The Wayro route from Bacalar to Río Lagartos is 233 miles (375 km), about 5 h 31 min of driving without stops.
| Total distance | 233 mi (375 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 5 h 31 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-307 → MEX-307D → MEX-295 → MEX-180 |
| Mexican states on the route | Quintana Roo, Yucatán |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-307D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 9.3 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 Río Lagartos: the shape of the trip
MEX-295 (145 mi) and MEX-307 (68 mi) carry about 91% of the 233 miles. It runs through 2 states: Quintana Roo, Yucatán. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-307D. None of the 4 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
The route from Bacalar to Río Lagartos, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 1–69 | 68 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307D | 69–75 | 6 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-295 | 75–157 | 82 | Quintana Roo, Yucatán |
| local roads | 157–161 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 161–165 | 4 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 165–170 | 5 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 170–233 | 63 | Yucatán |
- Mile 141 of this route: Quintana Roo → Yucatán (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Río Lagartos
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 63), Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 201)
- With kids: Parque Zoológico La Reina (mile 201)
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.
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is a former Maya city between Mérida and Valladolid where you can walk past El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan), the Temple of the Warriors, the Great Ball Court and the round El Caracol observatory.
Cenote Zací
Cenote Zací sits inside the city of Valladolid, Yucatán. Its name comes from the Maya settlement that once stood on the site.
Parque Zoológico La Reina
Also called the Tizimín Zoo, Parque Zoológico La Reina is a zoo in the city of Tizimín, in the state of Yucatán.
More drives to Río Lagartos
- Cuzamá to Río Lagartos
- Maní to Río Lagartos
- Hecelchakán to Río Lagartos
- Hopelchén to Río Lagartos
- Teapa to Río Lagartos
- Tapijulapa to Río Lagartos
From Bacalar to other places in Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Bacalar to Río Lagartos?
About 5 h 31 min of driving without stops, over 233 miles.
What is the driving distance from Bacalar to Río Lagartos?
About 233 miles (375 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 Río Lagartos?
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 Río Lagartos?
The U.S. State Department rates Quintana Roo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution; Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (advisory issued May 29, 2026). Read the full advisory before you go.
Which highways go from Bacalar to Río Lagartos?
In order: MEX-307, MEX-307D, MEX-295 and MEX-180. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Bacalar and Río Lagartos?
Closest to the road: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (biosphere reserve, mile 63, 16 mi from the route); Cenote Zací (cenote, mile 170, 2 mi from the route); Parque Zoológico La Reina (park, mile 201, 1 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.