Bacalar does not have an airport, so if you want to fly to your next destination, you'll need to travel to Chetumal Airport. This airport offers trips to most major locations in Mexico, including Cancun Airport. To get to the airport, you'll need to take a taxi or a bus, of which there are many. But keep in mind that taxis can be expensive.
How long is the bus ride from Canc├║n to Bacalar?
The distance between Cancun and Bacalar is about 201 miles (323 km), so traveling by bus takes between five hours and 40 minutes (the fastest bus) and six and a half hours. How quickly your bus trip will be depends on the time of year you travel, traffic conditions, and the bus line you choose. If you want to get to Bacalar faster, we recommend using a private car service like Daytrip.
Is Bacalar worth the trip?
Bacalar is worth the trip if you're interested in Mayan and pirate history and want to witness and swim in some of the Caribbean's best lagoons. The town is also budget-friendly, with hotels, meals, and activities fairly inexpensive, and it's safe enough to make it a family vacation.
Can I fly from Cancun to Bacalar?
There are no direct flights from Cancun to Bacalar. However, you can fly from Cancun Airport to Chetumal Airport and, from there, take a bus or taxi to Bacalar. This travel option can be incredibly expensive flight-wise and taxi-wise, not to mention it isn't the most time-efficient way to travel, despite what you may think, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.
With Cancun believed to be the heart of the Mexican Caribbean, it's no wonder you've found yourself in this corner of the world. Cancun is anyone's dream destination with its white sand beaches, water sports, nightlife, nature, Mayan ruins, and some of the world's best all-inclusive resorts. But do you know where else is? None other than Bacalar. This small town in Mexico is a hidden gem worth exploring, and at Daytrip, we want to drive you from Cancun to Bacalar so that you can enjoy all this town has to offer eager adventurers.
We promise the drive will be well worth it with our safe door-to-door service. Our professional English-speaking drivers are well acquainted with the route and know exactly where to take you to sightsee along the way before dropping you off in Bacalar. Once in the city, you'll have warm waters, blue-green lagoons, affordable boutique hotels, delicious street food, and plenty of shops to explore to your heart's content.
About Bacalar
A trip from Cancun to Bacalar is well worth the distance traveled. This tropical destination is a place you must see to believe with its awe-inspiring natural beauty, fantastic food scene, and swimmable lagoonsтАФmost notably its freshwater lake Laguna Bacalar, the lagoon of seven colors.
It is found in the southern part of Quintana Roo state on Mexico's southeast Yucatan Peninsula. It is only an hour's drive from the Belize border and about four hours south of Cancun Airport. Visitors should also note that it's a popular point to begin a Mexican adventure, considering it's only a short drive away from Merida, Tulum, and Playa Del Carmen.
Although Bacalar might not be as big as other popular destinations in Mexico, it is still worthwhile. This town is steeped in ancient history, dating back to the times when Mayans roamed the earth. Despite no Mayan ruins in the town, this ancient civilization frequented it, influencing its growth and architecture.
Interestingly, Bacalar was also the first Mexican town to be conquered by the Spanish during the 16th century. The Spanish were the town's rulers until 1543, but there wasn't much of a reprieve for the locals when the town was later breached and looted in the 17th century by pirates who loved to use its lagoons to hide their ships. With pirates a threat for many years, Bacalar built the Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar, which you can visit today.
With such an intriguing and adventurous history, it's unsurprising that Bacalar is a town for adventurers, explorers, and wanderers. Designated as one of Mexico's most enchanting towns, it is worth adding to your Mexico travel bucket list, especially if you're in the mood for a friendly atmosphere, welcoming locals, beautiful crystalline waters, spectacular food, and cultural activities
From Cancun to Bacalar: travel tips
Traveling from Cancun to Bacalar is a little bit of a distance so it's important to keep a few handy travel tips in mind, and we know just what to share with you. So, have a look below at our travel advice that will help ensure your trip from Cancun to Bacalar is as intriguing and exciting as you expect it to be.
Make sure you plan enough time
If you don't plan enough time, you'll not be able to enjoy your Bacalar trip to its fullest. We recommend spending at least three days in the town to fully immerse yourself in its culture and participate in activities like swimming down the Los Rapidos lagoon or walking through the town's shopping district.
You also need to make sure you plan enough time because you might want to stop and sightsee at places like Chikin Ha, a cenote surrounded by a lush jungle, and the astonishing Ruins of Chacchoben that date back to 200 BC.
### Pack your swimsuit
During a trip from Cancun to Bacalar, you can expect to swim in some of the cleanest and warmest fresh waters in the Caribbean, so it's important to pack a swimsuit. Along the way, there are several spots you can make your way to when driving with Daytrip to have a quick swim.
We always recommend the Two Eyes Cenote if you want to experience a unique cave system swim, and Aktun Chen if you also want to explore one of the best underground walkways in the world.
### Always carry cash
Bacalar and many of the towns like Tulum that you might stop at along the way are not as modern as other parts of the world. Shops, restaurants, and most markets and beachside kiosks don't often accept card payments.
For this reason it's crucial to have cash on you at all times. Not to mention it could come in handy if the ATMs go offline, which is often the case in Bacalar, so ask your Daytrip driver where best to draw out money before you hit the town.
How to get from Cancun to Bacalar
You likely don't want your trip from Cancun to Bacalar to be dreadful, so it's best to consider the transportation options available and choose the one that suits your predetermined budget, preferences, and needs best. To help you decide on how to travel from Cancun to Bacalar, we've shared the best travel options below:
From Cancun to Bacalar by bus
A few bus companies offer daily trips from Cancun to Bacalar. The most popular include ADO, Autobuses Unidos, Transportadora Tur├нstica del Caribe, Turismo y Excursiones Alianza Bacalar, and Agencia de Viajes Chule. These bus lines are a mix of private and public companies.
Typically, a bus ticket between these two places costs about $8 to $55, depending on the bus line and when you travel. It's also worth noting that most of these buses offer daily trips, with only ADO offering trips between Cancun and Bacalar once hourly.
Additionally, amenities vary, and you may encounter stopovers and transfers. The average trip takes five hours and 40 minutes.
### From Cancun to Bacalar by flight
You can get from Cancun to Bacalar by flight, but the flight won't take you all the way. If you fly, you must take the bus or a taxi to the Cancun Airport and then fly from it to Chetumal Airport. Once you've arrived at this airport, you must take a taxi to the Chetumal bus station and then a bus to Bacalar.
Not only is this time-consuming, with an average trip taking about seven and a half hours, but the costs can be astronomical, upwards of $900. It's just not worth it, especially if you're on a budget, since there are cheaper and faster ways to travel.
### From Cancun to Bacalar by shuttle
Another popular option for travelers is to take a shuttle bus from Cancun to Bacalar. A few companies offer shuttles, but one of the most popular is Holbox Shuttle. Usually, a shuttle trip takes about five hours, but the downside is that it can be expensive, and you will likely encounter numerous stops when the shuttle picks up passengers along the way. The typical trip costs about $350.
### From Cancun to Bacalar by private car service
Driving from Cancun to Bacalar is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel between the two places in Mexico. If you're looking for a door-to-door service with reputable drivers, luxury, well-maintained cars, and friendly service, look no further than Daytrip.
As one of the area's premier car service trip providers, Daytrip has a reputation for excellence. This private car service offers trips according to your travel schedule. Not only is your luggage taken care of, but you can also stop and sightsee along the way if you want to, and you can speak with your driver to get tips and insights about the areas.
Daytrip is also cheaper than flying or taking a shuttle with prices starting at $71. So what are you waiting for? Book with us today.
Things to do when you get to Bacalar
What can you do in this beautiful town when you get to Bacalar? The answer: so much! Below, we've detailed a few of the best attractions you need to check out after you've driven from Cancun to Bacalar with Daytrip:
Cenote Azul
Those wanting to check out one of Mexico's largest Cenotes should visit Cenote Azul in Bacalar. This cenote is magnificent and filled with endless dark blue water. As one of the biggest cenotes, it's perfect for swimming even if you're not the only one who has made their way to this dreamy location.
It's also the perfect spot for snorkeling, with plenty of fish to see and snap pictures of with your underwater camera. And if you're feeling really adventurous, you can book a scuba dive at Cenote Azul and explore its many underwater caverns that are shockingly 295 feet (90 meters) deep!
### Bird Island
Nature lovers will definitely want to add Bird Island in Bacalar to their travel list. The town's bird island serves as a migration sanctuary for several species of exotic birds. So don't be surprised to glimpse everything from owls and hawks to parrots and larks when you visit this protected area.
### Los Rapidos
You cannot visit Bacalar without swimming in Los Rapidos. Los Rapidos is a lagoon beach club situated on a narrow section of this beautiful lagoon of the same name. Swimming through this lagoon is relaxing and picturesque. You'll catch glimpses of the wildlife and get to view the stromatolites and mangroves that line the bank of the lagoon.
In addition, the lagoon's gentle current allows it to act as a lazy river if you want to lie back and let it carry you downstream. There is also a built-in walkway along the lagoon's shores, so you can easily return to the top for another float downstream.
When is the best time to visit Bacalar?
If you want to get the most out of your experience, visiting Bacalar during the dry season is best, especially if you're traveling from Cancun to Bacalar. The dry season in this region in Mexico is typically from November to April, and these months are the best time to swim in lagoons, wander through town, and check out a few markets and restaurants to try out local cuisine.
However, if you're not a fan of crowds and don't plan on swimming too much, you can visit during the winterтАФthe rainy season. Since Bacalar is a tropical location, visiting in the winter isn't too cold, and there is no chance of snow, so there is no need to waste space in your suitcase packing winter gear!
