! 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. That would be my top recommendation. The edges of the lake tend to hit the land directly, with no sand buffer. But for a real trip, there can be plenty of differences 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. Best of the Yucatn and the Caribbean Coast: Have you traveled to Bacalar? You might have to go to several shops to find what you need. The easiest way to stay safe when visiting Cancun or anywhere else is to always be conscious of your surroundings. Tulum to Bacalar. I found Bacalar to be very similar to another cool Mexican destination, Isla Holbox, in terms of the atmosphere. If you're planning a road trip to Bacalar, you can research locations to stop along the way. The cost to enter the Cenote Azul and restaurant is 25 pesos ($1). of your actual flight time. Its not uncommon to see soldiers walking along the beaches, in the Cancun Hotel Zone, and in the downtown area, where all of the bars and clubs are. Now let's assume you have a private jet and you can fly in the Tulum to Bacalar | 215 km, 2.5 hours drive. No, Bacalar is quite far from Cancun, being on the opposite side of Tulum. Has anyone made the trip recently or had any issues along the way? Admission is 100 pesos ($5) and the fort is open every day but Monday. WebWere driving during the day from the Cancun airport to Bacalar, considering taking the 307. They make delicious cocktails and ceviche. shortest distance is actually the "great circle" distance, or But if youre not a big group, you can join a boat tour here (with open bar!). At the same time, however, you need to be careful about writing guides about places like Bacalar. When an outlet that big writes about a small place, it almost guarantees an influx of visitors. I think we all cringed when we saw that. waiting for our flight, and making it to the destination. You can get a nice mid-range hotel for around $60 a night, or a quality private room for under $40 a night. The road is in good condition and is safe to drive. In other words, Bacalar doesnt force you to be offline, but if youre willing to do so, this would be a great place. Not all cenotes are surrounded by land this cenote is located inside the lake. Solo Female Travel in Mexico: Is it Safe? 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. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. It never got finished but today plenty of people love climbing on it! . (whether it's first class or coach). WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? 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. 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. Hopefully this guide will do that. But be careful its very tough to land a drone on a boat. (2023 Update: an earlier version of this post mentioned Hotel Kairos, where I personally stayed, but its now closed.). There is a restaurant on the premises and we enjoyed fresh ceviche and some drinks. This is located in front of Hotel Kairs. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a popular activity in Bacalar. ), a full spa, and its like your own private corner of paradise. Best Bacalar Luxury Hotel for Families: Mia Bacalar. La Pia This outdoor restaurant, hidden a bit from the street, has wonderful, healthy dishes and a friendly staff. Here the land is like limestone Swiss cheese, with thousands of cave-like openings filled with fresh water where you can go swimming. During these months you have the least rainfall of the year and more pleasant temperatures. I would advise not visiting during this time if possible, but if you do, be prepared to leave if a major storm hits. Most notably, when all the ATMs in town are out of money at the same time. Samys is a barbecue stand specializing in pork. This post was most recently updated in January 2023. 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. Its hot during the day and warm at night, but you might want to bring a cardigan in case you get a cooler night. Head to Los Rapidos, where you can tear down clear teal river rapids, giggling the whole time. 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. Your trip begins in Cancun, Mexico. 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. To see the details on this flight plan, including Drive for about 1 hour, then stop in Playa del Carmen and stay for about 2 hours. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. If you take these steps to protect yourself, you can have a safe and memorable vacation in Cancun. Get used to late night music, firecrackers, celebrations, and two people next to each other trying to drown out the others music. WebDrive from Cancun to Bacalar - safe? The water was brown; the beaches were littered with seaweed; the ruins were overcrowded; everything was grotesquely overpriced. For roughly 15 years or so, Tulum has been showcased as the artsy, creative alternative to Cancn and Playa del Carmen. Best day tours in Bacalar, Mexico I hope you enjoy Bacalar as much as I did. If youre traveling solo in Bacalar and looking to meet friends, The Yak is a great spot for that reason. Next, drive for another 1 hour then stop in Tulum and stay for 2.5 hours. Im serious. 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 Its a lot less in your face than Caye caulker or playa del carmen but it's such a tranquil little town. Youll need these. 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. Warning: the ADO site doesnt always take foreign cards, but they take Paypal. 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. This beach town on Mexicos Costa Maya is starting to get some similar Is this the next Tulum? buzz. the way, check out the full road trip planner: In the quick calculation above, we assumed you had a private 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. Whats the best area to stay in Bacalar? Those are the two best things to do in Bacalar. Im going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in 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. There are lots of tours and activities from sunset kayak tours to day trips around the lake. Be sure to take a look at my two-week Yucatan peninsula road trip itinerary, which can be adapted to shorter trips. Vincenty formula. Consider bringing water shoesorsports sandals. The travelers who come to Bacalar are looking for something better somewhere away from the popular places with all-inclusive resorts, away from the xenophobes complaining that its dangerous outside their resort and Mexican food is just too spicy for them, away from the drug dealers asking people if they want coke. 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. Carry your repellant around with you in Bacalar they can bite you at any time of day, but theyre especially active at dusk. 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. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. 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. into account all these factors to get a more accurate estimate However, visitors should be aware of potential hazards such as topes (speed bumps), potholes, and livestock on the road. 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. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. One is the battle between Uber and taxi drivers that developed after officials announced that Uber drivers can operate in the city. WebThe drive from Bacalar to Cancn Airport takes about four hours. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. It is a two lane with no shoulders but locals often drive it at a high rate of speed leading to the accidents. Most boat tours last about three to four hours and take you to some of the spots I detail below, like Pirates Canal, the Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, and Bird Island. You can book a sunrise paddleboarding tour here. Bacalar has accommodation available at a variety of price tiers, but know that much of it can be more basic than you expect. 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. You can take a cab there from Bacalar. Cancun to Bacalar including time spent getting to/from 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. A: Yes, it is safe. There is a restaurant on-site and my friends had some not-so-good cocktails. Bacalar is situated in the state of Quintana Roo in southwestern Mexico, near the border with Belize. This happened twice so it wasnt an isolated event. People travel to Bacalar to experience the beauty of its famous lagoon the Lake of Seven Colors. I agree the road is good but it has a very bad history of serious accidents. Tulum to Bacalar. This monitoring greatly deters the presence of criminals in these tourist hotspots, which means tourists who stick to these areas are pretty safe. Recently we have been renting a car in Playa del Carmen and taking a private shuttle from the Cancun airport. This has ended and was back to normal in 2022. The bohemians. Be sure to tip your guides they work hard. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. 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. If you eat pork, this place is WELL worth the stop. ), The ABSOLUTE Best Things To Do in Oaxaca, Mexico, How to Visit Sumidero Canyon from San Cristbal de las Casas, 21 Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in Prague, Sicilian Food: 30 Iconic Dishes + What to Eat in Sicily. Service is slow. READ MORE: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women. The single best way to see Bacalar is to take a boat tour of the lagoon. Much of Bacalar is walkable, but if youre going further afield, call a taxi. People travel to Bacalar to enjoy a low-key, quirky town. Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! There are a few ropes up to catch you, and you can rent a lifejacket if youd like. 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. 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. Now that we have kids and so many bags, they wont fit in the rental car. Click the button below to explore Bacalar in detail. If youre looking for an affordable car rental in Mexico,I recommend using RentalCars.com. This was a huge contrast to Bacalar and especially Los Rapidos, where they just asked you not to stand on the stromatolites.). Meanwhile, your likeliest danger in Bacalar is ending up with a painful sunburn from not reapplying your biodegradable sunscreen throughout the day. Drive for 2.5 hours then stop at Laguna Bacalar and stay for 1 hour. (Ive also seen stromatolites at Hamelin Pool in Western Australia, and they didnt allow people to go anywhere near them in the water. Always check the laws online before you fly. I ended up floating down the river with my flip-flops on my wrists. Normally, youd leave your sandals on shore. 3 years ago Save Hello, Were two gals planning a February trip to Bacalar. airport, and get to your destination. The inky navy reserved for exclusive high-end fountain pens. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November on Mexicos Caribbean coast, but the biggest hurricanes tend to hit from August to October. 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. , : () , () , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ! 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. This narrow channel leads to the Caribbean Sea; historically, it was used by pirates. The easiest and cheapest way to get there is by car. ADO buses run to Bacalar from destinations throughout the Yucatn. Playa del Carmen to Bacalar | You dont want drunk people spilling their tequila sunrises into that gorgeous blue water! put together a flight itinerary with actual airports. Get travel insurance. You can get an ADO bus from Bacalar to Mahahual; it takes one hour and 20 minutes. . Another great spot, one that I really loved. so go ahead and check the reverse directions to get the Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members. Only use biodegradable sunscreen. If youre looking to experience the brightest, clearest, most shimmering body of water of your life, I have some advice: travel to Bacalar, Mexico. I absolutely love Belize and think it makes an great place to visit after you spend time in Bacalar. Realistically, you'll probably want to add a buffer for rest stops, gas, or food along the way. Here are the different ways to get to Bacalar. 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. Some of my favorite photos of Bacalar were shot from the Cenote Negro, aimed outward toward the lake. Its nothing like the Maldives. Traveling around the Riviera Maya is safe in general and you should not encounter any problems on public transport. I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. 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. I use andrecommendWorld Nomads for trips to Mexico. . Im so glad I decided to travel here. If you dont have a car, you can take a cab here. This is the only kind of sunscreen you should use in the lake. This road is quite straight, fairly well-maintained, and has good signage. Dont leave your belongings lying around. Youve already been to a much better place. 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. On the second visit, we got 3.5 kilos and paid 150 pesos ($8) each.
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