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. There are lots of actions that you can take to preserve this environment. I knew wed have a great time. Warnings from U.S. officials and the government, as well as from news anchors, have been flooding social media and news outlets. The toilets take awhile to refill between flushes. take-off and landing, and time to taxi on the runway. of your actual flight time. The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. . Oh god, I certainly hope not. to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in Bacalar. Playa del Carmen to Bacalar | And being in nature is the perfect place to take time away from the Internet. WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. 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. Alternatively, you can get from Tulum to Bacalar in the space of 3 hours. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? First off, Mexico is much safer than the media would have you believe. Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November on Mexicos Caribbean coast, but the biggest hurricanes tend to hit from August to October. 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. 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. 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 Know that its a lot further away than it looks. Small drones are permitted at Bacalar for now. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. This is to protect the lake. Its located on the edge of Bacalar town. Youve already been to a much better place. One of the most iconic places for accommodation in Bacalar, The Yak Lake House is a hostel that has both dorms and private rooms. 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. Bacalar is basic in a lot of ways. 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. Cancun Samys is a barbecue stand specializing in pork. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private : " . Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Let me show you what makes Bacalar magical! 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. During these months you have the least rainfall of the year and more pleasant temperatures. Bacalar, Mexico The staff ask you not to wear any sunscreen while swimming in the cenote, not even biodegradable sunscreen. People arent allowed to swim here, but boats can take you over it, and your boat trip will likely take you here. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. They do sell water shoes at Los Rapidos. Get a 45-minute bus ride from Bacalar to Chetumal, which sits right on the Belize border. Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. The coolest site at Kohunlich is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid flanked by human-like masks. 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. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate Avoid them when you see them. To Bacalar If you dont have a car, you can take a cab here. Kayaks are also available for rent. Drive from Cancun to Bacalar But Cenote Esmeralda itself isnt the attraction the area around Cenote Esmeralda is. Always check the laws online before you fly. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? Ideally, you shouldnt flush toilet paper anywhere in Mexico, but the plumbing system is especially delicate in Bacalar. And thats just during the day. 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. Its absolutely on my list of top three places in Mexico at the very least! 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. their mezcal margaritas were! Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Safety Mango y Chile A very popular vegan restaurant right off the town square. Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico While those cities host a lot of package tourists, Bacalar is built for independent travelers. This monitoring greatly deters the presence of criminals in these tourist hotspots, which means tourists who stick to these areas are pretty safe. Bacalar ! Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. More info on this route:drive from Cancun to Bacalarroad conditionsalternate routesGoogle driving directions. recommended airports, airline, and route, check out Cancun Another great spot, one that I really loved. Youll need it for the boat trip, Los Rapidos and the Cenote Azul. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. ), On the first visit, when the nine of us got 2.5 kilos of meat, we paid 100 pesos ($5) each. Although the shooting is no doubt a scary incident, the fact is that the attack was likely directed toward individuals involved with drug dealing rather than tourists or hotel employees, none of which, as mentioned above, were injured during the attack. That would be terrible. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Booking early can sometimes get you a lower rate. WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. Your boat will likely dock a good distance from Bird Island. Its crazy the lagoon is bright blue, then it suddenly drops off and turns the color of brand new dark-washed jeans. 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. I didnt go, but as soon as I came back, all my blogger friends admonished me for not eating here! READ MORE: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women. Staying Safe . You dont want drunk people spilling their tequila sunrises into that gorgeous blue water! from Cancun 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. Drive from Cancun to Bacalar Between the river swimming and lounging in the hammocks, Los Rapidos makes for ONE FUN DAY OUT. 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. In terms of photography, the Cenote Negro is a great vantage point for capturing all shades of the Lake of Seven Colors. This narrow channel leads to the Caribbean Sea; historically, it was used by pirates. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. 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. I was surprised at how good (and LARGE!) That's what Trippy is perfect for, More often violent crimes take place in neighborhoods that tourists really have no need, or no business, being in. From Cancn you can hop on a five-hour bus to Bacalar. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four hours. If you want to have easy access to the town, you want to be central. (2023 Update: an earlier version of this post mentioned Hotel Kairos, where I personally stayed, but its now closed.). Laguna Bacalar is gorgeous, and the water is incredible shades of blue, but there are exactly ZERO white sand beaches here. Mosquitos love lakes. There are 5 ways to get from Cancn to Bacalar: by bus, car, plane, or train. (Bring enough pesos with you to sustain your stay; some but not all places in Bacalar take cards.). Bacalar Thanks! Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Protect the lagoon and its people. 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. And the Instagrammers. 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. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. 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. 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). There are so many ways to experience the beauty of the lagoon. To Bacalar Share your tips! BRING ENOUGH PESOS TO LAST YOUR WHOLE TRIP. Pirates Channel is also home to a little island where an ill-fated restaurant was once built. If youre looking for an affordable car rental in Mexico,I recommend using RentalCars.com. If youre traveling solo in Bacalar and looking to meet friends, The Yak is a great spot for that reason. Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? Hot water, for instance, is not a given here, even in luxury rentals. This has been the narrative for quite some time. Done and done. It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. That may seem like basic information, but some people come to Bacalar expecting to see beaches and are disappointed. I know its not sexy, but travel insurance can save your life or finances if you have an emergency on the road. You cant always find this in Bacalar shops so be sure to buy some before you arrive. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar The inky navy reserved for exclusive high-end fountain pens. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. Los Rapidos is one of the most fun places Ive been in Mexico. Bacalar, Mexico Im serious. 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. 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. Cancun Airport (CUN) to Bacalar The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. Like the Cenote Negro, it suddenly goes from pale turquoise to navy blue as soon as you hit the drop-off. . You are going to be disappointed by comparison. Bacalar is already part of the itinerary so you can easily add in more. If youre interested in doing this, go for it!). Of all the seven shades of blue, the bright turquoise surrounding Bird Island is probably my favorite shade. My friends loved the cocktails, too. The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. If you're planning a road trip to Bacalar, you can research locations to stop along the way. Youll have lots of in-the-water photo opportunities at Bacalar! 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. Bacalar is utterly peaceful, especially once you get away from the town. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. A: Yes, it is safe. Is there any chance of Bacalar remaining just as it is now? This has ended and was back to normal in 2022. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. See below for more details on how to get to Bacalar by plane, bus, and car. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. If youre looking to experience the brightest, clearest, most shimmering body of water of your life, I have some advice: travel to Bacalar, Mexico. At the same time, however, you need to be careful about writing guides about places like Bacalar. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. 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. Its the kind of thing you dont think you need UNTIL YOU NEED IT. Tulum to Bacalar. Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. WebStart in Cancun. I want to send Samys as much business as possible. (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon?