Chetumal

Chetumal is the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. As such, the town is something of the administrative and government center for vacation and travel giants, like Cancun,Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Still served by the biggest airlines in the country, Chetumal has also long been a first stop for trips to nearby vacation hot spots like Bacalar, and even Belize.  

The Tren Maya station, right outside the airport, has only doubled down on the point. Today, residents of Chetumal get front door access to the entire Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun is a little more than six hours away. Even once distant Palenque, in Chiapas, is just a little more than eight comfortable hours away.  

Chetumal itself is on its own giant and spectacular Bay of Chetumal. Enjoyed as much, perhaps far more, by manatees, the bay is a setting off point are ferry trips to San Pedro in Belize - and the spectacular trip has never been forgotten by anyone who has made it. Closer to home, visitors to the city end up taking off for the considerable wildlife and biodiversity reserves in the area. The bay itself is one of the most spectacular in the world and locals rather jealously guard access to the best places to stay along its considerable periphery. Ask them and they end up happy to support their own favorite hoteliers and vacation rentals. Divers, in particular, arrive from all over the world to explore the bay even before they set off for Belize. 

The malecon and a sunset are enough to convince casual visitors to the city that it really is a special state capital. The Museo de la Cultura Maya and the Mercado de Chetumal will only drive the point home. 

The airport and the Tren Maya station are both close to center of town. So whether you're setting off for Palenque or Cancun, there's no reason not to take some of Chetumal in. All true adventures start just this way.