By road, Akumal and Xcalak are about 192 miles (309 km) apart, or roughly 4 h 28 min of driving.
| Distance by road | 192 mi (309 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 28 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-307 → MEX-307D → QR |
| Mexican states on the route | Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-307D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.7 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 3 |
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.
Driving Akumal to Xcalak: the shape of the trip
MEX-307 (113 mi) and QR (31 mi) carry about 75% of the 192 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-307D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Akumal to Xcalak
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEX-307 | 0–73 | 73 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307D | 73–82 | 9 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 82–122 | 40 | Quintana Roo |
| QR | 122–153 | 31 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 153–192 | 39 | Quintana Roo |
What to see on the way from Akumal to Xcalak
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Xelha (mile 7), Tulum (mile 14)
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 88)
- Museums and history: Xelha (mile 7), Tulum (mile 14)
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.
More drives to Xcalak
From Akumal to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Akumal to Xcalak?
About 4 h 28 min of driving without stops, over 192 miles.
What is the driving distance from Akumal to Xcalak?
About 192 miles (309 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 Xcalak?
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 Xcalak?
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.
Which highways go from Akumal to Xcalak?
In order: MEX-307, MEX-307D and QR. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Akumal to Xcalak?
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); Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (biosphere reserve, mile 88, 16 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.