Chetumal, a name that comes from Chactemal, which in Mayan language means "The place where red trees grow." Central Gateway to Mexico, capital of Quintana Roo, home of miscegenation, Chetumal is a cultural center whose dirt roads take you to visit archaeological sites full of magic and picturesque communities that preserve the serene charm of the village. On their way water enjoying the unusual spell of its bay, sailing the Rio Hondo or come to Bacalar and Xcalak . Chetumal bordering the vast but shallow Bay of Chetumal, which is part of the manatee sanctuary established in Mexico in order to protect the surviving population of this aquatic mammal. Chetumal has beautiful hotels and interesting activities including the Museum of Mayan Culture The City Museum, the Market, the Maya ruin Oxtankah, and bay front boulevard.

Chetumal, 15km from Belize the neighbouring country’s influence is reflected in everything from the language (many people speak English) to the clapboard houses. Obliterated by Hurricane Janet in 1955, the city is a hodgepodge of modern concrete buildings (some even exuding a bit of 1960s flair) and a few old wooden houses with porches that remain from the settlement’s earliest days. As the state capital and a border town, Chetumal is bustling but largely oblivious to tourists which can be refreshing after the hedonism of the Riviera Maya. Although it can’t really be praised as a destination for its own sake, it does make a decent one- or two-day stop for resting and restocking, as everything’s relatively cheap. You could also take day or overnight trips to the Río Bec archeological sites west from here, though car rental is the one thing in Chetumal that’s not a great deal.

The central part of Chetumal is strung along Avenida de Niños Héroes, the town’s main street, which runs south to the waterfront.

The main attraction, on Avenida de Niños Héroes at the northern edge of the centre, is the Museo de la Cultura Maya (Tues–Thurs & Sun 9am–7pm, Fri & Sat 9am–8pm). It has nifty exhibits on the Maya calendar and counting system, and a re-creation of one of fresco rooms at Bonampak. The Alegría del Mestizaje sculpture out front is one of the most striking depictions of the popular theme of the intermingling of Spanish and indigenous cultures, showing the Mexican born of a conquistador and a Maya woman.

Immediately south is a little warren of shops and loncherías what’s called the “old” market (the newer, larger one, where most of the fresh produce is sold and buses for Belize gather, is 1km northwest along Niños Héroes). A couple of blocks further south, the Centro Cultural de las Bellas Artes, in a striking 1936 neo-Maya-style school, now houses the romantic memorabilia of the Museo de la Ciudad (Tues–Sun 9am–7pm) as well as the state schools for the performing arts there’s usually live music here on weekend evenings. From here, Niños Héroes continues down to the bay and the malecón, popular for evening strolls and fishing. A few blocks east, behind the modern Palacio Legislativo, a small Caribbean house contains the fascinating Maqueta Payo Obispo (Tues–Sun 9am–1pm & 5–9pm), a hand-carved scale model of Chetumal as it looked in the 1920s.

The intersection of Niños Héroes and Obregón has the highest concentration of restaurants, while the market stalls south of the Museo de la Cultura Maya have good, inexpensive fare at lunch. Nightlife isn’t particularly vibrant, but on weekend evenings the plaza has food stalls, and residents flock to the bar/ restaurants strung along the seafront east of the plaza.

By road:

From Merida, capital of Yucatan state, the city of Chetumal there is a distance of 390 km with an approximate journey time of 5 hours. From Cancun to Chetumal are 380 km, about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Mexico City to Chetumal there are a thousand 343 km, which can be covered in about 17 hours.

By bus:

Chetumal’s main bus station is on the north side of town, a short taxi ride from the centre. A bus ticket office in town, on Belice between Gandhi and Colón, handles long-haul services.

By air:

From Merida (Yucatan state capital) to the city of Chetumal, an estimated flight time of approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, without making stops.

From Cancun to Chetumal it estimated flight time of approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, without making stops.

Mexico City to Chetumal estimated flight time of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, making a stop in the city of Merida.

The city of Chetumal is based Chetumal International Airport, airport facility that communicates air with the rest of the country, it is located at the far east of the city, at the end of Avenida Revolucion.

In Chetumal International Airport operate three airlines, has two daily flights bound for Mexico City and two daily flights from the same point; and Soul of Mexico that communicates by air with the cities of Cancun, Villahermosa and Veracruz.