Plan on about 4 h 9 min of driving for the 194-mile (312 km) trip from Akumal to Kohunlich, before any stops.
| Total distance | 194 mi (312 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 4 h 9 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-307 → MEX-307D → MEX-186 |
| Mexican states on the route | Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-307D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.8 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
Driving this route in a car with U.S. plates
| Temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) | Required: this route is outside the zones where U.S.-registered cars can skip the temporary import permit (Baja California, Baja California Sur and part of Sonora) |
|---|---|
| Mexican auto insurance | Required for all vehicles: buy a Mexican policy before you drive |
Sources: U.S. State Department, Mexico travel information (updated August 11, 2026); permits are issued by Banjercito.
What the drive from Akumal to Kohunlich is like
MEX-307 (153 mi) and MEX-186 (25 mi) carry about 92% of the 194 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-307D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Akumal to Kohunlich, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-307 | 0–73 | 73 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307D | 73–82 | 9 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 82–162 | 80 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-186 | 162–187 | 25 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 187–194 | 7 | Quintana Roo |
What to see on the way from Akumal to Kohunlich
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xelha (mile 7), Tulum (mile 14), San Felipe Fortress (mile 150)
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 88)
- Museums and history: Xelha (mile 7), Tulum (mile 14), San Felipe Fortress (mile 150)
Xelha
On the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Xelha is a Maya archaeological site whose name comes from the Yucatec Maya roots xel and ha'.
Tulum
Tulum is a pre-Columbian Maya walled city that served as a port for Coba. Its ruins sit on 12-meter cliffs above the Caribbean on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Quintana Roo.
Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve
Established in 1986 in Tulum Municipality, Quintana Roo, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
San Felipe Fortress
San Felipe Fortress (Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar) was an 18th-century Spanish colonial garrison in Bacalar, Quintana Roo. Today it houses the Bacalar Piracy Museum.
Once you reach Kohunlich
Kohunlich
Kohunlich is an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in Quintana Roo, about 65 km west of Chetumal on Highway 186; its original name is unknown.
More drives to Kohunlich
- Punta Allen to Kohunlich
- Puerto Morelos to Kohunlich
- Espita to Kohunlich
- Calkiní to Kohunlich
- Maxcanú to Kohunlich
- Cancún to Kohunlich
From Akumal to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Akumal to Kohunlich?
About 4 h 9 min of driving without stops, over 194 miles.
What is the driving distance from Akumal to Kohunlich?
About 194 miles (312 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Do I need a permit to drive my U.S. car from Akumal to Kohunlich?
Yes. A temporary vehicle import permit (TIP) is required for a U.S.-registered car on this route, which is outside the zones where it can be skipped. Mexican auto insurance is required for every vehicle.
Is it safe to drive from Akumal to Kohunlich?
The U.S. State Department rates Quintana Roo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
What roads does the drive from Akumal to Kohunlich use?
In order: MEX-307, MEX-307D and MEX-186. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Akumal to Kohunlich?
Closest to the road: Xelha (archaeological site, mile 7, 0.3 mi from the route); Tulum (archaeological site, mile 14, 0.6 mi from the route); San Felipe Fortress (museum, mile 150, 0.2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on September 29, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.