A Complete Guide To Bacalar, Mexico.
Bacalar might just be the place of dreams and is definitely one of the not-so-hidden gems in Mexico. It’s somewhere you need to visit before you can actually accept that it is real. Believe me, when I say this is the most blue water I have ever seen. It is quite literally breathtaking.
They call the lake ‘lagoon’ of 7 colours and they’re not wrong, there are really 7 gradients of blue ranging from turquoise closer to the white sandy shores or a deep bright blue nearer the middle of the lake. Bacalar is also referred to as ‘The Mexican Maldives’, there is an abundance of lovely accommodation and holiday villas based around the lake to suit anybody’s needs.
However, the heavenly lake is not all. Bacalar has grown as a real hub for holidaymakers, backpackers and adventures throughout Mexico, with activities like Kayaking, White Water Rafting, Zip Lining to beautiful sunset boat tours. Bacalar really has it all.
In this complete guide to Bacalar, I am going to give you my tips and recommendations from personal experience. Information on how to get there, when to go and what to do.
Where is Bacalar, Mexico
Bacalar is situated in Southeast Mexico’s Quintana Roo State, roughly an hour’s drive from the Belize border. I think it’s an excellent place to visit even though there isn’t a real beach there. Its setting on the stunning lagoon shores more than makes up for it.
Bacalar might not be as easily accessible as some of Mexico’s other more well-known tourist spots, but there is still an abundance of amazing things to do there. Whether you are going on holiday by yourself, with a partner, or with your family, it’s an outstanding spot.
Bacalar is several hours’ drive from the other popular tourist destinations in the Riviera Maya, which are all on the Caribbean coast and are located southwest of Cancun.
How to get to Bacalar
Perhaps not the most accessible region of Mexico. But getting there isn’t all that difficult. Fortunately, getting to the main Yucatan sights takes no more than a day’s journey, so getting to the approximate area of the lagoon should be rather simple. Transportation choices include:
Fly: You can take a domestic flight from Mexico City to Chetumal, but there aren’t many connections and they sometimes leave at odd hours of the night. Therefore, the majority of visitors will try to go to Cancun before taking the overground from there.
Bus: The public ADO bus is the preferred method of transport in Mexico. These are both inexpensive and of great standard. They travel to Bacalar from Cancun or Mérida in around five hours. It only takes 45 minutes to get there from nearby Chetumal.
Car: Renting your own vehicle is an excellent way to fully explore this area. It takes roughly four hours to travel from Cancun Airport or Mérida City, but there are some very interesting pit stops along the way (think Chichen Itza and Secret Cenotes).
When to visit Bacalar
There is truly no right or wrong time to visit. However, the dry season runs from December to early April in this area of Mexico, in the dry season you will see 50% less rain and slightly cooler less humid conditions.
You can expect to have clear blue skies from February onwards. I visited in March and the weather was great, ideal for topping up the tan. The cheapest time to visit would be around June or July however expect to have some pretty brutal downpours from midday onwards.
From August through to late November, it is storm season in this corner of the globe. You can expect to get some pretty bad weather so keep this in mind when planning to visit.
Where to stay in Bacalar, Mexico
Staying on the shores of the lake can be fairly expensive, if you are on a budget it may be worth staying downtown. It is only ever a 15-minute walk to get to the crystal blue shores.
There are some great hostels available and these can be found much closer to the beach. One of the hostels I visited in Bacalar was the Yak. This great hostel has its own private dock which stretches out into the lagoon. They also can help organise boat tours, paddle boarding and many great activities. The Yak Lake House also throw amazing parties on Wednesdays!
Another great hostel option in Bacalar would be CHE Bacalar Hostel & Bar. This Che has a lovely pool and is only a 5-minute walk to bars and restaurants.
There are also plenty of lovely hotels, apartments and villas available and can be found on sites like Booking.com and Airbnb.
What Things to do in Bacalar, Mexico
I touched on it earlier in the blog but you can keep yourself busy in Bacalar. Wakeboarding, ziplining, kayaking and white water rafting and that’s just to name a few. I did a boat tour of the lake, which runs over the course of the afternoon, you take some beers, and a local will show you all the best spots as well as touch on some of the history, which you would not otherwise hear about. You finish the tour by watching the magnificent sunset beaming down on the bright blue lake.
Cenote Azul: Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote) is the second most popular swimming spot after Bacalar Lagoon itself. With a depth of roughly 300 feet (91.5 metres), it is also one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite not being connected to Bacalar Lake, Cenote Azul is still an excellent spot to spend the day. There is a café, lockers for your belongings, and restrooms on-site.
Beach Bars in Bacalar, Mexico
There are numerous ‘beach’ clubs dotted around the lake. Many of which are perfect to kick your feet up and enjoy drinks for the day. They’re not actually called beach clubs, officially they are called balnearios, and your trip to Bacalar is not complete without visiting one.
Club Bacaar Beach: Potentially the prettiest and best beach club on Bacalar Lagoon! Gourmet meals, comfortable loungers and tables, a pool, hot tubs, a bar, and elegant restrooms are all features of the Bacalar Beach Club.
Los Angeles Baccarr: Although the Los Aluxes hotel isn’t a real balneario, it does have all the wonderful water features that Bacalar is famous for, like water hammocks and swings and a charming dock that overlooks the lagoon. You can visit after 10 am to use the amenities even if you are not a guest.
Alneario Municipal El Aserrador: This is a public pier with some beautiful docks for relaxing by the lake. There aren’t many amenities here outside the wooden docks and straw palapas for shade, but the entrance is free.
Los Rapidos
Undoubtedly an absolute do not miss of Bacalar. This will probably be the best thing you do in the area and warrants spending a full day there. I promise you will want to go back for more!
Los Rapidos (The Rapids) are located on the lake’s southern edge.
Although it is a balneario, it is situated far enough from the others that you will need to take a taxi and spend a full day there.
At Los Rapidos, you can swim in the moving rapids, and find a restaurant, a bar, kayak rentals, water hammocks, swings, and amenities.
If you arrive early enough, you can grab a bed near the lake’s edge and spend the entire day there.
Don’t skip Los Rapidos even if you can’t arrive early; it’s one of the best things to do in Bacalar.
Where to eat in Bacalar
Although Bacalar may seem small, do not underestimate the amount of food choices you have. From taco bars to out of this world sushi. Bacalar really has it all.
Mr Taco: We went to eat here on our first day and it was so tasty! they have so many toppings to choose from and I honestly did not want to leave! I highly recommend you visit Mr Taco
Nao Sushi: The best place to get sushi in Bacalar. Super fresh seafood and plenty of choice.
Pizzeria Bertilla: Mexico actually has a substantial Italian expat population. The owner of this pizzeria is one of those! They serve wood-fired pizzas and delicious pasta.
Cerveceria Bacalar: The one and only brewery in Bacalar! On top of the great beer, they serve lovely cocktails and by night this becomes one of the best spots in Bacalar.
I would highly recommend the Bacalar Lagoon Sightseeing Tour, as seen above. They are a great operator and will make sure to give you the best experience available.
Cenotes: There are so many cenotes in and around Bacalar and I would highly recommend visiting them. Cenotes are natural pits or sinkholes. They are always fresh water and lovely to swim in. They used to be used for freshwater by the ancient Maya as well as for special offerings to the underworld! There are around 6000 cenotes throughout Mexico with still many more to be discovered.
Cenote La Bruja: Many boat cruises will take you to see this cenote, saying as it is inside the lake. They discourage swimming in the water because it is around 250 feet (76 metres) deep. It can be referred to as Cenote Negro (Black Cenote) also. When you are in a boat over it, you can see the nearly black, dark-blue water below you.
Cenote Azul: Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote) is the second most popular swimming spot after Bacalar Lagoon itself. With a depth of roughly 300 feet (91.5 metres), it is also one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite not being connected to Bacalar Lake, Cenote Azul is still an excellent spot to spend the day. There is a café, lockers for your belongings, and restrooms on-site.
Beach Bars in Bacalar, Mexico
There are numerous ‘beach’ clubs dotted around the lake. Many of which are perfect to kick your feet up and enjoy drinks for the day. They’re not actually called beach clubs, officially they are called balnearios, and your trip to Bacalar is not complete without visiting one.
Club Bacaar Beach: Potentially the prettiest and best beach club on Bacalar Lagoon! Gourmet meals, comfortable loungers and tables, a pool, hot tubs, a bar, and elegant restrooms are all features of the Bacalar Beach Club.
Los Angeles Baccarr: Although the Los Aluxes hotel isn’t a real balneario, it does have all the wonderful water features that Bacalar is famous for, like water hammocks and swings and a charming dock that overlooks the lagoon. You can visit after 10 am to use the amenities even if you are not a guest.
Alneario Municipal El Aserrador: This is a public pier with some beautiful docks for relaxing by the lake. There aren’t many amenities here outside the wooden docks and straw palapas for shade, but the entrance is free.
Los Rapidos
Undoubtedly an absolute do not miss of Bacalar. This will probably be the best thing you do in the area and warrants spending a full day there. I promise you will want to go back for more!
Los Rapidos (The Rapids) are located on the lake’s southern edge.
Although it is a balneario, it is situated far enough from the others that you will need to take a taxi and spend a full day there.
At Los Rapidos, you can swim in the moving rapids, and find a restaurant, a bar, kayak rentals, water hammocks, swings, and amenities.
If you arrive early enough, you can grab a bed near the lake’s edge and spend the entire day there.
Don’t skip Los Rapidos even if you can’t arrive early; it’s one of the best things to do in Bacalar.
Where to eat in Bacalar
Although Bacalar may seem small, do not underestimate the amount of food choices you have. From taco bars to out of this world sushi. Bacalar really has it all.
Mr Taco: We went to eat here on our first day and it was so tasty! they have so many toppings to choose from and I honestly did not want to leave! I highly recommend you visit Mr Taco
Nao Sushi: The best place to get sushi in Bacalar. Super fresh seafood and plenty of choice.
Pizzeria Bertilla: Mexico actually has a substantial Italian expat population. The owner of this pizzeria is one of those! They serve wood-fired pizzas and delicious pasta.
Cerveceria Bacalar: The one and only brewery in Bacalar! On top of the great beer, they serve lovely cocktails and by night this becomes one of the best spots in Bacalar.
How long to spend in Bacalar, Mexico
Bacalar is a great place to chill whilst soaking in the sun. There is enough stuff to do to keep you busy for 4-6 days but after that, you may be starting to get restless. You could probably see all you wanted to see in 2-3 days. Bacalar is definitely worth more than a day trip.
If you only have a day in Bacalar, I would say it’s essential to go and experience Los Rapidos and a Boat Tour.
Is Bacalar, Meixco worth visiting?
100% and 100% more. I almost skipped Bacalar my first time visiting Mexico, if it wasn’t for a friend forcing me to go I would not have been. Now I am sitting here writing a blog with all the reasons to visit! Bacalar has the most beautiful Lake, Sunsets, and Beaches as well as amazing food and so much more!
I really hope you go and visit Bacalar and experience the magic for yourself!
Please view my other blogs for my tips and experiences talking and travelling Mexico and beyond.
Read more blogs on Mexico HERE.
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