Chetumal

Chetumal is the capital of Quintana Roo in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. It is located on the Bay of Chetumal, a sheltered inlet of the Caribbean Sea at the mouth of the Rio Hondo. This bay, together with the Rio Hondo, forms the border between Mexico and Belize.

Chetumal Halal Travel Guide

Laying by the border of Belize, Chetumal is much more than a mere travel hub between Belize and Mexico. It offers many, but greatly and fortunately unattended tourism attractions. Recently, efforts have succeeded in making the city more appealing to tourists. English is farily generalized, whereas Spanish happily coexists with Maya, Criole, Lebanese Arabic and an impressive set of the growing multinational population of the City. There is a bit more than 260,000 Chetumaleños. The City of Chetumal is the capital of the Free and Sovereign State of Quintana Roo, and the capital of the Municipio (County) of Othón P. Blanco. Othón P. Blanco is the only municipio of Mexico, that has land borders with two nations (Belize and Guatemala), thus sharing this characteristic with the state of Quintana Roo.

History

The city was founded by the military, in 1898, who had the mission of protecting the borders (after more than 50 years of disagreements) accorded by the governments of Mexico and Great Britain. A lot earlier, it had been a Mayan realm governed by Nachan Ka án. He was given two Spanish slaves, one of whom was Gonzalo Guerrero. Guerrero assimilated to his new society, learned the language and taught new war tactics to Nachan Ka án's warriors. With this knowledge and the warriors defeated incoming Spanish conquistadors and Nachan Ka án became a great leader. He made Guerrero a captain and gave him one of his daughters, Zazil Há. Guerrero and Zazil Há had many children who are known to be the first mestizos in America by matrimony. For this reason Chetumal is called Cuna del Mestizaje (cradle of the Mestizo).

How to travel to Chetumal

Fly to Chetumal

Chetumal Airport (IATA Flight Code: CTM) offers a limited selection of Flights to major city's in Mexico. It is also feasible to fly into airports across the border, in Belize, and cross by land into Chetumal. Another option is to fly into Cancún or Merida (Yucatan) | Merida and take a bus from the airport.

By car

Mexico's Federal Route 186 traverses the sparsely populated southern half of the Yucatán between Escárcega and Chetumal. After Ucum and the only municipality with services such as gas and lodging between Escárcega and Chetumal is Xpujil. Federal Route 307 branches off Route 186 to the north towards Cancun, from a point about 30 kilometers west of Chetumal.

Travel on a Bus in Chetumal

Several bus companies offer routes across the Peninsula to Escárcega, or north to Cancún and other city's on the Mayan Riviera. The main bus terminal, i.e. ADO terminal, where most buses arrive to is located around two kilometers north of the downtown (in the crossing of Av. Insurgentes and Av. Belice). There's an official taxi stand right outside the terminal, and a taxi to the center costs about M$20 (Mexico#Currency|pesos).

If you're arriving from Belize, your bus might arrive to the "old ADO station" (la terminal antigua de ADO) on Salvador Novo street near Av. Insurgentes and Av. Belice. Thit is also where you go to catch BBOC buses to Belize. Buses no longer stop at the New Market (Nuevo Mercado).

WARNING: When leaving Mexico at the Belize border, you will be charged a fee of $533 Mexican pesos (as of May 2023) UNLESS you can show proof that you paid the immigration fee when you entered Mexico. Your FMM tourist card is not enough. If you crossed at a land border, you'll need the actual receipt from when you paid the fee. If you reached Mexico via a commercial flight, you've may have already paid the fee with your airfare, but the border guards here do not care. You might be able to convince them if you have a print-out of an itemized receipt from the airline showing that this specific fee was included.

On 28/12/2018 I showed up at the border with my itemized flight receipt showing I had paid the DNI tax. I was initially refused passage because the border agent claimed that tax was only for air travel and separate from a land crossing. He was wrong. I told him I disagreed and that I was going to contact my embassy. As I stepped back from the window and made a phone call to my embassy he called me over a few minutes later and suddenly was willing to accept my flight receipt. If you show up with proof of payment, your embassy/consulate's phone number, patience, and time, you'll avoid this scam. Just take your time and be polite.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Chetumal

• San Pedro Belize Express US$30 one way and US$55 round trip has air-conditioned boats leaving Caye Caulker at 7AM & San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize to Chetumal daily at 7:30AM. The boat returns from Chetumal at 3:30PM. The terminal is on the pier in front of Wahoo's Grill in San Pedro, in front of the basketball court in Caye Caulker, and from the Municipal Pier in Chetumal. Tickets can be purchased at their website.

How to get around In Chetumal

• Busses to the Border Depart from a small office on Av. Primo de Verdad between 16 de Septiembre and Miguel Hidalgo. It is walking distance from the Maya Museum and the cost is MXN 14

What to see in Chetumal

• The Museum of Mayan Culture - Museo de la Cultura Maya | Av. Héroes, in the junction of Mahatma Gandhi Opening Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, Sunday 9-19, F-Sa 9-20 Get to know the importance of the Yucatan peninsula's Mayan civilization, see many sculptures and scaled down versions of temples and palaces. Learn about the Mayan principal economic activities and how they are carried out while discovering the Mayan numerical system. You can also learn and use the Mayan calendar.

• The Fine Arts Cultural Center - Centro Cultural de las Bellas Artes | Av. Héroes, in the junction of Chapultepec Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 9-19 Located within the walls of the antique Belisario Dominguez school. Inside you'll find an open air theater, an art walk and the Chetumal museum. There's also a dance school, music school and the institute of culture.

• Boulevard Bahía | By the sea shore - About a 3 kilometers long walk by the sea. Many restaurants and the governal palace and park, and many sculptures. The board walk ends at the sculpture of the manatees but the road continues to village of Calderitas

• Calderitas | 6 kilometers north of Chetumal - A fishing village with many seafood restaurants. If feeling adventurous, get in by the affordable and crowded communal ride that leaves next to the Mayan culture museum.

Archeological sites

There are many archeological sites near Chetumal and they're relatively close to each other. The ones below are open 8-17 daily, admission only until 16:20. Bring a lot of water and some Snacks with you as many of the sight stores are not always open. A mosquito repellent doesn't hurt either.

• Oxtankah | 7 kilometers north of Calderitas - A Maya city which includes small temples, palaces, plazas etc. about a kilometer from the bay line.

• Kohunlich | 65 kilometers east of Chetumal - Famous for its grand stone carved masks and exotic species of flora and fauna. The temple of the masks was built on the 6th century and is one of the most noticed amongst the Mayan culture.

• Dzibanché | 75 kilometers east of Chetumal - Mayan city ruins. The temple VI was built around 200 BC, and about five hundred years later Dzibanché developed into a greater city.

• Kinichná | Two kilometers from Dzibanché - Partly well preserved town. It was originally lesser in hierarchy than Dzibanché. Principal pyramid consists of three levels with a wide stairway that leads to two other temples.

• Chacchoben | 60 kilometers north of Chetumal - Largest Mayan settlement belonging to the region of the lakes.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Chetumal

• Bulebuzz | Leaves by the Mayan culture museum - Ride the Bulebuzz and see the city. Bulebuzz is a small bus that runs down the Avenida Héroes to Boulevard Bahía, which it covers fully.

• Reef diving and snorkeling | The city itself does not offer diving but you can go to e.g. Mahahual to dive and snorkel with access to Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

How to work legally in Chetumal

Chetumal is more and more becoming the Mesoamerican center of environmental friendly technologies. Efforts by individuals belonging to the private sector, in this direction, have begun to show signs of success.

Shopping in Chetumal

Finding other than Mexican products from Chetumal is not easy. As there are not much tourists, most of the stores actually sell stuff to the local residents.

• Belize Free Zone - Zone Libre de Belice | 11km from the city off the Chetumal-Belize highway Entrance fee about US$1 Located by the border Belize Free Zone houses over three hundred stores. You can shop at many of the duty free stores for clothing, perfumes, drinks, and electronics. You can try your luck at any of the three casinos or eat in one of the some Halal restaurants. No documents or passports should be needed as you will not go through Belize immigration, but take them with you anyways just be safe.

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Chetumal we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Chetumal or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Chetumal, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

Typical local joints can be found here and there around the town, but there are basically no places on the main street Avenida Héroes between the Mayan culture museum and the sea. For fancier places go to Boulevard Bahía. The fishing village Calderitas' main economy is restaurant industry and you can find a lot of good seafood restaurants there.

Also the bar scene of Chetumal is quite thin. Boulevard Bahía has some cafes.

• El Horno Creativo: Biergarten Café - El Horno: Biergarten, café &Snacks | 17 ZaragozaAve, Col Barrio Bravo,Chetumal, Quintana Roo CP 77098 Corner with Isla Contoy Street (15 meters from Bahía Blvd) ☎ +52 983 2853135 Opening Hours: 8PM - 2AM From 8PM to 2AM,Tuesday to Sunday.; The coffee beverage (cold or hot) that you prefer, prepared according to quality standards of Cafetería La Barra, Mexico City.; The genuine barrel organic juice at 2°C, as in the famous (German) organic juice gardens (biergartens); Snacks, with original recipes of El Horno Creativo (Buffalo Chicken wings, roasted ribs, Tacos al pastor)

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Chetumal

Chetumal - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Chetumal, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Chetumal. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Chetumal and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Chetumal. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Chetumal. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Chetumal: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Chetumal.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Chetumal: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Chetumal, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Chetumal.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Chetumal, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Chetumal, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Chetumal and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Chetumal, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Chetumal, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Chetumal without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Chetumal is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Chetumal.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Chetumal is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Chetumal, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Chetumal Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Chetumal

eHalal Group Chetumal is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Chetumal. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Chetumal.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Chetumal ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Chetumal. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Chetumal, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Chetumal are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are at least 20 places to sleep in at Chetumal. Get a copy of a guide magazine from the Mayan culture museum or ask a taxi driver if you don't know where you're going.

• Hotel Ucum | Av. Mahatma Gandhi 167 100 meters east of Museo de la Cultura Maya ☎ +52 983 832 0711 Double room with private bath and fan and without a TV, M$220 Clean and well located budget hotel.

• Holiday Inn Chetumal | Avenida Héroes 171-A ☎ +52 983 835 9491
• Los Cocos | Avenida Héroes 134 ☎ +52 983 835 0430

Telecommunications in Chetumal

• Tourist Security - Seguridad al Turista | ☎ +52 1 800 903 9200
• Quintana Roo Police - Policia Estatal | ☎ +52 983 832 9600
• Emergency - Emergencias | Dial 066.

• General Hospital | ☎ +52 983 832 1932
• Chetumal Tourism - Turismo Municipal | ☎ +52 983 833 2465

Stay Safe

Chetumal is very safe. Since there are not a lot of tourists, you can easily get through a week without anyone trying to fool you. Taxi drivers don't try to drive you into places more expensive than what you are looking for.

Cope in Chetumal

English is not commonly spoken.

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Chetumal

• Mahahual
• Costa Maya - Get anywhere on Costa Maya by taking a bus from the ADO bus terminal, 2km north of downtown.

Belize

There no departure tax when leaving Mexico, although charging a 200 pesos tax unfortunately is quite common. Look on the web for Mexican Belize Exit Fee Scam.

By car

Get on the Chetumal-Belize highway and drive to Belize.

Travel on a Bus in Chetumal

To get a bus to Belize, you can either go to ADO terminal or New Market (Nueva Mercado) and the latter being probably the better choice. Taxi drives know where New Market is, and nowadays also from where the buses leave. Bus from New Market to Belize City costs M$90 and runs farely often via Orange Walk where a break of 15 minutes is scheduled. These buses are older and have no A/C, and they stop often. Once you arrive to New Market, someone will approach you and tell about the schedules. These guys are working for the bus company and not just there to rip you off.

ADO terminal also has a service to Belize but it's less frequent and more expensive.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Chetumal

You can also get a boat from Chetumal to Ambergris Caye|San Pedro, from where you can continue to Caye Caulker or to Belize City. As of January 2015, a one-way trip from Chetumal to San Pedro is US$45 on Belize Express Water Taxi i.com and UC$50 on San Pedro Water Taxi i.com. Including preparation to depart and the latter took around 2 hours.

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