Chetumal
A Mexican city on Bahía de Chetumal that travelers use as a base for Belize crossings, Laguna Bacalar and the southern Maya ruins.
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Chetumal is the capital of Quintana Roo, in southern Mexico, on Bahía de Chetumal just north of the Belize border. Its best-known stop is the Museo de la Cultura Maya, which covers the peoples and history of the wider Maya region. The city is also the usual starting point for Laguna Bacalar, a long lagoon known for its blue water, and for Maya ruins in the far south of the state.
Chetumal suits travelers crossing into Belize, visiting the lakes and ruins of southern Quintana Roo, or stopping between Cancún and Belize. It is not a beach destination, and the climate is hot and humid all year. Hurricane season runs June to November, and December to April is the drier window. Two or three nights cover the city itself. Add more if you are heading to Bacalar or the ruins.
Chetumal in five
- Use Chetumal as a gateway, not a destinationMost visitors spend a night between Bacalar, the Costa Maya and a Belize crossing. Give it an afternoon for the museum and the seafront, then move on.
- See the Museum of Maya CultureThe museum in the center is the best introduction to the southern Maya world, with a layout that follows the Maya cosmos. Check the opening days before you go.
- Check the Belize crossing and the water taxiLand buses and water taxis run from Chetumal to Belize. Rules, fees and schedules change, so confirm the crossing, documents and departure times with the operator and official sources.Visas and entry
- Base here for Kohunlich and the southern Maya sitesKohunlich and other ruins lie west of the city, reached by car or tour. Distances are long and shade is scarce, so start early.
- Add Laguna Bacalar on the way northThe lagoon is about 40 km north and makes the best swim stop on the route to Tulum. Stay one night in Bacalar if you have time.Laguna Bacalar
Need to know
- Airport
- Chetumal (CTM), small; Cancún (CUN) is about 5–6 hours by road
- Getting there
- ADO bus from Cancún, Tulum or Bacalar; rental car
- Getting around
- Walking on the seafront; taxis elsewhere
- Best base
- Near the seafront or the bus terminal for a one-night stay
- Time needed
- An afternoon to 1 night
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Dry, pleasantJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, pleasant
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, warmFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, hotMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, dryAprilClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, humidMayRain
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, rainJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 307 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, rainJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rain
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Storm seasonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm season
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Storm riskSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 220 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- OctoberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Storm riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 235 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Drier, mildNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 161 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, mild
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, mildDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 94 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
Average daily high and low in Chetumal, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chetumal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 30°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 57%
Chetumal
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°23°57%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Tue30°24°53%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Wed31°24°45%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Thu30°23°31%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Fri31°24°27%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sat30°23°45%Saturday: Fog. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Sun31°23°53%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 53%.
Updated 12:28 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Laguna Bacalarabout 40 min by carA turquoise lagoon with swim stops.Read the guide
- Costa Mayaabout 1.5–2 hours by roadMahahual's beach and the cruise port.Read the guide
- Kohunlichabout 1 hour by carA Maya site known for its masks and jungle.
Before you go to Chetumal
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Rules for Chetumal, checked
- Entry rules are set nationally. Many nationalities receive a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival, so check your country's requirements with the Foreign Ministry before you book.Source
- Crossing into Belize by land means passing both Mexican and Belizean checks. Carry your passport and confirm each side's rules before you set out.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with the tax agency (SAT) before you travel.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
- Tipping waiters is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Plan around Chetumal
The lagoon of seven colors, 40 km north
Read the guideCosta MayaMahahual, Xcalak and the southern reef coast
Read the guideQuintana RooThe whole Caribbean state at a glance
Read the guideCampecheA walled Gulf city, a long day west
Read the guideVisas and entryDocuments for Mexico and a Belize crossing
Read the guideAll of MexicoCities, ruins, beaches and entry basics
Read the guideChetumal FAQ
Is Chetumal worth visiting?
Mostly as a stop. The Museum of Maya Culture and the seafront deserve an afternoon, but most travelers use it as a gateway to Belize, Bacalar or the southern ruins.
How far is Chetumal from Cancún?
About 5 to 6 hours by bus or car, roughly 380 km. ADO buses run daily; many people break the trip at Tulum or Bacalar.
Can you cross to Belize from Chetumal?
Yes, by land at the Subteniente López crossing or by water taxi. Check passport, fee and schedule rules with official sources before you travel.
What is there to do in Chetumal?
The Museum of Maya Culture, the bayfront promenade and nearby sites like Kohunlich and Oxtankah. Bacalar's lagoon is about 40 minutes north.
When is the best time to visit Chetumal?
December to April for drier, slightly cooler days. June to October is hot, wet and in hurricane season, though prices are lower.