Chetumal is a bridge of communication with the Central American cities of Belize and Tikal, Guatemala. Chetumal is the capital of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Great Caribbean influences give form to the culture of this city located among tropical lands, lakes of seven colors, and Mayan ruins, and a shared past with Yucatan and Campeche and the battle for a free state.

The young history of this city is linked with the recent creation of the state of Quintana Roo, of which it is capital. This state, officially created in 1974, was born of Yucateca and Campeche territory, because of the persistence of its inhabitants for its sovereignty and independence.

Chetumal belonged to the neighboring state of Campeche until the year 1935, under the name of Payo Obispo. However its inhabitants were not happy to belong to the southern state and with effort and perseverance, they convinced President Lazaro Cardenas to give the old territory back to Quintana Roo.

On that day the development of the city began, with actions such as the construction of Morelos Hospital, the Belisario Dominguez School, the establishment of cooperatives to regulate the activity of street vendors, the making of the government palace, the construction of the Chetumal-Yucatan Highway, and the design of various recreational parks.

The strategic geographical position of the city has been on occasions a great disadvantage for the population because it makes it vulnerable to cyclones and hurricanes, like the ones that occurred in 1916, 1942, 1955, and the most recent in October of 2005. The latter has been one of the most devastating the area has suffered, due to this the eyes of the rest of the country centered on the new independent territory. This also meant a new level in restoration and economical development for Chetumal, where the first radio station was inaugurated, they constructed roads and highways, the first bus station, and the opening of a public market.

In 1974, when Quintana Roo was finally granted the status of state within the Mexican Federation, Chetumal was designated capital of the same.

According to data reported by the City Hall of Othon P. Blanco, of which Chetumal is a part of, there are about 124,901 inhabitants. It has a sub warm climate, humid with summer rains, and an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius