Plan on about 5 h 7 min of driving for the 222-mile (357 km) trip from Izamal to Bacalar, before any stops.
| Distance | 222 mi (357 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 5 h 7 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-180D → MEX-180 → MEX-295 → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-180D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 8.9 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 Izamal to Bacalar: the shape of the trip
MEX-295 (83 mi) and MEX-307 (70 mi) carry about 69% of the 222 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-180D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
Which roads connect Izamal and Bacalar
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–11 | 11 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180D | 11–40 | 29 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 40–42 | 2 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 42–63 | 21 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 63–68 | 5 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 68–151 | 83 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 151–221 | 70 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 221–222 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 83 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Izamal and Bacalar
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Sacred Cenote (mile 44), Akab Dzib (mile 45)
- Nature and outdoors: Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (mile 159)
- Museums and history: Akab Dzib (mile 45)
Sacred Cenote
At the Maya site of Chichen Itza, the Sacred Cenote is a water-filled limestone sinkhole where, by Maya and Spanish accounts, offerings and human sacrifices were made to the rain god Chaac.
Akab Dzib
Akab Dzib is a pre-Columbian structure at the Maya site of Chichen Itza, catalogued by archaeologists as Structure 4D1 and also spelled Akab Tzib or Akabdzib.
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.
When you get to Bacalar
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.
More drives to Bacalar
- Escárcega to Bacalar
- Tizimín to Bacalar
- Mérida to Bacalar
- Calkiní to Bacalar
- Motul to Bacalar
- Ocosingo to Bacalar
From Izamal to other places in Mexico
- Izamal to Sisal
- Izamal to Calkiní
- Izamal to Hopelchén
- Izamal to Palizada
- Izamal to Sueños de Oro
- Izamal to Tapijulapa
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Izamal to Bacalar?
About 5 h 7 min of driving without stops, over 222 miles.
What is the driving distance from Izamal to Bacalar?
About 222 miles (357 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 Izamal to Bacalar?
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 Izamal to Bacalar?
The U.S. State Department rates Yucatán Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions; 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 Izamal to Bacalar use?
In order: MEX-180D, MEX-180, MEX-295 and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
Where can you stop on the way from Izamal to Bacalar?
Closest to the road: Sacred Cenote (cenote, mile 44, 0.1 mi from the route); Akab Dzib (ruins, mile 45, 0.4 mi from the route); Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (biosphere reserve, mile 159, 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.