Best Things to Do in Bacalar

The town at the Lagoon of 7 Colors: With its beautiful clear waters in different shades of blue, and a quiet and relaxing town of roughly 13.000 people, Bacalar is truly a gem on the Yucatan peninsula. Rightfully one of the Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos) since 2006, it doesn’t lie at the beach but at a lagoon which gives it a whole different vibe. The water is usually pretty calm and clear, and you can walk out far and the water still reaches only to your hips or chest (unless you’re swimming in one of its cenotes that open up into the lagoon). The different depths of the water throughout the lagoon change the color of the water, that’s why it’s also called “The Lagoon of 7 Colors”. Bacalar is still less touristy than most of the places along Quintana Roo’s coast, which I find to be a plus. It’s a calm and safe city, yet it still has many restaurants, cafes, and hotels. It’s definitely one of my favorite places in Mexico!

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At a Glance: Bacalar’s TOP 5 Highlights

1. Take a Boat Trip Around the Lagoon
2. Swim in the Lagoon
3. Visit the Nature Reserve Park (Balneario Ecológico)
4. Visit the Fort of Bacalar (Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar)
5. Celebrate Carnival in Bacalar

1. Take a Boat Trip Around the Lagoon

The best way to understand why the lagoon is called „The Lagoon of 7 Colors “ is by boat. Various tour providers depart from different places in Bacalar. You can choose whether you want to go by pontoon (“pontón”) or by boat (“lancha”); the pontoon is more comfortable. Wear your swimming gear underneath if you want to take a swim in the lagoon’s beautiful clear waters. Trips usually take you to see the following places:

• Cenote Esmeralda: This underwater sinkhole with navy blue waters reaches a depth of 70 meters. Make sure to look at the narrow gap, or “eye”, where the cenote water flows into the lagoon.
• Black Cenote (Cenote Negro – also called „the Witch’s Cenote“): This open cenote drops down almost vertically from 2 to 90 meters – so deep that the water takes on a dark color.
• Cenote Cocalitos with stromatolites: This cenote is famous for being the home of stromatolites, rock-like structures formed by bacteria that produce oxygen that are the oldest form of life on the planet.
• Pirates’ Channel (Canal de los Piratas): Yes, this is the channel that pirates took when they wanted to get from the Caribbean Sea inland, and it’s the reason why they built a fort in Bacalar to defend themselves against attacks. Though it says “channel”, it’s not a straight line to the sea but rather connects the lagoon with other lagoons and small channels. It’s now forbidden to drive or swim through this channel except for the marine.
• Island of Birds (Isla de los Pájaros): This island is the breeding ground for many migratory birds; depending on the season, you might be able to enjoy some bird watching. During the hurricane season, there are not many birds here.

2. Swim in the Lagoon

If you want to go swimming in the lagoon, you need to find a pier that leads you into the water. There are private and public piers, and among the public piers, some are for free, and for some, you have to pay a bit of money. You can also pay more money and visit a beach club. Look here for the best access options to Bacalar’s lagoon.

3. Visit the Nature Reserve Park (Balneario Ecológico)

The nature reserve park “Balneario Ecólogico” has a long pier that takes you on a roundtrip through the mangroves to the lagoon. Even if you don’t want to go swimming or spend time on the pier, I recommend it just for a walk along the pier, the great view over the lagoon with its beautiful colors, and the view into the mangroves. There are even crocodiles living in the mangroves – but no worries, they only come out at night and are tiny and not dangerous. Please stick to the nature reserve’s rules (no smoking, no alcohol, no pets, no loud music) to protect this special area. You pay an entrance fee of 20 pesos (1.20 USD). There’s no shade here, so make sure to protect yourself from the sun, especially around noon.

4. Visit the Fort of Bacalar (Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar)

This fort was built in 1729 to protect Bacalar from the pirates that sneaked through the Pirates‘ Channel to attack the city. Now it houses a tiny museum inside, exhibiting Mayan archaeological artifacts, weapons, and maps. There’s also a nice mural by artist Elio Carmichael which shows the most important historical events of the region. From the fort’s walls, you have a nice view of the lagoon.

5. Celebrate Carnival in Bacalar

Bacalar is one of the places where carnival is a huge thing. In February, constant events are going on for a week – be it parades through the streets, or dance performances at the main square. It seems that every inhabitant of Bacalar is part of a carnival club. Plus, many food stalls at the main square sell super economical food and drinks – in case you need to save some money for another boat trip:-)

…What Else Can You Do in Bacalar?

Visit Archaeological Sites

If you’re a fan of stones (as my husband would put it), then visit the archaeological sites of Dzibanche or Kohunlich. These Mayan ruins are each about 90 km (1.5-2 hours by car) outside of the city; there are also tours you can take to enjoy these places. They might be less popular than the big sites like Chichen Itzá or Palenque, but usually they’re also less frequented and you can take your time enjoying these beautiful relics of an incredible past.

Make a Trip to Belize

You can make a trip to the state of Belize which is only about 40 km from Bacalar. You can either take a shared taxi directly from Bacalar (opposite the ADO bus station), or you travel to Chetumal and then take a taxi or bus to Belize. However, as you’re leaving and re-entering Mexico, you’d need your passport and proof that you paid the Mexican tourist tax – or else they’ll charge you a second time at the border. It’s good advice to bring some cash in pesos with you anyway in case you can’t prove it or they just don’t accept your proof. To prepare in advance, download your receipt from the airline that shows you’ve already paid the tourist tax. However, only go if you really know what you want to do in Belize – don’t do it just because it’s so close, as it can be a hassle to get through the border.

Where to Eat in Bacalar

El Manatí Bacalar

This restaurant has a beautiful garden, and at the weekends you can enjoy your breakfast with some live music. A great atmosphere, friendly staff, and fresh and delicious food and juices. Definitely a highlight!

La Burguesía del Pueblo

If you want to eat delicious burgers and enjoy a nice view from the roof terrace onto the main square and the fort, try out this restaurant.

Mango y Chile

This vegan restaurant has become quite hip and has a nice view of the lagoon from its terrace. Everything is plant-based, even the disposable plates. As with many hip and Westernized restaurants, it’s a bit pricy, but if you have food restrictions for whatever reason, then this is a good option. I’ve had the gluten-free waffles and a chocolate shake, and it was good. They also have tacos and burgers.

Mr. Taco

Popular among foreigners, this outside restaurant is usually pretty busy in the evenings. You can get burritos, tacos, quesadillas, also with vegetarian options, and cocktails. Maybe not a culinary highlight, but we thought the food was ok, especially for that price. So if your travel budget is on the low side, or you just want to eat Mexican food that is not too Mexican, this is the right choice for you.

Mistura

4 blocks from the main square, this restaurant offers more fancy options of seafood and more. They have Mexican classics like tacos with cochinita pibil (a special preparation of pork) or Yucatecan lime soup, seafood dishes like grilled octopus or Caribbean-style shrimp, but also classics like pasta and burgers. A bit pricier, but therefore a bit more elaborated.

La Orden de Gallo

This restaurant was on our list to try out, unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to do so. It’s just around the corner at the main square and has lots of good reviews. The menu lists tacos, burgers, burritos, and fresh seafood.

Where to Stay in Bacalar

Isel Magic Hotel

We liked our hotel which was only 15 minutes from the main square and the lagoon. The rooms were spacious, the bathroom very nice, and we had a balcony with a hammock to relax in. The staff was super friendly and very helpful. You can also book tours at the reception. You get a glass water bottle to refill at the water dispenser during your stay. There’s a tiny supermarket and some shops on the same street, and across the hotel a local market where they sell fresh fruit and vegetables in the mornings. At this market, you can also see the German-speaking Russian Mennonites from Salamanca (about 10 km from Bacalar) sell their produce; if you get up early before sunrise, you can see them arriving in their horse-drawn carriage.

Casa Aakal Lagoon Front

This hotel has private access to the lagoon and is only 3 blocks from the main square. So you have the best of two worlds at once! There’s an outdoor swimming pool, garden and terrace. But you can’t necessarily see the beachfront from your room.

Hotel CasaBakal – A pie de Laguna

This 5-star hotel has its own beachfront and access to the lagoon. It has an outdoor swimming pool, garden and terrace, and its own restaurant. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards for free, and there’s a spa center for massages and yoga. The only downside is that the city center is a bit further away, so you’d need a taxi to get there. However, you have all you need right there – the lagoon, activities, and tours starting close by.

Villas Ecotucan

If you love being in nature, this hotel is for you. It’s 5 km from the city center and each palm-roofed cabaña has its own terrace with a garden view. The hotel has a private pier to access the lagoon. The rooms are powered by solar panels. You can have breakfast at the hotel, and there are more restaurants within walking distance. The hotel offers activities like kayaking, bird watching, and a walk through the jungle.

How to Get There

Bacalar is about 3 hours from Tulum by car (210 km), or 5 hours from Cancún. The nearest airport is Chetumal, and then a 45-minute drive by car or taxi to Bacalar.

So…Is it For Me?

The lagoon and its crystal-clear waters in different shades of blue are just a spectacular sight. It’s a whole different experience than your typical beach holiday. You still get your sunbathing and swimming opportunities, though, and at the same time, you can enjoy a laid-back town that offers all the amenities you need for a pleasant stay. If you want to have a more tranquil stay than what Quintana Roo’s main tourist spots like Cancun and Playa del Carmen have to offer, then Bacalar is definitely the place to be!