You dont want drunk people spilling their tequila sunrises into that gorgeous blue water! ), a full spa, and its like your own private corner of paradise. (The puppies might be grown up by the time you read this. It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! I hope you enjoy Bacalar as much as I did. The coolest site at Kohunlich is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid flanked by human-like masks. That may seem like basic information, but some people come to Bacalar expecting to see beaches and are disappointed. If you have any extra days, feel free to fill them with whatever you want but please prioritize a boat trip and Los Rapidos. Cancns flights to Chetumal tend to be at awkward times for transfers. You are going to be disappointed by comparison. 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. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. to account for all the extra travel time getting to the airport, The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal, a 40-minute drive away but there arent a ton of flights to Chetumal. Youve already been to a much better place. Finally, drive for about 16 minutes and arrive in 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. 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. One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. fastest possible straight line between Cancun, Mexico and Only use biodegradable sunscreen. We are a bit in the Wild West in terms of drone laws, so keep in mind that this could change anytime. 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. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. 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. 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. Protect the lagoon and its people. This riverside club is perched on part of the river that feeds into Bacalar lagoon. 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. I recommend renting a car if youre planning on exploring the Yucatn region in depth. Dont wander off alone into unknown areas, and dont make yourself an easy target. While those cities host a lot of package tourists, Bacalar is built for independent travelers. But more than that Bacalar is significantly safer than Quintana Roo hotspots like Cancn, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. 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 To be sure, crime does occur in Cancun and throughout the Mexican Caribbean, but it does in every tourist city across America too. The tourist areas in Cancun are monitored more than anywhere else in the city by the Tourist Police and by agents of the military. Sipping a chelada as pink and purple clouds danced above the waters edge. Those establishments are equipped for increased crowds. I got octopus montaditos, they were incredibly delicious, and I felt like I saved a ton. There are a few flights per week from Cancn to Chetumal on MAYAir, and a few flights per day from Mexico City on Volaris. ARRR! There are so many ways to experience the beauty of the lagoon. Let's say you're actually planning a road trip to Bacalar, and you want to stop on the way to explore. Get a 45-minute bus ride from Bacalar to Chetumal, which sits right on the Belize border. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. Tulum to Bacalar. . But since youre being pushed downstream, from one end of the river to the other, you cant get out at the same spot. 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. WebHeres my shortlist of the top Bacalar resorts: Overall Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel: Habitas Bacalar. In late 2019 the New York Times published a feature on Bacalar titled Is this the next Tulum? It is safe to drive from Cancun to Bacalar. Bacalar 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. If youre looking to experience the brightest, clearest, most shimmering body of water of your life, I have some advice: travel to Bacalar, Mexico. Eventually This happened twice so it wasnt an isolated event. That nearly derailed our trip. Here are the different ways to get to Bacalar. However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. So why write a Bacalar travel guide at all? We grabbed some food here after our boat tour. The water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. There are sufficient parking lots in Bacalar itself, and the journey from Cancun to Bacalar is easy and safe. When an outlet that big writes about a small place, it almost guarantees an influx of visitors. The meat was sensational and the whole family was so warm and welcoming. Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. This is a very easy place to stay off your phone for a few days. 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. This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. Scroll down to see a more realistic calculation that takes Cancun Warning: some of these taxis take a long time to show up, and some of them required multiple phone calls before anyone showed up. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? While tacos ranged from 85 pesos ($4.50) for cauliflower to 170 pesos ($9) for octopus, all montaditos were 90 pesos ($4.72). Bring a GoPro or waterproof camera. Vincenty formula. People travel to Bacalar to get away from the package tourist crowds. My friends loved the cocktails, too. You can take a cab there from Bacalar. Two Weeks in Mexico: The BEST Yucatan Road Trip Itinerary If you dont have a car, you can take a cab here. (For what its worth, I LOVE Belize and I think Belize and Bacalar paired together could make a great trip. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. Resist the urge to go to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancn. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. But for most of us, we're going to be flying on a commercial airline We got hit by a gust of wind and the mast knocked the drone into the water, which usually destroys drones, but our captain Felipe jumped in and grabbed it quickly. Get From Cancun To Bacalar, Mexico (Depending on how many stops) Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon? WebThe total driving distance from Cancun, Mexico to Bacalar, Mexico is 215 miles or 346 kilometers. include how many minutes to get to your local airport, wait Most of the restaurants, bars, and activities are located within a few blocks of this square. Bacalar, Mexico And thats just during the day. Mexican Federal Highway 307 runs from Cancun to Bacalar. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. Note: reef-safe sunscreen is the same as biodegradable sunscreen. helping you figure out travel plans in detail. Bacalar is the place to practice the fine art of chilling. 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. of your actual flight time. WebHere's a sample itinerary for a drive from Cancun to Bacalar. 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. Barbanegra One of the higher-end Mexican spots in town with outstandingly good food and drinks. Some of my friends decided to swim to the island and I knew theyd turn back exhausted long before they got there! This is an incredibly popular breakfast spot, made for Instagram with its plant-filled courtyard and free trade market inside. Carry your repellant around with you in Bacalar they can bite you at any time of day, but theyre especially active at dusk. In these cities, thieves and scammers target tourists and drug dealers solicit tourists. The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. Tourists are not targets for pickpocketing, theft, or violent crimes, though you always should keep an eye on your belongings (in Bacalar and everywhere). 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!). 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. 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. 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 ended up going down the rapids with my flip-flops on my wrists rather than suffer that painful gravel. Normally, youd leave your sandals on shore. I havent been yet, but its a priority on my list. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! Im going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in Bacalar. Los Rapidos is one of the most fun places Ive been in Mexico. Know that its a lot further away than it looks. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? Plan ahead, especially if you have a dining reservation. Some of the docks are outfitted with hammocks, swings, and more. And the most overrated restaurant in Bacalar is El Manat. Some of them come from Miami, where months of feasting on krill have left them with a beautiful pink color to their feathers. ! Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. If youre new to Mexico, Ive got news for you this is a noisy country. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. Bacalar is at its best weather-wise from December through March, though know its extremely busy and expensive over Christmas week and Holy Week. (2023 note: these were the prices in early 2020. Driving Hopefully this guide will do that. 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. 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. One of the reasons Cancun is safer than the news makes you think is that there is security everywhere. On the second visit, we got 3.5 kilos and paid 150 pesos ($8) each. But Cenote Esmeralda itself isnt the attraction the area around Cenote Esmeralda is. to Bacalar Small drones are permitted at Bacalar for now. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. Bacalar No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Let Bacalars beauty stand on its own without comparing it to somewhere else! Head to Los Rapidos, where you can tear down clear teal river rapids, giggling the whole time. Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. The best time to visit Bacalar in terms of weather is from December through March. 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. Cancun Drive from Cancun to Bacalar Bacalar On your boat trip in Bacalar, youll drop by a stunning area El Canal de Los Piratas, or Pirates Channel. The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. Let me show you what makes Bacalar magical! Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. 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. 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. If you eat pork, this place is WELL worth the stop. You must take highway 307 all the way to Bacalar. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. () , . 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 Bacalar is basic in a lot of ways. 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. Between the river swimming and lounging in the hammocks, Los Rapidos makes for ONE FUN DAY OUT. Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? Prices may have changed since.). 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. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the This spot specializes in steaks (though they also serve seafood) and the plating is beautiful. This was a huge contrast to Bacalar and especially Los Rapidos, where they just asked you not to stand on the stromatolites.). 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. READ MORE: Solo Female Travel Guide to Belize. Located a short walk from the main square, the rooms are quirky and colorful, the bathrooms are modern, and theres a cute backyard area. Departure airport: Cancn International Airport (CUN), Arrival airport: Chetumal International Airport (CTM). Youll need it for the boat trip, Los Rapidos and the Cenote Azul. The choice is up to you. 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. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four hours. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. for security, board and taxi on the runway, land at the other Arrange a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport or hotel and bring you directly to Bacalar. People arent allowed to swim here, but boats can take you over it, and your boat trip will likely take you here. It basically cuts straight down through the Riviera Maya passing Playa del Carmen and Tulum before reaching Bacalar. 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 WebBacalar is located in the far south of Mexicos Yucatn Peninsula, in Quintana Roo state, close to the Belize border. The bright cerulean that Miranda Priestly expounded upon in The Devil Wears Prada. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. My friends recently visited in January 2023 and the colors are as gorgeous as the photos in this post! Here's the quick answer if you are able to make this entire trip by car without stopping. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a popular activity in Bacalar. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. Of all the seven shades of blue, the bright turquoise surrounding Bird Island is probably my favorite shade. Ideally, you shouldnt flush toilet paper anywhere in Mexico, but the plumbing system is especially delicate in Bacalar. from the airport, based on how far the airport is from downtown. Its crazy the lagoon is bright blue, then it suddenly drops off and turns the color of brand new dark-washed jeans. 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