How to get fromCancun to Bacalar

What to expect when visiting Bacalar

Bacalar is one of Mexico’s hidden gems. Despite its growing popularity, it has somehow managed to escape the influx of tourists in the Quintana Roo. What’s so special about it? Bacalar Lagoon! Also called the Lagoon of Seven Colours, its crystal clear waters glow in varying hues of turquoise.

This laidback town is the perfect place to take a step back from busy destinations in the Yucatan Peninsula like Playa del Carmen and Tulum. With its eco-friendly hotels, an unlimited number of hammocks, pristine cenotes and amazing views everywhere you look, you will fall in love with Bacalar.

3 ways to get from Cancun to Bacalar

The 3 ways to travel the distance of 345 kilometers (214 miles) from Cancun to Bacalar are by: bus (5 hours 55 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes), private transfer (4 hours) and flight (2 hours 5 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 hours 5 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from €33 for the bus.

Taking the bus is an easy and cheap way to get from Cancun to Bacalar. The bus stations of the two cities are both centrally located. You can easily walk from and to your hotel or take a short taxi ride. Total travel time takes around 5 hours 55 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes.

Buses depart from ADO Bus terminal along Calle Pino in downtown Cancun. If your hotel is in this area, it might only be a short walk away.

If you’re staying in the Hotel Zone, you can reach the bus station via a 15-minute taxi that costs around 210 MXN (€9.80).

You can also save some money by using the local bus when coming from Cancun’s hotel zone. Lines R-1, R-3 and R-38 make a stop at Avenida Tulum, right in front of the bus terminal. A bus ticket costs 60 MXN (€2.80) and the trip takes around 5 – 25 minutes.

Buses from Cancun to Bacalar are available throughout the day, with departures almost every hour from 06:10 in the morning to past midnight.

ADO and AU operate on this route. You can expect a bus with air conditioning, reclining seats, and a toilet. Do prepare a jacket as the ride can get chilly!

Many hotels are within walking distance of the bus station. If your hotel is closer to the beaches of Laguna de Bacalar, we recommend taking a taxi.

Taxis in Bacalar are not metered so make sure to agree on a price before getting in. Rates to Laguna Bacalar Beach and anywhere within the city limits start from 60 MXN (€2.80).

Taking a flight is a quick way to get from Cancun to Bacalar. It is worth noting that you can only take a flight up to Chetumal, which is still 40 km away from the beautiful lagoon.

The total travel time takes a little over 2 hours 5 minutes.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Cancun Airport is located about 18 km south of Cancun city centre. You can get there in three ways: via taxi, a shared minivan, or the ADO buses departing from Cancun’s Central Bus Station. All options can drop you off at any of the airport’s two terminals.

The bus is the cheapest option from downtown Cancun to Cancun Airport at 135 MXN (€6.40). Tickets are available for online booking on BookAway, but you can also buy them onsite at the bus station.

If you’re coming from the Hotel Zone, it might be more convenient to take a shared minivan for 120 MXN (€5.60) or a private transfer for 310 MXN (€14.50). Both can be conveniently booked beforehand through BookAway.

See our Cancun Airport page for a more detailed guide.

Mayair is the only airline offering direct flights from Cancun to Chetumal. Flight time is around 55 minutes and ticket prices start from 2,450 MXN (€115) per person.

For the latest schedules, we recommend checking the Mayair website.

From Chetumal Airport, you will then have to travel about 40 km northwest to Bacalar. The best way to complete the last leg of this journey is by taxi.

There are plenty of taxis waiting at Chetumal Airport so pre-booking is not really necessary. It’s good to know the average rate though to avoid being overcharged. A taxi ride from Chetumal Airport to Bacalar costs should cost you around 400 MXN (€18.70).

A cheaper option would be to take the bus, which only costs 80 MXN (€3.70). Unfortunately, there are no direct buses for this route. You’ll still have to take a short taxi ride to the ADO Bus Terminal in Chetumal city centre, from where the buses bound for Laguna Bacalar are parked.

Heading back to Cancun after? Check out the full details of our guide from Bacalar to Cancun.

If you prefer your own ride and have the budget for it, it might be more convenient to get a private transfer from Cancun to Bacalar. Rates start from €645 for a 3-seater private transfer.

We honestly think that taking a private shuttle is quite expensive as there is already an efficient bus service connection between Cancun and Bacalar.

However, it’s a great alternative if you’re coming from Cancun International Airport and are heading straight to Bacalar with all your luggage. Travel time by private transfer is also about 2 hours faster than taking the bus.

Private Transfer options from Cancun to Bacalar