Bacalar to Valladolid: The Best Way to Travel
Valladolid is a small but historic city in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. This charming destination is filled with colorful buildings lining its streets at every corner and is a central location to the New 7 Wonder of the World, Chichen Itza, and the renowned Ek Balam.
If you are planning a trip to Valladolid after you have explored Bacalar’s lagoon oasis, but are not sure what the best options are for transportation, continue reading this travel guide for every detail and tip you need for a smooth and relaxing journey.
Tip: This can, of course, also be reversed to go from Valladolid to Bacalar!
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Bacalar to Valladolid
STEP 1: Take the Bus From Bacalar to Valladolid
Bacalar is 264 KM (164 miles) from Valladolid. The average travel time is anywhere from 3.45 to 5 hours.
The best option to travel from Bacalar to Valladolid is by using the largest Mexican bus company, ADO. However, you can opt to rent a car or take a private taxi as well. A private taxi could cost hundreds of dollars because of the distance.
I recommend taking the ADO bus since it is the cheapest and easiest option. It is also the bus with the fewest stops and the most direct route to your destination. There is one route per day from Bacalar to Valladolid, leaving at 7:50 AM and arriving around 11:35 AM, making only one stop in Tulum. Prices vary depending on the time of day and when you purchase the ticket, but they can fall anywhere from 300-550 pesos.
If 7:50 in the morning is too early for you, or you prefer to break apart your trip to have one stop in the middle, you can take one bus from Bacalar to Tulum, followed by a second one from Tulum to Valladolid. This will give you many more options for what time of day you depart from Bacalar and arrive in Valladolid.
The Bacalar ADO bus station can be found here. The station is very small and only has one convenience store beside it and a small coffee/bagel shop around the corner from it. Taxis are inexpensive in Bacalar (less than 100 pesos) if you do not want to walk to the bus terminal. You can book yours with Taxi Seguro Bacalar: at +52-983-833-7421. I recommend booking the day before, especially if you are planning to take an early bus.
The Tulum ADO bus station can be found here. It is located on a main road with plenty of places to grab a bite to eat if you decide to stop and take a break during your trip.
The Valladolid bus station can be found here.
Tips for using the ADO website:
After searching your route on the ADO website, click “ver detalle” (see details)
and a bottom section should show (see photo as an example). Click “ver mapa,” and your screen should look like the next photo…
P.S. If you have suitcases, make sure the small suitcase icon is shown (I have circled this in pink)–not all buses have suitcase space.
This is the second screen that will pop up after clicking “ver mapa.”
Salida: This is your origin or where you are getting the bus from.
Llegada: This is your destination.
The duration of your bus can be found above the purple box.
Stops along your route can be found under the purple box.
Tip: Be sure to download your ticket to your phone in case the service is spotty.
I opted for the early bus from Bacalar, but unfortunately, my bus was canceled. They ended up putting me on a different bus to Tulum, but they did cover the cost of the new ticket. Once in Tulum, I did have to re-purchase my new ticket from Tulum to Bacalar, which only left 30 minutes after my arrival.
Since I had to purchase a new ticket, I obviously wanted a refund for my original direct bus ticket from Bacalar to Valladolid. I messaged the ADO bus company on their Facebook page, and they were EXTREMELY helpful. The refund process was super easy. I simply had to send them the receipt for the canceled ticket and the new ticket I purchased. I received my refund less than 30 business days later.
Pro Tip: I recommend arriving at the Bacalar ADO bus station a bit early and heading inside to ask about your trip in case yours gets canceled or rescheduled like mine did. There is usually one worker behind the ADO counter you can ask.
HOW LONG IS THE BUS?
The bus ride is a little over 4.45 hours. Don’t forget there is a time change! Valladolid is one hour behind Bacalar.
WHERE DOES BAGGAGE GO?
Larger bags, suitcases, and any bag with wheels must go under the bus. I locked my suitcases with the built-in combination lock (thank you TUMI) and a mini padlock between zippers.
All my valuables, including money, were in my backpack, which I kept near my feet throughout the bus ride. The bus was air-conditioned, with cozy seats, adjustable shades, TV screens showing a movie (we had The Addams Family in Spanish), and a bathroom at the back.
Pro Tip: Not everyone sits in assigned seats, so be sure to get on the bus early! Sit further from the bathroom if possible… :)
IS THE BUS SAFE?
I have traveled numerous bus routes across the Yucatan Peninsula without any moments of uncertainty or nervousness. I often noticed younger solo female travelers on my buses, which speaks volumes. However, I recommend extra caution as you should when traveling anywhere. Avoid riding buses at night or arriving after dark at your destination. If you are a heavy sleeper, it is best not to nap on the bus. Follow basic safety rules like keeping money discreet and avoiding conflicts with strangers.
Pro Tip: Make sure to have your passport with you in your seat, in case your bus is stopped at the police station/passport stop.
STEP 2: ARRIVE IN Valladolid & TRANSFER TO ACCOMMODATION
The ADO bus drops you at the official Valladolid ADO station, which is located here. Taxis are awaiting your arrival out front to take you to your accommodation. Be sure to agree to a price BEFORE getting into the taxi. I paid 40 pesos to get to my accommodation 1 km away.
Congrats you have made it from Bacalar to Valladolid!
To find all the vital information you need to know about Valladolid and what there is to do, head here!
Note: Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay up to date on which routes are open now!
