Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. and flights. And best of all are the musicians, two men who played ukuleles and sang SO beautifully and really added to the atmosphere. First off, Mexico is much safer than the media would have you believe. Almost all of my friends and I bought baseball caps for 100 pesos each ($5). At the same time, however, you need to be careful about writing guides about places like Bacalar. I had one of the best weekends ever in Bacalar. Drive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? - Bacalar Forum The coolest site at Kohunlich is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid flanked by human-like masks. 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. Bring a towel ideally, a quick-dry travel towel. If youre driving from Mrida to Bacalar, as I did with my friends, I have a GREAT lunch spot to recommend. 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 more than that Bacalar is significantly safer than Quintana Roo hotspots like Cancn, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. This has been the narrative for quite some time. Small drones are permitted at Bacalar for now. Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. To Bacalar Between the river swimming and lounging in the hammocks, Los Rapidos makes for ONE FUN DAY OUT. Tulum to Bacalar. to calculate the distance between cities. Not all cenotes are surrounded by land this cenote is located inside the lake. Were driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. YIKES. The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. If you eat pork, this place is WELL worth the stop. From there you can cross into Belize and take a 2.5-hour bus to Belize City, from where you can take ferries or buses to further Belize destinations, like my favorite, Caye Caulker. Bacalar doesnt get insanely crowded at least not yet but you might struggle to get a table at one of the top restaurants. 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 water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. Cancn Bacalar Unrestricted Share Travel safe during COVID-19 Rules to follow in Mexico 1.5m Recommended Travel within Mexico Observe COVID-19 safety rules COVID-19 help in Mexico If you need help, visit the national COVID-19 website or call the COVID-19 Helpline 911 Frequently Asked Questions Am I allowed to travel from Cancn to Why not remain silent? Because when we remain silent, the big outlets are the ones that drive the narrative. from Cancun to Bacalar So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? Get driving directions Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. Note: reef-safe sunscreen is the same as biodegradable sunscreen. 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. READ MORE: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women. Bacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. 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. Lock up your valuables in a portable safe. Bacalar is SO worth it! 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). Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. to Bacalar airport, and get to your destination. This felt very much like a place capitulating to the Tulum aesthetic all style, no substance, and very overpriced. (For what its worth, I LOVE Belize and I think Belize and Bacalar paired together could make a great trip. Most notably, when all the ATMs in town are out of money at the same time. Traveler Alert:Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. 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. 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. 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. I was looking forward to it. Standing on the edge of a lake-enclosed cenote, as the water changed from light to dark. Progress is happening whether we want it to or not, and its selfish to insist a place remain pleasing to your travel memories when locals could use the economic opportunity that comes with development. Some of my friends decided to swim to the island and I knew theyd turn back exhausted long before they got there! 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. With the full itinerary planned out, we can estimate This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. . Alternatively, you can bring areusable bottleand invest in aSteriPen water purifier(much better and faster than tablets). Im convinced that its the most beautiful place in the country, and its proof that lakes can be much prettier than the ocean. 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. 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. Warnings from U.S. officials and the government, as well as from news anchors, have been flooding social media and news outlets. 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. Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico Share your tips! Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Like the Cenote Negro, it suddenly goes from pale turquoise to navy blue as soon as you hit the drop-off. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. I found Bacalar to be very similar to another cool Mexican destination, Isla Holbox, in terms of the atmosphere. Bring earplugs. Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to 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. They make delicious cocktails and ceviche. Alternatively, book a private transfer from the airport to Bacalar. 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There are several ATMs on the main square in town, but none of them were working when we were there. Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. There are a few ropes up to catch you, and you can rent a lifejacket if youd like. Its a special place, and so different from the rest of Mexico. Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. : " . While many of these docks are owned by hotels or restaurants, some are free for anyone to go and enjoy. Warning: some of these taxis take a long time to show up, and some of them required multiple phone calls before anyone showed up. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. The toilets take awhile to refill between flushes. Tulum to Bacalar | 215 km, 2.5 hours drive. Kayaking is another fun way to explore Bacalar lagoon. Its not worth flying into another country to head straight for the border and going through immigration a second time. Many of the warnings about security in Cancun stem from a couple of recent incidents that have taken place in the city. Depends on your budget, but I like Casa Chukum for a mid-range hotel and Yak Lake House for a budget-friendly spot. plane and just wanted to know the time in the air from city to city. Nixtamal One of the best restaurants in Bacalar, Nixtamal has a cave-like atmosphere with a fire going. I absolutely love Belize and think it makes an great place to visit after you spend time in Bacalar. fastest possible straight line between Cancun, Mexico and Its also the grand finale of my two-week Mexico road trip itinerary on the Yucatn peninsula. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. If youre in the mood for sandy beaches and crashing waves, I recommend heading to nearby Mahahual. Bacalar is the name of the town and also the lake (Laguna de Bacalar en espaol). Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. No. I would advise not visiting during this time if possible, but if you do, be prepared to leave if a major storm hits. However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. La Pia This outdoor restaurant, hidden a bit from the street, has wonderful, healthy dishes and a friendly staff. I ordered some banana bread and while it wasnt terrible, it was two teeny pieces about one inch by three inches long. Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? 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. 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. You can rent a kayak for the day here. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. Wearing water shoes or sports sandals would have been better. 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 know its not sexy, but travel insurance can save your life or finances if you have an emergency on the road. They do sell water shoes at Los Rapidos. Is there any chance of Bacalar remaining just as it is now? Los Rpidos has exactly one problem: the grounds are covered with gravel that is VERY painful to walk on barefoot. Carry your repellant around with you in Bacalar they can bite you at any time of day, but theyre especially active at dusk. Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. 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. Great beers; skip the hummus; the true highlight was the scallop aguachile (like ceviche but much spicier) quite possibly the best dish I ate in all of Bacalar. The river looks slow-moving but its a lot stronger than youd think. Start by reading the Trippy page on where to stay in Bacalar. You can get an ADO bus from Bacalar to Mahahual; it takes one hour and 20 minutes. WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. Cancun to Bacalar Protect the lagoon and its people. Avoid them when you see them. Bacalar, Mexico If you dont have hot water, shower in the late afternoon. My favorite restaurant in Bacalar overall. Prices may have changed since.). Bacalar has accommodation available at a variety of price tiers, but know that much of it can be more basic than you expect. Here are the different ways to get to Bacalar. We are a bit in the Wild West in terms of drone laws, so keep in mind that this could change anytime. If youre new to Mexico, Ive got news for you this is a noisy country. 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. Only use biodegradable sunscreen. Bacalar is located only 215 km from Tulum which is 2hrs and a 30-minute drive. It ends in Bacalar, Mexico. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. Located right on the lake and a short stroll from Bacalar, the rooms are simple and the emphasis is on social living. If you're planning a road trip to Bacalar, you can research locations to stop along the way. Bacalar is already part of the itinerary so you can easily add in more. When an outlet that big writes about a small place, it almost guarantees an influx of visitors.