Plan on about 4 h 15 min of driving for the 178-mile (287 km) trip from Tecax to Akumal, before any stops.
| Distance | 178 mi (287 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 4 h 15 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-184 → MEX-307D → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Toll roads (as marked in OpenStreetMap) | MEX-307D |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.1 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.
How the Tecax to Akumal drive plays out
MEX-184 (98 mi) and MEX-307 (74 mi) carry about 97% of the 178 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. OpenStreetMap marks tolled sections on MEX-307D. Of the 3 stops listed below, 3 are within a mile of the road.
Tecax to Akumal: the road sequence
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-184 | 1–99 | 98 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307D | 99–104 | 5 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 104–178 | 74 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 32 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Where to stop on the way to Akumal
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Tulum (mile 163), Xelha (mile 171), Xel-Ha Park (mile 171)
- Museums and history: Tulum (mile 163), Xelha (mile 171)
- With kids: Xel-Ha Park (mile 171)
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 Tecax to other places in Mexico
- Tecax to Hecelchakán
- Tecax to Teapa
- Tecax to Tapijulapa
- Tecax to Ocosingo
- Tecax to Hopelchén
- Tecax to Espita
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tecax to Akumal?
About 4 h 15 min of driving without stops, over 178 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tecax to Akumal?
About 178 miles (287 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 Tecax 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 Tecax to Akumal?
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 Tecax to Akumal use?
In order: MEX-184, MEX-307D and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tecax and Akumal?
Closest to the road: Tulum (archaeological site, mile 163, 0.5 mi from the route); Xelha (archaeological site, mile 171, 0.1 mi from the route); Xel-Ha Park (amusement park, mile 171, 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.