Chetumal

Chetumal is the capital of Quintana Roo, on Chetumal Bay at the border with Belize. It has an international airport with flights to Mexico City, is the southern end of the Tren Maya, and sits about 40 minutes from Bacalar, 3 to 3.5 hours from Tulum and 4.5 to 5 hours from Cancún.

For buyers, Chetumal is a working state capital rather than a resort town: government offices, universities and hospitals, calm bay water instead of white sand beaches, and some of the region's best Maya museums and archaeological sites close by.

Areas to know in Chetumal

Centro and the Bulevar Bahía: the historic grid running down to the bayfront promenade, with the main museums, markets and government buildings within walking distance.

Residential colonias: established neighborhoods such as Barrio Bravo, Plutarco Elías Calles and Adolfo López Mateos, with single family homes, local restaurants and schools.

Calderitas: a former fishing village about 8 km north of downtown with a renovated bayfront of seafood restaurants and the gateway to the Oxtankah ruins.

Huay-Pix, Laguna Milagros and Xul-Há: small lagoon communities along Highway 307 toward Bacalar.

The road to Bacalar: Highway 307 north, about 40 minutes to Bacalar and its lagoon.

Living in Chetumal

As the state capital, Chetumal concentrates state government offices and many federal agencies, public hospitals including a new General Hospital under construction, and universities such as the Universidad de Quintana Roo. Everyday shopping is covered by Plaza Las Américas, national supermarket chains and two traditional markets, and since June 2026 a daily train runs to Bacalar.

Chetumal guides

Parks and nature | Arts and culture | Things to do | Restaurants | Shopping | Nightlife and entertainment

Buying in Chetumal with a licensed buyer's agent

Playa Realtors is a licensed boutique brokerage that has represented buyers in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and across Quintana Roo since 2008. We work only for the buyer and never represent developers. Plan on closing costs of 7 to 10% of the purchase price, and ask us for a written estimate before you make an offer.

Bacalar properties for sale | Bacalar guide | Talk to a buyer's agent

Photo credits, via Wikimedia Commons: holachetumal, CC BY 3.0; Adam Jones, Ph.D., CC BY-SA 3.0; holachetumal, CC BY 3.0; holachetumal, CC BY 3.0; Roberto Bolaños, CC BY 2.0; holachetumal, CC BY 3.0; Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0; Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0.