Driving from San Cristobal de las Casas to Chetumal
Replies: 9 - Last Post: Feb 12, 2013 4:57 PM Last Post By: bertuzzist
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Driving from San Cristobal de las Casas to Chetumal
Hello everybody,I am planning to visit Yucatan and Chiapas by car and I'd like to know if, in your opinion, driving from San Cristobal de las Casas to Chetumal in one day is doable.
According to google maps it should be a 700-Km trip that could be done in around 9hrs. Has anyone done the same trip? I am aware that the road between San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque is rather slow and "tiring", that's why I am asking.
Any input much appreciated
Many thanks in advance
Bert
1
According to the government website it should be done in 9 hrs 12 mins. See here: RutasThat tends to be a little optimistic and doesn't allow for stops, not even for gas. Realistically it will take at least 10 hours. I guess it's possible but I recommend leaving at first light.
2
I haven't done that drive, and wouldn't want to - that would be a grueling haul and I don't believe the nine-hour estimate is realistic (average speed about 50 mph for 700 km). Besides the sheer distance, there'll be slow trucks, stops for food & gas, and all the unexpected stuff that happens on Mexican roadways (disable cars blocking raodways, livestock on the road, road damage, detours, etc).3
Is this your first time in Mexico ? If you have not Visited Tonala, Agua Azul & the ruins at Plaenque... cut yourself some slack & smell the flowers !!! carracar4
I don't think you could do it in 9 hrs. There are hundreds of topes (Speed bumps) and sharp curves between San Cris and Palenque. You don't want to be driving at night. Spend the night in Palenque and finish the trip the next day. If you try to do the trip in one day you sure are going to miss seeing some of the best that Chiapas has to offer.5
If you have a car and an interest in archaeological ruins, it would be a pity to drive right by Calakmul without stopping.8
I did this drive a few years ago, it's more like 14 hours, it's a hoof. Yes it is a slow going drive, trust me. However on the bright side lots of good stops. Ocosingo is a nice town with some cool ruins, of course you have Palenque and I agree you would be nut's to pass on Calakmul, my favorite and Xpujil is also a nice little town with great ruins nearby, Becan is definitely worth a stop.9
Firstly I would like to thank you all for the information - I have really appreciated that;I've decided that it's wiser to skip AT FIRST San Cristobal de las Casas as I'll be able to reach it afterwards from Oaxaca (not by car this time but by coach).
In other words I'll do a loop Cancun/Cancun (the one way fees of all rental companies are ridiculous) including a rather long detour to Palenque and will go to SCdlC from Oaxaca once I'll fly there there (I had already planned to fly to Oaxaca) - this will make the driving times more reasonable and I will not lose the opportunity to visit SCdlC.
Hopefully that makes sense to you too
Cheers
Bert
