PRE-TRIP INFORMATION – BACALAR, MEXICO
Dear swimmer!
We look forward to seeing you soon on our swimming trip to Bacalar, Mexico. Your guides for this trip will be Borut Strel and Ricardo Bermudez with the local boat pilots. You can contact Borut at +14086346633 (text, call), +447858252586 (sms, call) or +38631648750 (whatsapp).
Meeting Time-Place:
Google map location
Finish Time-Place:
The last day of the trip at 10.00 am in Bacalar.
Hotel address:
Hotel Aires Bacalar
Avenida 3 esquina calle 26 s/n
Colonia Mario Villanueva
77930 Bacalar, Q.Roo, Mexico
Travel Info:
Please feel free to contact each other regarding travel times and arrivals.
1) Chetumal Airport is about 40 min away from the Bacalar town and Aires hotel. Local taxis are widely available at the airport and in town and you can pay in Mexican pesos or US dollars.
1a) Car Transfer (from Chetumal)
You can book an airport pick-up transfer via our Hotel Aires. When requesting a transfer, please let them know:
Your full name, email, cell phone (mobile) number, how many people travel.
The rate is 250 Mxn ($15 Usd) per person paid in cash in Mxn or Usd.
Please email the Hotel Aires for airport transfer requests: [email protected], Ph: +52 983 834 22 16, +52 983 834 2182
2) From Cancun (town or airport)
2a) By Bus; should you travel via Tulum or Cancun, there are several local buses daily to Bacalar. The biggest company is ADO. You buy a ticket online in advance. Once you reach the Bacalar drop-off station, the best is to take a local taxi for a 5 min drive to our hotel.
Book bus tickets online or via mobile App:
https://www.busbud.com/
https://guatego.com/
https://www.ado.com.mx/
2b) By private transfer; Please email Hotel Aires to book a transfer service for you. [email protected].
Current rates for the van transport:
Cancun Airport – Hotel Aires Bacalar for up to 8 people $ 7,500 Mxn.
Cancun Airport – Hotel Aires Bacalar for up to 11 people $ 9,000 Mxn.
The service is paid in cash on location or at the hotel upon arrival.
2c) By rental car; Cancun and Tulum have many rental car options and you can just rent a car. You pre-book online. https://www.holidayautos.com/, https://www.kayak.com/, https://www.expedia.com/
Additional nights:
If you require additional nights’ accommodation while in Bacalar, you can contact Hote Aires and see if they have rooms available. Otherwise, there are several other accommodation options in Bacalar town. (Email: [email protected]).
Important information:
a) Some nationals may require a visa to enter Mexico. Please check this if you need one.
b) Have some pocket money in either US dollars or Mexican pesos for evening meals and tipping (cash or using Paypal or Venmo). The boat crew and Strel guides are usually tipped at the end of the trip. ATMs are available in town to withdraw cash.
c) Items to bring: All you need for swimming plus: Towel, Aqua Shoes/Sandals, Drinking Water Bottle marked with YOUR NAME on it. You can bring a swim tow float (swim buoy) should you prefer to wear it for your comfort and visibility.
We have ready for you our Bacalar silicone swim caps. Should you require fins and other swimming gear please bring these with you.
Using the normal sun cream is not allowed in Bacalar Lagoon, so please bring a rashguard (rash vest top) instead if you want to protect yourself against the sun. You can use a normal sun cream for the ocean swim.
e) Use bottled water in Mexico including at the hotel. Local shops are widely available.
f) Please have your travel health insurance copy (or upload it onto our website) with you. https://www.strel-swimming.com/my-account/
We hope you all enjoy our Bacalar – Mexican swimming adventure! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
The warm Bacalar Lagoon is waiting for you!
Useful information
ATM: There are several ATM machines in the town square and they all seem to be working OK. Google map location.
Recommended Restaurants in Bacalar:
To be added