Mexican Caribbean. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. 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. If youre traveling throughout Mexico, know that cenotes dont provide towels you always need to bring your own. If you want to be surrounded by beauty and dont mind being away from the town, Mia Bacalar Luxury Resort & Spa is the single most splurge-worthy place in Bacalar. I was looking forward to it. ARRR! Those establishments are equipped for increased crowds. And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. Ultimate Guide to 50+ Best Cenotes in Mexico, Two Weeks in Mexico: The Ultimate Yucatn Road Trip Itinerary, Isla Holbox, Mexico: An Idyllic Caribbean Getaway, 24 Fabulous Things to Do in Sayulita, Mexico, 35 Fun Things To Do in Guanajuato, Mexico, 13 Best Mexico City Neighborhoods to Stay In (All Safe! One of the most iconic places for accommodation in Bacalar, The Yak Lake House is a hostel that has both dorms and private rooms. In that case, your travel time would really need to Bring a towel ideally, a quick-dry travel towel. This is following a couple of isolated incidents that recently took place, but rarely do they tell the whole story. That may seem like basic information, but some people come to Bacalar expecting to see beaches and are disappointed. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! Bacalar feels like a secret treasure located in the middle of nowhere but dont worry, its very easy to get here, even if youre relying on public transportation. WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. No. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. This is the single most important advice I can give you. The meat was sensational and the whole family was so warm and welcoming. If you're planning a road trip to Bacalar, you can research locations to stop along the way. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? 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. You dont want drunk people spilling their tequila sunrises into that gorgeous blue water! Like the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda is located within the lake and you cant swim here. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. Or even better from Chetumal you can take a 90-minute ferry to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye! Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. Its on an isolated spot on the lake, but you have large suites (some with a tub in the middle of the room! I ended up floating down the river with my flip-flops on my wrists. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Service is slow. Dont take drinks from strangers. Please take the guides seriously when they tell you not to swim here I saw some boats roaring through the cenote terrifyingly close to swimmers who defied orders. Most notably, when all the ATMs in town are out of money at the same time. recommended restaurants, hotels, and things to do along No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, , : , . Alternatively, you can get from Tulum to Bacalar in the space of 3 hours. I loved the huevos bacalareos, scrambled eggs with chaya, red salsa, and a bit of cheese. Playa del Carmen to Bacalar | I love paddle boarding its a great core workout that doesnt feel like a workout, and its a great way to zone out and take in the beauty of whats in front of you. 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. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. 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. In other words, Bacalar doesnt force you to be offline, but if youre willing to do so, this would be a great place. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. One of the reasons Cancun is safer than the news makes you think is that there is security everywhere. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. And best of all are the musicians, two men who played ukuleles and sang SO beautifully and really added to the atmosphere. With the airports selected, we can estimate the travel time to and Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait Cancun to Bacalar: 4 hours 15 minutes | 345 KM Playa del Carmen to Bacalar: 3 hours 15 minutes | 279 KM Tulum to Bacalar: 2 hours 20 minutes | 215 KM Private Shuttle to Bacalar The easiest way to Bacalar is by private shuttle. Only use biodegradable sunscreen. Almost all of my friends and I bought baseball caps for 100 pesos each ($5). It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar. Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a popular activity in Bacalar. If you have a drone, Pirates Channel is the place to use it it looks SO much better from the air than it does on the ground. This riverside club is perched on part of the river that feeds into Bacalar lagoon. As for the crowd, in addition to Mexicans, there are lots of North Americans, seemingly experienced travelers in the know (my first thought was erstwhile backpackers grown up), primarily young adults with few seniors and very few children (I saw zero foreign kids in Bacalar). There are lots of tours and activities from sunset kayak tours to day trips around the lake. I knew wed have a great time. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. 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 Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Its the kind of thing you dont think you need UNTIL YOU NEED IT. () , . However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. It survived. Protect the lagoon and its people.

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