Do you want to visit the beautiful and colorful town of Bacalar and the famous “Seven Color Lake”? It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful natural attractions on the Yucatan Peninsula, with crystal-clear turquoise waters of the underwater cenotes.
Getting to Bacalar from most parts of the Yucatan Peninsula is quite convenient. The town has an ADO bus station, with several buses running daily.
You can also travel to Bacalar from Belize by car, bus, or even ferry (passing through the border town of Chetumal).
Where is Bacalar located?
Bacalar is located in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is situated near the border with Belize, making it one of the southernmost points on Mexico’s east coast. The town of Bacalar is situated along the southwestern shore of Bacalar Lagoon, a vast lake in the region.
When flying to Bacalar, Mexico, the nearest airport is Chetumal International Airport, which is approximately a 40-minute drive from Bacalar. This airport primarily offers a direct flight route between Mexico City and Chetumal.
The nearest major international airports are located in Cancun (4 hours away) and Merida (4.5 hours away). Both airports offer direct flight connections to various national and international destinations.
If you arrive at Chetumal Airport, you can arrange a private transfer to Bacalar, starting at $51.89 USD (click here to check the latest prices). Alternatively, you can go to the Chetumal ADO bus station and take a bus to Bacalar. The bus journey takes approximately 40 minutes, and there are frequent departures throughout the day.
How to Travel from Cancun to Bacalar
Driving
The journey from Cancun to Bacalar by car is straightforward. Leave the city and take Highway 307 south, following it all the way to Bacalar. The trip typically takes around 4 hours, but can extend to about 6 hours during heavy traffic.
It’s a relatively simple route, but using a GPS navigation system is recommended to avoid getting lost. The road is mostly a straight path with limited scenic views, but there are some great places to stop along the way if you want to turn it into a road trip.
You can make the journey more enjoyable by taking breaks along the Riviera Maya. Tulum, a popular town known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and Mayan ruins, is almost halfway between Cancun and Bacalar.
Bus Travel from Cancun to Bacalar
To reach Bacalar from Cancun, you can opt for an ADO bus departing from Cancun Bus Station. The bus ride from Cancun to Bacalar takes approximately 6 hours, with departures almost every hour throughout the day, starting from 6 am and running until around midnight.
Ticket prices are around $500-600 MXN. Purchasing tickets in advance online or through the ADO app often offers discounted rates. Visit ADO.com.mx to check the bus schedules for your travel date.
ADO buses in Mexico are known for their excellent service. They provide comfort, safety, and easy booking options. The buses are air-conditioned and equipped with onboard toilets, making bus travel across the Yucatan Peninsula a convenient choice.
How to Get from Cancun Airport to Bacalar
There are no direct buses from Cancun Airport to Bacalar. However, you can easily take a bus from the airport to the central bus station in Cancun city and then catch a bus from there to Bacalar.
Buses from Cancun Airport to Cancun city center are very frequent, with at least two departures per hour. The journey from Terminal 3 (T3) takes about 1 hour, while from Terminal 2 (T2), it takes approximately 45 minutes, with a cost of 110 Mexican Pesos. Buses run from around 8 am to midnight.
Shortly after leaving the baggage claim area, you can purchase your bus ticket at the ADO counter inside the terminal.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi to the central bus station, but this is significantly more expensive. Booking a private transfer service in advance can be useful, especially if you arrive late at night.
How to Get from Riviera Maya (Carmen Beach and Tulum) to Bacalar
Buses from Cancun to Bacalar also make stops along the way in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. So, if you’re traveling from the Riviera Maya to Bacalar, head to one of these two ADO bus stations.
Playa del Carmen to Bacalar
The ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Bacalar takes about 4 hours and typically costs around 400-500 Mexican pesos. There are multiple departures throughout the day, starting from around 7:40 in the morning, with approximately hourly departures until around 7:30 in the evening. Please note that the buses depart from Playa del Carmen Alterna Station (not Turistica Station).
If you’re driving, it takes approximately 3-4 hours to travel along Highway 307, depending on traffic conditions.
Tulum to Bacalar
The ADO bus from Tulum to Bacalar takes approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes, with ticket prices usually around 370 Mexican pesos. There are multiple daily departures, roughly every hour, until around 9:00 in the evening.
If you choose to drive, it typically takes about 2.5 hours to travel along Highway 307, depending on road conditions.
Alternatively, you can book private transfer services between Bacalar and Tulum. These services can be more expensive but some may include a 2-hour stop at the stunning Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
How to Get from Merida to Bacalar
You can also take an ADO bus from Merida to Bacalar. The bus journey takes approximately 5 hours, with a ticket price of around 630 Mexican pesos. Purchasing tickets in advance may offer discounts.
Most buses depart from the Mérida Centro Histórico ADO bus station. At the time of writing, there are 5 departures daily, with the first one leaving at 7:30 AM and the last one at 6:00 PM.
If driving, the journey from Mérida to Bacalar typically takes 4 to 5 hours. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive from Mérida International Airport takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes. The driving route is quite straightforward, taking Highway 184 to Polyuc and then Highway 293 to connect with Highway 307, which goes directly through the lakeside town.
If you wish to break up the journey, you can drive through Valladolid and/or Chichen Itza. This route has a total driving time of 6-7 hours, depending on road conditions, making it a longer option. However, it provides the opportunity to overnight (or longer) in the beautiful town of Valladolid and explore the famous Maya pyramids near Chichen Itza, which is worth considering.
How to Get from Palenque to Bacalar
Palenque, in the state of Chiapas, is a bit farther from Bacalar than some of the other destinations mentioned in this article. The bus journey takes about 9 hours, and typically, there are only one or two buses per day.
For some reason, the only available options are overnight buses arriving in Bacalar at either 2:40 AM or 4:00 AM. These buses are operated by AV, a sister company of ADO, and are generally not as comfortable as ADO buses. They are still quite adequate but can be quite cold due to strong air conditioning, so I recommend wearing long pants and a sweater during the journey.
Driving from Palenque to Bacalar takes approximately 6 hours. However, driving safety in Chiapas is considered to be lower than in Yucatan or Quintana Roo states. Road blockades are quite common in Chiapas, especially between Palenque and San Cristobal. Generally, these issues only affect the road between Palenque and San Cristobal, but it’s advisable to seek advice from locals before planning a drive from Palenque to Bacalar and vice versa.
How to Get from Belize to Bacalar
For those traveling overland from Belize, Bacalar Lagoon is often the first stop in Mexico. The border crossing is located near Chetumal, making this lakeside town a logical (and beautiful) first destination.
By Bus
You can take a bus from Belize City to Chetumal, and then transfer to a bus to Bacalar.
There used to be an ADO bus from Belize City to Chetumal, taking approximately 4 hours (including border crossing), with a cost of around 500 Mexican pesos. However, this service was temporarily suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it is currently unclear when it will resume.
For some reason, this bus route apparently was never displayed on the ADO website, so unfortunately, you may have to go to the terminal to inquire if it is running. If not, there are several local bus companies that can take you to Chetumal. They may not be as comfortable as ADO buses but could be more cost-effective.
If you are coming from northern Belize, there are buses from Corozal to Chetumal as well. These journeys take approximately 45 minutes, primarily due to the lengthy immigration process.
Ferry
You can also take a ferry or “water taxi” from Caye Caulker or San Pedro to Chetumal. Similarly, from Chetumal, you can take a taxi or bus to Bacalar.
The journey from Caye Caulker to Chetumal takes 3 hours and 15 minutes and costs 1,400 Mexican pesos per person. From San Pedro to Chetumal, it takes an hour and a half and costs 1,300 Mexican pesos. Check the schedule and fares for San Pedro water taxis.
Driving
The drive from Belize City to Bacalar typically takes about 3 hours. You can stop at the Alkun Ha Mayan ruins along the way to break up the journey.
If you plan to drive from Belize to Bacalar (and other parts of Mexico), please check with your car rental company if they allow you to take the vehicle across borders. Otherwise, your insurance may become void.
