Plan on about 4 h 44 min of driving for the 198-mile (318 km) trip from Tizimín to Bacalar, before any stops.
| Total distance | 198 mi (318 km) |
|---|---|
| Drive time without stops | 4 h 44 min |
| Main roads, in order | MEX-295 → MEX-180 → MEX-307 |
| Mexican states on the route | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.9 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.
What the drive from Tizimín to Bacalar is like
MEX-295 (111 mi) and MEX-307 (69 mi) carry about 91% of the 198 miles. It runs through 2 states: Yucatán, Quintana Roo. None of the 3 stops below is right on the road, so plan each as a short side trip.
Road-by-road breakdown: Tizimín to Bacalar
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–1 | 1 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 1–29 | 28 | Yucatán |
| connecting roads | 29–30 | 1 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 30–34 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-180 | 34–39 | 5 | Yucatán |
| local roads | 39–43 | 4 | Yucatán |
| MEX-295 | 43–126 | 83 | Yucatán, Quintana Roo |
| connecting roads | 126–127 | 1 | Quintana Roo |
| MEX-307 | 127–196 | 69 | Quintana Roo |
| local roads | 196–198 | 2 | Quintana Roo |
- Mile 59 of this route: Yucatán → Quintana Roo (state line)
Stops between Tizimín and Bacalar
Cenote Zací
Cenote Zací sits inside the city of Valladolid, Yucatán. Its name comes from the Maya settlement that once stood on the site.
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.
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.
In Bacalar itself
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
- Mérida to Bacalar
- Calkiní to Bacalar
- Izamal to Bacalar
- Motul to Bacalar
- Ocosingo to Bacalar
From Tizimín to other places in Mexico
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Tizimín to Bacalar?
About 4 h 44 min of driving without stops, over 198 miles.
What is the driving distance from Tizimín to Bacalar?
About 198 miles (318 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 Tizimín 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 Tizimín 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.
Which highways go from Tizimín to Bacalar?
In order: MEX-295, MEX-180 and MEX-307. The road-by-road table above shows the route miles for each one.
What are good stops between Tizimín and Bacalar?
Closest to the road: Cenote Zací (cenote, mile 30, 2 mi from the route); Chichen Itza (ancient city, mile 39, 18 mi from the route); Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (biosphere reserve, mile 135, 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.