Standing on the edge of a lake-enclosed cenote, as the water changed from light to dark. Dont step on the stromatolites. Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. ! 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. In these cities, thieves and scammers target tourists and drug dealers solicit tourists. , (), , , () , : , Squid Game , . I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. People travel to Bacalar to get away from the package tourist crowds. Always check the laws online before you fly. There is a small museum on site telling the history of Bacalar. Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. Kimchi chicken sandwiches! 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. Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. 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. But the best way to see it is to spend the day on a boat trip on the lagoon, strolling in knee-deep aqua water at El Canal de los Piratas, gazing over the chasm where neon turquoise meets indigo in the Cenote Negro, swimming in reflective Tiffany-blue waters rich in limestone. Bacalar, Mexico. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. While many of these docks are owned by hotels or restaurants, some are free for anyone to go and enjoy. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. If you're planning a road trip to Bacalar, you can research locations to stop along the way. The soft aquamarine of a misty morning sky. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Bacalar. If it's a real road trip, you might want to check out interesting places along the way, or maybe eat at a great restaurant. Its located about a 20-minute drive outside Bacalar, past the Cenote Azul. La Pia This outdoor restaurant, hidden a bit from the street, has wonderful, healthy dishes and a friendly staff. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. Staying Safe . No. 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. I sincerely hope this is not a sign of things to come in Bacalar. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a popular activity in Bacalar. Even though Bacalar is a low-key place, it can be noisy in town at night. The meat was sensational and the whole family was so warm and welcoming. If you want to have easy access to the town, you want to be central. security lines and waiting at the gate, and the actual flight itself. 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. You can be swimming without touching the ground and ten feet away people will be standing in knee-deep water. 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. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Is Bacalar near Cancun? Traveling from Cancun to Bacalar takes around 5 hours when using the Ado buses and/or collectivos. . ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. This narrow channel leads to the Caribbean Sea; historically, it was used by pirates. Some people even call Bacalar The Maldives of Mexico. And honestlyI think thats a ridiculous title. If youre new to Mexico, Ive got news for you this is a noisy country. It probably wouldnt have survived had we been in salt water. They make delicious cocktails and ceviche. Kayaks are available for rent throughout the town if you see a place on the lake, chances are they have kayaks to rent. That would be terrible. 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. Here are some of the top spots to eat in Bacalar that I recommend: Enamora This restaurant is such a delight the food is inventive and delicious. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. Why not remain silent? Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. This was a huge contrast to Bacalar and especially Los Rapidos, where they just asked you not to stand on the stromatolites.). Here are the different ways to get to Bacalar. The distance is the same either way if you're flying a straight line (or driving the same roads back and forth). (2023 note: these were the prices in early 2020. I had a great time with my friend, and enjoyed visiting a cenote for the first time, but the town of Tulum left me lukewarm. Oh god, I certainly hope not. It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! No brand name businesses, no resorts, not even Starbucks or McDonalds. Staying Safe . ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. Surprisingly fantastic pastries the best Ive had in Mexico! The best time to visit Bacalar in terms of weather is from December through March. Bacalar is at its best weather-wise from December through March, though know its extremely busy and expensive over Christmas week and Holy Week. 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. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. You might have to go to several shops to find what you need. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? 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. (The puppies might be grown up by the time you read this. Kayaks are also available for rent. That nearly derailed our trip. My friends loved the cocktails, too. 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! Im going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in Bacalar. Lock up your valuables in a portable safe. , . WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? (Bring enough pesos with you to sustain your stay; some but not all places in Bacalar take cards.). 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. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. If you have any extra days, feel free to fill them with whatever you want but please prioritize a boat trip and Los Rapidos. 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. Like the Cenote Negro, it suddenly goes from pale turquoise to navy blue as soon as you hit the drop-off. Laguna Bacalar is gorgeous, and the water is incredible shades of blue, but there are exactly ZERO white sand beaches here. Get driving directions Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico 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. 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. WE DEVOURED IT ALL. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! Bacalar is the place to practice the fine art of chilling. People travel to Bacalar to immerse in nature and get away from it all. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. The gourmands. I ordered some banana bread and while it wasnt terrible, it was two teeny pieces about one inch by three inches long. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences More often violent crimes take place in neighborhoods that tourists really have no need, or no business, being in. Im serious. YIKES. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. Here the land is like limestone Swiss cheese, with thousands of cave-like openings filled with fresh water where you can go swimming. my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Nixtamal One of the best restaurants in Bacalar, Nixtamal has a cave-like atmosphere with a fire going. 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 coolest site at Kohunlich is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid flanked by human-like masks. Meanwhile, your likeliest danger in Bacalar is ending up with a painful sunburn from not reapplying your biodegradable sunscreen throughout the day. 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. 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. The Yucatn Peninsula is full of Mayan ruins, and the area around Bacalar is no exception. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. Youll need it for the boat trip, Los Rapidos and the Cenote Azul. Bacalar-Cancun distance is 346 km (214miles), which is 4 hrs 30 minutes drive approximately. Eat locally and spend money in lots of different places. The river looks slow-moving but its a lot stronger than youd think. The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. 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. 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. This fort is located in the center of town, across from Bacalars main square. Limit your drinking. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. Mexicos Caribbean coast may be known for its clear blue water, but trust me, Bacalar lagoon turns the volume up even higher. Bacalar is a very safe place to visit in Mexico. Dont even THINK of flushing menstrual products here or anywhere (ps use a DivaCup, its better for the environment, your suitcase, and your wallet). Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. 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). Dont flush toilet paper. Bacalar is basic in a lot of ways. ! Your boat trip will give you a good amount of time to explore Pirates Channel ours gave us about an hour! Get travel insurance. Because when we remain silent, the big outlets are the ones that drive the narrative. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. Your plane flies much faster than a car, so the flight time is about 1/5th of the time it would take to drive. into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. Only use biodegradable sunscreen. Bacalar is the name of the town and also the lake (Laguna de Bacalar en espaol). 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. Alternatively, you can bring areusable bottleand invest in aSteriPen water purifier(much better and faster than tablets). The toilets take awhile to refill between flushes. Some of the docks are outfitted with hammocks, swings, and more. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. 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. Done and done. Bacalar gives you very good value for money a lot more than the aforementioned Mexican hotspots. To be sure, crime does occur in Cancun and throughout the Mexican Caribbean, but it does in every tourist city across America too. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. And they have PUPPIES THAT YOU CAN PLAY WITH!!! Use biodegradable sunscreen exclusively. Not all cenotes are surrounded by land this cenote is located inside the lake. I recommend staying within a 10-minute walk of the zcalo, which is the main square in the center of town. Avoid them when you see them. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November on Mexicos Caribbean coast, but the biggest hurricanes tend to hit from August to October. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. Hopefully this guide will do that. More info on this route:drive from Cancun to Bacalarroad conditionsalternate routesGoogle driving directions. Bring earplugs. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. The water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. Or even better from Chetumal you can take a 90-minute ferry to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye! It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. (Ive also seen stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia, and they didnt allow people to go anywhere near them in the water. Several of the tourism professionals we met gave us permission to drone in Bacalar Lagoon and at Los Rapidos. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. You want even crazier water? It survived. 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. Like the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda is located within the lake and you cant swim here. Sipping a chelada as pink and purple clouds danced above the waters edge. 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). So now we can finally get an idea of the total travel time from Alternatively, you can get from Tulum to Bacalar in the space of 3 hours. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Traveling from Cancun to Bacalar takes around 5 hours when using the Ado buses and/or collectivos. The main activity in the water is getting into the river and letting it carry you away downstream. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes Bacalar is already part of the itinerary so you can easily add in more. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? My friends recently visited in January 2023 and the colors are as gorgeous as the photos in this post! 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 you dont have a car, you can take a cab here. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. Be sure to tip your guides they work hard. ), a full spa, and its like your own private corner of paradise. That's what Trippy is perfect for, Yes, the driving distance between Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar is 329 km. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate How far is Bacalar from Cancun? I knew wed have a great time. Dont leave your belongings lying around. the flight planner: Trippy has a ton of information that can help you plan your trip to Bacalar, Mexico. This small island in the middle of the lake is home to migratory birds. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. I loved that you could get any taco as a montadito in this case, wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. And being in nature is the perfect place to take time away from the Internet. 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. () , . travelers and answer some questions about Cancun! recommended airports, airline, and route, check out 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. I was looking forward to it. Kayaking is another fun way to explore Bacalar lagoon. Always double-check online. fastest possible straight line between Cancun, Mexico and The inky navy reserved for exclusive high-end fountain pens. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Suns latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox. 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. That would be my top recommendation. And thats just during the day. Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. I recommend renting a car if youre planning on exploring the Yucatn region in depth. There are so many ways to experience the beauty of the lagoon. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. There is a restaurant on-site and my friends had some not-so-good cocktails. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. 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. Be sure to take a look at my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary, which can be adapted to shorter trips. Cancns flights to Chetumal tend to be at awkward times for transfers. It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar. The cost to visit the Kohunlich ruins is 150 pesos ($8) for adults. Tulum to Bacalar | 215 km, 2.5 hours drive. 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. you'll be able to customize this plan, choosing your own airports 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. Is Bacalar near Cancun? Bacalar is a very small town where international tourism is still at a fairly early stage. 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. 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. The staff ask you not to wear any sunscreen while swimming in the cenote, not even biodegradable sunscreen. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. There are tour companies all over Bacalar, and you will constantly be offered rides from people on the street. 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 This is the only kind of sunscreen you should use in the lake. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private In late 2019 the New York Times published a feature on Bacalar titled Is this the next Tulum? I spent two months living in the city of Mrida, Mexico. ), the texture of the bottom of the lake can beless than pleasant. Lots of casual ramshackle businesses with a few snazzier spots thrown in. 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. 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. WebBacalar is super safe. Bacalar is a five-hour bus ride from Cancn International Airport, and its close to Tulum, Mahahual, and the Belize border if youre driving. Those establishments are equipped for increased crowds. I absolutely love Belize and think it makes an great place to visit after you spend time in Bacalar. If youre traveling solo in Bacalar and looking to meet friends, The Yak is a great spot for that reason. Dont take drinks from strangers. Admission is 100 pesos ($5) and the fort is open every day but Monday. For roughly 15 years or so, Tulum has been showcased as the artsy, creative alternative to Cancn and Playa del Carmen. Of all the seven shades of blue, the bright turquoise surrounding Bird Island is probably my favorite shade. The water will be a bit warmer and so will you. You cant always find this in Bacalar shops so be sure to buy some before you arrive. 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. 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. 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. If youre driving from Mrida to Bacalar, as I did with my friends, I have a GREAT lunch spot to recommend.
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