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2023
7
December
Is it best to head directly to Bacalar or stay near Cancun for a night before continuing the journey?

Question:

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Facebook

Planning a 12 day trip to the Yucatan in late November. We would like to visit Bacalar, Valladolid and a small beach town to end off our trip. (Still deciding which one).
We land in Cancun around 5 pm and wonder if it makes sense to go directly to Bacalar or stay somewhere close for 1 night and head out the next day. We’re not interested in Cancun but may have to suck it up for 1 night!
If anyone can weigh in, I’d appreciate your advice re the following:
1. Best way to get to Bacalar from Cancun
2. Given our itinerary, should we rent a car?
3. If we stayed in Cancun just one night, any recommendations. And if we rent a car we’d have a bit of flexibility…
4. Any beach small town recommendations? Not Tulum or Playa del Carmen as we’ve been to both when they were actually small beach towns and I don’t think they’re our vibe anymore.
We love good food, spending the day at the beach, markets. Not into clubs, parties and loud places.
Thanks for any suggestions!

Humans say...

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Crystal

I would recommend checking out Holbox.

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Sharmani

Crystal Toigo-Avila Friends have been and they loved it so On my list.

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Marce

Sharmani yeah! it is 2 hours from Cancun. I would go if I were in my 20's or 30's. Not a convenient island for adults.

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Sharmani

Marcela Vela we decided against it because reviews suggested it was a bit of a party place…

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Vickie

Since you are arriving late and will be dark, I would suggest staying close to Cancun and only head out to Bacalar the following morning. https://travelmexicosolo.com/cancun-to-bacalar-mexico/
TRAVELMEXICOSOLO.COM
Cancun to Bacalar Mexico: How to Get to Bacalar Lake (2023)

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Vickie

Best beach town close to Cancun - Isla Mujeres

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Sharmani

Vickie I did wonder about that so we booked a hotel for one night in puerto Morelos. We’re going to rent a car and drive there in the morning. Thanks for weighing in!

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Marce

Sharmani if you stay in cancun one day. Try Isla mujeres day trip. It is 30 min from cancun.

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Gary

You can take ado bus from Cancun to bacalar then to valladolid. Very good bud service

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Sharmani

Gary Good to know thanks!

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Madeline

I would go Valledolid first which you can teach in 2 hrs from Cancun, and plan on 3-4 days to explore all the cenotes and ruins, then Bacalar, stopping at Coba on the way. Then go to Puerto Morelos for gorgeous beach and reef

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Sharmani

Madeline Thanks for the suggestions!

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Karen

Hacienda Adhara was great for our family for an overnight in Cancun and buffet breakfast is included. It’s also very close to the ADO bus terminal. The bus anywhere is seamless! For us, it was hard to find a quiet beach town between Cancun and Tulum…not sure about further south.

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Karen

Also, car rental Rentadora Isis was scam-free and well priced.

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Sharmani

Karen this is helpful. Thanks!

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Marce

I recommemd Mahahual , it is close to Bacalar

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Sharmani

Marcela Vela good to know. We decided to rent a car and stay in Bacalar before exploring further. Will check out mahahual if we have tome


A.I. says...

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Planning a 12-Day Trip to the Yucatan in Late November

We are planning a 12-day trip to the Yucatan in late November. We would like to visit Bacalar, Valladolid, and a small beach town to end our trip. (Still deciding which one.)
We land in Cancun around 5 pm and wonder if it makes sense to go directly to Bacalar or stay somewhere close for 1 night and head out the next day. We're not interested in Cancun, but we may have to suck it up for 1 night!

If anyone can weigh in, I'd appreciate your advice regarding the following:

1. Best way to get to Bacalar from Cancun

Bacalar is about 4 hours from Cancun. There are a few ways to get there:

  • By bus: ADO buses run from Cancun to Bacalar several times a day. The trip takes about 4 hours and costs around $25.
  • By private transfer: This is the most expensive option, but it's also the most comfortable and convenient. A private transfer will cost around $100-$150.
  • By rental car: Renting a car is a great option if you want to be flexible and explore the Yucatan at your own pace. Rental cars start at around $30 per day.

2. Given our itinerary, should we rent a car?

I recommend renting a car if you want to be flexible and explore the Yucatan at your own pace. A car will allow you to visit the cenotes, small towns, and beaches that are off the beaten path.
If you're on a budget, you can get by without a car. However, you'll need to rely on public transportation or taxis, which can be time-consuming and expensive.

3. If we stayed in Cancun just one night, any recommendations?

If you're staying in Cancun for just one night, I recommend staying in the Hotel Zone. This is where most of the restaurants, bars, and shops are located.
Here are a few recommended hotels in the Hotel Zone:

  • Hyatt Ziva Cancun
  • Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun
  • The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun

4. Any beach small town recommendations? Not Tulum or Playa del Carmen as we've been to both when they were actually small beach towns and I don't think they're our vibe anymore.

Here are a few small beach towns that I recommend:

  • Mahahual: This is a small fishing village located on the Costa Maya. It's a great place to relax and enjoy the beach.
  • El Cuyo: This is a small town located on the Gulf of Mexico. It's known for its beautiful beaches and kitesurfing.
  • Celestun: This is a small town located on the Gulf of Mexico. It's known for its beautiful beaches and flamingos.

Conclusion

I hope this information helps you plan your trip to the Yucatan. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.



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