Why not remain silent? Rainy season runs roughly from June through November, with the rainiest months in September and October. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. fastest possible straight line between Cancun, Mexico and Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. This riverside club is perched on part of the river that feeds into Bacalar lagoon. However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. Hot water isnt always a given. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. This was a huge contrast to Bacalar and especially Los Rapidos, where they just asked you not to stand on the stromatolites.). While many of these docks are owned by hotels or restaurants, some are free for anyone to go and enjoy. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. ), a full spa, and its like your own private corner of paradise. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. Even though Bacalar is a low-key place, it can be noisy in town at night. But if youre not a big group, you can join a boat tour here (with open bar!). Bacalar is a very safe place to visit in Mexico. Then again, some people prefer the isolation and quiet of being further out on the lagoon, eating most of their meals at their accommodation. Screaming with joy as a river whisked me down the rapids. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Always double-check online. This post was most recently updated in January 2023. . WebStart in Cancun. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. But Cenote Esmeralda itself isnt the attraction the area around Cenote Esmeralda is. This felt very much like a place capitulating to the Tulum aesthetic all style, no substance, and very overpriced. I LOVE LOS RAPIDOS! I ended up floating down the river with my flip-flops on my wrists. In terms of photography, the Cenote Negro is a great vantage point for capturing all shades of the Lake of Seven Colors. distance from Bacalar to Cancun, or go to the main page Warnings from U.S. officials and the government, as well as from news anchors, have been flooding social media and news outlets. Bring a GoPro or waterproof camera. Staying Safe . Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. If youre looking for an affordable car rental in Mexico,I recommend using RentalCars.com. I think we all cringed when we saw that. Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences This is a very easy place to stay off your phone for a few days. You can take a cab there from Bacalar. Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. YIKES. Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. One of the reasons Cancun is safer than the news makes you think is that there is security everywhere. Resist the urge to go to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancn. Then I went to Tulum in 2015 and I was disappointed. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. I personally dont think the New York Times piece goes far enough. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? You dont want drunk people spilling their tequila sunrises into that gorgeous blue water! 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. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. 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. In fact, the most important ways to stay safe in Bacalar are common sense. Traveling from Cancun to Bacalar takes around 5 hours when using the Ado buses and/or collectivos. 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. Bacalar may not be an island, but everyone here is on island time. Know that going in and your trip will be better for it. Its right in the middle of everything, the rooms are super nice, and it has its own private lakefront area with swings right in the water. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. I would advise not visiting during this time if possible, but if you do, be prepared to leave if a major storm hits. Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other Some of my favorite photos of Bacalar were shot from the Cenote Negro, aimed outward toward the lake. People travel to Bacalar to immerse in nature and get away from it all. This spot specializes in steaks (though they also serve seafood) and the plating is beautiful. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. 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. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Its also the grand finale of my two-week Mexico road trip itinerary on the Yucatn peninsula. Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. You can get an ADO bus from Bacalar to Mahahual; it takes one hour and 20 minutes. Only use biodegradable sunscreen. Get used to late night music, firecrackers, celebrations, and two people next to each other trying to drown out the others music. Oh god, I certainly hope not. The main activity in the water is getting into the river and letting it carry you away downstream. You might have to go to several shops to find what you need. give you an idea of how traveling might work between airports. so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the Typically, very few of these crimes take place in tourist areas, aside from the recent incident mentioned below, which still did not leave any tourists injured. I sincerely hope this is not a sign of things to come in Bacalar. "as the crow flies" which is calculated using an iterative You can get a nice mid-range hotel for around $60 a night, or a quality private room for under $40 a night. The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. 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. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. Is Bacalar near Cancun? the flight planner: Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Bacalar, Mexico. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Let me show you what makes Bacalar magical! Yes, the driving distance between Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar is 329 km. I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar. Bacalar is basic in a lot of ways. More often violent crimes take place in neighborhoods that tourists really have no need, or no business, being in. In that case, your travel time would really need to There is a small museum on site telling the history of Bacalar. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. While those cities host a lot of package tourists, Bacalar is built for independent travelers. Lots of casual ramshackle businesses with a few snazzier spots thrown in. I ended up going down the rapids with my flip-flops on my wrists rather than suffer that painful gravel. Instead, maybe youd like to sit on a dock with a beer in hand, watching the sky turn pink. If youre traveling throughout Mexico, know that cenotes dont provide towels you always need to bring your own. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. 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. Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. 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. 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. Bacalar gives you very good value for money a lot more than the aforementioned Mexican hotspots. () , . I loved that you could get any taco as a montadito in this case, wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Some of my friends decided to swim to the island and I knew theyd turn back exhausted long before they got there! 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). Get driving directions 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. Alternatively, you can bring areusable bottleand invest in aSteriPen water purifier(much better and faster than tablets). The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. Eat locally and spend money in lots of different places. WebBacalar is super safe. You can absolutely travel during this time and have a great time, but I recommend coming for longer, just in case one of your activities gets rained out. While tacos ranged from 85 pesos ($4.50) for cauliflower to 170 pesos ($9) for octopus, all montaditos were 90 pesos ($4.72). 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. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. Like the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda is located within the lake and you cant swim here. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? 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. So that means we really need ), 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. Taco Regio Im a bit conflicted on this one the tacos were really good (and they served flavorful sirloin tacos, a big upgrade from the usual arrachera tacos served in the Yucatn), but the restaurant took so long to serve them, it was ridiculous. Tulum to Bacalar. In late 2019 the New York Times published a feature on Bacalar titled Is this the next Tulum? I want to send Samys as much business as possible. Limit your drinking. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? There are a few ropes up to catch you, and you can rent a lifejacket if youd like. Is Bacalar near Cancun? There is a restaurant on-site and my friends had some not-so-good cocktails. First off, Mexico is much safer than the media would have you believe. The bohemians. The Yucatn Peninsula is full of Mayan ruins, and the area around Bacalar is no exception. Depends on your budget, but I like Casa Chukum for a mid-range hotel and Yak Lake House for a budget-friendly spot. My friends loved the cocktails, too. The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. 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. , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! Here the land is like limestone Swiss cheese, with thousands of cave-like openings filled with fresh water where you can go swimming. Kimchi chicken sandwiches! travelers and answer some questions about Cancun! The cost to enter Los Rapidos is 100 pesos ($5) for adults and 50 pesos ($2.50) for children (2023 note: theyve unpublished their prices so it might be more expensive now). Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. If youre driving from Mrida to Bacalar, as I did with my friends, I have a GREAT lunch spot to recommend. 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. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. Samy). 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!). of your actual flight time. . 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). 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. You want even crazier water? If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. ! Almost all of my friends and I bought baseball caps for 100 pesos each ($5). This has ended and was back to normal in 2022. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. 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. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination. I havent been yet, but its a priority on my list. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. They make delicious cocktails and ceviche. The water is not safe to drink in Bacalar. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Carry your repellant around with you in Bacalar they can bite you at any time of day, but theyre especially active at dusk. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. READ MORE: Solo Female Travel Guide to Belize. 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. There are several ATMs on the main square in town, but none of them were working when we were there. Youll need these. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. 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. There are shaded seating areas with tables for eating, or you can sit back in lounge chairs. If you cant do two full days in Bacalar, use your one full day for the boat tour and try to get to Bacalar as early as possible so you can spend the afternoon at Los Rapidos. There are lots of actions that you can take to preserve this environment. ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. Sipping a chelada as pink and purple clouds danced above the waters edge. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Bacalar is utterly peaceful, especially once you get away from the town. For roughly 15 years or so, Tulum has been showcased as the artsy, creative alternative to Cancn and Playa del Carmen. 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. 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. 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. shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown. It probably wouldnt have survived had we been in salt water. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. : " . So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. To see all the details on this itinerary, including It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. , . It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. I got octopus montaditos, they were incredibly delicious, and I felt like I saved a ton. Bacalar has so many wonderful restaurants and one incredibly overrated restaurant that of COURSE I will name. That would be terrible. Because of the curvature of the Earth, the This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. The one flaw of Los Rapidos is that it is very painful to walk on the gravel. 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. But I had no idea just how spectacularly beautiful Bacalar would be. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. Get driving directions 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 inky navy reserved for exclusive high-end fountain pens. Click the button below to explore Bacalar in detail. Get travel insurance. Those establishments are equipped for increased crowds. Or even better from Chetumal you can take a 90-minute ferry to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye! There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. Its crazy the lagoon is bright blue, then it suddenly drops off and turns the color of brand new dark-washed jeans. I didnt go, but as soon as I came back, all my blogger friends admonished me for not eating here! Los Rapidos is one of the most fun places Ive been in Mexico. Sunrise paddleboarding tours are especially popular in Bacalar. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. Children get in for free. Bring earplugs. , (), , , () , : , Squid Game , . Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. The water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. So, to help alleviate some of the fears about visiting Cancun, were going to tell you why Cancun is safer than the news makes you think. Hopefully this guide will do that. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Sometimes its normal sand, but sometimes it can be hard and sometimes its squishy mud. 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. The gourmands. Most of the photos in this post are from the boat tour. Not all cenotes are surrounded by land this cenote is located inside the lake. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. 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 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. The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. And best of all are the musicians, two men who played ukuleles and sang SO beautifully and really added to the atmosphere. Tulum to Bacalar. I loved the huevos bacalareos, scrambled eggs with chaya, red salsa, and a bit of cheese. WebBacalar is super safe. Be gentle with the plumbing. 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. Hot water, for instance, is not a given here, even in luxury rentals. I hear the veggie burgers are great. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait But since youre being pushed downstream, from one end of the river to the other, you cant get out at the same spot. 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. If you dont have hot water, shower in the late afternoon. 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. 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. Bacalar-Cancun distance is 346 km (214miles), which is 4 hrs 30 minutes drive approximately. Bacalar is the name of the town and also the lake (Laguna de Bacalar en espaol). Lock up your valuables in a portable safe. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. No. Its nothing like the Maldives. Another great option is heading to Belize next. Some of the docks are outfitted with hammocks, swings, and more. I spent two months living in the city of Mrida, Mexico.
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