Major city · Mexico
Xcalak
Go only if you dive, fly-fish or want an empty beach: 3 nights minimum, own car or the 05:40/16:10 Chetumal bus, no ATM in town.Go only if you dive, fly-fish or want an empty beach: 3 nights minimum, own car or the 5:40 AM/4:10 PM Chetumal bus, no ATM in town.
Xcalak is a fishing village at the southern end of Quintana Roo, a few kilometres from the Belize border, with one road in and almost no commerce. The draw is the reef 500 m offshore and the Chinchorro Banks 22 km out, plus bonefish flats in Chetumal Bay. There is no bank, no ATM and little English outside the dive shops, so arrive with cash and a plan.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry, calm water)
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain, storms); Aug–Sep for sargassum
- Airports
- CTM · CUN · TQO
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Xcalak911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Xcalak, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyLow crime, but the village is remote: no ATM, patchy phone signal, and the nearest hospital is in Chetumal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance · 078 Green Angels (roadside help)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCTM Chetumal (Closest commercial airport, about 2.5 h by road; bus from Chetumal, or rent a car.).
- Getting aroundWalk in the village; the beach road north and the Mahahual road need a car, taxi or bike.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Street or quick mealFish taco or cevicheM$120–220
- BeerM$40–70
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$300–600
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedBeach hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedBeach hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$4,500 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,800 (≈ US$100) · High MX$3,500 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CTM Chetumal (Closest commercial airport, about 2.5 h by road; bus from Chetumal, or rent a car.) · CUN Cancún (About 6 h by road; only worth it if you are already on the Riviera Maya.) · TQO Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto (About 4 h by road; check current flight schedules.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: Aug–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Sep (14 rain days), driest Mar (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xcalak: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk in the village; the beach road north and the Mahahual road need a car, taxi or bike. There is no real address system — ask locally. Boats for the reef and Chinchorro leave from the village or the dive shops.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Car or the Chetumal bus along the beach road
Bigger village with more food and dive shops; the bus stops here.
Bacalar
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Car via Highway 307
Lagoon town; too far for a comfortable return day.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Caribé bus from the village
Where you find banks, ATMs and the airport.
Chinchorro Banks
goDoor to door: Full day
Dive boat from Xcalak, 22 km (14 mi) offshoreDive boat from Xcalak, 14 mi (22 km) offshore
UNESCO biosphere reserve; book with a dive shop, weather dependent.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
In the village
Walk to restaurants and the pier; Xcalak Caribe Lodge and a handful of small places on the beach.
North beach road (Km 5–10)
Villas and eco inns with kitchens; you need a car or a bike, and dinner is at your own place.
Mahahual road (Km 40–50)
Between Mahahual and Xcalak; the Chetumal bus passes here, so it works without a car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$700–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,200–2,500 excl. bed
- High
- M$2,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beach hotel double room1 × 3 nights × MX$2,200 | MX$6,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MX$1,800 | MX$10,800 |
| Caribé bus Chetumal–Xcalak, one way2 × MX$200 · check | MX$400 |
| Two-tank reef dive2 × MX$1,800 · check | MX$3,600 |
| Chinchorro Banks day trip2 × MX$3,500 · check | MX$7,000 |
| Car hire, one day1 × MX$1,200 · check | MX$1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$2,960 |
| Trip total≈ MX$5,427 per person per day, bed included | MX$32,560≈ US$1,800 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
| Fish taco or ceviche | M$120–220 |
| Grilled fish or shrimp plate | M$250–450 |
| Beer | M$40–70 |
| Boat trip to the reef, per personcheck | M$500–900 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$300–600 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No bank or ATM in Xcalak: bring enough cash from Chetumal or Mahahual.
- The Chetumal bus runs twice a day; missing the afternoon one strands you.
- Sargassum can pile up on the beach from May to September.
- If you cross to Belize by boat, sort your tourist card and immigration before you arrive — the nearest office is in Mahahual.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance
- 078
- Green Angels (roadside help)
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
XcalakXcalak
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No consulate in Xcalak; the US has a consular agency in Playa del Carmen and the embassy is in Mexico City. Most other countries: embassies in Mexico City.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chetumal → Xcalak, Caribé bus: about M$200, 2.5 h (check)
- Xcalak → Mahahual, Caribé bus: about M$100, 1 h (check)
- Boat to Caye Caulker, Belize: arrange with a captain or dive shop; price varies (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- ¿Dónde hay un cajero? — Where is the ATM? (DON-de ai un ka-HE-ro)
- Quiero bucear en el arrecife — I want to dive the reef (KYE-ro boo-se-AR en el a-re-SI-fe)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you take cards? (a-SEP-tan tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Hay lancha hoy? — Is there a boat today? (ai LAN-cha oi)
Bring cash from Chetumal; cards are accepted at some hotels only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Xcalak. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry, calm water) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain, storms); Aug–Sep for sargassum · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CTM and CUN: bus times, car-hire desks, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters in the village plus the north beach road, with the two bus stops marked.
- Place pages for Xcalak Reef National Park and Chinchorro Banks with dive-shop and permit notes.
- Eat pages with last orders, since most kitchens close early.