Last Updated on April 22, 2024
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Bacalar, a small town on the Southern end of the Yucatán Peninsula, quickly became one of my favorite places in Mexico. It’s located right on the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon, also known as Laguna de los Siete Colores ( Lagoon of 7 Colors ). How it got its name will be clear the second you lay your eyes on the water, that comes in all kinds of shades of blue. The place is unreal, you really need to see it, pictures don’t do it justice. Even though the town is small and most activities revolve around the lagoon, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Bacalar, Mexico.
I first visited Bacalar as part of a 2 week road trip around the Yucatán Peninsula, and returned almost a year later for a few day stay. It’s evident, that Bacalar is gaining popularity as a tourist destination and might not be that secret piece of paradise it used to be, but it’s still a pretty laid back place with just a fraction of visitors compared to other places in Mexico. Since Bacalar is close to the border with Belize and it takes a few hours to get there from the airport in Cancún, not a lot of people want to take the time to drive that far.
Bacalar has no crazy night life scene and does not have any beaches, so if you are looking for those, it’s probably not for you. But if you love nature, laid back towns and are looking for a place to relax, that is not overrun by tourists, be sure to add Bacalar to the list of places to visit in Mexico.
In this guide, I put together a list of the absolute best things to do in Bacalar, as well as tips on visiting, some great places to stay and eat.
Where is Bacalar?
Bacalar is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, at the very far south end of it, close to the border with Belize. If you are coming from Cancún, it is a bit of a drive, which is probably why Bacalar remains fairly quiet. Even though, it’s a straight shot down the highway, it does take 4.5 hours from Cancún, 3.5 hours from Playa del Carmen and 2.5 hours from Tulum to get there.
If you have a few days to spend in Bacalar, it’s totally worth the drive though. You can also combine it with the nearby beach town of Mahahual ( 1 hour away ) or make Bacalar one of the stops on the Yucatán Peninsula road trip.
How to get to Bacalar
To visit Bacalar, most people fly to Cancún International Airport, which is hours away. There is another airport, much closer in Chetumal ( CTM ), only 30 minutes away, but it doesn’t really serve many international flights. It is a good option though, if you are coming from another part of Mexico. Otherwise, Cancún airport is where you will most likely fly into.
Whether you plan on heading to Bacalar straight from Cancún or from some of the other popular destinations in Riviera Maya, you have several options of getting there.
Getting to Bacalar by car
Driving to Bacalar is very easy and straightforward. It’s an easy drive down the 307 highway. You can easily rent a car at the airport, or any other major spots like Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
- from Cancún Airport– 4.5 hours
- from Playa del Carmen – 3.5 hours
- from Tulum – 2.5 hours
Getting to Bacalar by bus
If you don’t have a car, you can easily get to Bacalar by ADO bus. Direct buses go from Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum several times a day. The buses are very comfortable and air conditioned. You can check the schedule and book your tickets on the official ADO website. You might have trouble purchasing tickets with a foreign credit card, in that case head over to BusBud and get your tickets there.
The main ADO station is located along the highway, so you’ll need to take a short cab ride to get to the center of town.
Getting to Bacalar by private transfer
The easiest, most convenient way of getting to Bacalar is by private transfer. You arrange it ahead of time and the driver will pick you up at the airport or hotel. No need to worry about driving or anything else for that matter. It is pricey though, as it’s a pretty long ride. You can book your private transfer here.
How many days to spend in Bacalar, Mexico
You need at least 2 full days in Bacalar to really enjoy what it has to offer, although 3 are ideal. Of course you can spend more, if you want a relaxing vacation, as Bacalar is perfect for it.
Some people come for a day and while a day trip to Bacalar is technically doable, it’s definitely not enough time. Plus, if you are coming from Playa del Carmen ( 3,5 hour drive one way ) or Tulum ( 2 hours ), a lot of your day will be spent driving.
Best things to do in Bacalar
Take a boat tour of Bacalar Lagoon
Taking a boat tour around the gorgeous lagoon is a single best thing to do in Bacalar. No question about it. It’s the best way to take in the beauty and stunning shades of blue of the lagoon and visit the best spots.
Pretty much all boat tours go to the same places, which are:
- Cenote Negro
- Cenote Esmeralda
- Cenote Cocalitos
- Isla de Los Pájarosa ( Bird Island )
- Canal de los Piratas ( Pirates’ Canal).
Cenote Esmeralda and Pirates’ Canal are the two stops with a longer swim break, others you get to see from the boat. You can find more details on most of these stops below.
Taking a boat tour is one of the top things to do in Bacalar and you won’t have to look hard to find one. As soon as you walk through town, plenty of people will approach you. They are either pontoon or motor boats, but you can also book a sailing trip. All the Bacalar boat tours follow the same route and make the same stops. However some are longer than others, and some tours include snacks and drinks, others are a boat ride only.
Most of the boat tours you’ll be offered in town last 2 hours and don’t include any drinks/snack. But you are welcome to bring anything you want on board. The longer tours, which last 4 hours, make the same stops, follow the same route, but the stops are longer and include snacks and booze.
I’ve done both and they are equally great, it’s just depends how much time you have and what you want to spend. The shorter shared lancha or pontoon boat tours will cost you 300 – 400 MXN per person. If you’d like the longer ones with food and drinks expect to pay around 800 MXN. Keep in mind, that the cheapest tour will most likely be in Spanish only.
If you are visiting with a group of friends, it might be a good idea to book a private Bacalar Lagoon tour. Prices vary, but expect to pay 2,000 – 3,000 MXN.
Boats are not allowed to go out on Wednesdays, as this is the day of rest for the lagoon, so plan accordingly.
Cenote Negro
Cenote Negro is also knows as Cenote de las Brujas and it’s located inside of the lagoon. Its dark blue color is a stark contrast from the rest of the lagoon. If you take a boat tour, it will be your first stop.
This cenote is 90 meters ( 295 feet ) at its deepest point, so swimming is not allowed, but you can kayak there.
Isla de Los Pájarosa ( Bird Island )
This is a small island inside of the lagoon, you’ll also be going by on the boat tour of Bacalar Lagoon. Various species of birds migrate to it during certain times of the year, hence the name Bird Island. You’ll see the most activity during the Spring months.
The island is roped off for protection, so you only get to see it from a distance.
Canal de los Piratas ( The Pirate’s Canal )
The Pirate’s Canal is a narrow canal connecting Laguna Bacalar with Laguna Mariscal. Back in the day, it was used by Pirates to sneak in and attack the town. Today it’s the most picturesque stop on the boat tour and one of two, where you get to get off the boat and enjoy the beautiful, shallow water. For many it’s the highlight of the boat trip.
While hanging out in the water you’ll see, that there is a wall covered in murals. Supposedly, there were plans to open a restaurant there, but the project failed.
Cenote Esemeralda
Another popular stop on the Bacalar boat trip is Cenote Esmeralda. The cenote is 70 meters deep and it’s part of the lagoon. Because of it’s depth, the color of the water is navy blue, a stark contrast to the turquoise water, that surrounds it.
Just like with Cenote Negro, swimming in Cenote Esmeralda is not allowed. But your boat will stop in the area around it, where you can get off and enjoy the water.
Hang out on the dock
There are no beaches in Bacalar, instead you have plenty of docks, that extend into the lagoon and provide direct access to the water. Many of them have hammocks and are perfect for hanging out. While a lot of the docks belong to hotels and restaurants, there are also several public ones you can use for free.
There’s one right in the center of town, Muelle 18, open from 7 am – 7 pm, although this one can get a bit crowded. If you walk away from town heading south, there is another free dock Balneario Municipal El Aserradero, and another one Balneario del Fondo north of the main square.
Also, there is a place called Balneario Ejidal Mágico Bacalar, which I would not recommend if you are looking for a quiet, relaxing day. But if you are traveling with kids, this is a great spot. For a small fee, you get access to the lagoon, lots of amenities, restaurant, amusement area and more.
Here you can find a map with the exact locations of the docks.
Spend a day at Los Rápidos
If the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon with its stunning colors and cool cenotes wasn’t enough, there is another great spot you must include on your list of things to do in Bacalar, Los Rápidos.
Los Rápidos is a narrow channel connecting Bacalar Lagoon and the Xul-Ha Lagoon, which creates a natural current. There are several ways in which you can enjoy this unique spot, but the most popular activity to let the current take you down the river.
Los Rápidos is also the name of a beach club ( or equivalent of it ), which is one of the easiest ways to access the channel. There’s a restaurant on site, plenty of chairs and tables, hammocks in the water, areas for lounging and kayaks for rent. You could easily spend the entire day, or at least a good part of it, at Los Rápidos. Get there as soon as it opens at 10 am, it does get packed very quickly.
As much as I like and recommend Los Rápidos, there are a couple of negatives. I found service at the restaurant to be mediocre and the music way too loud. But the more serious issue is the lack of enforcement when it comes to protecting stromatolites.
Stromatolites are rock like formations, that can be found in only several places in the world. Los Rápidos in Bacalar being one of them. They look like rocks, but they are actually living organisms, that provide oxygen and are very fragile. Touching and stepping on them does serious damage, so it’s very important not to do that. There are signs everywhere not to touch stromatolites, which sadly get ignored by many people. They walk on them and grab onto them while going down the rapids, and everyone turns a blind eye.
A longer boardwalk has recently been added on one side of the river, which not only lets you walk upstream further before you jump in and get a carried by the stream. But also makes it easier for people to get in and out of the water without stepping on stromatolites.
It costs 200 MXN to enter Los Rápidos and it’s cash only. If you’d like to rent a kayak, it’s 200 MXN per hour for a single kayak and 400 MXN for a double. Life vests in the water are not mandatory, but they have them for rent at 50 MXN if you need one ( kayak rentals already include vests ). There is also a restaurant on site, which is also cash only! So if you plan on spending an entire day at Los Rápidos, it’s important that you bring enough cash to cover the entrance, everything you want to do there, as well as a taxi ride both ways.
Besides the restaurant, there are other facilities like bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. They also have lockers if you need them for an extra fee of 50 MXN.
Los Rápidos is located miles outside of Bacalar town and it’s about a 20 minute drive. If you are driving, head south down 30 highway towards Chetumal, then take a U-turn, then follow the signs. Then you’ll go down a long, dirt road before you reach the entrance to Los Rápidos. If you take a cab, that’s 200 MXN one way from Bacalar center. Pre-arrange the return with the driver or ask the restaurant to call you a taxi back.
Watch the sunrise
Bacalar has the most stunning sunrises. Even if you are not an early riser, force yourself and head out early, at least one day. I promise, you will not regret it. If your hotel is right on the lagoon with its own dock, that’s ideal. If not, you can go to one of the public ones.
Go Kayaking
One of the most popular things to do in Bacalar and a fun way to enjoy the lagoon is kayaking. Best time to go kayaking is on the earlier side, when the water is calm.
Most waterfront accommodations will have kayaks for guests’ use, either for free or a little fee. If not, there’s no shortage of places where you can rent them. You can also pre-book a full day kayak rental here.
Stand up paddle boarding at sunrise
Another popular activity on the water is stand up paddle boarding ( SUP ), especially at sunrise. This is a great time to go out, as the water is calm, before all the boat traffic starts. And what a great way to start off your day, with some exercise, watching the sun rise, with nothing but nature sounds around.
If you’re right on the water and your hotel has paddle boards, you can head out on your own. Otherwise, there are great guided tours you can join. You can book a sunrise paddle boarding tour here.
Get a picture with Bacalar sign
Just like most tourist destinations in Mexico, Bacalar has its own, colorful sign, which is an obligatory photo op. You can find Bacalar letters in the main town square, right by the San Felipe Fort.
Visit San Felipe Fort
For a nice break from all the water activities, visit San Felipe Fort, which is right in the main town square. Back in the day, Bacalar was regularly attacked by pirates, who used the lagoon as a safe place for their ships. To defend the town, Fuerte San Felipe was built in 1733 and today it’s open to visitors.
The Fort is not that big and you won’t need more than 30 minutes to visit. There is a small museum inside, where you can learn about the history of Bacalar. Since the fort sits up on a hill, you get some stunning views of the lake from it. Don’t miss it!
San Felipe Fort is open every day except for Mondays from 9 am – 7 pm. The entrance costs 110 MXN.
Check out Bacalar’s street art
Like in a lot of places in Mexico, there’s some amazing street art to be found in Bacalar. If you are a fan of murals, take a walk or a bike ride through town to find as many as you can.
Take a swim in Cenote Azul
Located right outside of Bacalar town, is another cenote, that’s perfect for taking a refreshing dip in the water. At 90 meters deep, Cenote Azul is one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula. And with the entrance cost of just 25 MXN, it’s one of the cheapest things to do in Bacalar.
Being an open cenote, Cenote Azul is probably not going to impress you like some other ones in the region, but it’s a nice spot to stop for a swim. They also have kayaks for rent, as well as a restaurant on site.
This cenote is located about 4 km out of town, so you’ll need a car or a taxi to get there. If you plan on going to Los Rápidos, you can combine both in one day, as you’ll be heading that way anyway. I wouldn’t spend an entire day at Cenote Azul, but it’s a fun stop for a couple of hours.
Cenote Azul is open from 10 am – 6 pm and entrance costs 25 MXN.
Hang out at Parque National Maracuya
This is another fun spot right on the water, where you can spend a good part of your day. We happened to be staying at the Hotel Carolina next door and that’s where our boat tour was leaving from and what a great find. It’s a bit out of town, but worth the walk or a short taxi ride.
There is a bar and several food trucks, sometimes live music. Great dock to hang out by the water with plenty of chairs and shade. They have kayaks and paddle boards for rent, and if you buy a drink, you get half hour of kayak for free.
Top tips for visiting Bacalar, Mexico
No boat tours on Wednesday – to give it a rest, the lagoon is closed on Wednesdays. You can still swim, but any other activities are prohibited. If you are coming to Bacalar for a short visit, plan accordingly.
Do not step on or touch Stromatolites – Bacalar is one of just a handful of places in the world, where you can find stromatolites. They are the white, flat rock like formations, that you will see at Los Rápidos and Cenote Cocalitos. However, they are not rocks, but the oldest living organisms, which produce oxygen and are very important to our environment. They are also very fragile, which is why it’s crucial, that they are protected.
Do not use sunscreen – in order to protect the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem, using any kind of sunscreen is not recommended. That goes for the reef safe kind as well. If you are going to be in the water, wear a hat and a long sleeve shirt for sun protection instead.
Book a hotel right on the lagoon – if you can, book a hotel with direct access to the lagoon. Those tend to be pricier than hotels in town, but if it’s in your budget, I highly recommend it. If you are an early riser, you will be able to enjoy beautiful sunrises right from the dock. Hotel Carolina is an excellent choice, but there are many to choose from.
Cash/ATM – contrary to what I read before coming to Bacalar for the first time, getting cash is not that hard. There is a bank right by the main square with an ATM. Also, credit cards are accepted at many restaurants.
Where to stay in Bacalar
The Yak Lake House – a very popular hostel in Bacalar, although probably not as cheap as you’d expect. It offers both private rooms and shared dorms. It’s right on the lake with a private dock and plenty of water activities to choose from. It’s in a central location, just a couple of blocks from the main square. Great place if you are traveling solo in Mexico and want to meet people. Lots of fun activities planned each day too.
Mia Bacalar Luxury Resort & Spa – if you are looking for luxury accommodations in Bacalar, this is one of the nicest places in town. This lake front property has amazing facilities and gets high praises for excellent service. It’s located in a beautiful spot, north of town, about a 10 minute drive to the main square. If being a bit away from town doesn’t bother you and you’d like to splurge on a beautiful place, you can’t go wrong with Mia Bacalar Luxury Resort & Spa.
Hotel Carolina – beautiful hotel located right on the lagoon, with a dock, swimming pool and kayaks available for guests’ use. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, and each has a balcony and a hammock. While it’s more expensive than hotels in town, I find it’s reasonably priced for what it offers. Especially compared with other hotels in its range.
Best Bacalar Restaurants
- Mango Y Chile – one of the most beloved vegan restaurants in Bacalar. It’s located next to the San Felipe fort, and since it sits on up a hill, you get killer views of the lagoon.
- La Playita – one of the best restaurants in Bacalar with great food and ambiance. Located right on the lake, with a pier and hammocks, so you can easily spend some there after your meal.
- Kai Pez – great outdoor restaurant specializing in seafood. It’s right on the water with a dock to hang out on, as well as big grassy area.
- La Piña – great outdoor restaurant in a beautiful setting. Great menu, and plenty choices if you are vegan.
READ MORE:
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