Flights to Bacalar: the Nearest Airport and Your Options
Chetumal, Tulum or Cancún: where to land, who flies there in 2026, and how to reach the lagoon
There is no airport in Bacalar: the nearest is Chetumal International Airport (CTM), 36 to 40 km away (30 to 40 minutes by car), but its only nonstop flights come from Mexico City. If you are flying in from the United States, Canada or Europe, you will usually land in Cancún (CUN), 345 km and about 4 hours 10 minutes from Bacalar, or in Tulum (TQO), which sits south of Tulum town on the road to Bacalar.
✈️ Quick Answer
Flying from Mexico City? Fly to Chetumal. Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Mexicana fly there nonstop, and a taxi gets you to the lagoon in 30 to 40 minutes. Coming from abroad? Compare Tulum and Cancún. Both have international flights; Tulum airport leaves you a shorter drive, Cancún usually offers more flights and the ADO bus (5 to 6 hours, 560 to 780 pesos).
The Three Airports for Bacalar Compared
| Airport | Distance to Bacalar | By car | Flights | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chetumal (CTM) | 36 to 40 km | 30 to 40 min | Nonstop from Mexico City only (AICM and AIFA) | Travellers already in Mexico, or connecting through Mexico City |
| Tulum (TQO) | Less than the 215 km from Tulum town | Under 2.5 hours | Domestic and international | Flying in from abroad and renting a car or taking the Tren Maya |
| Cancún (CUN) | 345 km | About 4 hours 10 min | The widest choice of international flights in the region | International arrivals, or when Tulum has no flight that suits you |
*Airlines and nonstop destinations as listed by the airport operators in October 2026. Routes change: check with the airline before booking.
Chetumal Airport (CTM): the Closest to Bacalar
Chetumal International Airport is on Avenida Revolución in Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo, and has been run since 2023 by Grupo Mundo Maya, the state company that also operates Tulum airport. Bacalar lies 36 to 40 km to the north, along the highway towards Cancún.
Airlines and routes in 2026
- Airlines listed by the operator: Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Mexicana
- Nonstop destinations: Mexico City, at Benito Juárez airport (AICM) and Felipe Ángeles airport (AIFA, Santa Lucía)
- Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana or US cities can be booked from Chetumal, but with a connection
- No nonstop international flights: from abroad, the usual connection point is Mexico City
From Chetumal airport to Bacalar
- Taxi: 30 to 40 minutes, about 25 to 35 USD (agree the price before you leave)
- Rental car: about 35 to 50 USD a day, handy for exploring the south of Quintana Roo
- ADO bus: buses link Chetumal's bus terminal in town with Bacalar; take a taxi to the terminal and check times on ado.com.mx
Cancún Airport (CUN): the Main International Gateway
Cancún International Airport, run by the ASUR group, is where most international visitors to the Mexican Caribbean land, and it offers by far the widest choice of airlines. The price is distance: Bacalar is 345 km south, about 4 hours 10 minutes by car on Highway 307.
From Cancún airport to Bacalar
- ADO bus: 5 to 6 hours, 560 to 780 pesos (about 33 to 46 USD); ADO has a counter at the airport
- Shared shuttle: 4 hours or more, 35 to 45 USD, with hotel drop-off
- Private transfer: about 4 hours, 180 to 250 USD
- Rental car: about 4 hours 10 minutes, 40 to 60 USD a day plus fuel
- Tren Maya: the line has a Cancún Aeropuerto station and a Bacalar station; check timetables and fares on trenmaya.gob.mx
Every road option from Cancún is detailed in our guide to getting to Bacalar.
Tulum Airport (TQO): the Shorter Drive
Tulum International Airport, officially named Felipe Carrillo Puerto, opened on 1 December 2023. It is not in Tulum town but at kilometre 201 of Highway 307, near Chunyaxché, south of Tulum: in other words, already on the road to Bacalar. The drive is therefore shorter than the 215 km (about 2.5 hours) that separate Tulum town from Bacalar.
From Tulum airport to Bacalar
- Rental car: the simplest option, straight south on Highway 307, under 2.5 hours
- Tren Maya: the Tulum Aeropuerto station serves the airport, and the line continues to Bacalar; check timetables on trenmaya.gob.mx
- Bus: ADO buses to Bacalar leave from Tulum town (about 3 hours, 370 to 440 pesos); check on ado.com.mx how to reach the terminal from the airport
How to Choose Your Airport
- You are in Mexico City, or travelling around Mexico: fly to Chetumal. A nonstop flight from Mexico City puts you 30 to 40 minutes from the lagoon.
- You fly from the United States, Canada or Europe: compare a nonstop flight to Tulum or Cancún with a connection through Mexico City to Chetumal. The connection adds a flight, but saves you about 3.5 hours on the road compared with Cancún.
- You want to stop at cenotes on the way: land in Tulum or Cancún and rent a car for the drive down Highway 307.
- You are on a tight budget: Cancún plus the ADO bus is the classic combination, at 560 to 780 pesos for the bus.
- You land late in the day: from Cancún or Tulum, consider a night near the airport and drive in daylight the next morning.
Practical Tips
Check the route, not just the city
Fares sold from Chetumal to Guadalajara or Monterrey usually include a stop in Mexico City. Look at the number of stops before you book.
Know which Mexico City airport
Flights to Chetumal leave from both AICM and AIFA (Santa Lucía). The two airports are far apart: do not plan a connection between them.
Carry pesos
Taxis, tolls and small shops in Bacalar often only take Mexican pesos in cash.
Drive in daylight
Highway 307 is a single main road for most of the way. Arriving before dark makes the drive easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an airport in Bacalar?
No, Bacalar has no commercial airport. The closest is Chetumal International Airport (CTM), 36 to 40 km south of Bacalar, about 30 to 40 minutes by car. Most international visitors fly into Cancún (CUN) or Tulum (TQO) instead and travel the rest of the way by road or by the Tren Maya.
What is the closest airport to Bacalar?
Chetumal International Airport (CTM) is the closest airport to Bacalar: 36 to 40 km away, or 30 to 40 minutes by car. A taxi from the airport costs about 25 to 35 USD. Its only nonstop flights come from Mexico City, so travellers from abroad usually connect there or fly into Cancún or Tulum.
Which airlines fly to Chetumal in 2026?
In October 2026, the airport operator lists four airlines at Chetumal: Aeroméxico, Volaris, Viva Aerobus and Mexicana. Their nonstop flights link Chetumal with the two Mexico City airports, Benito Juárez (AICM) and Felipe Ángeles (AIFA, in Santa Lucía). Other destinations sold from Chetumal involve a connection.
Can I fly direct to Chetumal from the US, Canada or Europe?
No. In October 2026 the airport operator lists only Mexico City (AICM and AIFA) as nonstop destinations from Chetumal. From abroad you either connect in Mexico City, or fly nonstop into Cancún (345 km from Bacalar) or Tulum and continue by road.
How far is Cancún airport from Bacalar?
Bacalar is 345 km from Cancún, about 4 hours 10 minutes by car. The ADO bus takes 5 to 6 hours and costs 560 to 780 pesos (about 33 to 46 USD), a shared shuttle 35 to 45 USD and a private transfer 180 to 250 USD.
Is Tulum airport closer to Bacalar than Cancún airport?
Yes. Tulum International Airport (TQO) sits at kilometre 201 of Highway 307, south of Tulum town, which puts it on the way to Bacalar. The drive is therefore shorter than the 215 km and 2.5 hours from Tulum town, and well short of the 345 km from Cancún.
How do I get from Chetumal airport to Bacalar?
From Chetumal airport, a taxi to Bacalar takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs about 25 to 35 USD, and car rental runs about 35 to 50 USD a day. On a budget, ADO buses link Chetumal's bus terminal with Bacalar: check times on ado.com.mx before you land.
Which airport should I choose for Bacalar?
Choose Chetumal if you are already in Mexico or a connection through Mexico City is competitive: you land 30 to 40 minutes from the lagoon. Choose Tulum or Cancún if you fly in from abroad: you get more nonstop flights, then a drive of under 2.5 hours from Tulum airport or about 4 hours 10 minutes from Cancún.
Related Travel Guides
How to Get to Bacalar: Complete Transportation Guide
Every route into Bacalar compared: Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Chetumal, with prices and schedules.
Bacalar to Playa del Carmen: Bus, Car and Transfers
ADO fares, driving Highway 307 and private transfers between Bacalar and Playa del Carmen.