Tulum to Chetumal/Belize

[mrst]

Hubs and I will be in Tulum in April. We will be renting a car so that we can tule around and not have to worry about taxis etc. We were wondering what kind of drive it is from Tulum to Northern Belize. Anyone been around down there? Any advice?
Thanks!
t

p.s. we're staying at Freedom Paradise...noticed it's one of the few AI's that is still pending an update from Wilma (via funjet.) Any one with first hand info on what's up? Also looking for trip reports from that resort and or reviews- already read trip advisors. tks!

[Ginger]

Belize is just an hour or more's drive south of Tulum. It's an easy drive, so I've heard (never having done it myself, but I have driven from Chetumal to Playa, so close enough ;) ).

I'm not sure the regulations on taking a rental car across the border, however, and it seems to me that you'd want to be careful in that regard, and do some more resaearch in to whether or not this is alllowed.

[mrst]

Belize is just an hour or more's drive south of Tulum. It's an easy drive, so I've heard (never having done it myself, but I have driven from Chetumal to Playa, so close enough ;) ). Really? I thought it was around 150 miles...what's the speed limit down there?

[Ginger]

Really? I thought it was around 150 miles...what's the speed limit down there?

As fast as you feel safe going! :D

We drive fast, but don't recommend it. Getting a ticket is not fun.

But I think you may be right, that it may take longer than that. Like I said, I've never done. I drove from Chetumal to Playa, but that was after spending all day coming from Palenque (and the day before that coming from Texas!) so my judgment may have been impaired. :p

From what I remember, it was about 30 to 40 minutes from Felipe Carillo Puerto to Tulum. Then it's gotta be another hour, maybe two hours to Chetumal from there.

[Ted]

Hi,
We too are interested in renting a car and going down to Belize when we are there. Please let us know if anyone finds out insurance, etc.

Thanks,

Ted

[Gale in KY]

You cannot take a rental car from Mexico into Belize. I would suggest driving to Xcalak and arranging for a boat to take you. XTC Dive Center can arrange such a trip as this.
Xcalak is about a 3 hr drive from Tulum, road is good all the way, but do watch for those topes from outta nowhere. Follow 307 South thru Felipe De Carillo to Limones, turn Left at the Xcalak/Mahahual turnoff. If you drive thru this turnoff there is a Pemex just past the intersection, be sure to stop here and fill up the tank, then go back and turn Right to continue on to Xcalak. I believe there is also a Pemex in Mahahual, get gas there too, only gas in Xcalak is very expensive.

I have never driven to Chetumal, not sure about the directions, so I will leave that to someone who has.

[gabrielgdl]

Technically, you can't go into Belize by a rental car. But being honest, I've gone to Guatemala and to US in Mexican rented cars without consequences. Just take an international insurance before crossing the border, or just crossing it.
Iv'e driven the road from Chetumal to Tulum recently (before Wilma, eh?) and these are my estimate times:
Tulum - Carrillo Puerto: 60 miles, one hour.
Carrillo Puerto - Juan Sarabia (Escárcega-Chetumal highway intersection): 81 miles, 1:30 hours.
Juan Sarabia - Chetumal: 12 miles, 15 minutes.
You don't need drive till Chetumal for entering Belize; about 6 miles from Juan Sarabia there is an exit to Subteniente López, the village which is the Mexican border to Belize.
Have a nice trip
Gabriel

[Gale in KY]

I just checked the auto rental company I use in Cancun and they say YES, you can take their cars out of the country, however their insurance will not cover the vehicle if an accident occurs outside Mexico borders.

Insuring the vehicle 100% with insurance in Belize would be a must do, but, I did learn something today, you can in fact take a rental vehicle to Belize:D

[Jessie James]

I have friends that have taken a bus from Playa to Chetumal and from there to Belize and then out to the Belize Cayes...