Cancun to Bacalar drive People travel to Bacalar to enjoy a low-key, quirky town. There are several ATMs on the main square in town, but none of them were working when we were there. I havent been yet, but its a priority on my list. The more recent incident that has led to questions about Cancuns security took place just a couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of April. No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Los Rapidos is at the end of a long dirt road. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. Some people even call Bacalar The Maldives of Mexico. And honestlyI think thats a ridiculous title. If you dont have a car, you can take a cab here. 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. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. 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. Bacalar (Ive also seen stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia, and they didnt allow people to go anywhere near them in the water. 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. This was a huge contrast to Bacalar and especially Los Rapidos, where they just asked you not to stand on the stromatolites.). The truth is Cancun is a very safe vacation destination, and millions of Americans visit every year and dont have any problems while theyre there. Youll have lots of in-the-water photo opportunities at Bacalar! Because tourism will be increasing here no matter what, and as long as thats happening, I want the right kind of people to visit Bacalar. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. 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. (For what its worth, I LOVE Belize and I think Belize and Bacalar paired together could make a great trip. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. La Pia This outdoor restaurant, hidden a bit from the street, has wonderful, healthy dishes and a friendly staff. of your actual flight time. Barbanegra One of the higher-end Mexican spots in town with outstandingly good food and drinks. This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. I recommend you bring aLifeStraw Water Bottle, a bottle that purifies water as you drink it through its straw. Driving The cost to enter the Cenote Azul and restaurant is 25 pesos ($1). WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. If youre new to Mexico, Ive got news for you this is a noisy country. Some of my favorite photos of Bacalar were shot from the Cenote Negro, aimed outward toward the lake. In terms of photography, the Cenote Negro is a great vantage point for capturing all shades of the Lake of Seven Colors. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Then again, some people prefer the isolation and quiet of being further out on the lagoon, eating most of their meals at their accommodation. I am at a loss for words describing how fun this place is!! Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. Oh god, I certainly hope not. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? Or even better from Chetumal you can take a 90-minute ferry to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye! Wifi in Bacalar is generally very slow; if youve got a Mexican phone plan, though, youll be connected. , . Tulum to Bacalar. There are tour companies all over Bacalar, and you will constantly be offered rides from people on the street. Safety Several of the tourism professionals we met gave us permission to drone in Bacalar Lagoon and at Los Rapidos. : " . Im so glad I decided to travel here. We have been renting cars in Cancun and the Riveria Maya since 2013 and have already rented cars from the Cancun airport 5+ times. The toilets take awhile to refill between flushes. This happened twice so it wasnt an isolated event. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? 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. Bacalar-Cancun distance is 346 km (214miles), which is 4 hrs 30 minutes drive approximately. 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. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. If youre looking to experience the brightest, clearest, most shimmering body of water of your life, I have some advice: travel to Bacalar, Mexico. This post was most recently updated in January 2023. Drive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? - Bacalar Forum I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. The soft aquamarine of a misty morning sky. Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? 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. 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. 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. Since my friends and I were traveling in a large group, we booked a private Bacalar boat tour. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. (The puppies might be grown up by the time you read this. Sunrise paddleboarding tours are especially popular in Bacalar. That's what Trippy is perfect for, I was looking forward to it. Cancun And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. . Cancun Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. Small drones are permitted at Bacalar for now. I knew wed have a great time. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four hours. It survived. In late 2019 the New York Times published a feature on Bacalar titled Is this the next Tulum? It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! Be gentle with the plumbing. Get From Cancun To Bacalar, Mexico 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!). Im going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in Bacalar. Understand that there are no beaches in Bacalar, Mexico. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. Bacalar is a very small town where international tourism is still at a fairly early stage. I got octopus montaditos, they were incredibly delicious, and I felt like I saved a ton. While tacos ranged from 85 pesos ($4.50) for cauliflower to 170 pesos ($9) for octopus, all montaditos were 90 pesos ($4.72). This felt very much like a place capitulating to the Tulum aesthetic all style, no substance, and very overpriced. Best of the Yucatn and the Caribbean Coast: Have you traveled to Bacalar? 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. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? I didnt go, but as soon as I came back, all my blogger friends admonished me for not eating here! It probably wouldnt have survived had we been in salt water. I recommend staying within a 10-minute walk of the zcalo, which is the main square in the center of town. 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 Even though Bacalar is a low-key place, it can be noisy in town at night. Its on an isolated spot on the lake, but you have large suites (some with a tub in the middle of the room! ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. If you have any extra days, feel free to fill them with whatever you want but please prioritize a boat trip and Los Rapidos. The tourist areas in Cancun are monitored more than anywhere else in the city by the Tourist Police and by agents of the military. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. 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. If you want to have easy access to the town, you want to be central. The best time to visit Bacalar in terms of weather is from December through March. WE DEVOURED IT ALL. ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. 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. Hot water isnt always a given. Alternatively, book a private transfer from the airport to Bacalar. Bring a towel ideally, a quick-dry travel towel. waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination.