Bacalar, also known as pueblo magico (or magical town) is undoubtedly one of Mexico’s best kept secrets – but not for long! This place is starting to rank up pretty high on the ‘not to be missed’ lists, often referred to as the Maldives of Mexico. The pristine and turquoise waters of the lagoon definitely justify this claim. And this Guide to Bacalar will tell you all about it 🙂

Located in the southeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, Bacalar is on the way to becoming the next hot spot. Many new businesses, nightlife and town improvements are underway to bring the spotlight to this town. For now, it’s still a remote piece of paradise, that offers a wide range of activities like sailing, kayaking and historical landmarks to keep you on your feet. Only a few hours from some of the most famous Mexican travel destinations such as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, Bacalar is a worthwhile place to add to your travel itinerary.

This Guide to Bacalar covers everything from top things to do, to practical information, giving you all the bits and details you need to make your visit a memorable one 😊

Important facts about Bacalar

Most certainly, the biggest star of Bacalar is the ‘Lagoon of Seven Colors’, called so by the Mayans due to its array of blue colors. You’ll see anything from turquoise, crystal clear waters to shades of night sky’s deep blue. As you may have guessed, the reason for this range of blues comes down to the varying depths of the lagoon (some spots as deep as 300ft).

The lagoon is home to many plants and animals, but the most intriguing residents are stromatolites – the oldest living lifeforms on planet Earth. These rock-like fossils can only be found in a handful of lagoons in our world. According to scientists, they are crucial oxygen generators believed to be one of the first structures that pumped oxygen into our oceans billions of years ago, giving life to our underwater world.

How cool is that?

The people of Bacalar are very protective of their eco-rich lagoon and the sensitive lives in it (which is probably how these billion years old stromatolites were able to survive this long). You’ll find many signs around the lagoon and town displaying various preservative measures like asking you to not wear sunscreen into the water and refrain from mud exfoliations. People here take these rules seriously. I got an entire essay-length text message from my Airbnb host about these. And that’s before I received my check-in information.

Being a responsible traveler is the new cool, so do your part in following the guidelines and help preserve this magical beauty 😊

Getting here

Bacalar is easily reachable by bus from anywhere in Quintana Roo state and the neighboring states. We traveled on ADO buses – Mexico’s largest bus company. We used them during the day and at night and can honestly recommend them as a safe, comfortable, and affordable way to get you to Bacalar (check out bus travel in Mexico for more info).

The closest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal Intl., but most people will find better and cheaper connections to Cancun. From Cancun Intl., you can jump on a short bus ride into Cancun’s downtown bus station (approx. $5 USD, duration: 1hr), from which you can grab a direct bus to Bacalar (approx. $35, duration: 5hr 30min).

If you fly into Chetumal, your best option is to catch a taxi straight from the airport to Bacalar town (approx. $10-30 based on your negotiation skills, duration: 40min).

Coming to Bacalar from a big, busy city like Cancun, you’ll find it pretty remote and quiet, yet filled with Mexican’s hospitality and a slow pace of life. Embrace it, go with the flow, and find your inner peace. It can be an amazing, soul-nurturing experience. Join in on a morning meditation at the lagoon or sign up for a paddle board yoga class. Treat yourself to a coffee at one of the vibey cafes in town and observe the beauty and life around you. And when you’re done with that, there’s plenty of things covered in this Guide to Bacalar to keep you busy and entertained!

Top things to do in Bacalar

⋅ Boat tours ⋅

Oh yes, I’m talking sunshine, pristine waters and nature’s best surroundings. Boat tours are without a doubt one of Bacalar’s most popular activities. There’s nothing quite as relaxing as cruising down the lagoon, dipping your feet in crystal clear waters and watching the world go by.

For those of you who feel livelier and more energetic on the day – you’ll find plenty of boats tours offering good music and Mexican beer onboard. And yes, you don’t really need to prebook before your arrival in Bacalar, however, if you are in a larger group or looking for a specific boat (for example a sailboat, which I highly recommend!) you might want to book a day or two in advance.

Typical boat tours stop by the cenotes that sit inside the lagoon (Cocalitos, La Bruja/Negro, Esmeralda), the famous Canal de los Piratas, Isla de los Pájaros (bird island) and float by the awesome stromatolites. There’s also a stop in the shallow waters so you can cool off from the Mexican sun (:

⋅ Los rapidos ⋅

Los Rapidos is a unique part of the lagoon – it’s like a narrow passage that leads to the main body of water, lined with stromatolites and stronger currents that allow you to float from one end to the other. It’s a lot of fun. The water here is straight off a Caribbean’s postcard.

Once you arrive, you will need to pay an entrance fee at the waterfront restaurant (approx. USD $8). You don’t need to eat or drink once you get in, which is always a nice option to have. Inside, you can choose to simply float with the currents (life jackets are available free of charge) or rent a kayak or paddleboard. Swimming against the currents can be challenging, but floating back down is extra fun! As mentioned, there is a restaurant and bar onsite – the food is good, and the drinks are quite nice and not too pricey. You’ll also find showers, changing rooms, toilets, and additional chill spots at an extra cost (lounge area, sunbeds, or hammocks).

Quick reminder that this area is not only filled with many stromatolites, but also a very lively part of the lagoon’s ecosystem. All the preventative measures should be followed here too (no touching or climbing on stromatolites, no sunscreen of any kind, no mud masks, etc.).

Getting to Los Rapidos

This place is a little outside of Bacalar, so to get here, you’ll need to opt for a local bus (colectivo) or a taxi.

For the colectivo, you’ll need to catch it on the side of the main road in Bacalar. There are no ‘bus stops’ in Mexico, colectivos are usually waved down along their route. They’re small minibuses used mainly by the locals, but quite handy when you’re on a budget. You can find more detailed info on colectivos here. You’ll need to tell the driver where you’re going. Colectivos travel on straight, direct routes, so don’t be surprised when the driver stops in the middle of the highway to let you off. This will be your spot. From there, you’ll need to follow a signed road for over a mile to reach Los Rapidos.

If you choose to grab a taxi, it’ll cost you approx. USD $10 one way and bring you straight to Los Rapidos. It might be a good idea to grab the driver’s phone number, as this place is remote and getting a taxi back can challenging.

⋅ Cenotes ⋅

These mysterious sinkholes are scattered around the Mexican coast, once believed by the Maya culture to be the gateway into the world of the dead. Considering some of them reach depths of almost 400ft, it’s a pretty scary yet interesting concept. Cenotes are generally very dark in color and integrated very well into their surroundings. You’ll often find trees and lush vegetation growing under the water and all around.

Bacalar is home to four cenotes – Cocalitos, Negro also called La Bruja, Esmeralda and Azul. The first three are a part of the lagoon and are mostly visited on boats or kayaks (land access can get a little tricky). You can rent kayaks from many beach clubs or resorts alongside the lagoon – for visiting these cenotes, we got kayaks at Posada Lulu La Bruja due to the proximity.

Cenote Azul

The deepest and most famous cenote in this area. Here, the ‘official’ access costs $30MXN and you can find a restaurant, changing rooms, showers, and some swings on site. If you’re up for an adventure, you can access the cenote from ‘the back entrance’ for free. Hang out with the locals or find yourself all alone in the lush nature that surrounds the cenote – it’s super magical!

Take a walk down the Av 1/Costera road towards the cenote (roughly 1 hour walk). Once you’re beside it (check on your maps) keep to the right side of the road and look for an opening in the trees. You’ll often see motorbikes parked beside it. Go through the trees and you should see the cenote right away, it’s only a few steps down from the road. There are plenty of trees to hang from and sit on – jump in and enjoy! It’s great for cooling off after the long walk. Do watch your step though, as some parts tend to get slippery (:

⋅ Beach club ⋅

Bacalar is not a beach town, as there are no beaches here, but the lagoon is just as beautiful (if not more!) as many of the waterfronts along Mexican coast. The lagoon can be accessed through public entrances, but you’ll have to walk outside of the central area to find these. On the outskirts, you’ll also find some beach clubs that give you access to the water and various amenities for a fee.

Bacalar is a peaceful, nature-hugged little town that brings a sense of connection. But if you’re looking for a party-like day at the water, with easy access to a bar and some luxury, the Bacalar Beach Club is definitely the spot to check out. It’s modern, fun and offers many deals and themed events like salsa nights or DJ appearances.

If you’re looking for a more peaceful day at the waterfront but still in style and with amenities, I can truly recommend Bertilla Lagoon & Beach Club. No entrance fee, numerous bedding styles, overwater deck with shaded area and restaurant onsite, this place is a great spot to catch some sunshine and soak in the beauty of the lagoon. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards here.

Disclaimer: There is a minimum spend of MXN $250 per person at the restaurant. Pizza and Aperol for lunch anyone?

⋅ Explore the lagoon ⋅

This might sound obvious, but getting out onto the lagoon brings a completely different experience to your visit. If you always wanted to try out kayaking – this is your call. The lagoon has so much to offer – make your way over to the famous Canal de los Piratas, explore the mystical mangroves and watch the birds return to Isla de los Pájaros at sunset.

The lagoon has many shallow areas where you can take a break, jump off your kayak and dip in the turquoise waters. Grab your kayak at Parque Nacional Maracuya – they offer single and double kayaks and are perfectly located between all of the cool spots on the lagoon.

If you’re not feeling like getting out onto the lagoon, you can pack a blanket and visit Kai Pez (a restaurant at the waterfront just off the main square) and have a lovely picnic on their green grounds. Option two is jumping into your bikini and heading to Chiltepín to take a plunge in their pool overlooking the stunning scenery of the lagoon.

⋅ History & Culture ⋅

Pirates are a real thing, and although we find them pretty cool in movies, they were a real pain in the a-x-x back in the day. Canal de los Piratas got its name for a reason – the Mayan villagers of Bacalar were under attack quite often. Dutch, English and French pirates entered the lagoon through this passage right from the ocean to steal their precious products and wood. In Bacalar, you can find the “Fuerte de San Felipe”, a Spanish fortress built to keep the pirates away from the shore. This fortress is now a museum which you can visit and learn about the history of Bacalar.

If you feel like truly immersing and walking the grounds of the Maya people, it might be worth checking out some of the ruins and archaeological zones in the area. Up north from Bacalar you’ll find Limones and Chacchoben, while going south will bring you to the archaeological zones of Kohunlich and Dzibanche. These are fantastic for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and culture.

Don’t want to leave town? If you’re craving some culture and art but are not a big fan of museums, read on. Galeón Pirata Centro Cultural Independiente, the cultural center in Bacalar is a place to check out. They host art exhibitions, workshops, different performances and various activities every week. It’s a place of an artistic and cultural expression, a local vibe, and a great spot to grab a cheap beer and experience the talent of the many local bands during the nightly live shows. For more info and show schedules, check their FB page: Galeón Pirata Centro Cultural Independiente.

Bacalar food guide

Tacos, chilaquiles, tamales – which Mexican staple is your favorite? I’m a foodie, that’s a fact, and experimenting with new dishes is one of my favorite ways of discovering a new place. I have some limitations, but in general, I do my best to try everything – and I encourage you to do too! There were plenty of times when the food I was hesitant to try ended up turning into my new favorite dish. So go ahead and give it all a go – Mexican cuisine is one of a kind (;

I have a separate Bacalar Food Guide blog all about best places and food scenes in Bacalar (I told you I was a foodie!). And when it’s time for a dessert, the Brownie Edition Food Guide will show you the way 😊

Practical Info

⋅ Language ⋅

As with the rest of Mexico, local language here is Spanish. Although a small town, Bacalar’s locals are quite advanced when it comes to their English- speaking level. You can get by communicating in English almost everywhere, with the exceptions of more local supermarkets and some little stores on the outskirts of town. People here are very friendly though and try their best to understand you. I do recommend having a translator with you just in case you need it. Especially if you need to communicate important things like allergies or making travel arrangements. Google translate works fine for us.

⋅ Money ⋅

Bacalar is a cash-friendly town, accepting mainly Mexican Pesos (MXN), with some stores allowing you to pay in USD. Some restaurants take card payments, but usually you’re safer having cash on hand. Smaller stores, taxis and most attractions don’t have the set up to take card payments. There is a bank and an ATM just at the back of the main square in town (across from Bacalar’s ‘Starbucks’) where you can withdraw cash 😊

⋅ Laundry ⋅

There are several laundry places in Bacalar, we used “Lavanderia Bacalar Clean” as it was the closest to where we were staying. We were happy with the service for Mexican standards, but we do think finding a good laundry in Mexico is one of the hardest things to do. We’ve tested many and it’s always a combo of  throwing colors, whites and blacks in together + cold water wash, so can’t expect too much.

And prepare to lose a sock. There’s always that one that disappears.

⋅ Transportation within town ⋅

Bacalar is small and you can walk it from one side to the other, but if you want some quicker options, renting a bicycle is a good shout here. The roads are not too busy and there are plenty of bike rentals around town. There are also plenty of taxis that will get you from one end to the other in minutes.

Magical experiences

Bacalar is home to many spiritually heart-filling and holistic events that can bring extra magic to your experience in this town. I initially came to Bacalar to do a Yoga training course and I never imagined it to be so incredibly complemented by the beauty of this place.

Doing my training and lessons at the waterfront brought an extra bit of immersion and excitement into it, but also a lot of peacefulness and healing. The surroundings and the space we created within them allowed everyone in my group to truly let go, open up and challenge ourselves on many levels, while inviting us to grow and blossom in the most magical ways.

If you feel like you need to retreat, reconnect with yourself, or simply try something new, do so in Bacalar. You’ll find anything from breathwork morning sessions and wellness retreats to temazcal and cacao ceremonies.

Some places worth checking out to find what’s on are: La Casa de los Niños del Árbol, Lulu La Bruja, Mia Bacalar, Heart by Amalia, Our Habitas and ‘Bacalar Conscious Community’. Retreats are also often advertised on Eventbite.com or Bookretreats.com

Now, it’s time to travel!

Vicky