The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. Drive from Cancun to Bacalar 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. 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. Screaming with joy as a river whisked me down the rapids. You can rent a kayak for the day here. I was surprised at how good (and LARGE!) I personally dont think the New York Times piece goes far enough. Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. : ! I think we all cringed when we saw that. And so a big group of friends and I decided to plan a weekend trip to Bacalar. To get a better idea of how long this trip would really be, scroll down to calculate how many hours it would take if you drive with stops. your total travel time for this trip. Share your tips! Bacalar is situated in the state of Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, near the border with Belize. To see all the details on this itinerary, including Done and done. Bacalar There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Because when we remain silent, the big outlets are the ones that drive the narrative. I want to send Samys as much business as possible. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four 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. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November on Mexicos Caribbean coast, but the biggest hurricanes tend to hit from August to October. 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. 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. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. Limit your drinking. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes My friends recently visited in January 2023 and the colors are as gorgeous as the photos in this post! Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. The meat was sensational and the whole family was so warm and welcoming. I sincerely hope this is not a sign of things to come in Bacalar. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. But more than that Bacalar is significantly safer than Quintana Roo hotspots like Cancn, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. The straight line flight distance is 16 miles less than driving on roads, which means the driving distance is roughly 1.1x of the flight distance. Its crazy the lagoon is bright blue, then it suddenly drops off and turns the color of brand new dark-washed jeans. To be sure, crime does occur in Cancun and throughout the Mexican Caribbean, but it does in every tourist city across America too. Most notably, when all the ATMs in town are out of money at the same time. Its hot during the day and warm at night, but you might want to bring a cardigan in case you get a cooler night. Officials not only deploy police officers all over the city, but members of the various military branches can also be seen driving and walking the streets as well. And they have PUPPIES THAT YOU CAN PLAY WITH!!! Bacalar is situated in the state of Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, near the border with Belize. Hot water, for instance, is not a given here, even in luxury rentals. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. 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. You want even crazier water? YIKES. I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Normally, youd leave your sandals on shore. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? If you dont have hot water, shower in the late afternoon. There is a restaurant on the premises and we enjoyed fresh ceviche and some drinks. The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. Service is slow. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. That would be my top recommendation. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. First off, Mexico is much safer than the media would have you believe. There is a good chance that if youre planning a vacation in Cancun, you have probably heard some of the talk about the city not being safe, and you may even be a little worried about it. And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. In late 2019 the New York Times published a feature on Bacalar titled Is this the next Tulum? There are hammocks in the clear waters, just waiting to be posed in for Instagram (thats where the cover photo in this post came from). If you eat pork, this place is WELL worth the stop. Youll need these. Bacalar is a very small town where international tourism is still at a fairly early stage. 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. Since my friends and I were traveling in a large group, we booked a private Bacalar boat tour. No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Driving 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). The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. 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. Nixtamal One of the best restaurants in Bacalar, Nixtamal has a cave-like atmosphere with a fire going. Im serious. to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? Bacalar Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. 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. Kayaks are also available for rent. Bacalar Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. The Yucatn Peninsula is full of Mayan ruins, and the area around Bacalar is no exception. If youre traveling solo in Bacalar and looking to meet friends, The Yak is a great spot for that reason. Even if you dont go to Los Rapidos (WHY WOULD YOU NOT GO TO LOS RAPIDOS?! Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. People travel to Bacalar to enjoy a low-key, quirky town. The water is not safe to drink in Bacalar. Cerveceria Bacalar This brewery is a 25-minute walk from town, but if youre taking a boat tour with Amir Adventours, this is where their tours start and finish. Dont step on the stromatolites. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. You might have to go to several shops to find what you need. Its a special place, and so different from the rest of Mexico. I ended up floating down the river with my flip-flops on my wrists. How far is Bacalar from Cancun To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we've 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. We have been renting cars in Cancun and the Riveria Maya since 2013 and have already rented cars from the Cancun airport 5+ times. I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. 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. Yes, the driving distance between Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar is 329 km. Dont leave your belongings lying around. People who fall in love with the lake, but who understand the importance of protecting it, too. Bacalar, Mexico Dont take drinks from strangers. Like the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda is located within the lake and you cant swim here. If youre in the mood for sandy beaches and crashing waves, I recommend heading to nearby Mahahual. While many of these docks are owned by hotels or restaurants, some are free for anyone to go and enjoy. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. . Get driving directions Admission is 100 pesos ($5) and the fort is open every day but Monday. You also have a sun terrace with an environmentally friendly, chlorine-free pool; an indoor lounge with lots of seating, and a complimentary breakfast that includes eggs the way youd like them. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. Bacalar is a five-hour bus ride from Cancn International Airport, and its close to Tulum, Mahahual, and the Belize border if youre driving. 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. While there are several ruins within a few hours drive Dzinbanche, Kinichn, Chacchoben Kohunlich is just one hours drive and is one of the most visited sites from Bacalar. (2023 Update: an earlier version of this post mentioned Hotel Kairos, where I personally stayed, but its now closed.). Surprisingly fantastic pastries the best Ive had in Mexico! This is the only kind of sunscreen you should use in the lake. Here are the different ways to get to Bacalar. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. If you want to stay somewhere that feels high-end but doesnt break the bank, Casa Chukum is a great option. Plan ahead, especially if you have a dining reservation. Cancun to Bacalar Always double-check online. Some of my friends decided to swim to the island and I knew theyd turn back exhausted long before they got there! Cancun It probably wouldnt have survived had we been in salt water. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? Cancun Travelers Warned To Take Precautions During This Unique Weather Event, Mexican President Declares Ancient Mayan Ruins In Tulum A New Protected ArcheologicalZone, Tulum Airport To Be Completed Ahead Of Schedule According To Mexicos President, This Gorgeous Riviera Maya Resort Will Welcome Back Travelers This August After Extensive Renovations, 5 Things To Avoid When Arriving At Cancun Airport, 5 Reasons Why The Mexican Caribbean Is One Of The Fastest-Growing Destinations On Earth, Tourists Should Avoid Doing These Things When Visiting Cancun To Stay Out Of Trouble, Playa Del Carmen Tourists Can Expect To See K-9 Units As Security Is Reinforced, Cancun Tourists Will Have Easy Access To These 7 Magic Towns When The Maya Train Is Completed. 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. Many boat trips include unlimited alcohol, poured by the staff, or at least unlimited-until-we-run-out alcohol, but there is a BIG rule only drink on the boat and not in the water. Its located on the edge of Bacalar town. The staff ask you not to wear any sunscreen while swimming in the cenote, not even biodegradable sunscreen. Dont touch the stromatolites. I was looking forward to it. There are lots of actions that you can take to preserve this environment.

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