Fun Things to Do in Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico

While it remains one of the least touristy places, Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico has a lot of fun things to do!

Though quieter than other cities on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, this hidden gem has a Caribbean vibe, rich culture and history, and stunning natural wonders. It also makes a good base for getting to other interesting locations on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Chetumal at a Glance

• State:  Quintana Roo
• Population: 169,028 (2020)
• Climate: Tropical savanna
• Museums: 3
• Monuments: 4
• Parks: 3

Where is Chetumal?

Chetumal is the capital city of Quintana Roo which is also the same state where Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum are located. It is on the Yucatan Peninsula and bordered by Belize.

Currently, there are direct flights from Mexico City to the Chetumal Airport. You can also get there by bus or car from Cancun, but keep in mind it will be a long drive of approximately five hours.

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Here’s what to do in Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico:

10 Mercado de Chetumal

The best place in Chetumal for authentic, inexpensive Mexican fare is its public market.

Located in  Avenida Los Heroes, Mercado de Chetumal is one of the busiest places in town. The food is hot and good with lots of variety such as cochinita pibil, ceviche, chocolomo, quesadillas, tamales, tortas, and pozole.

9 Malecon

The malécon in Chetumal is also called Boulevard Bahia. It is a lively boardwalk along the coast where people can stroll with a nice view of the ocean or watch the iconic sunset.

There’s no beach in Chetumal, but the malécon butts up against a mangrove ecosystem so keep an eye out for crocodiles.

On the pathway you’ll see the sign “Aquí inicia México” (Here begins Mexico), a reference to the Belize border.

8 Food Trucks

During the evening, the malécon becomes lively with a lot of food stalls set up for the night. Most popular are the marquesitas, for their rich, sweet flavor and affordable price.

Also, starting after 6 p.m., look for action around the clock tower. Known locally as “el bule,” in addition to the food stands are carnival-style rides for kids and games for the young at heart.

7 Museum of Mayan Culture

The Museum of Mayan Culture showcases the tradition, knowledge, and legacy of the Mayan world in Mexico. It’s one of the largest and most extensive Mayan museums in Mexico

The museum has multiple floors, vaguely alluding to the levels of the Maya universe: earthly life, underworld, and celestial vault. It is divided into eight sections – detailing everything about Mayans.

The museum contains exhibits of sculptures, photos, and historical documents depicting the origin and richness of the Mayan culture.

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6 Mahahual  Beach

There are no ocean beaches in Chetumal, so if Vitamin Sea is your objective, you can drive two hours to reach Mahahual Beach in Costa Maya (cruise port). It’s a lively Caribbean village beach lined by newly-developed sea wall malécon, small seafood restaurants, bars, beach clubs, and souvenir shops.

Thanks to the beauty of its beaches, there are a lot of water activities, such as diving, kayaking, snorkeling among turtles, and exploring the coral reef.

Full transparency: when we visited a cruise ship came in, it was very windy, and there was a lot of seaweed. We did see the potential, though, and believed we would have loved it under different circumstances.

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5 Oxtankah Ruins

Skeleton in Oxtanka

Roughly about fifteen minutes from Chetumal will take you to the Oxtankah ancient Mayan site. Oxtankah offers a variety of temples, pyramids, and palaces, dating back as old as 300 BC, and has an ancient skeleton on site.

For those who would rather avoid the crush of people at the more popular ancient ruins, this is the place for you. The archaeological zone is small, and it only took us about 30 minutes to explore the site, but we didn’t see anyone else there while we were there.

A walk among the ruins reveals Oxtankah to have once been a powerful civilization. The architecture contains elements of both Mayan and Catholic heritage.

The site is a bit remote and it took us a few passes in our rental car before we spotted it. Also, wear bug repellent because the bugs are FIERCE!

4 Eat Fresh Fish

As you would expect, a city on the sea will have good seafood and Chetumal is no exception. Our best meal was in Calderitas where I had fresh, locally fresh fish…with the head of course. Bear in mind that in a small fishing village like Calderitas, there is very little English spoken, and sometimes only Spanish menus, although there will usually be photos.

3 Sunset

Sunset over the ocean, what could be better than that? We enjoyed the sunset from the rooftop pool of our hotel where we could relax with a margarita as the golden orb disappeared.

2 Calderitas

The immensely picturesque fishing village of Calderitas is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from Chetumal.

If you’re looking for food with a view, this is where to come to indulge in mouth-watering regional dishes and seafood. Several restaurants are sitting on a wide deck along the water’s edge shaded by trees and beach huts.

Don’t forget your camera because the charming little village is incredibly photogenic. The water in Calderitas was a lot clearer and the light aquamarine color is prettier than in Chetumal.

1 Bacalar

Roughly 30 minutes from Chetumal, you have to see Bacalar with your own eyes to believe it’s real. Local Mayans call Bacalar the Lagoon of Seven Colors because they say you can see seven shades of blue in the crystalline water. Bacalar Mexico is arguably prettier and more enchanting than any Caribbean Beach. It is nothing short of mesmerizing.

Because of its location near the Belize border, Bacalar Mexico was once a secret gem. The Mexican government highlighted Bacalar on its list of Pueblos Mágicos in 2006 as an important cultural landmark to encourage tourism, and now, thanks in part to social media, the stunning turquoise lake and laidback town are beginning to be discovered.

The area is traditionally Mayan, with a Pre-Columbian city that Conquistadores colonized in 1543. In the 1600s, pirates frequently attacked after entering the lagoon through a canal.

In addition to the lagoon, you can also visit the Fort of San Felipe, the Canal De Los Piratas, and a few fantastic cenotes in the area.

Click here to read Bacalar: The Jaw-Dropping Gem You’ve Never Heard Of.

Most Chetumal Quintana Roo Mexico photos by Kary Kern.

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.