Bacalar, famous for its stunning Laguna de los Siete colores (Lagoon of 7 colors), was once the site of a thriving Mayan city, that was one of the first in the New World to be taken and held by the Spanish Conquistadors. Over time, the city was a Spanish colonial outpost that was continuously bombarded by pirates of all creeds and nations. The beautiful Bacalar Lagoon and its aptly named Canal de los Piratas was used by pirates to move and protect their cargo up and down the coast by water rather than by land.
Bacalar has come up in many of my conversations with fellow travelers in Mexico, and I decided to see this amazing Caribbean lake for myself. After visiting the Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas, I took a flight from Villahermosa (closest airport to Palenque) to Cancun. From Cancun, I took an overnight bus to arrive in the early morning hours in the beautiful town of Bacalar. There are many amazing things to do in Bacalar. This blog post will highlight my recommendations for the area.
Contents:
- Transportation
- Where to stay in Bacalar
- Dining
- Take a boat trip on the Laguna Bacalar
- Fuerte San Felipe
- Enjoy beers on a dock
- SUP or kayak around the Lagoon
- Cenote Cocolitos
- Paddle through Canal de los Piratas
- Isla de los Pajaros
- Ecopark Bacalar
- Trip costs for 4 days and 3 nights in Bacalar, Mexico
- Final thoughts on Bacalar, Mexico
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Transportation:
Bacalar is situated only 5-6 hours away from the major hub of Cancun, and is easily accessible via bus from most major towns and cities in Quintana Roo. The closet airport would be Chetumal Airport (CTM) 21KM away from Bacalar if you prefer flying.
Where to stay in Bacalar:
Most accommodations in Bacalar are located at, or near, the waterfront of the lagoon. The main town centre of Bacalar has the biggest range of accommodations options. The Yak House on the lake is a beautiful “Posh”-tel that has both dorm and private options as well as a beautiful dock and lounge area – right in the centre of of town.
Also centrally located is Casa Lamat which offers boutique-style accommodations right on the waterfront. The property has its own dock and hammocks by the water.
I got a private cabana at the Veleando Ando Cabanas on the lakeside about 1KM North of the main town of Bacalar. The cabanas were very comfortable, and the property has wonderful lounge areas with lakeside views. A delicious breakfast was included in the room rate.
Dining:
Wonderful dining options abound in Bacalar the most iconic of them all may well be La Playita right on the waterfront. La Playita serves elevated international cuisine in its bustling centrally located restaurant. Or you can spend a few hours with your feet dangling over their private dock with some cold drinks from their extensive bar menu.
Take a boat trip on Laguna Bacalar:
A boat trip around Laguna Bacalar is a great way to get an introduction to the star attraction of Bacalar. Boat Tours are a wonderful way to enjoy a day on the lagoon. This boat tour is well-reviewed, includes an open-bar and snacks as well swimming stops at Canal de los Piratas and Isla de los Pajaros, and will also pass by Cenote Cocalitos as well as Cenote Bruja. If you have limited time in Bacalar a boat trip is high on my recommendation list for being one of the best things to do in Bacalar as it gives you an overview of most of the major natural attractions of the lagoon.
Visit Fuerte San Felipe:
Fuerte San Felipe was commissioned by the Spanish crown in the 17th century to deter on-going attacks on the colonial town of Bacalar by pirates who often used the Laguna Bacalar as their stronghold.
The fort has a 4 point star design – each point with its own name – and meters thick walls. Inside the fort is an excellent museum that gives an overview of the region from Mayan rule to the colonial era. The museum gives an interesting overview of the famous pirates who used to dominate the region.
Enjoy beers on a dock:
Many restaurants have lagoon-side docks where you can enjoy a beverage. Some have sunbathing areas, where you can go in for a swim between sips.
Or you can do as the locals do and find a public dock and bring your beverages. See map for a beautiful public dock (Balneario del fondo) that conveniently has a cold beer and liquor store just a 2-3 minute walk away. Sunbathing on a dock with some drinks, and getting to know the locals as a budget-friendly activity to do in Bacalar.
SUP or Kayak around the Lagoon:
Rent a SUP or Kayak and paddle around the lagoon, or if conditions permit – to the other side of the lagoon, and through the canal pirata to the much quieter Laguna Mariscal. you are unsure of exploring the Lagoon by yourself, you can always join a SUP Guided Tour or a Kayak Guided tour
The area just at the mouth of the Canal Pirata is a stunning white sand area with inches shallow crystalline water and some sand banks to relax on. Explore the remains of an old ship that rests in the area.
Cenote Cocalitos:
Accessible via the Cocalitos Beach Resort (50MXN), Cenote Cocalitos is a beautiful swimming lagoon with stunning fossilized stromatolites, cenote, and a beach area. The fossilized stromatolites are fairly large rock formations. While the formidable structures look imposing in the water, they are actually quite ecologically delicate – so please avoid touching them, as the structures take thousands of years to develop. The in-water hammocks are ideal for relaxing between swimming and snorkeling among the large fossilized stromatolites. There are a few food and drink options at the resort.
Cenote Azul and Cenote Esmeralda are nearby to Cenote Cocalitos, and may be of interest to visit – particularly if one is interested in diving – as both cenotes are incredibly deep – over 50m deep each.
Canal de los Piratas:
Canal de los Piratas lies just across the lagoon (about a 2KM crossing) from the center of town. The canal connects the Laguna Bacalar with the Laguna Mariscal. Pirates once used to use the canal to move and protect their cargo in the area.
I SUP-ed across from Bacalar town to Canal de los Piratas, but you can also get to the Canal through a boat tour (which also visits other attractions along the Lagoon). The area around the canal is an absolutely stunning area to swim and relax. The crystalline water is just inches deep in many areas and natural sand banks abound.
You’ll see what appears to be a sunken boat right at the mouth of canal. This was the remnants of what was supposed to be a boat-themed restaurant in the middle of the lagoon. The project was deemed to be a threat to fragile eco-system of the lagoon, and was eventually abandoned. The site is now a popular hangout and photo-op spot for visitors to the canal.
Isla de los Pajaros:
South of Canal de los Piratas is Isla de los Pajaros is tiny island located in the middle of the lagoon. This tiny island is home to a huge variety of different birds. The island can be visited by on your own by SUP or Kayak or you can join a guided paddling tour, or boat tour.
Ecopark Bacalar:
Ecopark Bacalar is an ecological preserve on the Bacalar Lagoon. The park encompasses 7000m2 that covers a variety of different eco-systems from the crystalline-clear waters of the Lagoon, to surrounding marshlands. An impressive 1KM square dock sits in the centre of the ecopark allowing visitors to walk around and view the different ecosystems of the lagoon without disturbing nature. The 1KM stretch along the aquamarine waters of the lagoon is popular spot for visitors to sit and enjoy the seven colours of the lagoon or take in a stunning sunset.
Trip costs for 4 days and 3 nights in Bacalar, Mexico:
Accommodations: $116.07USD
Transportation: $26.54USD
Excursions and Rentals: $80.75USD
Dining & Food: $56.70USD
Total: $280.06USD
Final Thoughts on Bacalar, Mexico:
Visiting Bacalar’s magical 7 colored lagoon is like visiting an incredibly beautiful Caribbean beach but without the salt water. Activities like boating, paddleboarding, kayaking and even specialized activities like SUP Yoga abound. Sitting at one of the many docks around Bacalar town and just enjoying the mesmerizing water, beautiful weather, and a cold drink is equally amazing. From watersports, and museums, to lazing on a dock, there are no shortage of amazing things to do in Bacalar.