But Cenote Esmeralda itself isnt the attraction the area around Cenote Esmeralda is. The main activity in the water is getting into the river and letting it carry you away downstream. Or even better from Chetumal you can take a 90-minute ferry to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye! 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 have been renting cars in Cancun and the Riveria Maya since 2013 and have already rented cars from the Cancun airport 5+ times. Playa del Carmen to Bacalar | And so a big group of friends and I decided to plan a weekend trip to Bacalar. Located a short walk from the main square, the rooms are quirky and colorful, the bathrooms are modern, and theres a cute backyard area. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. Kimchi chicken sandwiches! Get driving directions They do sell water shoes at Los Rapidos. People arent allowed to swim here, but boats can take you over it, and your boat trip will likely take you here. This riverside club is perched on part of the river that feeds into Bacalar lagoon. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. Dont take drinks from strangers. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait 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. The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. You dont have to do play-by-play Instagram Stories of the sunsets. And the Instagrammers. This is the single most important advice I can give you. 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. 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. I want to send Samys as much business as possible. I would advise not visiting during this time if possible, but if you do, be prepared to leave if a major storm hits. It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. I didnt go, but as soon as I came back, all my blogger friends admonished me for not eating here! Is there any chance of Bacalar remaining just as it is now? WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. Some of my friends decided to swim to the island and I knew theyd turn back exhausted long before they got there! See below for more details on how to get to Bacalar by plane, bus, and car. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? What else? Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. Im convinced that its the most beautiful place in the country, and its proof that lakes can be much prettier than the ocean. But I had no idea just how spectacularly beautiful Bacalar would be. 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. Bacalar is the name of the town and also the lake (Laguna de Bacalar en espaol). Tulum to Bacalar. 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. Surprisingly fantastic pastries the best Ive had in Mexico! Yes, the driving distance between Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar is 329 km. 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. Nixtamal One of the best restaurants in Bacalar, Nixtamal has a cave-like atmosphere with a fire going. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. This spot specializes in steaks (though they also serve seafood) and the plating is beautiful. Bacalar is a very small town where international tourism is still at a fairly early stage. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate This has been the narrative for quite some time. I know its not sexy, but travel insurance can save your life or finances if you have an emergency on the road. Consequently, this is also when Bacalar (and the rest of Quintana Roo) gets the most of its tourists. This felt very much like a place capitulating to the Tulum aesthetic all style, no substance, and very overpriced. There are a few flights per week from Cancn to Chetumal on MAYAir, and a few flights per day from Mexico City on Volaris. Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? Then I went to Tulum in 2015 and I was disappointed. Note: reef-safe sunscreen is the same as biodegradable sunscreen. Dont flush toilet paper. 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. Bacalar is at its best weather-wise from December through March, though know its extremely busy and expensive over Christmas week and Holy Week. 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. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. I was looking forward to it. The choice is up to you. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Bacalar. Staying Safe . Plan ahead, especially if you have a dining reservation. 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. This monitoring greatly deters the presence of criminals in these tourist hotspots, which means tourists who stick to these areas are pretty safe. Also, would love to hear about best places for a swim or to spend the day. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. If you have any extra days, feel free to fill them with whatever you want but please prioritize a boat trip and Los Rapidos. Los Rapidos is one of the most fun places Ive been in Mexico. Oh god, I certainly hope not. Cancn is for spring breakers, partiers, and people afraid to leave their resorts; Playa del Carmen is for people who want to visit Mexico, but surrounded by the comforts of home. Bacalar is now one of my favorite places in Mexico and this is a country that I love fiercely. There are a few ropes up to catch you, and you can rent a lifejacket if youd like. But since youre being pushed downstream, from one end of the river to the other, you cant get out at the same spot. I loved the huevos bacalareos, scrambled eggs with chaya, red salsa, and a bit of cheese. It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. Understand that there are no beaches in Bacalar, Mexico. Bacalar is basic in a lot of ways. Im going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in Bacalar. ARRR! There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. A: Yes, it is safe. It takes approximately 4h 58m to drive from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar. Bacalar is a very safe place to visit in Mexico. Bacalar is SO worth it! Even if you dont go to Los Rapidos (WHY WOULD YOU NOT GO TO LOS RAPIDOS?! Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. Protect the lagoon and its people. , (), , , () , : , Squid Game , . WebBacalar is super safe. : ! With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate Samy). for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other I knew wed have a great time. (2023 note: these were the prices in early 2020. Instead, maybe youd like to sit on a dock with a beer in hand, watching the sky turn pink. 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. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. I loved that you could get any taco as a montadito in this case, wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas. Los Rpidos has exactly one problem: the grounds are covered with gravel that is VERY painful to walk on barefoot. Since my friends and I were traveling in a large group, we booked a private Bacalar boat tour. Even though Bacalar is a low-key place, it can be noisy in town at night. Best of the Yucatn and the Caribbean Coast: Have you traveled to Bacalar? This has ended and was back to normal in 2022. Bring a GoPro or waterproof camera. 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 The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. 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. There are tour companies all over Bacalar, and you will constantly be offered rides from people on the street. The meat was sensational and the whole family was so warm and welcoming. The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. ! Alternatively, you can get from Tulum to Bacalar in the space of 3 hours. 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. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. As soon as I visited Bacalar, I knew I was determined to write a Bacalar travel guide one that would help all of you have as good a time here as I did, my dear readers. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Tulum is for the cool people. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. Click the button below to explore Bacalar in detail. The water is not safe to drink in Bacalar. In that case, your travel time would really need to 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. Because when we remain silent, the big outlets are the ones that drive the narrative. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. To give you a better estimate of real-life travel, we've 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. 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. Be gentle with the plumbing. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Finisterre If youre missing Italian food and dont mind spending a bit more, my friends recommend this restaurant serving Italian cuisine, including pizza from a wood-burning oven. WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. My friends loved the cocktails, too. It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. 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! More often violent crimes take place in neighborhoods that tourists really have no need, or no business, being in. Children get in for free. The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. , . There are lots of actions that you can take to preserve this environment. Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. Bacalar is already part of the itinerary so you can easily add in more. You are going to be disappointed by comparison. security lines and waiting at the gate, and the actual flight itself. One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. Like the Cenote Negro, it suddenly goes from pale turquoise to navy blue as soon as you hit the drop-off. You can get an ADO bus from Bacalar to Mahahual; it takes one hour and 20 minutes. Get travel insurance. Its located about a 20-minute drive outside Bacalar, past the Cenote Azul. Bacalar gives you very good value for money a lot more than the aforementioned Mexican hotspots. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. Use biodegradable sunscreen exclusively. travelers and answer some questions about Cancun! This is a very easy place to stay off your phone for a few days. And if the huge presence of security personnel isnt enough, there are security cameras everywhere to help law enforcement catch criminals when a crime does occur. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. Depends on your budget, but I like Casa Chukum for a mid-range hotel and Yak Lake House for a budget-friendly spot. Tourists are not targets for pickpocketing, theft, or violent crimes, though you always should keep an eye on your belongings (in Bacalar and everywhere). Hot water isnt always a given. Kai Pez This restaurant is right on the waterfront and a great place to watch the sunset. Mango y Chile A very popular vegan restaurant right off the town square. Share your tips! There is a restaurant on the premises and we enjoyed fresh ceviche and some drinks. 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. Barbanegra One of the higher-end Mexican spots in town with outstandingly good food and drinks. However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. There is a small museum on site telling the history of Bacalar. At the same time, however, you need to be careful about writing guides about places like Bacalar. Its also the grand finale of my two-week Mexico road trip itinerary on the Yucatn peninsula. Be sure to take a look at my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary, which can be adapted to shorter trips. your total travel time for this trip. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four hours. If youre interested in doing this, go for it!). Only use biodegradable sunscreen. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Bacalar doesnt get insanely crowded at least not yet but you might struggle to get a table at one of the top restaurants. Prices may have changed since.). I LOVE 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. Bacalar has so many wonderful restaurants and one incredibly overrated restaurant that of COURSE I will name. The bohemians. Dont touch the stromatolites. Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. During these months you have the least rainfall of the year and more pleasant temperatures. 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. ), the texture of the bottom of the lake can beless than pleasant. WebBacalar is super safe. And thats just during the day. : " . Its absolutely on my list of top three places in Mexico at the very least! It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! 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. airport, and get to your destination. I found Bacalar to be very similar to another cool Mexican destination, Isla Holbox, in terms of the atmosphere. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private 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 WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. This is a relatively short flight in a private plane, but you might be planning to book a commercial flight. 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. 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. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. No brand name businesses, no resorts, not even Starbucks or McDonalds. In other words, Bacalar doesnt force you to be offline, but if youre willing to do so, this would be a great place. Visiting cenotes is one of the best part of traveling in Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. Alternatively, you can get from Tulum to Bacalar in the space of 3 hours. Get travel insurance. Your boat will likely dock a good distance from Bird Island. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. Meanwhile, your likeliest danger in Bacalar is ending up with a painful sunburn from not reapplying your biodegradable sunscreen throughout the day. That would be terrible. Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. 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. Let me show you what makes Bacalar magical! 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. Cancun to Bacalar including time spent getting to/from This beach town on Mexicos Costa Maya is starting to get some similar Is this the next Tulum? buzz. 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. Many of the warnings about security in Cancun stem from a couple of recent incidents that have taken place in the city. My friends recently visited in January 2023 and the colors are as gorgeous as the photos in this post! , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! 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. Not all cenotes are surrounded by land this cenote is located inside the lake. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. More info on this route:drive from Cancun to Bacalarroad conditionsalternate routesGoogle driving directions. ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. From Cancn you can hop on a five-hour bus to Bacalar. If you forget something, there are shops and sellers in town. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. While many of these docks are owned by hotels or restaurants, some are free for anyone to go and enjoy. 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. (Ive also seen stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia, and they didnt allow people to go anywhere near them in the water. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. Its located on the edge of Bacalar town. Dont step on the stromatolites. On the second visit, we got 3.5 kilos and paid 150 pesos ($8) each. I got octopus montaditos, they were incredibly delicious, and I felt like I saved a ton. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. Yes, the driving distance between Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar is 329 km. Tulum to Bacalar. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. . Ideally, you shouldnt flush toilet paper anywhere in Mexico, but the plumbing system is especially delicate in Bacalar. But more than that Bacalar is significantly safer than Quintana Roo hotspots like Cancn, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. 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. One is the battle between Uber and taxi drivers that developed after officials announced that Uber drivers can operate in the city. Im so glad I decided to travel here. I sincerely hope this is not a sign of things to come in Bacalar. , : , . You want even crazier water? Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. 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. Your boat trip will give you a good amount of time to explore Pirates Channel ours gave us about an hour! There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. Warning: some of these taxis take a long time to show up, and some of them required multiple phone calls before anyone showed up. Kayaks are available for rent throughout the town if you see a place on the lake, chances are they have kayaks to rent. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. We have been renting cars in Cancun and the Riveria Maya since 2013 and have already rented cars from the Cancun airport 5+ times. Wifi in Bacalar is generally very slow; if youve got a Mexican phone plan, though, youll be connected. That's what Trippy is perfect for, WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? Another great spot, one that I really loved. One of the reasons Cancun is safer than the news makes you think is that there is security everywhere. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. In terms of photography, the Cenote Negro is a great vantage point for capturing all shades of the Lake of Seven Colors. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. 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. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Alternatively, book a private transfer from the airport to Bacalar. my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary. Kayaking is another fun way to explore Bacalar lagoon. 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). If youre new to Mexico, Ive got news for you this is a noisy country. . You can get a nice mid-range hotel for around $60 a night, or a quality private room for under $40 a night.
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