New American Airlines Flight from Miami-to Chetumal
At the end of 2021, American Airlines’ plan to add a new route between Miami and Chetumal on Wednesdays and Saturdays has finally started.
The airline – specifically the aircraft Embraer 175 – will offer bi-weekly frequency on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a maximum capacity for 76 travelers.
64 passengers will travel in the main cabin, and 12 seats are reserved in business class. While the most common and frequent flights in Quintana Roo were previously for Cancun, this new route is promising for travelers willing to explore another part of the state.
Where is Chetumal?
Chetumal is located in the Mexican state Quintana Roo, near the Belize border. It is situated on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula near Belize, with which it forms a small conurbation.
The city has a beachfront bay view of its eastern coastline. The town was founded in 1898 and is home to nearly 200,000 locals today.
Nowadays, Chetumal is mainly known for its border with Belize, its zoo, the Maya culture, and the Corozal Free Zone, a goods and services tax-free zone between both countries.
How to Get to Chetumal from the Airport?
Chetumal airport is located only 2 miles from the city center. While you can walk if you have a piece of small luggage and if your hotel is near the airport, we recommend booking a taxi for further-located accommodations.
A taxi from Chetumal airport to the downtown area will not cost you over $5, and you’ll get there in 10 minutes or less. On the other hand, a taxi from the downtown area to the airport costs just about the same.
Passengers can also travel from Belize City to Chetumal airport, taking a bus for about $10 or driving crossing the border. That being said, we recommend checking the current travel restrictions in place.
On a side note, when entering the state of Quintana Roo, passengers are required to pay a $48 tourism tax. This applies to all nationalities and for all types of travel, and can the process can be completed using the Visitax Chetumal entry form.
What to Do in Chetumal
Chetumal is a great tourist destination for people who want to escape the coast’s heat, enjoy authentic Yucatán cuisine, and explore Mayan culture. The city has many different things for tourists to do and we’ll explore the most popular ones here.
Take a Stroll on Boulevard Bahia
Boulevard Bahia is a busy street along the coast in Chetumal and will quickly become your favorite location in town. During the evening, this tiny plaza/street becomes vibrant with many food vendors set up for the night. A lovely viewpoint of the sea, sunset viewing, cycling, street food, or simply people-watching is available here.
Join a trip to Bacalar
Bacalar is a Mexican community in the state of Quintana Roo near the border with Belize. Laguna de Bacalar is one of Mexico’s most beautiful lakes, but there are a variety of activities to enjoy in Bacalar beyond its shores.
If you want something different to do in Chetumal, take a taxi ride to Bacalar for around 30 minutes. You may also go on excursions to Fort San Felipe, the Canal de Los Piratas, and several cenotes in the vicinity.
Visit the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum)
The City Museum is a must-see for history enthusiasts in Chetumal. The museum contains furniture, ancient papers, photographs, weapons, and other displays that shed light on Chetumal’s fascinating history.
This is a must-see if you’re visiting the Instituto Quintanarroense de la Cultura (Quintana Roo Cultural Institute), one of Chetumal’s oldest structures.
Chetumal’s Biouniverzoo
The Chetumal’s Biouniverzoo is a fun and unusual nature reserve is located in the northern part of town and is ideal for a stroll. Take pleasure in the lush environment, marvel at the diversity of plant species, and meet the animals that call this place their home.
There are no cages or enclosed areas here, just enough free space for them to run about freely and enjoy their natural habitat.
A trip here is also one of the most incredible things to do in Chetumal after dark since you’ll also get to see some animals you wouldn’t see during the day.
Explore Oxtankah, an Ancient Mayan City
The fascinating Oxtankah ruins are about fifteen minutes from Chetumal. These are remnants of the Mayans, one of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations. A trip around the ruins will tell you tales of a great city as well as the Mayans’ outstanding craftsmanship. The architecture is fantastic; it has features that are both Mayan and Catholic in origin. Oxtankah is the perfect location to visit ancient ruins in the Yucatan without having to drive too far away from Chetumal.
The entrance fee is 55 pesos and the ruins are open from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM. You may take a taxi for a couple of hours and pay around 150 pesos per hour to get there.
Taste Delicacies at the Mercado de Chetumal
When in Mexico, you must consume their hearty, delicious cuisine. The public market in Chetumal is one of the finest locations to go for affordable yet tasty Mexican food.
Mercado de Chetumal, located on Avenida Los Heroes, is one of the town’s busiest spots – and it’s mainly because of the food.
This place is definitely a paradise for foodies, so grab some Mexican food while you’re here. Quesadillas, tortas, tamales, and the famous soup pozole are just a few of the best foods to eat while in Chetumal.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines has been operating all around Quintana Roo for the past 40 years, and this new route is undoubtedly great news for travelers alike.
There will be no need to travel up north in Cancun to discover what South Quintana Roo has to offer.
For those looking for something more relaxing than exploring an ancient site, there are always beaches nearby, with the most popular ones being Akumal and Xcalacoco. However, some great restaurants in the city offer delicious Yucatecan cuisine.
All things considered, Chetumal is a significant tourist destination for people who want to escape the heat of the coast and enjoy authentic Yucatán cuisine. Of course, when in Chetumal, you can explore Mayan culture without the crowds that you’d see in Chichen Itza.
