Major city · Mexico
Xpujil
Stay 1–2 nights in Xpujil only as a base for Calakmul and the Río Bec ruins; the town itself is a highway junction with a small site.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (heat, rain and mosquitoes); Sep–Oct wettest
- Airports
- CTM · CPE
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
Xpujil is a village of about 2,100 people on Federal Route 186 in the interior of Campeche, the only place with a choice of hotels and restaurants for miles. It sits at the centre of the Ruta Río Bec and is the usual launch point for Calakmul, 60 km south on a slow road. Come for the ruins, not the town: one or two nights covers the archaeology, and the Tren Maya station 4 km north now links it to Escárcega, Campeche and Chetumal.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Xpujil, 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
- SafetyXpujil is a small, quiet highway town and the usual risks are practical, not violent: heat, mosquitoes, dark unlit side streets at night…
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (SECTUR) · 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.
- AirportcheckCTM Chetumal (Nearest airport with commercial flights; about 1.5–2 h by car or taxi (check)).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk, and side streets off the highway are quiet; Calle Chicaná is paved and lit for an evening walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or soft drinkM$30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealBreakfast with chilaquiles or hotcakesM$80–150 (≈ US$5–9)
- BeerBeer in a restaurantM$40–70 (≈ US$3–4)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$200–400 (≈ US$11–25)
- Budget bedBudget room with fan and shared bath, a night, per roomMX$300 (≈ US$17)
- Mid-range bedDouble room with A/C and private bath, a night, per roomMX$900 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedDouble room with A/C and private bath, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$600 (≈ US$35) · Mid MX$1,100 (≈ US$60) · High MX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
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 →
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 (Nearest airport with commercial flights; about 1.5–2 h by car or taxi (check)) · CPE Campeche (Further; buses and Tren Maya connect instead)
Weather and climate
Xpujil: 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
29°C84°F
17°C63°F
5 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
18°C64°F
4 rd
Mar
33°C91°F
20°C68°F
4 rd
Apr
35°C95°F
22°C72°F
5 rd
May
35°C95°F
23°C73°F
9 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
15 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
16 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
16 rd
Sep
32°C90°F
22°C72°F
18 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
21°C70°F
14 rd
Nov
30°C86°F
19°C66°F
8 rd
Dec
29°C84°F
17°C63°F
6 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small enough to walk, and side streets off the highway are quiet; Calle Chicaná is paved and lit for an evening walk. For the ruins you need a car, a hired 4x4 or a guided tour — the jungle roads to Calakmul and the Río Bec sites are not walkable. The Tren Maya station is about 4 km north of town: arrange a taxi or transfer.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Calakmul
goDoor to door: Full day, roughly 08:00–17:00
Guided day tour or colectivo from town, about 2 h each way on the reserve road
Tour about M$350–400 plus park and road fees; the site is the reason most people come.
Balamku
goDoor to door: Half day with the drive
Car or tour west on MEX 186, about 60 kmCar or tour west on MEX 186, about 37 mi
Long stucco frieze; lightly visited, often just you and the caretaker.
Chicanna and Becan
goDoor to door: Half day for both
Car or tour north of MEX 186, short drives from town
Chicanna's serpent-mouth doorway is the sharpest carving in the Río Bec style; two hours is enough.
Hormiguero and Río Bec
cautionDoor to door: Half to full day
Car or tour on the marked Ruta Río Bec roads
Jungle tracks; go with a guide or a 4x4 and check conditions after rain.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h by road
Bus, colectivo or Tren Maya east
Colectivos and shared taxis fill up near the bus station.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
MEX 186 through town
Most hotels and restaurants line the highway; walkable, but traffic runs past the doors.
Near the ADO bus terminal
Calle Palmar side; handy for early buses and colectivos, a few minutes from the centre.
East side of town
A few camping areas and cabins; quieter, needs a car or taxi for everything.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,600 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,600 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room with A/C and private bath1 × 2 nights × MX$900 | MX$1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,100 | MX$4,400 |
| Calakmul day tour, per person2 × MX$400 · check — park and road fees usually extra | MX$800 |
| Tren Maya, Xpujil to Chetumal or Escárcega2 × MX$300 · check | MX$600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$820 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,255 per person per day, bed included | MX$9,020≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pesos; intercity transport and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or soft drink | M$30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Breakfast with chilaquiles or hotcakes | M$80–150 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Set lunch (comida corrida) | M$120–200 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Pizza that feeds two | M$150–250 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Beer in a restaurant | M$40–70 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Calakmul day tour, per personcheck — park and road fees usually extra | M$350–400 (≈ US$19–25) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$200–400 (≈ US$11–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The road north of the Calakmul reserve has long stretches of deep potholes; some drivers should avoid it or go very slowly.
- South of Xpujil the same road becomes an unimproved seasonal track.
- Calakmul day tours leave around 08:00 and return late afternoon; park and road fees are usually extra on top of the tour price.Calakmul day tours leave around 8:00 AM and return late afternoon; park and road fees are usually extra on top of the tour price.
- Bring cash: ATMs are scarce and cards are not accepted everywhere.
- Mosquitoes and heat are real from May to October; repellent and water are not optional.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)
- 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.
XpujilXpujil
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)078
- Green Angels roadside help078
Embassy
No embassies in Xpujil; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Campeche, Chetumal and Mexico City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chetumal → Xpujil, bus or colectivo: about 1.5–2 h; fare band M$150–250 (≈ US$9–14) (check)
- Campeche → Xpujil, second-class bus: 5–6 h, about M$300 (≈ US$17) (check)
- Calakmul day tour: M$350–400 (≈ US$19–25) plus park and road fees (check)
Say or show
- ¿Dónde está la terminal de autobuses? — Where is the bus station? (DON-deh es-TA la ter-mee-NAL de ow-toh-BOO-ses)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta el tour a Calakmul? — How much is the tour to Calakmul? (KWAN-toh KWES-ta el toor a ka-lak-MOOL)
- ¿Está bien la carretera? — Is the road in good condition? (es-TA byen la ka-reh-TEH-ra)
- Quisiera una habitación por dos noches — I would like a room for two nights (kee-SYEH-ra OO-na a-bee-ta-SYON por dos NO-ches)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
Cash is king: carry pesos for tours, park fees and small restaurants.
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 Xpujil. 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: Nov–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (heat, rain and mosquitoes); Sep–Oct wettest · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CTM: last bus and colectivo cutoffs, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: MEX 186 strip, Calle Chicaná, the bus terminal and the Tren Maya station.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs for Xpujil, Chicanna, Becan, Balamku and Calakmul, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Calakmul day-tour fixture: departure time, fee band, park-fee split and return time.
Sources
- officialCalakmul municipality
- officialTren Maya
- secondaryWikivoyage: Xpujil, revision 5266947 (CC BY-SA 4.0)