The starting point is Cancun, where you can also stay for the first days of your trip.

Along the 22 km of coastline, you will find beaches for all tastes, some of them large and lively, with waves for surfers, while others are more protected and quiet. Don’t miss the archaeological site of El Rey in the Hotel Zone.

The Hotel Zone of Cancun, shopping, and nightlife will not leave you indifferent. Coco Bongo is one of the most famous local nightclubs, although there are smaller venues where you can enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

Isla Mujeres is a tiny island that can only be accessed by ferry from Cancun.

Relax in Playa Norte, watch sea turtles, and swim with whale sharks. Don’t miss a visit to Garrafon Park, an ideal place for snorkeling, as its waters are not too deep and are full of bizarre reefs and colorful aquatic species.

You can also go kayaking or bathe in a temazcal (a traditional sauna).

The cliffs of Punta Sur are a sight to behold, especially at dawn. Nearby are the archaeological remains of the Temple of the Mayan goddess Ixchel, which gave the island its name before the Spanish colonists discovered it.

Rent a golf cart to get around the island. It is worth stopping at the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), where 500 sculptures are submerged underwater, although you can access it from both Isla Mujeres and Cancun.

Taste local cuisine, based on fish and seafood.

Return to Cancun.

Holbox is a small island, without asphalt, of only 40 km wide and 1,5 km long, located on the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. There are no cars in Holbox, and visitors can only get around on foot, by golf cart, or by bicycle.

One of the main and popular attractions of Holbox Island is its bioluminescent sea, and Punta Cocos Beach is the best place to enjoy this amazing phenomenon that makes the water glow with every movement.

Punta Mosquito is a partially accessible white sand bank with panoramic views.

Isla Holbox is home to pink flamingos, pelicans, and other exotic birds, and the more adventurous can rent a kayak and explore its mangroves. The Holbox Island is also home to whale sharks.

Just a 30-minute boat ride from Holbox is the Yalahau Cenote (Ojo de Agua), a place with fresh water that, according to ancient legend, has strange properties: diving into its waters will make you feel 10 years younger.

Don’t forget to try one of the most typical dishes, lobster pizza.

Return to Cancun.

Leaving Cancun behind head to the next destination – Playa del Carmen.

Halfway there, stop in Puerto Morelos, a small fishing village, known for the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park. The underwater site is part of the Mesoamerican Reef. Its leaning lighthouse and beach are worth a visit.

Another option is to visit Xel-Há, considered one of the largest natural aquariums in the world. Take an underwater walk. On the surface, you can visit some Mayan remains – such as the Bird Building.

Xcaret Park could be another alternative plan: a tropical forest, a Mayan village, a museum, an aquarium, a butterfly garden, a sea turtle pool or an aviary are some of the activities you can do there.

Continue to Playa del Carmen where you will find a lot of accommodation options.

Playa del Carmen is an area with frenetic activity. Located in the heart of the Riviera, this cozy resort town combines natural beauty, culture, and fun. Its Fifth Avenue is famous, full of shops and restaurants.

Visit Cozumel, the largest island in Mexico. Cozumel is located about 19 km off the coast of Playa del Carmen. To get there, you’ll need to take a ferry from Playa del Carmen to San Miguel de Cozumel, the island’s main town.

Discover the boardwalk and Plaza del Sol in San Miguel.

Visit the Punta Sur National Park and Ecological Reserve and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view from its lighthouse, soak up Mayan culture at the island museum and the jungle-surrounded archaeological sites of San Gervasio.

Cozumel is a paradise for diving lovers, as it has more than 40 diving spots.

Delight in the local cuisine, where lionfish, prepared in ceviche, grilled or breaded with coconut, is the star.

Return to Playa del Carmen.

Drive an hour south from Playa del Carmen to the famous ruins of Tulum. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, this was one of the main Mayan cities and an important port, so its archaeological remains are located next to the sea.

This region is full of cenotes, lagoons, underground rivers, and white-sand beaches.

This area has a variety of ecosystems (jungle, tropical, wetland, savannah, and sea) inhabited by more than 2,000 species of plants, 345 species of birds and 70 species of mammals, as well as turtles, crocodiles, and iguanas.

Return to Playa del Carmen.

Three and a half hours separate Playa del Carme from Mahahual, your next destination on this road trip. It’s another of the best areas for diving in the Mexican Caribbean, as it has the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve.

The largest of Mexico’s coral atoll is located here. The bottom of the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve contains the remains of Spanish and English ships from the 16th and 17th centuries that perished in its waters.

Mahahual is also famous for its paradisiacal beaches.

After a hard day of sightseeing, and adventures, the best thing to do is relax in one of the local restaurants on the Mahahual Malecon (boardwalk) to enjoy local specialties such as ceviche, grilled fish, or tacos al pastor.

An hour’s drive away is the hidden city of Chacchobén in the middle of the jungle.

The next destination is Chetumal, a two-hour road drive from Mahahual.

Chetumal is the perfect contrast between the sea and the jungle. Its bay is a protected area, as it is home to numerous manatees (a native species of mammal that lives in the sea), birds, and marine fauna.

Take advantage of your stay here to tour the center, where you can visit its market, the cultural center of the Fine Arts, where you can see exhibitions and concerts, as well as stroll along the boardwalk and the bay.

Don’t forget to order a Machado or try its sea and jungle dish, stuffed shrimp or lobster with white wine, garlic, and butter.

Near the city, there are several archaeological sites of the Mayan culture, the closest being Oxtankah, but there are also others a little further away such as the archaeological sites of Kohunlich, Dzibanché, and Kinichná.

Return to Chetumal.

Start the day early with a visit to Bacalar, a peaceful and picturesque town around a 1.5-hour drive from Chetuma. Explore the Bacalar Lagoon with a boat tour, and swim in the crystalline waters of the Pirate’s Channel.

Take time to wander through the charming streets of Bacalar, where you can enjoy a quiet lunch overlooking the lagoon, and visit the Fort of San Felipe, a colonial-era fort built to protect the area from pirates.

Continue your journey back to Riviera Maya, which is about a 3-hour drive from Bacalar. You can end the trip with a relaxing evening at one of the Riviera Maya’s many beautiful beaches or a quiet dinner at a seaside restaurant.

The climate in the Bacalar region is classified as tropical, which means warm temperatures throughout the year. The best time to visit the Bacalar Lagoon region is during the dry season, from November to April.

During this time, you can expect warm and sunny weather with minimal rainfall. The average temperatures range from 25°C to 30°C, making it ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying the lagoon’s beauty.

This period offers pleasant weather, clear skies, and ideal conditions for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and exploring the lagoon’s cenotes. The water is exceptionally clear, showcasing its stunning shades of blue.

The rainy season spans from May to October when the weather is still warm.

This period experiences more frequent rain showers and the potential for tropical storms. While the lush greenery flourishes during this time, the lagoon’s water may be less crystal-clear due to sediment runoff.

From Cancun

• Renta car to get to Bacalar.
• Hire shuttle services or tour to Bacalar.
• You can take a bus to Bacalar.

From Tulum or Bacalar

• From Tulum – take a bus or arrange for transportation (2-3 hour drive) to Bacalar.
• From Chetumal – take a bus or a short taxi ride to reach the Bacalar Lagoon.

Getting around in Bacalar

• Once in Bacalar, you can easily navigate the town on foot or by renting a bicycle.
• Taxis and local transportation are also available for getting around the area.

Remember to plan your transportation in advance, especially during the high tourist season.

Getting around

Zona Hostellera
Downtown
Punta Cancun
Museo Maya
Parque Ecológico Kabah
El Mirador
Nightlife

How to get there?

Ferry boats run from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and vice-versa all day.

Ferry from/to Puerto Juarez 8$ (30 min) every 30 min.
Ferry via Playa de Tortugas 16$ (40 min) every 2 hours.

Getting around

You can visit Turtle Farm
The 19th-century hacienda was built by pirate Fermin Mundaca.
There is a small ruin and a temple to Ixchel.
You also can take a Whale Shark Tour, snorkel at Garrafon Park, and swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Park.
Swim at multiple beaches.
Or just rent a bike and go around and have fun.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last ferry runs to Cancun.

How to get there?

A lot of buses during the day, estimated time on the road is from 2:00 to 2:45 hours.
Better to buy or reserve tickets yesterday evening.
Multiple operators service this route.

First Class bus: $18-$26
Economy Class Bus: $8-$13

Getting around

Downtown
Cenote Zaci

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Tizimin $1-$21 (1:05 hour), each hour
Bus: Tizimin – Rio Lagartos $3 (1:15 hour), each 2 hours
Taxi: Rio Lagartos – Ria Lagartos Reserve $1-$2 (8-10 min)

Getting around

Guided boat tour

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns to Tizimin and then to Valladolid.

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Chichen Itza $1-$21 (0:42 min), runs each 4 hours a day.
Then around 2 km more in a taxi: $1 (1 min)

Or just search for “colectivo”, they run directly to the site.

Getting around

The famous pyramid, mysterious cenote, and ball court. Just walk around and have fun, there is a lot to see around.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Valladolid.

You could stay in Valladolid, walking around and take a bus to Merida by the evening.

How to get there?

Buses from Valladolid to Medira run each hour or even more often during all the day.
Multiple operators service this route.

Valladolid – Merida $4-$26 (2:15 hours)
Valladolid – Izamal – Merida $1-$4 (3:20 hours)

Getting around

Mérida has a “centro histórico” (“hisctoric center”) typical of colonial spanish cities.
Just take a walk and enjoy this beautiful town with a lot of history.

How to get there?

There are a route via Hoctún and another route via Euán.

Buses from Merida to Hoctún $1-$3 (0:54 min) run hourly during the day.
Buses from Hoctún to Aké $4-$6 (0:24 min).

Buses from Merida to Euán (1:00 hour) run each hour during the day.
Buses from Euán to Aké $1-$3 (0:11 min).

Getting around

The 19th-century hacienda henequenera with chapel also has a specialized area for raising deer.
The hacienda also has a small archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Entrance fee

The tour duration: 1:30 (approx):

MXN 250 (includes a free drink).
MXN 400 (includes free drinks and snacks).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Merida.

How to get there?

Merida – Uxmal

Bus $2-$9 (1:35 hours) runs once daily.
Taxi $15-$19 (1:15 hours)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns from Uxmal to Merida.

Bus Merida – Izamal $1-$4 (1:20 hours), each hour.

Bus Merida – Ticul $2-$4 (1 hour), each 30 min.
Taxi Ticul – Mani $3-$4 (15 min).

How to get there?

Buses from Merida to Campeche are $5-$28 (2:25 hours) and run each 30 minutes daily.
Buses from Merida via Umán and Tenabo to Campeche for $7 (4:10 hours) run every 30 min daily.
Taxi $30-$40 (2:30 hours)

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How to get there?

Taxi $10-$20 (0:55 min)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last taxi returns to Campeche.

How to get there?

Bus from Campeche to Chetumal for $17-$40 (6:45 hours) runs just once daily at 14:00.
Taxi $70-$85 (5:50 hours)

…

How to get there?

Buses to Bacalar $1-$2 (0:30 min) run each hour daily.
Taxi $7-$9 (0:35 min).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus, “colectivo” or taxi returns to Chetumal.

How to get there?

Buses Chetumal to Playa del Carmen $14-$45 (4:15 hours) run each hour daily.
There are also buses from Chetumal via Bacalar to Playa del Carmen $18-$61 (4:50 hours), each hour daily.
Taxi $80-$100 (4:50 hours)

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Bus to Cancun (1:10 hours).

The place was inhabited by Mayans for centuries.

The name most likely comes from the Mayan “b’ak halal” (“surrounded by reeds”). The paths around the lagoon were lined with white shells because the inhabitants walked at night when it was cooler and the shells marked the paths.

Bacalar was a city of the Maya civilization in Pre-Columbian times.

• This was the first city in the region which the Spanish succeeded in taking and holding in 1543.
• In 1545 Gaspar Pacheco established the Spanish town here with the name Salamanca de Bacalar.
• The city was invaded and destroyed by pirates in 1642 and then rebuilt only in 1726.
• After the pirate attack, the Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar was built and was completed in 1733.
• In 1848 during the Caste War of Yucatán rebellious Chan Santa Cruz Maya conquered the town.
• The city was retaken by the Mexicans only in 1902.

The Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar, in the center of town, represents one of the bastions used by the Maya before they were overrun by the Spanish, it has a small but modern museum inside, which is worth visiting.

On Sunday night, there may be music and dancing in the city square.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to choose from: guided kayaking trips, snorkeling, horseback riding at the rodeo or trails to Bacalar Lake, bike tours, and jungle walks to explore the lake and its surroundings.

Bacalar Lagoon is one of the palest-blue and jewel-like waters that can exist. Laguna Bacalar is a long and narrow lake. Its length from north to south is about 42 km, and at its widest point, it is less than 2 km.

The main attraction of this area is the Seven Colors Lagoon. The lagoon off the coast is somewhat shallow, except for the sinkholes commonly known as cenotes. It is clearly visible from a kayak or sailboat.

The lake is known for its vibrant blue color and crystal-clear water, thanks in part to its white limestone bottom. Like most bodies of water in the Yucatan Peninsula, the lake is fed by underground rivers or cenotes.

Cenote Azul is only 4 km south of the center of town at the southern tip of Bacalar. Cenote Azul is one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan at 90 m. The place is open to the public from 7:00 to 18:00 daily.

“Canal de los Piratas” links the Hondo River with the lagoon, and is known as the Pirates Road.

The Mayan ruins nearby that are worth visiting are:

• Chacchoben
• Dzibanché
• Kohunlich.

They don´t have a lot of people and the jungle surroundings are magnificent.

• Take a bus or “collectivo” from Cancun, via Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
• Traveling from the south, take a bus or “colectivo” from Chetumal.

The city is situated on the western side of Chetumal Bay, near the mouth of the Río Hondo.

Because of its location on the Caribbean coastline, it is vulnerable to tropical cyclones; Hurricane Janet and Hurricane Dean, both Category 5 storms, made landfall near Chetumal in 1955 and 2007 respectively.

Chetumal, in modern Maya: Chactemàal, means “Place of the Red Wood”.

In Pre-Columbian times, a city called Chactemal (sometimes rendered as “Chetumal” in early European sources), probably today’s Santa Rita in Belize, was the capital of a Maya state of the same name that roughly controlled the southern quarter of modern Quintana Roo and the northeast portion of Belize. This original Chetumal is now believed to have been on the other side of the Río Hondo, in modern Belize, not at the site of modern Chetumal.

During the Spanish conquest of Yucatán, the Maya state of Chetumal fought off several Spanish expeditions before finally being subjugated in the late 16th century.

The 1840s revolt of the indigenous Maya peoples against Mexican rule, known as the Caste War of Yucatán, drove all the Hispanic people from this region; many settled in British Honduras (modern Belize).

The current site of Chetumal was established as a Mexican port town in 1898, originally under the name Payo Obispo. The name was officially changed to Chetumal in 1936.

Two hurricanes in the 1940s leveled the entire town; Chetumal was devastated a third time in 1955 by Hurricane Janet. After this, the town was rebuilt with more solid construction, with concrete blocks replacing wood as the usual material.

The population of Chetumal was small (about 5,000 in 1950) until the construction of highways linking it to the rest of Mexico in the 1960s and 1970s; the city then boomed with substantial migration from other parts of Mexico.

The city has a Museum of Maya Culture as well as a zoo, the Payo Obispo Zoo, which belongs to the children of Quintana Roo.

Chetumal’s economy has been influenced by its proximity to the border with Belize. A goods and services tax-free zone (Corozal Free Zone) established on the Belizean side attracts many visitors to Chetumal and also provides a ready market for Chetumal’s retailers and traders.

A large indoor mall, the Plaza de las Américas, houses a modern movie theater (which belongs to the Mexican chain Cinepolis), various department store chains, fast-food outlets, and a Chedraui supermarket.

The city has a music school which offers lessons of various instruments as well as music theory and history. The school is the main music school of the state and is the home of the Junior symphonic orchestra of the state Quintana Roo (“Orquesta sinfonica juvenil del estado de Quintana Roo”) which is directed by Silvia Alcantara Chavero.

The city houses two theaters. The “Teatro Minerva”, which is an open-air theater and belongs to the state’s music school, and the “Teatro Constituyentes”, which is a private-owned theater.

There is a Country club, which features tennis, football and basketball courts, a gym, a swimming pool, a steam-bath and a lounge for parties.

In the early 1990s, the University of Quintana Roo was established at Chetumal, providing training and advanced tertiary degrees over a range of subjects.

Monuments

Monument to the Flag (Monumento a la Bandera), the first monument built in Chetumal. It consists of a white obelisk that has a clock dial on each of its faces.
Cradles of the Meztizaje (Monumento Cuna del Meztizaje), constructed in the entrance of Chetumal. It has the form of a Mayan pyramid on which are the statues of Gonzalo Guerrero, his wife Zazil Há and the children of both.
Andrés Quintana Roo Memorial, dedicated to Andrés Quintana Roo, whom the state was named after.
Monument to the Fishermen, one of the most recent, located in the Bay of Chetumal.

• Cultural Center of the Fine Arts (Centro Cultural de las Bellas Artes), located in the center of the city. The building is housed in what was the school Belisario Domínguez, which was the first school of Quintana Roo.
• Museum of the Mayan Culture (Museo de la Cultura Maya), considered the largest and most comprehensive museum in the state dedicated to the Mayan culture. It has an important collection of authentic and reproductions of classical works, and tells the development of Mayan culture, its origins, as well as various aspects of their daily life.
• Museum of the City. Tied to the Cultural Center of the Fine Arts, dedicated to the exhibition of photographs, tools and documents that tell the story of the founding of the city.

• Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico)
• Cheese Park
• Biouniverzoo Zoo

Chetumal is a perfect city to stay there for a while exploring the surrounding areas in daily tours on your own or guided ones.

Suggested 1 day tours from Chetumal

• Chacchoben
• Kinichna + Dzibanche
• Kohunlich
• Bacalar
• Xpuhil, Hormiguero, Rio Bec, Chicanna, Balamku
• Calakmul

For more information about all these suggested places to visit and how to get there, use the search form on our website or related tags.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

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