Best Ways: How to Get from Tulum to Bacalar
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Tulum to Bacalar, Mexico? Bacalar is one of the best places in Quintana Roo, so don’t miss it on your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary. Bacalar is known as the “Mexican Maldives” for its stunningly beautiful Lagoon of Seven Colors. You can easily take a day trip to Bacalar, but for the best experience, we recommend spending 2-3 days there.
Getting to Bacalar may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Bacalar by bus, taxi, train, rental car, or private transfer.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Tulum to Bacalar, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.
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Tulum to Bacalar Distance
The distance between Bacalar and Tulum is about 215 km, which is 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or train ticket will cost.
Read our → Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
Tulum to Bacalar by Car
The best way to get to Bacalar is by car. Once you arrive in Tulum, you can easily rent a car at the airport/town center or pick up your pre-booked car.
Car rental will cost around 30-40 USD daily for a standard car with full coverage. Book your car in advance to get the best price!
Driving time is usually 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic. There are few petrol stations along the way, so make sure you set off with a full tank!
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving in the Yucatan Peninsula.
How to Get from Tulum to Bacalar by Taxi, Private Transfer
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to get to Bacalar is by taxi. The journey takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.
A taxi cost from Tulum to Bacalar starts from 200 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable.
Before you get in the taxi, be sure to agree on a price with the driver. The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to Bacalar (any hotel) starting from 430 USD, and 6 pax are allowed.
Tulum to Bacalar Day Trip
A day trip to Bacalar is a great way to see the Maldives of Mexico, so even if you can only take a short visit, it’s still worth it. Enjoy the beautiful boat trip to different cenotes, the Pirates Channel, and the Lagoon of Seven Colors. After that, explore Bacalar town and see the panoramic view of San Felipe Fort.
The tour price includes roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, lunch, bottled water, and a fantastic boat tour.
Book your Bacalar full-day tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Tulum to Bacalar by ADO Bus
There are no colectivos between Tulum and Bacalar. So the cheapest way to get to Bacalar is by ADO bus, which allows one 21 kg luggage + one handbag/small backpack per passenger.
ADO is the largest and most popular bus company in Mexico. The Mexican ADO buses are safe, air-conditioned, comfortable, and cheap.
There is no bus stop in the Tulum Hotel Zone. The buses depart from the bus station in the town center of Tulum, which you can reach by taxi for around 10-15 USD or Colectivo (shared minivan).
Buses run several times a day from Terminal Autobuses Tulum ADO to Terminal De Autobuses Bacalar. We recommend you arrive at the bus station at least 30 minutes before departure.
The travel time is approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic, and the cheapest bus tickets start from 358 MXN (18 USD).
The Bacalar ADO bus station is located on the town’s main road. You can walk to most accommodation within 15-20 minutes, or take a taxi.
Recommended post → Best Things to Do in Bacalar
Tulum to Bacalar by Shuttle Minivan
One of the best and most popular ways to get to Bacalar is by air-conditioned minivan.
A shuttle minivan to Bacalar starts from 182 USD, and 3 pax are allowed. The journey time takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.
Tulum Airport to Bacalar by Train
The fastest way to get to Bacalar is by train. Travel time is just 2.5 hours. The tourist class train ticket costs 633 MXN (31 USD) for foreigners and 316.50 MXN (15.60 USD) for local tourists.
There is only one daily train from the airport to Bacalar at 11:06 AM, so we recommend booking your ticket in advance. You can buy tickets for the Maya Train on this official site.
Where to Stay in Bacalar
Bacalar has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Bacalar, Mexico
- Luxury: Hotel Amainah Bacalar – Adults Only
- Mid-Range: Hotel Aldea 19 Bacalar or Hotel Makaabá Eco-Boutique
- Budget: Xibalba in town hostel
We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Bacalar.
More Travel Guides about Mexico
- Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
- 10 Best Things to Do in the Yucatan Peninsula
- Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza
- Best Tulum Instagram Spots
- 7 Best Things to Do in Bacalar
- Los Rapidos & Laguna Bonanza
We hope our post on how to get from Tulum to Bacalar will help you plan your next trip to Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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