251km (156 miles) S of Tulum; 37km (23 miles) S of Lago Bacalar
Capital of the state, and the second-largest city (after Cancún), Chetumal (pop. 210,000) is not a tourist destination. The old part of town, down by the river (Río Hondo), has a Caribbean feel, but the rest is unremarkable. Chetumal is the gateway to Belize, Tikal, and the Río Bec ruins. If you're going to spend the night here, visit the Museo de la Cultura Maya (tel. 983/832-6838), especially if you plan to follow the Río Bec ruin route.
