Bacalar Travel Guide & Things to Do (+ Map)
TL;DR
From boat tours and floating hammocks to lazy-river adventures and turquoise lagoon waters, Bacalar might just be Mexico’s most magical alternative to the crowded beach towns of the Yucatán.
Laid-back Bacalar in southern Mexico has quickly become one of the Yucatán Peninsula’s most underrated destinations – and after visiting ourselves, we can confidently say it lives up to the hype.
Famous for its stunning Lagoon of Seven Colours, Bacalar offers a completely different vibe from Mexico’s typical beach hotspots. Instead of crowded resorts, you’ll find crystal-clear turquoise water, floating hammocks, boat trips, kayaking adventures, and a chilled small-town atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and unwind.
Let’s dive into exactly what to do in Bacalar and why this magical lagoon town deserves a spot on your Mexico bucket list.
Bacalar Travel Guide
Bacalar Mexico Map
Is Bacalar Worth Visiting?
Laguna Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours, is every bit as stunning as the photos suggest. You can almost get lost in its water shifting through shades of turquoise and blue, creating one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Mexico.
What makes Bacalar especially unique is that it feels beachy without actually being a beach destination. While the town definitely has island vibes, it’s important to know that Bacalar doesn’t have sandy beaches like Tulum or Holbox. Instead, most lagoon access is via wooden piers and overwater platforms, many of which come complete with swings, hammocks, and sun loungers suspended above the water.
Bacalar is all about being on the water – whether that’s kayaking across the lagoon, floating through Los Rápidos, jumping off piers, or cruising around on a boat with a drink in hand.
We loved that Bacalar feels far more relaxed and less commercialised than many other destinations in the Yucatán. It has a chilled, backpacker-meets-boutique vibe with colourful streets, cute cafés, and a small-town atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and unwind.
In short, if your ideal trip involves nightlife and long sandy beaches, Bacalar may not be for you. However, if water activities, relaxation, and no crowds sound like your ideal holiday, Bacalar is an absolute gem.
Where We Stayed in Bacalar
We stayed at Blue Bird, which was amazing; however, the prices have increased significantly since our stay. They have direct access to the lagoon with a pier complete with swings and hammocks. The best feature was the free kayaks and paddleboards.
Additionally, our room was cosy, and the owners were super hospitable (they even gave us a lift into town).
How to Get to Bacalar
Bacalar is conveniently located on the main road from Cancun to Chetumal/Belize, which means it is well connected to all destinations along the Riviera Maya:
- Bus from Cancun to Bacalar, buses run every 1-2 hours, the ride takes around 6 hours.
- Bus from Playa del Carmen to Bacalar, the ride takes around 5 hours.
- Bus from Tulum to Bacalar, the ride takes around 3 hours.
Additionally, Bacalar is connected to the west and northwest by a big road, which is convenient in case you come from destinations like:
- Bus from Palenque to Bacalar, 1 night bus per day, the ride takes around 9 hours.
- Bus from Merida to Bacalar, buses run every 1-2 hours, the ride takes around 5 hours.
How to Get Around Bacalar
As most activities in Bacalar are water-based, you rarely have to move far on land.
For further distances, bicycles are widely available.
To get to and from the bus station, taxis are readily available and affordable. Note that Uber is currently not available.
Bacalar Things to Do
1. Go on a Boat Tour
A guided boat tour is the most fun and convenient way to get out on the lagoon. Highlights are
- several small islands, like Isla de los Pajaros
- cenotes in the lagoon, like Cenote Esmeralda or Cenote Cocalitos
- Pirates’ Channel
- a Mayan mud spa treatment with lagoon mud
2. Rent a Kayak or SUP
If you like to explore at your own pace, you can rent a kayak or a SUP and go out on the lagoon with your own muscle power.
Kayaks and SUPs were included in our hotel stay, but there are also plenty of other options around town.
We loved the tranquillity of paddling across the turquoise waters.
3. Relax on the Lagoon
You absolutely want to reserve some time to simply relax on the beautiful lagoon. You have three main options to do so:
- We opted for an accommodation with lagoon access. If this is within your budget, we highly recommend it!
- There are plenty of beach clubs where you either have to pay an entrance fee and/or have a minimum spend for food and drinks. We liked Los Aluxes very much.
- There are public piers dotted around the lagoon, which are free, but some of them are in a bit of a rough condition, and you probably won’t find swings or hammocks.
4. Los Rapidos & Stromatolites
Los Rápidos is nature’s lazy river. It’s one of the most fun spots in Bacalar and an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area.
The main attraction is floating down the river as the current carries you along! There are ropes to grab along the way, and you have to wear life jackets. You can also rent kayaks if you want to explore even more.
Los Rápidos is a privatised area including a riverside club with shaded seating, lounge chairs, hammocks in the water, and an on-site restaurant, so it’s perfect for spending a couple of hours.
One of the coolest things about Los Rápidos is the stromatolites found here. Stromatolite is the Greek name for layered rock. They are formed by microorganisms and present one of the first life forms on Earth. Nowadays, they are super rare. I’m a trained geologist, so trust me, this is incredibly cool.
5. Explore the Centre of Bacalar
The centre of Bacalar is tiny, but it’s pleasant to walk around with some street art, cute cafes, the central park (with the obligatory Bacalar sign) and San Felipe Fortress.
Where to Eat in Bacalar
You have two main options:
- You can eat in a lagoonfront restaurant (for a higher price tag). We really enjoyed the restaurant at Los Aluxes. It has a beautiful pier with swings and was super close to our accommodation.
- More affordable eateries can be found in the centre of town. Savora Bakhalal is a good choice right on the main square.
How Many Days in Bacalar Do You Need
You probably wouldn’t consider going to Bacalar if you weren’t at least partly a beach bum. Hence, we think two days in Bacalar is the sweet spot to explore the lagoon and get some relaxation. Of course, you can add a lot more days for some R&R on the lagoon.
Here’s our full Yucatan itinerary, including two days in Bacalar:
Bacalar Itinerary
Day 1 – Explore Bacalar & Boat Tour
Boat tours on Laguna Bacalar are mostly half-day, so you can decide whether you prefer to go in the morning or in the afternoon.
You can use the other half of the day to explore the centre of Bacalar with its park and fort.
Day 2 – Los Rápidos & Relax
In the morning, head out to Los Rapidos to float on the natural lazy river and see the stromatolites.
Afterwards, relax on the lagoon. You can either stay at Los Rapidos, head to your accommodation if it's on the waterfront, or head to a beach club or public pier.
Bacalar Tips
ATMs in Bacalar
You can find ATMs from many popular banks (BBVA, Santander, HSBC, ..) in the centre of Bacalar.
Supermarkets in Bacalar
There are some small to medium-sized supermarkets dotted around town. For your big shopping needs, there’s a Super Akí on the main road.
Internet in Bacalar
The internet in our accommodation worked well. Our eSIM card worked fine around town.
Is Bacalar Safe
Nowadays, Bacalar is a quite touristy town and hence considered mostly safe for tourists.
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