Bacalar is quickly becoming one of the best places to visit in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The town is often compared to the Maldives because of its shockingly blue water and lagoon-side hotels.

The town gets its fame from its “Lagoon of Seven Colours” that stretches 42 km long in the Quintana Roo state. It has laid-back, sleepy vibes for those looking to relax and offers boat tours and cenotes for adventurers.

In this Bacalar Mexico travel guide, you’ll learn every single thing you need to know to plan your trip. We’ll cover how to get to Bacalar, where to stay, the best things to do, where to eat, and the small practical details that make or break your trip.

Laguna Bacalar Mexico

Why Visit Bacalar Lagoon?

Bacalar Lagoon is worth visiting for its stunning blue water alone, however, there is so much more to it than that. For one, the lagoon is home to Stromatolites, which are essentially 3.5 billion-year-old living fossils. They are beautiful to look at and are a rare natural phenomenon not easy to find elsewhere in the world.

If you are a water-lover like me, Bacalar will feel like paradise. You can tour the lagoon by catamaran, sailboat, paddleboard, or kayak. There are also nearby cenotes, lazy rivers to float in, and beach clubs.

The town of Bacalar itself is also quaint. The central square has patios to sit on, marquesitas stands, and many restaurants worth checking out.

When to Visit Bacalar

Bacalar is technically a year-round destination, but the best weather conditions are between November and April. This is the dry season, where it is rare to experience rain, and the temperatures range from 25 degrees celsius into the early 30s.

In May, the temperature and humidity start to increase. Between June and October, it is monsoon season with frequent rain. The rainy conditions and cloud cover can take away from the lagoon’s vibrant colours.

How Many Days to Spend in Bacalar

Many people visit Bacalar for only a day or two and, in doing so, miss out on some incredible things to do there. I recommend spending at least three full days in Bacalar and potentially even more if you want to enjoy a more relaxed pace. I spent five full days in Bacalar and felt it was the perfect number of days to see everything without feeling rushed.

How to Get to Bacalar

Bacalar Lagoon is south of Cancun and the Maya Riviera, almost touching the border of Belize. It is about 5 hours from Cancun and 3 hours from Belize City. Despite the distance, Bacalar is easy to get to.

You can get to Bacalar in three different ways:

Getting to Bacalar by Bus

Taking the bus is the easiest and most affordable way to get to Bacalar from elsewhere in Mexico or Belize. I recommend Mexico’s ADO buses – they are comfortable, convenient, and bring you directly to Bacalar from most other places in the Yucatan.

The bus times from popular destinations like Cancun are:

• Cancun: 6 hours. This includes stops along the way to pick up passengers from Playa del Carmen and Tulum, but you won’t have to get off or change buses.
• Playa del Carmen: 4 hours.
• Tulum: 3 hours.
• Belize City: 3 hours.

|| CHECK THE ADO SCHEDULE AND COST ON BUSBUS

Hiring a Car in Yucatan Peninsula

If you are road-tripping around the Yucatan or prefer more flexibility in your transportation, you can rent a car to get to Bacalar. Driving in the Yucatan is considered relatively safe and easy. The roads are in good condition (just watch out for potholes), they follow similar traffic laws to elsewhere in North America and Europe, and you don’t need an international driver’s permit.

The only thing to watch out for when driving in the Yucatan is the risk of police bribes. Police often look to pull over rental vehicles for made-up offences to coerce tourists into paying “fines.” My advice for this, and in general for travelling in Mexico, is to never carry significant amounts of cash on you. This is tough with Bacalar, as most places only accept cash. You can also insist you don’t have cash as an alternative and hope they leave you alone.

|| GET A COMPARISON QUOTE FOR CAR RENTAL IN YUCATAN

How to reach Bacalar by plane

The closest airport to Bacalar is in Chetumal, Mexico. It is 45-minute taxi ride from Bacalar. Flights into Chetumal are very limited. The only place it makes sense to fly from is Mexico City. A lot of international flights connect through Mexico City, so it could be worth it. I recommend booking your flight into Mexico City separately from the flight to Chetumal because it often reduces the fares. There is only one flight per day available between the two cities.

The second closest airports are Cancun Airport or the new Tulum Airport, where you’d then take a bus or rental car from there.

Where to Stay in Bacalar

Wherever you choose to stay in Bacalar Lagoon, the ONE criterion you should look for is being on the waterfront. While Bacalar is all about water activities, there aren’t any true beaches where you can access the water. There are three balnearios (public docks), but they are typically busy. That’s why I highly recommend staying at a hotel or hostel that has its own stretch of waterfront. Plus, the views are just incredible!

The best places to stay in Bacalar include:

Budget Option:

• THE YAK LAKE HOUSE HOSTAL – The Yak Lake House is a party hostel and one of the only budget options on the water. Their outdoor space on the water has tables, sun loungers, a bar, and ping pong tables. A tour company runs from their dock, so it is easy to book excursions through the hostel and makes the early start for sunrise paddle boarding tours easier (which is a must-do activity). The staff are great at engaging, the hostel hosts a famous party every Wednesday night, and they even have a tattoo artist on-site! You can choose between hostel dorms or private rooms.

The Yak House Hostal

Mid-Range

• CASA LAMAT ECO-HOTEL – This green haven sits on the shores of Bacalar lagoon with a private deck, hammocks to relax or kayaks to rent. Other facilities include a restuarant, massage parlour and sunrise yoga. The gardens grow herbs and have Mayan-inflenced statues and mosaics. The owner is passionate about sustainability and has many systems in place such as solar power, recycling and compost bins, wastewater for the plants, no signle-use plastic – to name a few! The accommodation consists of hotel rooms and rustic cabanas, all with mosquito nets. It takes around 15 minutes to walk to the centre.
• BACALAR MY LOVE – An incredible mid-range option in Bacalar, this hotel has clean and comfortable rooms and beautiful cabanas. They have a few outdoor seating areas where you can sit and enjoy the view over the lagoon from high up. There is a beautiful grassy spot to relax by the water with a dock to go swimming from. Bacalar My Love also has a tour desk and kayak rentals. They are slightly out of town, a bit too far to walk (about 40 minutes), but they provide bike rentals and can call taxis for you. The wifi is free across the property but is not reliable.
• HOTEL SUR BACALAR – If you want to stay in centro, Hotel Sur Bacalar is another mid-range option, but it is not on the waterfront. The hotel itself is beautiful, with a modern design and clean rooms. They have a large pool deck with sun loungers and a rooftop hangout space with hammocks and views of the lagoon. They also have a tour desk and bike rentals available.

Casa Lamat in Bacalar

Luxury Hotels

• HOTEL CASA BAKAL – This hotel is stunning, with luxurious rooms and cabanas. Some of the cabanas even have their own mini pool. The waterfront is massive. It has multiple docks and a section with a large pool with sun loungers right by the water. Hotel CasaBakal has complimentary breakfast, an on-site restaurant, a spa, and yoga classes. They are also only a short swim away from a sandbar. They have free kayaks and paddleboards available.
• OUR HABITAS BACALAR – Our Habitas is the most luxurious hotel in Bacalar for those willing to pay a pretty penny for the most premium experience. They are considered a holistic eco-resort. They are built on a beautiful property 9 km outside of town. On one side, you’ll see the stunning natural lagoon, and on the other, a lush jungle. They have stunning hangout spaces built on the water, a restaurant built into the jungle treetops, spa services with a focus on alternative medicines, and stellar customer service.

What to Do in Bacalar

Float on a Natural Lazy River at Los Rapidos

Los Rapidos was the attraction that put Bacalar on my radar. The river shines an emerald green in some spots and brilliant blue in others. Stromatolites line the sides, and the water flows gently downstream, resulting in a relaxing float.

Los Rapidos is accessed through a restaurant, where you pay entry. You’ll receive a life jacket, and there is a boardwalk to walk upstream before floating back down. There are hammocks in the water, spots to sit in the sun, and the option to buy food and drink.

Los Rapidos in Bacalar Mexico

Take a Boat Tour on Bacalar Lagoon

The best way to explore the lagoon is by taking a boat tour. The boat tours bring you to key spots in the lagoon, like the Pirates Channel for swimming, Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, and the island of birds. The tours last about 2 – 3 hours.

While most tours cover the same spots, some will offer sunset trips, sailboat excursions, meals, drinks, and more.

Sunset Boat Tour in Bacalar

Swim in Cenote Azul

Cenote Azul is not the type of cenote many people think of. Rather than a sunken swimming hole in the ground, it resembles a large lake with thick green forest lining the water’s edge.

Cenote Azul has a dirt cheap entrance fee, a platform to sunbathe and jump off, a swing in the water, and peaceful shaded areas. I spent over three hours here just floating on my back under the trees.

Cenote Azul

Climb to the Top of Casa Arabe Tower for the Best View Over Bacalar Lagoon

A hidden gem in Bacalar, Casa Arabe hotel has a tall tower on top of a hill with the most spectacular view of the lagoon. The hotel offers day passes if you want to enjoy its waterfront and lounging facilities, but if you just want to visit the tower, it is free. All you have to do is ask!

When I approached the entrance to the hotel, a staff member greeted me. I explained that I just wanted to climb to the top of the tower to see the view, and they had no problem with me going in.

Casa Árabe Tower Viewpoint

Rent a Bike

Bacalar is a small town but just big enough that it’s not completely walkable. It is, however, perfect for biking! You can rent a bike from a few different places in town and then enjoy a ride around town in the sunshine.

The best place to rent a bike is “Rental Bikes,” and you can find their location here.

Take a Sunrise Paddleboarding Tour

Sunrises over the bright blue lagoon are insane. The oranges and pinks reflect perfectly on the water’s surface, turning the lake into a perfect painting. With that being the case, sunrise paddleboard tours are one of the most popular things to do when visiting Bacalar.

The tours start at 6 am where you’ll paddle out into the lagoon in the dark with a guide before stopping at Cenote Negro to watch the sunrise. From there, you’ll paddle to the Pirates channel and enjoy fruit on the paddleboards and coffee out of a coconut cup. Even if you visit these spots on a boat tour, it is still worth doing the paddleboard excursion as well to experience them in this unique way.

Lounge at One of Bacalar’s Beach Clubs

Without beaches on Bacalar’s waterfront, there are instead several “beach” clubs. They are private clubs that offer waterfront access with their own docks. Some will have hammocks, water slides, sunbeds with umbrellas, restaurants, kayak rentals, pools, music, and more.

The best beach clubs in Bacalar are Balneario Ejidal Magico Bacalar for its water slides, Bacalar Beach Club for its fancy amenities, and Beach Club Blu for its overall charm. Balneario Municipal el Aserradero is a free public version with a simple pier that provides dock access to swim.

Bacalar Beach Club

See the San Felipe Fort

Hundreds of years ago, Bacalar was under constant threat of pirate attacks. After several attacks that left the town sacked, the San Felipe Fort was built in 1733. In 1983, the fort was converted into a museum. San Felipe Fort is impressive in itself, but it also has one of the best views of Bacalar Lagoon.

Take a Lagoon Front Yoga Class

Bacalar’s sleepy beach town vibes are perfect for relaxing vacations. Add a yoga class at Mizu Yoga’s waterfront outdoor studio, and you’ll be in relaxation heaven! Mizu Yoga’s outdoor studio is built surrounded by greenery, with canvas and palm leaves stretching over the top as the roof. You’ll have a view of the bright blue water of the lagoon while in downward dog.

Mizu has classes available to the public multiple times daily and even offers ice bath plunges and breathwork classes. They also have a restaurant on-site and lagoon access if you want to spend several hours there.

You can find the schedule for the classes on their Instagram page.

Try a Marquesitas in Bacalar’s town square

Marquesitas are a Mexican dessert that resembles a crunchy crepe with various sweet toppings inside. The marquesita stand in the town’s centre square is a must-try. You can choose your own toppings combination – I went for nutella, banana, and nuts! After grabbing your treat, people watch in the square while you eat.

Where to Eat in Bacalar

For such a small town, Bacalar has a surprising number of delicious restaurants and cafes. The best restaurants in Bacalar are:

Breakfast

• El Manati Bacalar – El Manati comes highly reviewed as a breakfast spot in Bacalar, and ended up being a repeat visit for me. Their chilaquiles and smoothies were my favourite, and the setting is quaint on a garden patio.
• Picaflor Bacalar – Picaflor was my favourite breakfast restaurant in town, offering health-focused meals. They bake their bread in-house, so the French toast with fruit was heavenly. They have freshly pressed juice and lovely garden dining. Plus, there’s free wifi that actually works.

• 

  Chilaquiles, El Manati

• 

  Quesadillas, Mr Taco

Lunch and Dinner

• Mr. Taco – By far, the best place to eat tacos and a must when visiting Bacalar. Mr Taco is a cheap eats spot with authentic tacos filled with your choice of fish, chicken, pastor, shrimp, and veggie options. The place is festive with live music on weekends colourful streamers hanging from the open-air roof, and tons of people.
• La Playita – Right on the waterfront, La Playita is known for its ceviche and fresh seafood. The food is top notch, but the best part is the beautiful outdoor ambience in a jungle oasis by the water.
• Finisterre Bacalar – One of the fancier options in Bacalar, Finisterre has delicious Italian food. The atmosphere and service are highly reviewed, and they have a rooftop patio with views over the lagoon.
• Mango and Chile – This vegan restaurant has yummy food, ranging from veggie burgers and tacos to delicious smoothies. The upstairs terrace has a view of Bacalar Lagoon and the ambience is great with music.
• Nixtamal – This upscale restaurant with a jungle atmosphere is a must for food-lovers. They are among the priciest dining options in Bacalar, but the food reflects why. Two of their most popular dishes include grilled lobster tail and a stunning salmon Xocolatl.

Nightlife and Entertainment

There’s always a party to be found in Mexico, and the tiny town of Bacalar is not exempt. The nightlife in Bacalar is fantastic – think waterfront parties with neon face paint and fire dancers. The best nightlife spots in town include:

• Yak Lake House Party – Yak Lake House is one of the best hostels in Bacalar, and they host a party every Wednesday night. The party is free for guests, or you can pay a reasonable cover to get inside. The party is right by the water with a full DJ set up, water guns filled with tequila, a neon face painting station, and fire-dancers stealing the show. I stayed at the Yak, and the party was once in a lifetime.
• La Catrina – La Catrina has live music, dancing, delicious cocktails, and tacos! This a great authentic spot to dive into Mexican culture with Latin and salsa music and locals joining on the dance floor.
• I Scream Bar Bacalar – A crazy party bar with loud music, ok food, and amazing vibes. The bar is open-air, and the bartenders are hilarious (some pour shots in your mouth, others put on fake strip routines).

Sustainability in Bacalar

Bacalar Lagoon is a delicate freshwater ecosystem that is home to stromatolites and many other aquatic species. Stromatolites are the oldest life-form on earth, dating back 3.5 billion years, and are the reason we breathe oxygen in our atmosphere today. Us travellers need to do our part in protecting the lagoon. Here are some steps to take as a responsible tourist to do so:

1. Don’t wear sunscreen – This is a big rule that all tour operators will tell you in Bacalar. Even reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen is off-limits. The chemicals in any type of sunscreen alter the pH of the lagoon and can harm the delicate balance that keeps the stromatolites alive.
2. Never touch the stromatolites – There are a few spots in Bacalar where you can see the stromatolites up close. Los Rapidos Lagoon is the most popular. Do not touch them, bump into them with kayaks, or walk on them.
3. Opt for sailboat tours or paddle boarding/kayaking to reduce emissions – Sailboats rely on wind power and are a great way to avoid pollution in the lagoon. There are several tours available that don’t require a motor letting off pollutants in the water.
4. Stick to designated swimming areas – Stromatolites will often be roped off if they are near a swimming spot in Bacalar (although this sadly isn’t the case at Los Rapidos).

Stromatolites in Bacalar Lagoon

Important Tips for Visiting Bacalar

Things to know before visiting Bacalar

1. Bring Cash – Most restaurants and shops only accept cash in Bacalar. There are two ATMs in town, but they are unreliable. Most of the time, they are out of cash. Most accommodations will accept cards, but check with them before you arrive. I did find some restaurants that accepted credit cards, but it’s best to have enough cash for your entire stay to be safe.
2. The Lagoon Closes on Wednesdays – Every Wednesday, the lagoon closes for the entire day, meaning no boat trips or tours are running. Swimming is still allowed.
3. Don’t Count on Good Wifi – The wifi situation in Bacalar is not as bad as it used to be. You can find wifi in some restaurants and many hotels. However, it is common that the wifi connection will be spotty or straight up not work. It’s best to get a cheap sim card or e-sim if you need to stay connected.

Are there Crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon?

Yes, there are crocodiles in the Bacalar Lagoon. However, you likely won’t come across them at all in your time there. The crocodiles stick to the mangrove areas of the lagoon, which are far from where people swim. They are so few that the majority of visitors never see a crocodile when touring around, even near the mangrove areas. This is not a factor that prevents people from enjoying the lagoon. I went paddle boarding with a local near the mangroves and he was not concerned at all, so I wasn’t either!

Final Thoughts

Bacalar is one of the most incredible places to visit in not just the Yucatan but all of Mexico. As an up-and-coming destination, I highly recommend visiting sooner rather than later to take advantage of this still off-the-beaten path spot.

As a recap, make sure to stay on the waterfront if you can. I highly recommend staying for at least three full days to see Los Rapidos and Cenote Azul, take a yoga class by the water, and much more. Make sure to bring cash, plan your trip around Wednesday closures, and do your part to keep the fragile ecosystem of the lagoon safe. By following this complete travel guide to Bacalar, you are sure to have an extraordinary time!

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