Plan on about 3 h 11 min of driving for the 151-mile (243 km) trip from Bacalar to Akumal, before any stops.
| Total distance | 151 mi (243 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 11 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-307 → MEX-307D |
| Mexican states on the route | Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-307D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.0 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.
Driving Bacalar to Akumal: the shape of the trip
MEX-307 (140 mi) and MEX-307D (9 mi) carry about 99% of the 151 miles. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-307D. Of the 4 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Bacalar to Akumal
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 1–69 | 68 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307D | 69–78 | 9 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 78–150 | 72 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 150–151 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
Places worth a stop between Bacalar and Akumal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tulum (mile 136), Xelha (mile 144), Xel-Ha Park (mile 144)
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 63)
- Museums and history: Tulum (mile 136), Xelha (mile 144)
- With kids: Xel-Ha Park (mile 144)
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.
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.
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'.
Xel-Ha Park
On the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo in the municipality of Tulum, Xel-Ha Park is a commercial aquatic theme park and ecotourism development run by Grupo Xcaret.
More drives to Akumal
- Valladolid to Akumal
- Río Lagartos to Akumal
- Izamal to Akumal
- Cuzamá to Akumal
- Motul to Akumal
- Mérida to Akumal
From Bacalar to other places in Mexico
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Bacalar to Akumal?
About 3 h 11 min of driving without stops, over 151 miles.
What is the driving distance from Bacalar to Akumal?
About 151 miles (243 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 Bacalar to Akumal?
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 Bacalar to Akumal?
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 Bacalar to Akumal use?
In order: MEX-307 and MEX-307D. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Bacalar and Akumal?
Closest to the road: Tulum (archaeological site, mile 136, 0.5 mi from the route); Xelha (archaeological site, mile 144, 0.2 mi from the route); Xel-Ha Park (amusement park, mile 144, 0.6 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.