Chetumal's airport (CTM) has a small but increasing number of domestic flights from Mexico City, Cancún and Guadalajara — handy if you want to skip the long bus from Cancún. Most travellers, however, arrive overland. ADO buses connect Chetumal with Cancún (5–6 hours), Mérida (6 hours), Playa del Carmen (5 hours) and Tulum (4 hours), running roughly hourly through the day.
From Belize, water taxis run several times a week from Caye Caulker and San Pedro to Chetumal's marina, a scenic crossing of about 90 minutes through Belizean cayes. Overland from Belize, regular minibuses run between Belize City, Orange Walk, Corozal and the Subteniente López border crossing on the Mexican side, where shared taxis continue into Chetumal.
The Tren Maya now reaches Chetumal from the north, opening up rail travel to Bacalar, Tulum and Cancún. Check current schedules — the network is new and still being shaken down.