Two Nights in Chetumal: Where I Stayed & Where I Ate

I traveled from San Pedro to Chetumal (the fast way) for a routine doctor’s appointment – a check-up on my Hashimoto’s thyroid autoimmune issue.

Skip over if you’ve heard this before: My disease (that’s such a strong word!) was diagnosed in 2021 in Belize after two off-duty folks who work in medicine mentioned that my neck looked swollen. (I thought feeling SOOOO fatigued was just an age related thing…and an epidemic-hangover) I inititally saw an internist in Belize City but wanted a more specialized opinion – so I traveled to see an endocrinologist in beautiful Merida, Mexico in May of 2022. But it was a pretty big trip getting up there…a whole production. After reaching out to the Face-universe, I found an English speaking doctor who travels down from Mexico City once a month to Chetumal, Mexico. Dr. Gilberto Trinidad Plaza Yamasaki (great name, right?) – he specializes in endocrinology and reproductive endocrinology. I went to see him in January 2025 and again, last week.

Earlier this week, I wrote about how I traveled from San Pedro, Belize to Chetumal. Now here’s where I stayed in Chetumal and, more importantly, what I ate.

More notes:

• Language: I find that most folks in Chetumal speak very little or no English. Some younger people and some front desk/waiters/taxi drivers speak some English, but it is the exception, not the rule. Additionally, I am on day 957 of DuoLingo Spanish, where I do the bare minimum (one lesson a day) – it helps a bunch with reading and speaking BASICS, but I am not ANYWHERE close to being able to have even the most basic conversation. Just be ready to use your Google translate 🙂

• Transportation: Uber (which is not available anywhere in Belize) works fantastically in Chetumal. (It also helps if you don’t speak the local language since your destination is provided before you even get in the car) Trips across town max out at about $4USD – trips within the city are $1-3USD. I never waited more than 5 minutes for an Uber to arrive. I use AirAlo to buy internet data packages on my IPhone.

I spent my 2-night stay at Casa Chetumal Hotel – a spot in a GREAT location. It’s an older spot with a popular cafe and bakery downstairs. I would call it simple and BIG. It also can be quite noisy. The halls are wide and the noise reverberates like an old-school YMCA. Squeaking sneakers, echoing voices…I was there on the weekend, and it was very busy. A big youth soccer team was staying in my hallway, and other folks were coming back from the club at 4am.

I found a white noise app on my phone that helped ALOT. On Booking.com, it was about $45USD a night. If you can, get a room towards the back of the hotel – it’s on a very busy street.

Though Sunday at 730am? It’s VERY quiet.

Let’s talk about food. There is not a ton of information online about restaurants in Chetumal – not much by way of Tripadvisor, travel blogging or Google Reviews.

The first night I was there, I decided to try the #1 ranked Restaurant on Tripadvisor. And…it fell flat.

Alamina Restaurant at the Hotel Noor. Nice looking spot but the food was expensive for Chetumal and kinda…meh.

Inside Alamina.

The next day I was up early for a coffee at my FAVORITE coffee spot (and the hippest spot I know) in Chetumal. Cafe 290. Delicious coffee – I love the lattes – amazing pastries…really good.

I passed a bunch of local joints. Getting the pork ready for the weekend rush. This smells SO good.

Sure you can buy a taco or two…but you can also take the prepared meat home by the kilo. Yum.

Additionally, Do not Google “Rica Conchita”. I just did…and I will now be getting fed ads for porn for the rest of the week. Ugh.

A few hours later, I walked about a block from my hotel and found an amazing and BUSTLING brunch spot.

A beautiful traditional wooden home has a glassed-in patio around it. Makes for a beautiful restaurant space. It’s called Queridos Amigos.

My seat on the glassed in patio.

The Strawberry Fields juice was soooo good.

The entire menu is just so good. Price wise? This is about as expensive as it gets in Chetumal. ($1 USD = $18 pesos)

I went sweet – the stuffed french toast.

Stumbling out into the bright sunshine…and taking pictures of the gorgeous murals that are all over town.

I was full for a while…but ventured out to a very cool spot just a few doors down from Queridos Amigos called Sur 983 Tostadaria and Cruderia.

It’s opened most days from 11am to 6pm. It’s kinda a daytime hang-out with friends for micheladas and fresh seafood bites.

A bit like a tapas bar?

A chelada is a beer with lime and salt (usually on the rim), and a michelada in Mexico is lime, salt, beer, usually some chili or Worcestershire or tomato juice or all three.

And then tostadas and fish/seafood.

The waiter suggested 2 orders would make a good lunch. And they were DELICIOUS but #2 (the Algo Bien)…HOLY CRAP IT WAS SPICY!

I had to order a cool off tostada.

Oh…and see that little dropper above? It was a charred habanero oil…a few drops was right up my alley. Smoky and a bit spicy…SOOOOO good. I asked if I could buy some but no, they only serve it with your meal.

Very very cool spot.

I also went for a few walks…I went to the mall briefly. But my trip was quick. Because the very next day, I was taking the Maya Tren to Bacalar.

That’s next!