Bacalar ended up becoming one of our favorite places in this part of Mexico. Beyond the impressive freshwater lagoon that conquered two sea lovers as we are in RandomTrip, its slow-paced town where tourism has not yet stepped too hard caught us. So much so that we extended our planned days here and do not rule out returning on this long trip through the Yucatan Peninsula.

We explored the lagoon of the seven colors by sailboat, by pontoon at sunset, kayaking and swimming, getting to know its points of interest, its balnearios (free and paid ones) and, above all, enjoying its calm turquoise waters.

Bacalar Lagoon and its seven colors (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

In this travel guide we tell you all the things to see and do in Bacalar with practical suggestions, specific itineraries for 1,2 or 3 days with activities to explore the lagoon, where to stay and even where to eat to make your trip to Bacalar as special as ours has been.

Contents

Basic facts for traveling to Bacalar

Currency: MXN ($) Mexican Peso (1$ equals 20$ MXN approx.). Check the updated exchange rate here

Official Language: Spanish

Population: 41,754 (in 2020)

When to visit: There are two seasons, the rainy season and the dry season, it is advisable to go in the dry season (November to April) as the weather greatly affects the colors of the lagoon. In addition, there are festivities in which you can coincide your trip. We detail more about when to go to Bacalar in this section of the guide.

How long to stay: Minimum 1 day, although we believe that the ideal is to spend 3 days in Bacalar. In this section we share specific itineraries for Bacalar to help you organize your trip.

How to get there: There are plenty of direct international flights to Cancun (and some to the new Tulum airport), or domestic flights to Chetumal, Tulum or Cancun so we recommend you use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates to get the best possible price. From most places in the Yucatan Peninsula you can get to Bacalar by ADO (bus). More details in this section of the guide.

Visa: With a US, Canadian, European or UK passport it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days. Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Where to stay: Ideally, you should stay in the town of Bacalar and if you want something more special, in one of the accommodations with direct access to the lagoon (near the town or in the outskirts, although in the outskirts it would be better to have your own transportation). More details in the Where to stay in Bacalar section of the guide.

What to bring: A good travel insurance (in this link we give you a 5% discount on the one we always carry) and here is the list of what you must have in your backpack for this trip

How to get around: Most places are accessible on foot. To explore the surroundings you can go by cab and you also have the option of renting a car, a bike or a motorcycle to move around freely. More info on how to get around Bacalar in this section of the guide.

How much does it cost: From 40$/day per person (approx.) – 750 pesos per day and person – not counting flights, depending on the type of accommodation, meals and how much you want to explore the surroundings. More budget information in this section of the guide.

Internet connection: If you are visiting for a few days, your phone supports eSIM and you don’t want to complicate things, we recommend Holafly eSIM (unlimited data, 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP) or Airalo eSIM (limited data, but cheaper, 15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15). Otherwise, the cheapest way is to get a local SIM (we recommend Telcel). More info here

Vaccines: there are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

Time zone: UTC -5.

Randomtrip in a freshwater paradise (Photo by Randomtrip – All rights reserved).

Where is Bacalar

Bacalar is a small Pueblo Mágico (Magic town) on the shores of the famous lagoon of the same name, located in the south of Mexico, specifically in the south of the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula, 3 hours from Tulum, 3h40 from Playa del Carmen, 4h40 from Cancun, 3h40 from Valladolid, 4h30 from Merida and half an hour from the border with Belize.

When to visit Bacalar

In our opinion, the best time to visit Bacalar depends on 2 factors: the weather (without sun the lagoon loses part of its charm) and the tourist demand. Here are the best times for each factor.

Bacalar, a freshwater paradise (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Weather in Bacalar

The climate in Bacalar, as in the rest of the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula, has two main seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the rainy season (May to October) in which the risk of hurricanes increases. It is best to visit Bacalar in the dry season, although during the first months (November and December and even January) it is possible that some rains may still fall (this is what happened to us in Randomtrip, visiting the lagoon in mid-December, although the weather then improved), so the best months would be from February to April. Also, considering that Bacalar lagoon doesn’t get sargassum and that the sargassum season starts in March/April (depending on the year), you won’t have to worry about sargassum.

Sunset in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Here is a summary table of the weather in Bacalar to give you an idea of what to expect:

Bacalar weather chart, with temperatures and rainy days by month:

MonthMinimum temperatureMaximum temperatureWater temperature (average)Rainy days
January19º28º26º7
February20º29º26º4
March22º30º27º4
April24º32º28º4
May25º32º29º8
June25º32º29º14
July25º32º29º13
August25º32º29º14
September24º31º29º17
October23º30º29º14
November21º29º28º9
December20º28º27º7
MonthMinimum temperatureMaximum temperatureWater temperature (average)Rainy days
Summary table of the weather in Bacalar by month

Tourist demand in Bacalar

The times of highest tourist demand (and therefore, when we will find more people and more expensive prices coincide with the typical holiday periods, which are:

  • National holidays (November, December)
  • Christmas
  • Easter Week (March/April)
  • Summer (June to October): besides being school vacation time in many countries and increasing demand (and prices), it is the rainy season.

So we recommend you avoid those dates, and in general, avoid holidays and weekends if you want to enjoy the lagoon more calmly and with better accommodation prices.

The breathtaking Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Important festivities in Bacalar

If you want to be in Bacalar for the biggest festivities of the year, don’t miss the Carnival (in February) and the Fiestas de San Joaquín, its patron saint, which last 10 days in July (with boat and jet ski races included).

Summary: Best months to visit Bacalar

Based on the above, if you are looking to visit Laguna Bacalar with less people, good weather and reasonable prices, the best months are February, March and April avoiding Semana Santa. November to January (avoiding Christmas and long weekends) can also be a good time although the weather can be more unpredictable and if you get a cloudy day, the lagoon loses some of its charm.

Sunrise at Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

How to get to Bacalar

There are international flights to Tulum airport (new airport, opened in December 2023) and to Cancun airport, and domestic flights to Chetumal airport, which is the closest airport to Bacalar (as well as to Cancun and Tulum). We recommend that you use flight comparators such as Skyscanner and Kiwi and be flexible with dates to get the best possible price. Below we show you how to get to Bacalar from these airports and from other nearby points of interest.

How to get from Chetumal Airport to Bacalar

The closest airport to Bacalar, useful if you are coming from within Mexico, is Chetumal airport, which is only 30-40 minutes from Bacalar. From the airport you will have several options to get to Bacalar:

  • By ADO bus: you will have to go first to the bus terminal in Chetumal, and from there take the ADO bus to Bacalar (it costs 110 pesos per person and runs every 45-60 min depending on the time of day). You can check schedules and prices (sometimes there are promotions if you buy in advance) at the official ADO website.
  • By cab: this is the most comfortable option, directly from the airport to your accommodation in Bacalar. We were told that the cab ride costs about 400 pesos.
  • By car: if you rent a car, you simply drive the 30-40 minutes to your accommodation in Bacalar.
  • Private or shared transfer: for more convenience, you can also book a transfer with Viator, which will be waiting for you upon arrival at the airport. At Randomtrip we used this service at Cancun airport and it worked very well.
Muelle Ecológico de Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

How to get from Tulum Airport to Bacalar

Another option to get to Bacalar is from the new Tulum airport (opened in December 2023), which is approximately 3h30 away from Bacalar. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this guide there were no direct public transportation options from the Tulum airport to Bacalar, so the only option would be by cab which is quite expensive.

Another option is to rent a car and drive the 3h30 to your lodging in Bacalar.

The cheapest option would be to go by ADO bus or van to Tulum (45 min, 175 pesos) and from there take another ADO bus to Bacalar (3h, 396 pesos).

How to get from Cancun airport to Bacalar

If you arrive at Cancun airport and want to go from there directly to Bacalar, you should know that it is about 4h30 hours away. We have not found any direct public transportation option from the airport, so you would have to pay for a cab (we imagine quite expensive), rent a car or the cheapest way would be to travel by ADO to other areas of the Riviera Maya that do have a connection to Bacalar, for example:

  • Playa del Carmen (Note: the ADO from Cancun airport drops you off at the ADO tourist station in Playa del Carmen, while the ADO to Bacalar leaves from the alternate ADO station in Playa del Carmen. It will take you about 15 min on foot, and a cab will charge you between 50 and 100 pesos):
    • ADO Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: 1h30, 250 pesos per person
    • ADO Playa del Carmen to Bacalar: 3h50, 510 pesos per person
  • Tulum:
    • ADO from Cancun airport to Tulum: 2h30, 420 pesos per person.
    • ADO Tulum to Bacalar: 3h, 396 pesos per person

How to get to Bacalar from other areas of the Riviera Maya

If you are already traveling in the Riviera Maya or Yucatan Peninsula, most of the main tourist places have an ADO connection to Bacalar. In Randomtrip we went from Tulum (3h, 396 pesos) but you can also go from Playa del Carmen, from Valladolid, Cancun… We recommend you to visit the official ADO website to see the possibilities, schedules and updated prices (and remember that if you buy tickets in advance, sometimes there are good discounts). There are also a multitude of connections by van (colectivo), depending on your route, so get informed (you can ask at your accommodation or to the local people) to see all the options you have.

Sailboat in Bacalar at sunset. (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Do I need a visa to travel to Mexico?

For people with USA, Canada, UK and European passports it is not necessary to obtain a visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, it will be enough to show your valid passport, and depending on your departure date, you will be given up to a maximum of 180 days.

Although Mexico does not require a passport with at least 6 months validity, some airlines do, so it’s better to comply.

Are there required vaccines to travel to Mexico?

There are some recommended vaccines if you travel to Mexico, you can check them here

How many days to visit Bacalar

To get to know Bacalar we recommend at least 1 day, to see and enjoy the lagoon and take a tour of its main points, but the time we consider ideal would be between 2 and 4 days. Bacalar is one of those destinations that invites you to relax or, if you like to fill your days with plans, there are several archaeological sites nearby that you can visit, different activities to do in the lagoon or even spend a night in the quiet Xul-Ha).

In this section we share specific Bacalar itineraries to help you organize your trip.

Inês happy in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Mexico travel insurance

Do you know what cannot be missing in your luggage? A good travel insurance! In your trip to Mexico, we recommend you the IATI Star insurance, ideal for visiting Mexico.

Appart from the medical assistance in case something happens when you visit Mexico, the insurance also covers anything that happen while you get into adventures like hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and diving. Also, if something happens to your luggage (damage, theft, delays, losing it) or if your flight is cancelled or delayed (or, if because a delay you lose another connecting flight) IATI can also help.

Carefully read the terms and conditions of each policy and hire the insurance that best suits your needs. At Randomtrip we offer you a 5% discount, you just need to hire the insurance using this link and the discount will be automatically applied!

Things to see and do in Bacalar

To make it easier for you to plan your visit to Laguna Bacalar, we have divided the places into two zones: the lagoon and its attractions, and other places you can visit nearby.

Map of Bacalar

We have divided the places in several zones (what would be the lagoon and the town on one side, and nearby places on the other) and we have put each zone in a different color to make it easier for you to identify them. It’s all on a Google Maps map that you can take with you on your smartphone to use during your trip.

We also leave you a tourist map of the town of Bacalar ((source: soybacalar.com):

Tourist map of Bacalar. Source: soybacalar.com

Things to see and do in Bacalar Lagoon

A little introduction to Laguna Bacalar

Bacalar was founded by the Mayans in 415 A.D. with the name of Sian Ka’an Bakhalal, which means “near or surrounded by reeds”.

Inês swimming in Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

It is a freshwater lagoon almost 50 kilometers long, circular in shape and shallow, surrounded by mangroves and lush vegetation where lives, for example, the largest orange iguana we saw in our lives in addition to different species of birds, some of them endemic to this area of the country.

Bacalar lagoon and, especially, its Bird Island is also a sanctuary of biodiversity that shelters several species of birds, some endemic (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

On the shores of the lagoon you will see private houses, tourist accommodations with direct access to it, a small village that we loved and several balnearios with free or paid access to the lagoon. You can also explore it by sailboat, motorboat, pontoon, kayak or paddle (in this guide we tell you all about it) and enjoy the wonderful polychrome of its waters.

There are several ways to explore the beautiful Seven Colors Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

Unfortunately, most of the accesses to the lagoon are privatized, which implies paying for access (either in the form of an entrance fee, or in the form of minimum consumption), although there are several free accesses that we detail in this guide.

Balneario Aserradero, one of the free access to Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

Its polychromy is the reason why it is called“The Lagoon of the Seven Colors” and its color change is mainly due to four factors:

  • Depth (the deeper the water is, the less clear it is)
  • The bottom sediment (the bottom is composed not only of whitish clay but also of other organic sediments such as mangrove or jungle that make some areas darker).
  • The water itself, whose main characteristic here is its transparency.
  • And, of course, the light (when it is cloudy, the colors do not appear the same).
How many shades of blue can you find here? (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved.)

The lagoon itself is a geological fault, and the water is not stagnant but in constant movement. There are five cenotes that provide water to the lagoon. The main cenote is Xul-Ha, in the south, which provides 70% of the water. The remaining 30% comes from the other four cenotes: Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocolitos. It is thanks to these cenotes that every 21-24 weeks the water in the lagoon is renewed 100%, so you know that you are not bathing in stagnant water but that it is circulating (the current goes from south to north). In fact, the cenotes are the breathing holes of the entire Yucatan peninsula, its hydraulic system.

Unfortunately, due to the growth of Bacalar as a tourist destination, high levels of water contamination (based on the presence of E. coli bacteria) have been detected on several occasions in some points near the town. The reason for this contamination is, in theory, mainly due to sewage from urbanization. During your visit, and before deciding where to take a dip in the lagoon, you can check the Agua Clara website where water samples are taken monthly at different points and the status of the water is published:

During our visit, the spots where we bathed (Balneario del Aserradero, Muelle Ecológico, etc.) were “green” on the traffic light (“Satisfactory” rating). You can see more information on how water quality is measured here.

The Cenote Negro in the lagoon, see how the color changes as we approach the deep cenote (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

Another very important peculiarity of the Bacalar lagoon are the stromatolites. These “living stones” with a strange name are nothing more and nothing less than the first form of life that we know of on planet Earth.

Yes, these microorganisms mark the first presence of life on Earth and their oxygenating capacity makes them indispensable, since they generate oxygen to the atmosphere, favoring the development of ecosystems.

There are few places in the world where stromatolites exist and the oldest are found in Warrawoona, Australia, present since 3.5 billion years ago. Those in Laguna Bacalar are the ones in the largest body of fresh surface water in the Yucatan Peninsula and are up to 10,000 years old.

They are sedimentary structures of calcium carbonate that grow attached to lacustrine zones and emerging from the water. They are extremely sensitive and, moreover, can be mistaken for a stone. Unfortunately, once touched, they can become fossilized or take years to recover, so it is extremely important that you do not touch stromatolites. The darker they are, the more fossilized they are.

It is also important that you respect the rules of the lagoon and its resorts (such as no sunscreen, no smoking, no drinks, no music, etc.). Unfortunately, every day we saw several tourists breaking the rules. We will tell you more about it in the section Tips for traveling to Bacalar as a responsible tourist

Stromatolite Sanctuary at Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Appreciate the “Lagoon of the 7 colors”.

As we mentioned before, Bacalar Lagoon is also known as the Lagoon of the 7 colors due to the different shades of blue and green that the water acquires depending on the depth, the light, the sediment and the water.

You can appreciate the lagoon from the town (from the Fort of San Felipe or from one of the free public bathing resorts or docks), although it is best to enjoy the lagoon by sailing or bathing in it, as explained below.

A dip in the lagoon in front of Isla de los Pájaros (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Bathing in the balnearios of the Bacalar Lagoon

The balnearios are simply prepared accesses to bathe in the lagoon (usually wooden walkways with areas to lie down and stairs to access and exit the water). Most of them are private, although there are some at different prices, and also some free of charge. Here are some of the best known, both free (or almost free) and paid:

Free public balnearios in the Bacalar Lagoon
  • Balneario municipal el Aserradero in Calle 14: the best prepared and the one we recommend. It is a fairly large wooden dock with a large area where you can put your towel, from which you can access the lagoon. Also recommended to watch the sunrise.
Balneario Aserradero, one of the free ways to enjoy the Bacalar lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
Balneario del fondo (Photo by Randomtrip – All rights reserved).
  • Balneario Ecológico (10 pesos per person) and Muelle Ecológico (20 pesos per person): they are next to each other, and although they are not free they have affordable and symbolic prices. The balneario is simply an area of access to the water with some grass and sand, the truth is that it is nothing special. Muelle Ecológico is just after, and is a large wooden dock that forms a square, over the lagoon. There are higher areas from which you have nice views of the lagoon, and other lower areas or stairs to go down to the water. From one you can go to the other by walking in water.
Road to the Balneario Ecológico, not to be confused with Muelle Ecológico, right next to it (and, in our opinion, better) (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
Muelle Ecológico (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)
Private balnearios in La Laguna de Bacalar
  • Balneario Ejidal Mágico (very frequented by local families with children, so it is not ideal if you are looking for tranquility; the entrance fee is 75 pesos for foreigners, 50 pesos for people from Mexico).
  • Los Aluxes (minimum consumption 300 pesos per person): it is a restaurant and hotel, which has access to the lagoon and has different areas to relax. They also rent kayaks (single 150 pesos per hour, double 350 pesos per hour) and paddle (300 pesos per hour).
Los Aluxes (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)
  • Balneario Lol-Ha (50 pesos for access for foreigners, 25 for people from Mexico): a bit farther away (you will have to go by car or by cab – which costs about 200 pesos), many local people recommended it to us saying that it is not crowded and very quiet, although in the end we didn’t get to go. You can bring your own food/drink and pay only the entrance fee.
  • Balneario Cocalitos: one of the most popular, from which you can see the stromatolites.

On Wednesdays it is forbidden to sail in the lagoon, but you can swim, so if you come to Bacalar for a short time, try to avoid Wednesdays so you can take a sailing or pontoon tour of the lagoon.

Inês at Laguna Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Sailing Bacalar Lagoon

Undoubtedly one of the things to do in Bacalar lagoon is to sail through the lagoon to visit some of the places of interest, which we will tell you about below. There are several options:

  • Sailboat: from 600 pesos per person, from 3000 if you want a private sailboat for your group.
  • Motor boat (motorboat from 350 pesos, or pontoon – more comfortable – from 400 pesos). The tour usually lasts 2 hours. You also have the option of a private boat (from 3500 pesos for the private boat, from 4500 pesos for the private pontoon).
  • Kayak or Paddle Surf (from 150 pesos per hour)
Try not to have your trip on Wednesday as you will not be able to sail (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

At Randomtrip we tested the 3 ways and here is what the experience is like with each option.

Bacalar Lagoon Sailing Tour

One of the best ways to enjoy Bacalar Lagoon and in a sustainable way is to do it by sailboat: this is what we did at Randomtrip, in a private tour for 2 with Bacalar Sailing (you also have the option to do it in a shared tour).

Enjoy Bacalar lagoon by sailboat, the most sustainable way to explore the lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

On the sailing tour there is no completely predefined route, since depending on the wind conditions, you take one route or another, although in the case of Bacalar Sailing they always try to take you to a more secluded “beach” or shallow area to enjoy the calm waters of the lagoon with less people.

In our case, the boat was La Magnolia, which has a capacity for 12 people, so since it was just the two of us plus the crew (two other people), we were very comfortable. We left around 10:00 am.

Enjoying our private sailing tour in the Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

During the tour we passed by Cenote Negro (one of the 5 cenotes that provide water to the lagoon – the other 4 are Cenote Azul, Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Cocalitos and Cenote Xul-Ha), where we were able to greet the giant orange iguana (which we also saw on the pontoon tour) and a vulture basking in the sun. From there we went to nearby Isla de los Pájaros, where we were able to take a swim in the clear waters thanks to the shallow depth of this area.

In front of Isla de los Pájaros (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

The tour continued to the south of the lagoon, passing through the entire hotel zone to a much less crowded area where we stayed in complete solitude, in another area of shallow and completely crystalline waters, surrounded by stromatolites and mangroves, where we took the opportunity to jump back into the water and eat the freshly cut fruit offered to us by Bacalar Sailing.

Between dips in an area where we enjoyed the lagoon in solitude, a bit of fruit, on Bacalar Sailing’s private sailing tour (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

After a good time on the water, we started our way back north, zig-zagging due to the winds that day (which Christian, the captain, tells us are rare for the season). We still pass through the Pirate Channel (which at this time – noon – is completely full of boats) without stopping. Christian explains to us that the canal was enlarged by the Mayans, since at that time the easy way to move around was by boat through these canals, to carry out commercial exchanges. He also tells us that the Fort of San Felipe was built by the Spanish, not by the Mayans, to defend against piracy, but that since the Mayans traded with pirates it is likely that they were the ones who warned that the fort had been built, and that in theory after its construction no more pirates arrived.

Randomtrip & Bacalar Sailing at the end of the tour, what a great time we had! (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

About 3 hours later, we arrived back at the naval club, ending the tour.

Prices for the Bacalar sailing tour: 700 pesos per person for the shared tour, and from 3000/4500 pesos for the private tour (depending on the type of boat and the number of people).

We loved enjoying Bacalar by sailboat (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
Pontoon (or boat) ride on Bacalar Lagoon

One of the most typical tours to visit the Bacalar Lagoon is by pontoon (more comfortable) or by boat (a little cheaper), they usually last 2 or 3 hours depending on the type of tour, and make a tour of different points of interest of the lagoon, in addition to stopping to swim in some of these points of interest. They also usually include a drink and/or fruit.

Pontoon Ride with Iselitas Tours (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

In our case, as we already had the private sailboat tour, we decided to take a more special pontoon tour, offered by Iselitas Tours, which is done at sunset (from 16:00 to 19:00), so you end up watching the sunset near Isla de los Pájaros, with magical colors while large flocks of birds fly over you back to the island. We can only recommend it! We were 8 people in total (plus the captain and guide, Juan Carlos), and included a couple of drinks (Corona beer or soft drinks) fruit and some snacks.

The places that are normally visited in the boat/pontoon trips are the following:

  • Cenote Negro (Black Cenote): is one of the 5 cenotes that provides water to the lagoon. It is called Cenote Negro because it is quite deep, causing the color of the water to change completely. It is also known as Cenote de La Bruja (The Witch’s Cenote) (apparently, legend has it that there lived next to it a Mayan woman over 100 years old – the “witch” – who had to be thrown out to build a school. In revenge, she put a curse on the area indicating that anyone who set foot in the area would end up committing suicide or contracting a deadly disease – in another version we were told that the curse was that every year a student would die in the cenote). It is a cylindrical cenote (i.e., its walls go down vertically). It is believed to be more than 100 meters deep, although it is not known for sure (apparently, after a certain depth there are sediments that prevent light from entering the water, so you can’t see anything). It is also said that the Mayans made sacrifices in this cenote. On the boat you enter the cenote to go around it, and if you are lucky you will see a huge orange iguana that lives there.
Have you ever seen such a big iguana? At Randomtrip, no! (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved.)
  • Canal de los Piratas: it is a channel that connects Laguna Bacalar with the sea, through other lagoons and smaller canals (this particular channel connects Laguna Bacalar with Laguna Mariscal, which through other small canals ends up connected to the sea). It is said that the pirates arrived here in small rowboats (the canals that connect with the sea are very narrow, so they had to leave the big boats in Chetumal). Apparently the canal is artificial (the Mayans enlarged it for their trade routes, since the surrounding area is all mangrove and impracticable for walking, so these canals were the fastest and safest way to get around) and the Spanish to defend themselves from pirates built the Fort of San Felipe, which is just across the lagoon in a straight line from this canal. On the tour, the boat will stop near the canal and you can get off the boat to take a dip and walk through the canal (which is shallow). You will also see a construction site, which was built by a neighbor of Bacalar in order to build a restaurant (the area is protected, so as soon as they found out they closed the construction site and it remained half built). It is not allowed to climb the construction site. This is probably the most popular place in all of Laguna Bacalar and where most people are concentrated.
Canal de los Piaratas (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)
  • Cenote Esmeralda: another of the 5 cenotes that provide water to the lagoon. This one has a conical shape (i.e., its walls go down diagonally) and we were told that it is about 75 meters deep. In its surroundings we can see a multitude of constructions: hotels, private houses and vacation homes…. Among them is the Hotel Laguna Bacalar, which we were told was the first hotel built in the area, still open, and which has an excellent view of the lagoon.
  • Cenote Cocalitos and the stromatolites: another of the 5 cenotes that provide water to the lagoon. Like Esmeralda, it is also cone-shaped and we were told that it is about 60 meters deep. Here is one of the most popular resorts in the lagoon, Balneario Cocalitos. Many stromatolites can be observed in this area.
  • Isla de Los Pájaros (Bird Island): an island in the middle of the lagoon, full of vegetation and protected, where many birds spend the night. It is impressive at dawn (when they leave the island for other areas) and at dusk (when they return to the island). In our case we took the special Iselitas Tours sunset tour and at sunset we were in the water near the bird island watching huge flocks returning to the island passing over our heads. It is common to see vultures, song thrushes, snail hawks (those that feed on the chivita snail, which is very important in the lagoon because it eats the sediment and maintains the turquoise color of the water), mangrove swallows and even storks (that come from the north – from Washington and Canada) or roseate spoonbills.
The birds returning home to Bird Island at sunset (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

Prices for the Bacalar pontoon tour: 400 pesos per person for the normal shared tour (2h), 500 pesos per person for the special tour (3h at sunset, the one we did in Randomtrip) and from 3500 pesos for the private tour (up to 8 people).

Kayaking or Paddle Surfing in the Bacalar Lagoon

Another option to navigate Bacalar Lagoon is to do it on your own (or on a tour) in a kayak (rent it here) or on a paddle surf board. Laguna Bacalar is a perfect place for this, as the waters are very calm and in many areas there is little depth, although conditions vary depending on the weather.

Kayaking or Paddle surfing in the Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

At Randomtrip we tried kayaking in the rapids of Bacalar, which we will tell you about below, but we recommend you to try the experience from the town in the wider area of the lagoon (in the rapids there is more current so you have to make more effort, and if you do not have your own vehicle, you have to add the cost of a cab, plus the cost of entering an access to the lagoon and pay for the kayak).

Some accommodations near the lagoon include the use of kayaks/paddleboards in the price, so if this is your case, take advantage! In case it is not, you can rent equipment in many of the places in the lagoon, prices usually start at 100 pesos per person per hour.

Paddle in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

By the way, if you hire your pontoon tour with Iselitas Tours (with whom we did the special sunset pontoon tour), they include an extra hour of free kayaking on the lagoon and access to their facilities (they have direct access to the lagoon).

If you don’t want to do it on your own, you also have the option of using the kayak or paddle tour with a guide:

Los Rápidos de Bacalar

A narrower area of the Bacalar lagoon is known as Los Rápidos, which causes the water to flow faster in that part of the lagoon, hence the name. They are located exactly here. Remember that, as we mentioned at the beginning of this guide, the water in the lagoon is not stagnant, but flows from south to north, generating current.

Los Rápidos from Bonanza Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

The most common way to visit them is to go to the restaurant (“beach club”) of the same name, which we do not recommend for the following reasons :

  • They have increased the prices a lot: you have to pay an entrance fee of 200 pesos per person, and the double kayak for two people for one hour costs 400 pesos (the single one costs 200 pesos for one hour). With the entrance fee you are not allowed to sit in the designated areas (you have to pay extra).
  • The restaurant is built in an area where it should not be, damaging the stromatolites that were there. To enter, people stepped directly on the stromatolites; currently they have built a kind of wooden walkway, but people are not careful and no explanation is given to people about why they should be careful and not touch the stromatolites.
  • According to several people, the business has zero interest in the conservation of the lagoon and nature in general, and has become a money-making machine.

Therefore, we do not consider that paying this business can be considered responsible tourism, and we strongly urge you not to contribute to the business with your money.

The alternative to be able to go through the rapids (something we do not consider at all essential to visit Laguna Bacalar) is another business located a little further south, Laguna Bonanza, whose prices are as follows:

  • 80 pesos per person per entry
  • 200 pesos for a double kayak for two people for one hour (100 pesos for a single kayak for one hour).
  • The entrance fee allows you to use its facilities all day (there are tables and chairs set up next to the lagoon, as well as swings and a rope to jump into the lagoon). In addition, you can bring your own food and drinks to spend the day there, so it can be a half or full day plan.
Resting in Bonanza Lagoon after paddling against the current in the kayak (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

The current of the lagoon goes from south to north, so if you go to “Laguna Bonanza”, you will have to go out with your kayak and follow the direction of the current (to the north), you will go through the rapids (and the aforementioned business that is not responsible with what surrounds it), and then you turn around and go back upstream to Laguna Bonanza again. In our case it took us about 40 minutes doing it relatively fast, so in one hour there is plenty of time to go and come back.

The Bacalar Lagoon by Kayak (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

If you do not have a vehicle to get around, a cab from the town of Bacalar charges 200 pesos to Los Rápidos restaurant and 250 pesos to Laguna Bonanza. To return, same price (you can keep the cab driver’s phone number or ask at the restaurant to book you one, as there is little coverage in the area).

As we said, we consider it an expensive and not essential activity to do in Bacalar Lagoon, so if you have little time we would skip it to do other more interesting activities.

Watching the sunrise and/or sunset at Bacalar Lagoon

The sunrises and sunsets at Laguna Bacalar are magical, so during your stay, try to see at least one.

During sunrise, from the village and road side, you will get to see the sun rise, so any point with a wide view of the lagoon (lodging or balneario) will serve to enjoy it.

Sunrise at the Balneario Aserradero (free of charge). (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

The sunset is from the other side, so it would be better to enjoy it from inside the lagoon itself, although from the village you can also enjoy the colors that the sky acquires.

Sunset from Aluxes (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

In both cases, if you are near the bird island, you will see them leaving or returning in large numbers.

Here are some options on how to enjoy a sunrise or sunset in Bacalar:

Sunrise at Bacalar Lagoon: something worth waking up for (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)
From the Balneario El Aserradero we saw people enjoying the sunrise in their kayak, like the couple on the right (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
  • Sunset boat tour: this was another option we tried at Randomtrip and we loved it. Iselitas Tours offers a special pontoon tour (like the typical one that passes by the different sights of the lagoon) at 4:00 pm and with 3 hours of duration, so it ends at sunset. In our case, we enjoyed the sunset next to the Isla de los Pájaros, while huge flocks of birds returned to the island. In addition, as the weather was nice, we experienced it from the water, it was truly magical!
Sunset from the lagoon, during the sunset tour with Iselita Tours (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Cenote Azul

Although in the end we didn’t have time to go, we were recommended by several local people to go to Cenote Azul to enjoy a swim and snorkel. There is an entrance fee of 20 pesos per person, and food is available (although we were told that it was not very good). Be careful, to swim here, remember that you are in a cenote and that the depth is greater.

Town of Bacalar and the Fort of San Felipe

We loved the town of Bacalar with its slow pace where tourism has not yet hit too hard, its street art, the ease of movement (it is easy to walk around town and, if you need to get around by cab, they still do not ask stratospheric prices per km as in other parts of the Riviera Maya) and with varied rich gastronomic options, from local restaurants, international restaurants and delicious Marquesitas stalls at night.

Inês and her addiction to mangoes around the world (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

To learn more about the history of Bacalar, visit the Fort of San Felipe, where the ruins of the old fortress which was built in the first half of the 16th century to protect Bacalar from the attacks of pirates (mostly English) who came looking to steal the dye stick (at that time it was a privilege to dye clothes). Large ships docked in Chetumal (about 50 km away) from the open sea and came through the narrow canals in small rowboats.

The Fort of San Felipe in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

If you notice, the Pirates Channel, which we got to know by exploring the island both by sailboat and pontoon, is precisely in a straight line from the Fort of San Felipe.

Fort of San Felipe and Canal de los Piratas in Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

The fort was built by the Spanish colonizers, although according to what we were told, it was precisely the Mayans who were the “partners” of the pirates, so considering that once the fort was built, the pirates stopped appearing, it is possible that it was a warning given by the Mayans to the pirates about the construction of the fort.

The Fort of San Felipe (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

The fort also has a small museum where weapons of the time and objects of the pre-Hispanic culture are exhibited. The entrance fee is 110 pesos for foreigners and 55 pesos for nationals. The schedule is from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Very close to the fort are the famous Bacalar letters that some tourists love to have their picture taken with. They are located here, at this point.

Bacalar letters (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Also, in Bacalar there are quite a few street art murals so don’t forget to take a look around the downtown streets and appreciate the town’s street art.

Street Art in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Another thing you can see at sunset in the Zócalo is the spectacle of the voladores de Papantla, which originated in a ceremony from pre-Hispanic times. You can see more info about the show here

Voladores de Papantla. (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Xul-Ha Lagoon

Xul-Ha is actually another village further south of Bacalar, next to the same lagoon, much less touristic and therefore quieter, ideal if you are looking for something (still) more relaxed. Xul-Ha is a huge cenote, so the water in this area is deeper and therefore the colors of the water darker.

You can go to Balneario Lago Azul, where there is a tower that you can climb and enjoy excellent views of the Bacalar Lagoon.

Things to see and do near Bacalar

Near Bacalar there are four archaeological sites that you can visit although, at least when we went, it was not very easy to access them without your own transportation. Some of them were in a state of improvement by INAH’s Archaeological Zones Improvement Program (Promeza) when we went but we were told that they will be ready and open to the public soon. If you want to visit them, the best thing to do is to inquire when you are in the area with your lodging or at an agency:

  • Chacchoben: the most important settlement in the Lake District, whose occupation began 300 years ago, in the Late Preclassic era, where you can see small hamlets around the permanent bodies of fresh water in the region. Price: 75 pesos. Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Chacchoben Archaeological Zone. Photo by INAH
  • Ichkabal: it was a nation state dating back 400 years, compared to the archaeological site of El Mirador, in Guatemala, which until the discovery of Ichkabal was considered the oldest. Its acropolis has structures exceeding 45 meters, above the jungle tree line, with breathtaking views in the distance. It was not yet open to the public when we went.
  • Dzibanché: The Dzibanché – Kinichná settlement, between the lowland jungle of the northern Yucatan Peninsula and the tropical rainforest of El Petén, occupies an area of more than 40 km2 and consists of four groups of monumental architecture: Dzibanché or Main Group, Central Complex or Lamay Group, Tutil and Kinichná, groups that had specific functions, intercommunicated by sacbés (Mayan roads). Price: 75 pesos. Hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Archaeological Zone of Dzibanché. Photo by INAH
  • Kohunlich: the settlement is made up of housing units and civic and ceremonial architectural complexes, surrounded by fertile land for cultivation, located in an area of 14 km2. The first occupation of Kohunlich is located in the late Preclassic (300 BC – 250 AD), a stage in which low platforms were built around the Ya’axná Plaza, buildings that in the Early Classic were covered by monumental buildings. During this period, the Temple of the Masks was erected, decorated with eight figures molded in red and black, of which five are preserved. Its iconography represents royal personages, dressed with attributes related to the sun. Price: 90 pesos. Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Book a tour to Dzibanché and Kohunlich ruins here

Kohunlich Archaeological Zone. Photo by INAH

Get inspired with the stories of our visit to Bacalar

You can see the featured Instagram stories about our visit to Bacalar here.

Where to stay in Bacalar

We recommend sleeping in the town of Bacalar, from where you will have walking access to everything and several restaurant options for lunch and dinner. If you want something special, you can choose an accommodation on the shores of the Bacalar lagoon and with access to it. Depending on your plans, it may also be a good idea to choose lodging that includes free use of kayaks/paddleboards and even bicycles. Here are some recommended options:

  • Hotel Casa Poblana (from 30$/night): simple rooms with private bathroom and shared kitchen, very close to the public balneario (Aserradero) and a 15 min walk from the center. It is a family-run accommodation, and it was where we stayed in Randomtrip.
  • Hotel Xa’an Bacalar (from 48$/night): economic rooms with private bathroom in this small hotel with swimming pool a few blocks from the Fort.
  • Casa Momo (from 62$/night): one-bedroom apartment with kitchen and all amenities near the center and 2 minutes walk from the balneario where you can enjoy the lagoon for free.
  • Hotel Boutique Asilé (from 77$/night): rooms and apartments for 2, 4 or 6 persons
  • Hotel Makaabá Eco-Boutique (from 85$/night): rooms (some overlooking the courtyard with the pool) in this boutique hotel offering free bicycles, outdoor pool, terrace and restaurant.
  • Blue Palm (from 126$/night): rooms and suites in 4-star hotel with outdoor swimming pool, garden, terrace and restaurant
  • Yayum (from 139$/night): spacious, comfortable rooms with terrace with hammocks directly on the lagoon in a 5-star hotel
Yayum, an ideal accommodation to enjoy the sunrise without leaving home. Photo from Booking
  • Villa Marilu B&B (from 147$/night): rooms overlooking the lagoon in an ideal location for exploring various points of interest
  • Hotel Casa Bakal (from 159$/night): bungalows and double rooms on the shores of the lagoon over looking the lagoon to enjoy it either swimming, in one of its hammocks, kayaking or SUP (Stand Up Paddle) available in the accommodation.
Private pool or direct access to the freshwater lagoon? Your choice at Hotel Casa Bakal. Photo from Booking

Find more accommodations in Bacalar in this link and remember that the prices we mention are approximate and may change according to room type and season.

Where to eat in Bacalar

Here are some of the gastronomic options we tried in Bacalar that we liked:

  • Albahaca: excellent breakfasts at a good price, and excellent service from Nano, who also gave us several tips about the area.
Albahaca and Nano: an excellent combination to start the day (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
  • Mango y Chile: burgers and hot dogs, all plant-based, a great option for vegans. It also has views of the lagoon. There is a downside: the lemonade was served in a single-use biodegradable plastic cup (and with a straw!) erm…. It seems that veganism is limited to the diet in this establishment. In any case, very tasty food.
  • Tacos el Socio: to eat local tacos at a good price.
  • Mr. Taco: great variety of tacos and nice space, very crowded.
  • Café Tito: place to have good espresso coffee (Veracruz coffee) and delicious cakes (such as carrot cake). Also, very good and pleasant service.
Coffee & Carrot Cake in CaféTito
  • La Trattoria del 46: very busy Italian restaurant with good food if you are craving pizza or pasta, although somewhat higher priced than its neighbors.
  • Enamora Bacalar: another great place for breakfast, we went a couple of times.
  • Sweet Child Of Wine: place to taste wines (expensive, small production) and some tapas.
Sweet Child of Wine. The name alone is worth a visit (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
  • Marquesitas Eriksson: super typical of the area, in the evenings they set up marquesita stands in the zocalo, and Eriksson’s stand always has a line. We tried a salty marquesita (ham and cheese) and a sweet one (nutella with strawberries), both delicious. 60 pesos one and 50 pesos the other.
  • ITZÁ: we did not get to try it, but the place looked very good (in front of the lagoon, behind the Balneario El Aserradero).
Itzá, for a next one, maybe (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Bacalar Itineraries

Below are suggested itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days in Bacalar, to help you organize your trip to Bacalar Lagoon. It is important to emphasize that all plans are more enjoyable and spectacular with sun, heat and good weather in general, so if you are going to be in Bacalar for several days and you can, it is better to organize according to the weather, and if you only have 1 or 2 good days, concentrate your plans on them. In Randomtrip we spent 5 nights in Bacalar, and the first 2-3 days we had bad weather (occasional rains and generally cloudy), so we made most plans in the other 2-3 days.

Things to do see and do in Bacalar in 1 day

If you only have one day in Bacalar, we suggest the following itinerary:

  • Morning sailing tour to enjoy the lagoon (from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm) with Bacalar Sailing, which will take you to less crowded places of the lagoon with spectacular waters.
  • Eat something and a short walk through town
  • Special sunset pontoon tour (from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm) with Iselitas Tours, to visit the main attractions of the lagoon (Cenotes, Canal de los Piratas, Isla de los Pájaros) and see how the huge flocks of birds return to Isla de los Pájaros at sunset.

If you do not have the whole day, you can choose one of the two tours (by sailboat or pontoon) and the rest of the time enjoy the lagoon in one of its balnearios, either free (such as El Aserradero) or paid (such as Aluxes).

Things to do see and do in Bacalar in 2 days

With 2 days in Bacalar we believe you will have enough time to get to know its different attractions and be able to relax a little bit enjoying its waters. Here is our suggested itinerary for 2 days in Bacalar (you can change the order or reorganize the plans according to the weather):

  • Day 1: arrival and relax in a balneario (free for example in the Aserradero, paying for example in the Aluxes taking advantage to eat / drink something there with the minimum consumption). At 16:00h, special sunset tour of the lagoon by Iselitas Tours.
  • Day 2: Wake up early to see the sunrise at one of the open public resorts (for example at the Aserradero), then at 10:00 am a sailing tour with Bacalar Sailing to see other parts of the lagoon farther away from most people. In the afternoon, stroll around town and relax in one of the balnearios, and/or go kayaking or paddle boarding on your own.

Things to do see and do in Bacalar in 3 days

We believe that 3 days in Bacalar is the perfect time to get to know the area, being able to enjoy several of the plans it has to offer, and leaving enough time to relax (or to have margin in case of bad weather on any of the days). Here is our suggested 3-day itinerary in Bacalar (you can change the order or rearrange the plans according to the weather):

  • Day 1: arrival and relax in a balneario (free for example in the Aserradero, paying for example in the Aluxes taking advantage to eat / drink something there with the minimum consumption). At 16:00h, special sunset tour of the lagoon by Iselitas Tours.
  • Day 2: Wake up early to see the sunrise at one of the open public resorts (for example at Aserradero), then at 10:00 am a sailing tour with Bacalar Sailing to see other parts of the lagoon farther away from most people. In the afternoon, stroll around town and relax in one of the balnearios, and/or go kayaking or paddle boarding on your own.
  • Day 3: if you want to see the sunrise again, you can do it in a different way (by kayak or paddle, on tour – like this sunrise paddle – or on your own). Afterwards, you can visit Cenote Azul (20 pesos per person), visit Cenote Xul-Ha (to the south), take a walk around town, go to Los Rápidos by kayak (as explained in the guide, cheaper in Laguna Bonanza), and/or just relax in one of the balnearios. Another option if you get tired of Laguna Bacalar or if you don’t have good weather, is to visit some of the nearby archaeological sites.

Transportation: How to get around Bacalar

If you are staying in the center of Bacalar town, most places of interest are within walking distance, so you don’t have to worry about transportation.

In Bacalar, all roads lead to the lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

If you don’t want to walk and/or want to go somewhere farther away, you can pay for a cab (within the town, they usually charge 50 pesos each way, and to more distant places such as Los Rápidos they charge between 200 and 250 pesos). Cabs can be hailed on the street without any problems or you can go to the Zócalo taxi stand, where there are usually some waiting and where they pass frequently (if you want to share a cab with other people, it is usually easier here).

Another option is to rent a bicycle (from 25 pesos per hour, and from 100 pesos all day) or a motorcycle (from 600 pesos per day, although we asked in several placed and they required us to leave our passport as security, something we never do nor recommend you to do, if there is no other choice try to leave another document such as the ID). In our opinion it is only worth renting your own vehicle if you want to explore several distant points of the town (Los Rápidos, Xul-ha, archaeological sites…) in the same day, otherwise a cab round trip can be cheaper, especially if you find people to share.

How to have internet in Bacalar

To always have internet on your smartphone, the easiest and most convenient way (if your phone supports eSIM) is to buy an eSIM from Holafly, which has unlimited data (you get a 5% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP), or to buy an eSIM from Airalo, cheaper but with limited data (15% discount with the code RANDOMTRIP15)

The other option, cheaper but more cumbersome, is to buy a local SIM, which we recommend is from Telcel (the main telecom company in Mexico, with more coverage).

Safety: Is it safe to travel to Bacalar?

We felt completely safe during the 6 days we spent in Bacalar, both day and night. We used to walk about 15 minutes there and back to get from our accommodation(Casa Poblana) to the zocalo or the surrounding area in the evenings for dinner, and at no time did we have any problems or feelings of insecurity.

Some people complain that there are quite a few dogs running loose in the streets, which is true, although in our case we had no problems with any of them (quite the contrary).

In any case, we always have our Iati travel insurance (which also covers our belongings) as in all our trips and gives us more peace of mind. If you contract your travel insurance in this Randomtrip link, you will get it with a 5% discount.

Street Art in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Money in Bacalar: cards to save commissions and tipping

To pay and withdraw money in Mexico while minimizing fees, we recommend the 2 cards we use in our case:

  • Revolut: with the standard version up to 1000$ without commission on card payments (remember to always pay in local currency – Mexican pesos). Up to 400$ of withdrawals at ATMs without commission, from then on commission of 1%.
  • N26: with the free version you can pay with your card without commissions in an unlimited way. For ATM withdrawals, you pay 1.7% commission, which you can eliminate by paying for the monthly plans You (the one we use) or Metal. If you use the code N26Summer24 with this link, you get 3 months completely free.

It is important to keep in mind that although your card does not charge a fee for ATM withdrawals, ATMs in Mexico do charge a fee for their use. The ones that charge the least are Banamex (31 pesos, 1.7$), Banco Santander (34 pesos, 1.8$) or Banco Azteca (34 pesos, 1.8$), so when withdrawing money try to withdraw as much as possible to save money.

Another important issue when withdrawing money at an ATM in Mexico: many times the ATM will ask you if you want the transaction to be done in local currency (Mexican pesos) or in your own currency (in our case, it was euros): always choose the local currency option, otherwise, it will apply an unfavorable exchange rate and you will be overpaying (as a hidden commission).

The above also applies to card payments (although the option almost never appears, on several occasions also when paying with a card in establishments we were shown an amount in euros instead of pesos). In our case it almost always happened to us with the orange CLIP terminals. If this happens to you, ask the person to charge you in Mexican pesos.

A bad practice in Mexico is that in any business where you want to pay with a card, they have the habit of asking you for your card and do the whole process themselves, passing you the terminal only to enter the PIN (in Mexico they call it “firma” or NIP). This means that sometimes, depending on the type of terminal, you do not see the amount and/or you are charged in the original currency of your card instead of in Mexican pesos – making you lose money because an unfavorable conversion is applied. Always ask nicely to be allowed to see the process to make sure you are charged the correct amount and in local currency.

Finally, some establishments charge an extra commission for payment by card (the times it happened to us, it was 5%), they always tell you before and if you do not see it when confirming the amount. In those cases, it is better to pay with cash.

Tipping: The tipping culture is very well established in Mexico, and although it is not and cannot be obligatory by law, it is in practice, since it is frowned upon not to leave a tip. It is recommended to leave a minimum of 10% (usually you will be asked at the time of payment, and if you pay by credit card, the terminal usually gives you the option of adding 10, 15 or 20% as a tip).

Enjoying a corner in Bacalar with no one else with Bacalar Sailing (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

How much does a trip to Bacalar cost?

Making a budget is complex as it depends greatly on your type of trip: how many plans you want to include in your trip, if you are going to go to restaurants or cook to save money, the type of accommodation you are going to use… In any case, so you can get an idea, we leave below the average prices and what we consider as average price per day (we reiterate that these are ORIENTATIVE prices and may vary at any time):

  • Flights/transportation from Mexico: from within Mexico, you have the option of flying to Chetumal, Tulum or Cancún, or directly by ADO if you are in a nearby state. From these places you can go by ADO to Bacalar (between 100 and 700 pesos per person, depending on where you are flying from – between 5 and 40$). Use flight comparators like Skyscanner and Kiwi to find the best price.
  • Transportation: cabs from 50 to 250 pesos (between 3 and 13$), bike rental from 100 pesos per day (5$), scooter rental from 600 pesos per day (32$), kayak/paddle rental from 100 pesos per hour (5$). If you want to save money you can do most of the plans on foot, except for the lagoon tours.
  • Accommodation: from 40$/night for a room with private bathroom or small apartment with kitchen. Find accommodation of all types and prices on Booking, with up to 15% discount.
  • Restaurants: a multitude of options between 200 and 400 pesos per person (between 10 and 20$), for all tastes.
  • Tours/Entries: Ponton tour from 400 pesos (21$), sailboat tour from 600 pesos (32$), non-public entrance fees from 10 pesos (0.5$)

In total, a weekend trip (2 nights) to Bacalar can cost you between 40$ and 60$ per person per day (between 750 and 1100 pesos per person per day), with the cheapest lodging options, eating out in inexpensive restaurants and doing the two main paid tours of the lagoon, not counting flights to the area. You can save by doing fewer tours and eating out less.

Balneario Aserradero, a free way to enjoy Bacalar Lagoon (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Useful Apps to get around Bacalar

  • Google Maps (Android / iOS): is the one we use to save/classify all the places we want to go/ have gone and as a GPS to guide us both on foot and by car if we rent. You can see other people’s opinions about the places, photos, restaurant menus, telephone numbers to contact them, etc. You can also open our map with all the places included in this guide.
  • Maps.me (Android / iOS): application similar to Google Maps but works offline (although Google Maps can also work offline, it works better) and in many cases has information that Google Maps does not have.
  • Windy (Android / iOS / Web): essential app for our trips. It allows you to see forecasts of rain, clouds, wind, etc. to help you plan your days based on the weather (as there are places that lose a lot depending on the weather). Obviously the forecasts are not 100% reliable.
And if you want to know how to have internet on your smartphone in Mexico, in this post we tell you everything (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).

Tips for traveling to Bacalar as a responsible tourist

  • Respect the rules of Laguna Bacalar and its resorts. The Bacalar Lagoon already has enough problems due to the impact of the increasing development it is suffering (without protection measures and environmental regulation and, for example, the growth of monoculture plantations that promote the use of agrochemicals) that put its existence at risk for us as tourists to contribute to worsen the situation. These are the rules that you must abide by and that, unfortunately, we have seen many people breaking:
Regulations at the entrance of Balneario El Aserradero (which unfortunately not everyone complies with) (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
  • Do not touch the stromatolites, the first form of life on earth. They can be mistaken for rocks but, in general, the areas where stromatolites are found are well marked so be careful where you swim and/or walk nearby. Rules include not wearing sunscreen in the lagoon (you can wear a T-shirt with UV protection) and not going near the mangroves. Here are the others:
Not using sunscreen in Laguna Bacalar is one of the ways to protect it (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved).
  • Be responsible when visiting a place: a large influx of people to a certain site can have a negative impact so respect the rules, do not climb the tree/monument you are visiting, do not paint on its walls, avoid touching and, out of respect for the rest of the people visiting the place, do not make noise or “monopolize” the place with your photos.
  • Take care of natural and archaeological monuments and respect existing rules.
  • If you rent a car or motorcycle, respect speed limits
  • Avoid the use of plastic and do not throw garbage away
  • Don’t be an accomplice to animal abuse: Any other attraction where animals are in captivity and/or used for human entertainment.
  • Respect other people: don’t play your music loud; pick up your trash; don’t throw cigarette butts, etc. Leave the place better than you found it.
  • Always travel with travel insurance: medical expenses, theft or problems with your plane on a trip can cost you a lot of money, so the ideal thing is to take out travel insurance. At Randomtrip we always use IATI and we recommend it. If you purchase your insurance through this link you have a 5% discount.
Street Art in Bacalar (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

Checklist: what to pack in your backpack/suitcase for Bacalar

Here is a list of must-see items you can’t forget to bring on your trip to Bacalar:

  • International plug adapter such as these as they use type A plugs (those with two flat parallel pins).
  • reusable water bottle like one of these to carry water with you all the time and void single-use plastic.
  • Water Shoes as these ideal to carry always with you to avoid hurting your feet when entering the water or not touching the ground.
  • Snorkel kit (mask and snorkel) like this, a must to bring on this trip and contemplate the seabed. Besides being more hygienic because you do not share your snorkel with anyone, in several places they do not rent the equipment and, even if they do rent, with a couple of times you already amortize the price of your own kit.
  • Water proof dry bag like this one, very useful to keep your photographic equipment, cell phone and wallet safe from getting wet on the boat (whales sometimes blow near the boat or even hit the water with their fin or tail near the boat, and water can reach the boat).
  • UV protection T-shirt like this because in some parts of the Mexican Caribbean it is forbidden or not recommended to use sunscreen / sunblock because its composition damages the marine ecosystem.
  • Quick-drying towel such as one of these, which, in addition, does not take up much space in the backpack/suitcase.
  • A hat or a cap (like this one) and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun
  • A good camera to register your adventures. At Randomtrip we carry a Sony ZV-E10 and a Gopro Hero12 Black (for underwater pictures)
  • A Power bank: taking so many pictures will drain your batteries, so it’s always a good idea to carry a good powerbank. At Randomtrip we travel with these 2 (Anker 20000 mAh and  Anker 10000 mAh), which allow us to charge both our phones and our cameras.
  • Sun screen: the sun is strong in Baja California Sur so it is a must to take care of your skin. Always look for a Coral Friendly Sunscreen, i.e. one that protects your skin without harming marine ecosystems by avoiding ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are harmful to corals. Nor that it has been tested on animals.
  • Mosquito repellent: like this one, it should have at least 15% deet
  • First aid kit: In our first-aid kit there is always a medicine against seasickness (such as biodramine for seasickness on boats), antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medication (and a probiotic to recover more quickly), antihistamines, painkillers and antipyretics and, of course, travel insurance. If you hire your travel insurance with IATI using this link you will get a 5% discount

Don’t the photos alone make you want to bookmark the trip? Well, we guarantee you that the photos do not do it justice… Bon Voyage, Randomtripper, Bacalar awaits you!

See you soon, Bacalar! (Photo by Randomtrip. All rights reserved)

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