Note that there is no Uber in Cancún, or anywhere in Quintana Roo, so that’s not an option.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you click through and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you)

How far is Tulum from Cancún?

Tulum is located 131km (around 81 miles) from Cancún. The drive between Cancún and Tulum takes around two hours, depending on traffic.

How to get to Tulum from Cancún airport

Taking an ADO bus

The most budget friendly option to get to Tulum from Cancún airport is taking an ADO bus. The ADO buses aren’t only affordable, they are also convenient, save and reliable. The buses are modern and have A/C as well as USB outlets and usually free wifi. This is my preferred mode of transport when going anywhere in Mexico, including when going to Cancún airport.

The ADO buses go directly to Tulum from terminals 2, 3 and 4. You can see the schedule and purchase tickets here. The price is $340 pesos ($17 USD) for a one way ticket. You can also buy your ticket directly at Cancún airport, but it’s a popular route and occasionally gets sold out. In case these times don’t work for you, another option is to take an ADO bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen, which leave twice an hour. From Playa del Carmen you can then take another bus to Tulum.

A quick tip: If you’re visiting Tulum and are on a budget, this is my favourite hostel in Tulum! It’s very social, has daily activities and free bikes available to guests. Plus it’s very close to the ADO station in Tulum!

Renting a car

Having a car isn’t necessary when visiting Tulum, but of course it gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. If you are planning to rent a car during your Mexico trip then you can pick it up right at the airport.

Taking a taxi

When taking a taxi from Cancún airport, you’ll need to purchase your ticket before exiting the airport. After clearing customs you will see a taxi booth where you buy your ticket, you will then head out and wait for the taxi driver to come get you. I honestly wouldn’t recommend taking a taxi unless you’re arriving late at night when the ADO buses have stopped running. Taxis at Cancún airport are really overpriced and will try to rip you off. If you’re arriving late, I’d look into private transport or a shared shuttle instead of getting a taxi.

Private transfer

For those that want the luxury of having a driver waiting for them at the airport and driving them directly to their accommodation, private transfer is the way to go. Getting a private transfer doesn’t really make sense unless you’re traveling with a few other people as it’s quite expensive. But if you are traveling with a few people, private transfer might come to about the same price per person as the ADO bus, so it’s worth checking.

Book your private transport from Cancún Airport here

How to get to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen

If you are already in Cancún or Playa del Carmen and are looking to get to Tulum, you have a few transportation options. A colectivo is the cheapest option but a bit more hassle than the ADO buses. If you aren’t on a tight budget, I’d recommend taking the ADO bus.

Taking an ADO bus

The ADO buses are a safe, affordable and reliable way to move around Mexico. Taking an ADO bus to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen is what I’d recommend to those traveling on a budget. Tickets cost $218 pesos ($11 USD) from Cancún and $108 pesos (5 USD) from Playa del Carmen. You can buy tickets directly at the bus station, but I’d recommend purchasing them in advance either through the ADO website or through their app.

The ADO bus station in Cancún is located here. There are two ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen turística and Playa del Carmen alterna. There is no difference between the two stations, just pick whichever is in a more convenient location for you.

Taking a colectivo

Colectivos are shared mini vans, they are less spacious and not as comfortable as the ADO buses, but are cheaper. If you have a lot of luggage I wouldn’t recommend this option as they might not have space for it.

Taking a colectivo from Cancún to Tulum will require a stop in Playa del Carmen, where you’ll get off and take another colectivo from there to Tulum. The journey will cost around $100 pesos ($5USD) and can only be paid in cash. Try to have the exact amount as they don’t carry a lot of change. The colectivos depart from next the ADO bus station in Cancún, on Avenida Tulum. The colectivo stops close the ADO station in Tulum.

To take a colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, you’ll have to make your way to under Highway 307, here, to be exact. You will see white mini buses and it’s likely you’ll hear someone yelling “Tulum, Tulum“. This is where you’ll get on the colectivo. The trip will cost around $45 pesos ($2.25 USD). Try to have the exact amount as they don’t carry a lot of change.

Renting a car

You can get from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen to Tulum by renting a car. The drive will take around 1.5 hours from Cancún and around an hour from Playa del Carmen. I’d recommend using rentalcars.com to compare prices between all major car rentals to make sure you get the best deal!

Taking a taxi

One way to get to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen is to take a taxi. You can expect to pay anything from $75 to $12USD for a taxi from Cancún to Tulum, and around $35USD from Playa del Carmen. However, note that taxi drivers around Quintana Roo are known to do their very best to rip off tourists, so it’s entirely possible you will be quoted a higher price. Always make sure to negotiate the fare before getting into the taxi, or else they’ll charge you whatever they want when you arrive!

I hope you found this post helpful. If you want to get notified when I publish new blog posts, just click the red bell in the bottom right corner or follow me on Instagram where I usually announce new posts :))

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, you might also want to check out:

• How much you can expect to spend per day in Mexico
• Five must visit places in Mexico
• Four day Tulum itinerary
• Visiting Izamal: The yellow city in Mexico
• Where to eat in Bacalar
• Your guide to visiting Isla Mujeres
• 10 Things to do in Mexico City
• San Cristóbal de las Casas Travel Guide
• Best cafés to work from in Cancún
• How to get from San Cristóbal to Guatemala

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you click through and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you)

Is San Cristóbal worth visiting

San Cristóbal is absolutely worth visiting! It’s not only the perfect base to explore all that Chiapas has to offer, the city is also an incredible destination on its own. The fact that it’s largely inhabited by indigenous people makes it unique and unlike anywhere else in Mexico. What’s more, it’s full of trendy coffee shops as well as restaurants. Furthermore, Chiapas is one of the most affordable regions in Mexico.

Is San Cristóbal save

Like with many places in Mexico, safety seems to be a concern for many, mostly due to negative media coverage of Mexico. Hence why I felt this San Cristóbal de las Casas travel guide wouldn’t be complete without addressing this matter.

San Cristóbal, like most of Mexico, is considered save. The only exception is the unstable situation on the road between Ocosingo and San Cristóbal, which is a known Narco territory where roadblocks and robberies are known to occur. However, you do not need to pass this route to get to San Cristóbal, so there’s no need to worry. I just want to mention it so that you know to avoid it! Even though San Cristóbal is safe, you should still take normal precautions, just like you would anywhere else. Avoid flashing your valuables, wearing expensive jewellery and walking around late at night.

For more practical tips to stay safe, I recommend that you read these 14 tips for staying safe while traveling!

When is the best time to visit San Cristóbal

The best time to visit San Cristóbal de las Casas is during the dry season, from November to May. In this period you get warm temperatures and little rain. Note that due to the high altitude, it can get pretty cold, or I might even say very cold, when the sun goes down. So regardless of which time of year you visit, make sure to pack something warm to wear in the evenings!

During my visit which was in February, the day time temperatures were pleasant, around 22°C (72°F). At night it cooled down significantly to around 12°C (54°F), but due to the humidity it felt much colder. Luckily, our apartment had some ponchos that we could use in the evenings.

Where to stay in San Cristóbal

I would recommend staying in or close to the historic centre (Zona Centro). It’s the most convenient way to explore the city as way you will be close to all major attractions. You’ll also have the best coffees and restaurants within walking distance. Here are some of the best accommodation options for every budget:

Best hostel in San Cristóbal de las Casas: Kotantik

Best budget hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas: Casa Azabache

Best mid-range hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas: La Estancia

Best luxury hotel in San Cristóbal de las Casas: Collection O Casa de Familia

Here you can see reviews and compare prices of accommodations in San Cristóbal

How to get to San Cristóbal de las Casas

If you are traveling to San Cristóbal from within Mexico or Guatemala, it’s possible to get there by bus. It’s likely to be a very long ride though, depending on where you’re coming from. Check bus routes, schedules and prices here.

Alternatively, the closest airport to San Cristóbal de las Casas is Tuxtla Gutiérres (TGZ), which is located roughly 80km (50 miles) away. To get to San Cristóbal from the airport you can take a taxi, a public bus, a private shuttle or you can rent a car.

Taking an OCC/ADO bus

Those traveling on a budget will probably prefer to take an OCC bus (from the ADO company) from the airport. This is a convenient and affordable way to get from Tuxtla airport to San Cristobal, it’s a direct bus and the journey takes around 1,5 hours. Tickets are $250 MXN pesos and can be purchased at the ADO counter in the airport, or online. When booking online just make sure to put in Aeropuerto Ángel Albino instead of Tuxtla airport, as the system doesn’t recognize it.

Taking a taxi

Taking a taxi is the most convenient way to get from Tuxtla airport to San Cristóbal. Taxi will cost around $800 MXN pesos, which can be split between whoever you are traveling with, or even a stranger. It might seem strange to some to share a taxi with a stranger, but it’s a common practice among locals. If you are a solo female traveler, I’d recommend you to approach a fellow female traveler and if she wants to share a taxi. I have actually made a few friends this way during my travels!

An important thing to keep in mind when taking a taxi from Tuxtla airport to San Cristóbal is to make sure to take an official taxi! After you pass baggage claim and make your way toward the exit, you will see taxi counters on your right just before exiting the airport. Head to the counters, where you will book and pay for the taxi. You will then be handed a ticket that you will give to the taxi driver.

Renting a car

If you are planning to do a road trip in Chiapas, I would recommend that you rent a car directly at the airport. This will be significantly cheaper than renting one once your in San Cristóbal, plus it saves you the hassle of figuring out how to get to San Cristóbal from the airport. You should also keep in mind that it’s difficult to rent an automatic car in San Cristóbal, which is important to know for those that don’t know how to drive a manual. Use rentalcar.com to compare prices to make sure you get the best deal!

Although roads in the state of Chiapas aren’t in the greatest condition, driving is considered safe. Just make sure to avoid the road between Ocosingo and San Cristóbal, which is a known Narco territory where roadblocks and robberies are known to occur.

How to get around in San Cristóbal de las Casas

As long as you are staying in or close to the historical centre, San Cristóbal is very walkable and all major tourist attractions can be reached by foot. Taxis are easy to locate and very affordable, should you need them. We paid $80 pesos ($4 USD) for a 10 minute ride from the bus station to our apartment, just to give you an idea of the price you can expect. Make sure to always negotiate the fare upfront and have cash for the fare, as taxis in San Cristóbal generally do not take cards!

Although San Cristóbal is walkable, it is not built for dragging around luggage, especially if it’s heavy. Sidewalks are very narrow and usually made of cobblestone and/or have holes in them. So believe me when I tell you that if you are carrying a suitcase on wheels, you will want to take a taxi if you need to move your luggage from A to B. When we arrived in San Cristóbal, we had planned to walk to our apartment which was about 15 minutes away. We gave up on that after just about 2 minutes, sat down at a local restaurant where we had tacos and margaritas, and then asked the waiter to call us a taxi This might just be the most important thing you take from the San Cristóbal de las Casas travel guide :)))

There is no Uber or Grab in San Cristóbal.

Things to do in San Cristóbal de las Casas

There are a ton of things to do in and around San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Join the free walking tour

The free walking tour is a great way to begin your trip in San Cristóbal. Discover the history of the city, learn about the culture, traditions and customs and get to know the city from a local perspective. The tour is interactive, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments.

The tour starts here, in the heart of the city, at Plaza de la Paz. The tours take place every day at 10am and 5pm. They are in English and last about two hours.

Explore the many Artisan Markets

San Cristóbal de las Casas is home to a range of interesting markets that are worth browsing through.

Mercado de Artesanias de Santo Domingo, is a market full of colourful indigenous crafts, such as textiles, jewelry, baskets and weavings. It’s located next to Templo de Santo Domingo and is open every day from 9am to 8pm.

Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias Ámbar is an indoor market where you’ll find sweats, baked treats as well as clothes and handmade items. It’s open every day from 8am to 9.30pm.

Mercado José Castillo Tielemans is the most traditional market in San Cristóbal, over 50 years old. It’s a lively market where can buy local products, handicrafts, all sorts of foods, including baked goods. It’s open every day from 7am to 8pm.

Visit a museum

As the cultural capital of the state of Chiapas, San Cristóbal is home to a number of interesting museums. They focus mostly on textile and the ancient Mayan culture & traditions. Here are some of the most popular ones.

Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya (Maya World Textile Center)

Inside the Ex-Convento de Santo Domingo, you will find the Maya World Textile Center. A museum that focuses on Mayan textiles and embroidery techniques, displaying over 500 examples of handwoven textiles from throughout Mexico and Central America. The museum features permanent exhibition rooms where you’ll see videos explaining the production process of clothes and textiles.

Note that Maya World Textile Center is closed on Mondays.

Entrance fee: $65 pesos ($3.25 USD)

Museo Mesoamericano del Jade (Jade Museum)

One of the things that Chiapas is famous for is its jade, a precious stone used by ancient Mayas. The museum showcases replicas of Mayan jade jewelry and other jade objects found in Mexican archeological sites.

Entrance fee: $35 pesos ($1.75 USD)

Museum Casa Na Bolom

Casa Na Bolom, which means House of the Jaguar, is an historical building that is now a museum dedicated to the protection of Chiapas’ indigenous culture as well as the environment. It was once the home of Danish archaeologist Frans Blom, and his wife Gertrude Duby Blom, a Swiss photographer. The couple were among the first foreigners to contact the Lacandon indigenous group, which are the only ethnic group to manage to escape the Spanish conquest. Among things you will see in the museum are photos of the Lacandon culture and hand drawn maps of the entire Chiapas rain forests, which used to belong to the Lacandon group. Today Casa Na Bolom operates as a hotel, restaurant, museum and a research center.

Note that Na Bolom is closed on Mondays.

Entrance fee: $60 pesos ($3 USD)

Take a walk down Calle Real de Guadalupe

Wandering the pedestrian street Calle Real de Guadalupe was honestly one of my favourite things to do in San Cristóbal. It’s essentially the main promenade, a lively street where you’ll see street vendors and performers. Real de Guadalupe is lined with trendy coffee shops and restaurants, as well as many arts & crafts stores.

Admire the view from Iglesia de Guadalupe

At one end of Calle Real de Guadalupe you’ll find Iglesia de Guadalupe. You will need to climb a few stairs to get there, which is certainly worth it for the views you get from the top!

Try a cup of Chiapas coffee

This San Cristóbal de las Casas travel guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Chiapas coffee! Mexico is one of the top 10 coffee producers in the world, with the state of Chiapas making up 40% of the Mexico production. There are a number of trendy coffee shops all around San Cristóbal, almost too many! Our favourite one was Ki Múul, which is located on Real de Guadalupe.

Go on a day trip

San Cristóbal de las Casas is a popular base for doing day trips to the many places worth seeing around the state of Chiapas. I can highly recommend visiting Sumidero Canyon, which is just over an hour’s drive away. We did an amazing day trip that included a scenic boat ride through the canyon as well as a stop in the picturesque town Chiapa de Corzo.

Other popular day trips include Palenque, Agua Azul waterfall and Misol-Ha waterfall. Note that these are roughly a 5 hour drive from San Cristóbal, so it will be a very long day.

For those that aren’t up for so much time on the road but want to visit a waterfall, there is a more manageable option. El Chiflon waterfalls are only a 2.5 hour drive from San Cristóbal. The easiest way to visit El Chiflon is on an organized day trip. However, these usually include a stop at Montebello Lagoons, which may or may not interest you. If you’d rather visit on your own, the easiest option is to rent a car. To make sure you get the best deal, use rentalcars.com to compare prices. It’s also possible to take a combination of a bus and a colectivo. Take an ADO or OCC bus from San Cristóbal headed to Comitán de Domínguez (around $96 pesos), and from there take a colectivo to El Chiflon ($30 pesos).

Visit some of the churches of San Cristóbal

With the state of Chiapas being one of the most religious part of Mexico, it might come as no surprise that there are many churches in this area. Some of the ones worth visiting are:

• Cathedral Santo Domingo
• Iglesia de Guadalupe
• Cathedral de San Cristóbal de las Casas
• Iglesia de San Cristóbalito
• Saint Lucias Temple

I hope you found this San Cristóbal de las Casas travel guide helpful and that is answered the questions you had about visiting San Cristóbal. If you’re planning to head over to Guatemala from San Cristóbal, check out this post about how to get from San Cristóbal to Guatemala.

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you might also want to read:

• How much you can expect to spend per day in Mexico
• Four day Tulum itinerary: Things to do in Tulum
• Visiting Izamal: The yellow city in Mexico
• 5 Must visit places in Mexico
• Where to eat in Bacalar
• Your guide to visiting Isla Mujeres
• 10 Things to do in Mexico City
• Best cafés to work from in Cancún
• How to get from San Cristóbal to Guatemala

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Despite the negative media coverage of Mexico, most of the country remains save for visitors. You should still take normal precautions, just like you would anywhere else – avoid flashing your valuables, wearing expensive jewellery and walking around late at night.
For more practical tips to stay safe, I recommend that you read these 14 tips for staying safe while traveling

As opposed to most other countries in Central America, getting around Mexico by public bus is easy and affordable. The buses are modern and tickets can be booked online. You can find all information regarding buses here
Note that even though they use the $ sign, the prices are in Mexican pesos.

While many people visit Mexico to stay in one of the resorts around Cancún – the country has so much more to offer. Here are five must visit places in Mexico!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you click through and make a purchase (at no extra cost to you)

1. Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is a small laid-back island, located just off the north coast of Yucatán Peninsula. When you arrive you will immediately feel the island vibes – locals selling tropical fruits on the streets, the unpaved sandy streets, and all the colourful houses. You will also notice that there are no cars on the island, only golf carts, which really adds to the whole “island vibe”. The town itself is small and as such is easily accessible by foot. Holbox definitely still has this “untouched” local vibe, which can be hard to find with all-inclusive resorts popping up all over Mexico’s Caribbean coast. It’s the perfect place for relaxing and to experience island life.

The miles long white sand beach and the turquoise blue water makes for a perfect place to relax, enjoy a cold drink or two, or even do some snorkeling. The sunsets on Holbox are not to be missed, I recommend watching it from the beach. After the sun goes down is when you can observe the bioluminescence, a magic phenomenon that occurs when waters of the seashore gets illuminated by certain micro-organism that emit their own blue light. You will find plenty of travel agencies around the island offering these types of tours. It’s worth noting that this is dependent on weather conditions and might not occur every day, the months from July to January is when you’ll have the best chance .

Internet connection, both wifi and 3G/4G, on the island is very unstable and definitely not something you can rely on. So it’s not the place to go if you need to finish a project or do anything that requires a stable internet connection. During my four days there, the internet was gone for about 24 hours straight.

How long to stay in Isla Holbox:

I would recommend staying for at least three nights. That will allow you enough time to explore the island, spend time on the beach and do some activities. If you want to spend a few days on the beach, I’d suggest to stay for additional two to three nights.

Where to stay in Isla Holbox:

Despite being a small island, Holbox has lots of options when it comes to accommodation.

If you are looking for a quiet hostel with chilled vibes, yoga classes and good atmosphere, I would recommend this one. It’s located just two blocks from the beach and just a minute or two away from the centre of town.

For those that are looking for more of a party hostel and wanna do some day drinking while hanging out in the pool, this one might be just what you are looking for.

You might also like: How to Choose Hostels

How to get to Isla Holbox:

The best/cheapest way to get there is to catch an ADO bus from wherever you are, to the ferry port in Chiquila, and from there take a ferry to Holbox. The bus ticket costs around 15-20 USD, depending on where you’re traveling from. There are two ferry companies operating between Chiquila and Holbox, they offer the same service for the same price, about 11 USD. The only difference between the two is that one runs on the hour while the other runs on the half hour. The journey time on the ferry is just under 30 minutes. There is no need to buy the ferry tickets in advance, there are ticket offices at the port.

2. Tulum

Tulum is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and is home to white sand beaches, Mayan ruins and a large number of stunning cenotes. Tulum consists of three areas – Tulum town, Tulum beach and the Tulum ruins, that each has its own charm. I loved the fact that you can bike pretty much anywhere, and wherever you go you are surrounded by palm trees. You have lots of cenotes, the beach and the ruins within 30-40 minute bike ride from Tulum town.

Tulum beach, sometimes referred to as the hotel zone, is a long strip of pristine beach just about 20-30 minute bike ride away from Tulum town. Along the beach runs an extremely picturesque street that has a very bohemian vibe to it, lots of palm trees and is home to a number of trendy restaurants. This is also where you will find the famous “follow your dreams” sign, as well as other similar signs. Renting a bike and riding along this road is something I would highly recommend.

Tulum town offers a more local experience than the beach zone. This where you’ll find authentic Mexican restaurants and plenty of taco stands. You can also find some trendy smoothie bowl places, my favourite ones are Matcha Mama and Del Cielo. In Tulum town you will get a lot more for your money than you would in the beach area. Tulum town also makes a great base for visiting the cenotes, many are just a short bike ride away from the town.

The Tulum ruins are located about 4km from Tulum town. While these are certainly not the largest Mayan ruins in Mexico, their location on the edge of a cliff overlooking the white sand beach and turquoise blue water, makes it a pretty spectacular sight. The ruins are accessible by bike and by car – the entrance fee is approximately 4 USD.

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How long to stay in Tulum

To say you need a certain number of days in Tulum is difficult, since there is a lot to see in and around Tulum. It depends on what you really want to do and see – but I would recommend at least 4 days. That will allow you enough time to visit the ruins, have some beach time, eating plenty of street food and visit some of the many cenotes in the area. With that being said, you can easily spend a couple of weeks in Tulum.

Where to stay in Tulum

If you want to have a lot of beach time, are not on a budget and want more of a luxury experience- I would recommend staying at Tulum beach. There are plenty of trendy hotels in that area, here you can check out hotels in Tulum.

For backpackers, those on a budget and for those looking for a more authentic experience – I would recommend staying in Tulum town. You will be a bit further from the beach, but closer to many of the cenotes.
I stayed here during my two weeks in Tulum and it’s honestly one of the best hostels I’ve stayed at. It has friendly and fun atmosphere, offer lots of activities and they also have bikes that you can use free of charge. It does not have a swimming pool though. If you’d rater stay at a hostel with a pool – I can recommend Maka and Mimosa.

How to get to Tulum

To get to Tulum you can rent a car or take a bus. The nearest airport is in Cancún, from there it’s just about a two hour car ride to Tulum. You can catch a bus to Tulum from pretty much anywhere in Mexico, prices and timetables can be found here.

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3. Valladolid

Colour lovers will feel like they’re dreaming when wandering the streets of Valladolid, a charming colonial town on the Yucatán peninsula. With its pastel coloured colonial buildings and old historic churches, Valladolid is probably what you would picture when thinking of the typical Mexican town. What I love about Valladolid is that it’s really authentic and gives you a taste of real Mexico, making it one of the 5 must visit places in Mexico. Contrary to Cancún and Playa del Carmen, instead of being crowded with people on spring break, in Valladolid you will encounter locals just living their every day life. The best way to explore Valladolid would be to simply wander around aimlessly with a camera in hand. A part from stunning architecture, there is even a cenote within the city, called Cenote Zaci, located just a couple of blocks away from the centre.

With plenty of cenotes and places such as the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the new seven wonders of the world, at its doorstep – you should certainly allow for some time to visit the area around Valladolid. Cenote Ik Kil is located just a couple of minutes from Chichen Itza, making it an ideal place to cool down after exploring the Mayan ruins.

How long to stay in Valladolid

Valladolid can make for a great day trip if you’re short on time. You can spend a couple of hours wandering through the centre and then visit Chichen Itza. Such day trips are available from any of the major cities, including Tulum, Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
However, if you’re not in a rush, I would recommend staying at least 2 nights . Depending on how many of the cenotes you want to visit, you might want to add in a couple more nights. 

Where to stay in Valladolid

With Valladolid being a pretty small town, just about anywhere is a good place to stay. There are plenty of accommodation options that range from high end resorts to Colonial style boutique hotels and hostels.

For those on a budget and looking for a nice, affordable hostel – this one would be a perfect option. A Colonial style family run hostel, located right in the downtown area. Offering plenty of hammocks, air conditioned rooms and even has breakfast included.

If you want a little more luxury but don’t want to spend the kind of money you’d be paying for a high end resort, Casa Daniels is worth checking out! For just about 35 USD you can stay in a private room and cool down in a pool in a tropical garden after a day of exploring.

In Valladolid you will also find variety of high end hotels, most of them being Colonial style boutique hotels. Accommodation in Valladolid is pretty affordable, with luxurious hotels ranging from 50USD per night, here you can have a look at hotels in Valladolid. With that being said, if you are planning to treat yourself to a fancy hotel once in your trip, which I often do, this would be the ideal place for it.

How to get to Valladolid

Just as other cities on the Yucatán peninsula, Valladolid is well connected by the ADO busses. From the bus station it will only take you a couple of minutes to walk to the centre. If you are planning to rent a car, Valladolid is just about a 2 hour drive from Cancún and 1,5 hours from Tulum.

4. Bacalar

Close to the Belize borders you will find Bacalar, a quiet lakeside village that sits on the shore of Lagoon Bacalar, which is the main attraction of Bacalar. The lagoon is the reason most people decide to visit Bacalar, and was certainly the reason for my trip there :)) It’s a must visit for anyone that loves turquoise blue water. The lagoon is also known as Lagoon of the Seven Colours due to the many shades of blue the water will have throughout the day.

The best way to discover Bacalar is to take a boat tour. Most of them last for about 2-3 hours and will take you to the best parts of the lake, including Canal de Los Pirates, which is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the lake. The mud there is also believed to be full of minerals, so you can do whatever you want with that :)) Bacalar is also the perfect place for all sorts of water activities – paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, you name it. There are of course a few cenotes in the area – the most famous one being Cenote Azul. in For those looking for a bit of culture, a visit to Fort San Felipe is a must.

A little tip before visiting Bacalar – bring enough cash (pesos, not USD) to last for the time you plan to stay there. Bacalar is not very developed, there are ATM’s but these can be working one day and not working the next, so you never know. Some places do take cards, but you absolutely can’t count on it.

Check out this post for where to eat in Bacalar!

How Long to Stay in Bacalar

I would recommend spending at least two whole days in Bacalar. About half a day to do a boat tour, then you’ll have a couple of hours to walk through the town and enjoy some of the delicious local food. Then you will have day to relax at the lagoon, go kayaking or do any of the other water activities. With that being said – I ended up staying there for almost two weeks

Where to stay in Bacalar

Bacalar offers plenty of options for all preferences and budgets.

For backpackers looking for a very social atmosphere, The Yak Lake House would be the perfect option. Located next to the lake, offering gorgeous views and lots of events.

If you’re looking for a bit more relaxed place, this brand new very stylish hostel is probably what you are looking for. A cozy little place with a gorgeous pool and super pretty spacious rooms.

How to get to Bacalar

Getting to Bacalar is relatively easy. Like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s well connected by ADO buses. From Tulum the bus ride is just under 3 hours, while from Cancún it take a bit over 5 hours. If you are renting a car, Bacalar is approximately 4 hours drive from Cancún and 2,5 hours from Tulum.

5. Puerto Escondido

Located on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast, Puerto Escondido is a relaxed beach town. Unlike places like Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Escondido, it’s definitely not famous for all-inclusive luxury resorts. Instead it’s known for it’s surf scene and beautiful beaches. In Puerto Escondido you can spend your days catching waves on a surfboard, relaxing at the beach, enjoying the sunset and admiring turtles. After spending a day in the sun, I recommend taking a trip to Laguna de Manialtepec, where you can observe the bioluminescence. A magic phenomenon that occurs when waters of the seashore gets illuminated by certain micro-organism that emit their own blue light. You will find plenty of travel agencies around town offering these types of tours.

One thing you need to know before visiting Puerto Escondido is that cash is king. ATM’s tend to run out of cash frequently, so make sure to have plenty of cash before getting there. Some businesses accept cards, but don’t count on it.

How long to stay in Puerto Escondido

It’s not unlikely that you’ll never want to leave Puerto Escondido. With that being said, you should be able to get the hang of it in 4-5 days. That will leave you with enough time to explore a few beaches, try some local food, walk along the Adoquín and experience the nightlife.

Where to stay in Puerto Escondido

Due to its popularity among young travellers and backpackers, Puerto Escondido has an abundance of great hostels.For those planning to surf, you’ll probably want to stay close to Zicatela, which is where you’ll find the best waves. Close by La Punta de Zicatela is popular among backpackers, that’s where Villa Bonobo a boutique hostel, is located. Featuring a big rooftop with plenty of space to work out or do some yoga. Oh, and they have free coffee all day!

Closer to the centre of Puerto Escondido you have Puerto Dreams, a hostel that has everything you could need, including a co-working space. It’s surrounded with plenty of nice restaurants (Cocofam is a must try!) and about 20 minute walk from the beach.

Here you can check out hotels in Puerto Escondido. I recommend using the filters to filter out places that have a rating below 8, as those usually turn out to be a disappointment.

How to get to Puerto Escondido

The quickest way to get to Puerto Escondido is by flight. With direct flights only from Mexico City, you will need to transfer in Mexico city if you’re traveling from elsewhere in Mexico. You can also catch an ADO bus, but depending on where you’re coming from, it can take a long time. If you plan to rent a car, you can of course drive there as well.

I hope this post has inspired you to visit Mexico! If you want to get notified when I publish new posts, just click the red bell in the lower right corner, or follow me on Instagram where I usually announce new blog posts :)))

If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you might also want to read:

• How much you can expect to spend per day in Mexico
• Four day Tulum itinerary: Things to do in Tulum
• Where to eat in Bacalar
• Visiting Izamal: The yellow city in Mexico
• Your guide to visiting Isla Mujeres
• 10 Things to do in Mexico City
• San Cristóbal de las Casas Travel Guide
• Best cafés to work from in Cancún
• How to get from San Cristóbal to Guatemala

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