Major city · Mexico
Mahahual
Go for 2 nights if you dive or want a quiet beach; skip if you only have a Cancún week — it is 4+ h each way by road.
Mahahual is a small beach village on the Costa Maya, about 4 hours south of Cancún by road and close to the Belize border. A cruise pier sits at the north end, so the town splits in two: busy when ships are in, quiet when they leave, and quieter still along the coastal road south of the village. Come for the reef, the malecon and slow days, not for sightseeing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry, cooler)
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), and cruise-ship days if you want quiet
- Airports
- CUN · CTM
- Nights
- 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.
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 Mahahual911 ▾
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 Mahahual, 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
- SafetyMahahual is a small, low-crime beach town; the real risks are cash (ATMs fail), storm season in Sep–Oct, and sun and sea without shade or a guide.
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 (Ángeles Verdes)
- 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.
- AirportCUN Cancún International (About 4–5 h by road; rent a car or book a transfer).
- Getting aroundRent a car if you plan to move between the village and the beach hotels south of town; taxis cover short hops in the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Sit-down mealBeach restaurant meal (fish tacos, ceviche)M$150–300
- Beerbeach bar / shopM$50–90M$25–40
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the villageM$50–100
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$250–500
- Budget bedHostel or camping bed, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedBeach hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedBeach hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$4,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,400 (≈ US$80) · High MX$2,800 (≈ US$160)
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
- CUN Cancún International (About 4–5 h by road; rent a car or book a transfer) · CTM Chetumal International (About 2–2.5 h by road; ADO bus to Mahahual runs about twice a day)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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
not flagged
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
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Sep–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 (15 rain days), driest Mar (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mahahual: 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)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 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
Rent a car if you plan to move between the village and the beach hotels south of town; taxis cover short hops in the village. The malecon is walkable end to end. ADO buses connect Chetumal and Bacalar about twice a day.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bacalar lagoon
overnightDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Car or ADO bus toward Chetumal, then local transport
Better as a night or two on the way to or from Chetumal.
Chetumal
goDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
ADO bus, about twice a day
Gateway to Belize water taxis and the southern highway.
Chacchoben ruins
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Car or organised tour, about 80 km (50 mi) inlandCar or organised tour, about 50 mi (80 km) inland
Classic-period pyramids; go early before the heat and tour buses.
Xcalak
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
Car south along the coastal road
Remote fishing and diving village; rough road, few services.
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.
Mahahual Pueblo (malecon)
Walk to beach, restaurants and dive shops; noisiest on cruise days.
North end near the cruise pier
Closest to the port and water park; busiest and priciest when ships dock.
Coastal road south (km 4–15)
Beachfront eco-hotels and rentals, solar power, few services; you need a car or taxi.
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$600–1,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,000–2,000 excl. bed
- High
- M$2,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Beach hotel double room1 × 2 nights × MX$1,800 | MX$3,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,400 | MX$5,600 |
| Snorkel trip from the malecon2 × MX$700 | MX$1,400 |
| Two-tank reef dive2 × MX$1,800 | MX$3,600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$1,480 |
| Trip total≈ MX$4,070 per person per day, bed included | MX$16,280≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in pesos; transport to Mahahual excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
| Beach restaurant meal (fish tacos, ceviche) | M$150–300 |
| Beer: beach bar / shop | M$50–90 / M$25–40 |
| Snorkel or dive trip | M$700–1,800 |
| Taxi in the village | M$50–100 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$250–500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cruise-ship days flood the malecon and beaches with day visitors; check the port schedule before you book a beach day.
- Many ATMs run out of cash or fail; bring pesos and treat cards as a backup.
- South-of-town hotels run on solar and stored water; expect basic power and no air conditioning in some places.
- September and October bring heavy rain and storm risk.
- The sea is calm behind the reef, but currents and boat traffic exist near the port; snorkel with a guide or from a marked beach.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes)
- 078
Pocket card
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MahahualMahahual
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassy in Mahahual; the US, UK and Canada have embassies in Mexico City and consulates in Cancún and Playa del Carmen (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- ADO Chetumal airport → Mahahual: about M$255, about 2–2.5 h
- ADO Chetumal bus station → Mahahual: about M$150
- Taxi Chetumal airport → bus station: short hop, ask the price first
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you take cards? (ak-SEP-tan tar-HE-ta)
- ¿Dónde hay un cajero? — Where is the ATM? (DON-de ay un ka-HE-ro)
- ¿Hay crucero hoy? — Is there a cruise ship today? (ay kroo-SE-ro oy)
- Quiero hacer esnórquel — I want to snorkel (KYE-ro a-SER es-NOR-kel)
Cash is king: carry pesos, as village ATMs often fail or run dry.
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 Mahahual. 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, cooler) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain and storm season), and cruise-ship days if you want quiet · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares