Chetumal offers several reasons to visit: a long waterfront promenade, museums with different areas of focus, wooden houses with English and Caribbean architectural features, and a food culture shaped in part by Creole-Belizean influences. This gives you a clear question to consider when planning your trip: would you like to focus on exercise along a long route, Maya culture and maritime history, architectural heritage, or regional dishes?

Boulevard Bahía: route and exercise

Boulevard Bahía begins at Parque del Renacimiento and ends at the town of Calderitas. At 20 kilometers long, the waterfront promenade is the longest malecón on the Yucatán Peninsula. You can explore the route on foot or by bicycle; the boulevard is also a place for sports. Chetumal Bay surrounds it and has been declared the Santuario del Manatí. The route offers a different focus from the museums: its length and the two ways of exploring it mentioned here put exercise at the center, while the exhibitions focus on specific cultural topics.

Architectural heritage and museums

The wooden houses in Chetumal are recognized as cultural heritage of Quintana Roo. They combine features of English and Caribbean architecture. For those interested in architectural heritage, this combination offers a distinct way to experience the city alongside its museum topics. The Museo de la Ciudad de Chetumal is divided into six exhibition rooms and displays a scale model of the ship known as the Pontón de Chetumal. At the beginning of the 20th century, the original served as a customs station at the port. The six rooms describe the museum’s layout, while the Pontón provides the historical connection.

The Museo de la Cultura Maya in Chetumal has a different focus: its permanent exhibition is devoted exclusively to Maya culture. The difference is clear when choosing a museum: the Museo de la Ciudad links a named ship to its historical role as a customs station at the port, while the permanent exhibition at the Museo de la Cultura Maya is devoted exclusively to Maya culture.

Food culture in Chetumal

El Pescado al Pil-Pil is considered a dish endemic to Chetumal. Queso Relleno and Marquesitas are among the traditional foods found in parks and on the city’s main streets. Creole-Belizean cuisine also influences Chetumal’s food culture. This includes Rice & Beans with marinated chicken and fried plantains. If you’re choosing based on culinary focus, Pil-Pil is a dish described as endemic, Queso Relleno and Marquesitas are traditional foods, and Rice & Beans with marinated chicken and fried plantains are part of the Creole-Belizean-influenced food culture.

Plan your stay

If Chetumal fits your travel plans, find hotels in Chetumal for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cobá, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Bacalar, Holbox Island, Estero Franco, Calderita, Puerto Morelos, Xcalak

For the main travel overview: Quintana Roo.