Bacalar is one of the most chilled-out and stunning towns on the Yucatan Peninsula. In fact, when we last visited, I actually said to my husband, “This place is so relaxed, it’s horizontal.” And that’s exactly why we fell in love with Bacalar, or Laguna Bacalar as some call it. We had just spent a jam-packed month in Mexico, and a tranquil couple of days in Bacalar was exactly what the doctor ordered.
The crowning glory of Bacalar is its lagoon, also often referred to as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors,” because of its strikingly clear and vibrant hues of blue, which range from deep navy to turquoise. This natural wonder occurs thanks to its white limestone bottom and varying depths.
We had such a peaceful couple of days here, kayaking and swimming. Our accommodation was located right on the lake, and we were able to dive off and launch our kayak from the hotel’s jetty.
We also spent a few hours exploring the nearby Fort of San Felipe, which provides insights into the area’s intriguing pirate history, and we spent our afternoons at Cenote Esmeralda and Cenote Azul.
So, in this blog, I list 11 of the best things to do in Bacalar – I’ve done everything on this list and can personally recommend them all!
Best Things to Do in Laguna Bacalar
1. Go swimming in the lagoon
We stayed in the area for 3 nights, and honestly, every day, we swam in the lagoon. You see, there was a jetty literally steps from our bungalow (we stayed at Casita Carolina), and so it would have been crazy of us not to swim in the enticing, bright blue water every single day. I will say, the water is colder than I expected, so we probably only lasted around 15 minutes each time.
As you know, it’s called “Lagoon of Seven Colors” or Laguna de los Siete Colores because of its strikingly clear and vibrant hues of blue, which range from deep navy to turquoise.
And unlike other bodies of water in the region, Lake Bacalar is a freshwater lake, fed by underground cenotes and home to a unique ecosystem, including the ancient stromatolites (more on those later), which are considered some of the oldest life forms on Earth.
It’s worth noting that the lagoon is closed on Wednesdays to let it recuperate.
The best spot to access the lagoon (if you’re not staying at a hotel with lagoon access) is from the rickety Free Jetty in Bacalar town. You can also access the lagoon from one of the paid beach clubs – like Blu Beach Club.
2. Go kayaking on the lagoon
One day, we decided to rent kayaks from our accommodation and head out kayaking on the lagoon. It was a pretty windy day, so I only lasted an hour or so (it was a tough slog kayaking against the wind), but my husband kept going and lasted around 3 hours. He made it all the way over to the other side of the lagoon and was able to check out a few hidden beach areas. As well as what looked like an abandoned bar.
Kayak rental should cost you around 450 MXN ($25 USD) for the day.
3. Explore Fort San Felipe
Built in 1729, this fort was once a key military spot. Built to fend off pirate attacks during colonial times. Its solid stone walls and prime position overlooking the lagoon mean it was a great spot to see any pirates en route.
Nowadays, Fort San Felipe is a museum, filled with artifacts and exhibits that tell the tale of Bacalar’s pirate past and cultural roots. We spent around an hour here wandering around the fort’s well-kept bastions.
4. Cenote Esmeralda
Another day, we walked from our accommodation to Cenote Esmeralda. This is one of the lesser-visited cenotes in the region, but we loved it as it boasts amazing emerald-green waters and is full of colorful fish and cool rock formations.
This cenote is an open-air sinkhole, and it’s especially popular with divers as it’s so deep. The surrounding jungle adds to this cenote’s beauty.
5. Cenote Cocalitos
A cool highlight of this cenote is its stromatolites – ancient microbial formations that are some of the oldest life forms on Earth. Please do not wear sunscreen (or any other lotions) when swimming here.
I will say, this Cenote is super-popular as the Cocalitos Beach Resort is located on its shore. Via this hip beach club is one of the only ways to access the Cenote, and entry to the club costs 100 pesos. There are hammocks, swings, and cool little seating spots dotted around the beach club, and there’s also an on-site restaurant.
6. Cenote Azul
As you can probably guess from its name, Cenote Azul means Blue Cenote, and it gets its name thanks to the dark blue color of its water. This cenote is said to be the deepest cenote in the Yucatan – it’s a whopping 300 feet deep. It’s also one of the best (and safest) cenotes to swim in Bacalar, as there is no boat traffic to contend with. There’s also an on-site restaurant here that overlooks the cenote.
Entry is cash only and costs $35 MXN per person.
7. Cenote Negro
The “Black Cenote” hints at the deep, shadowy depths that give it a mysterious feel.
This Cenote is connected to the lagoon, and so the water suddenly goes from bright blue (the lagoon) to almost-black (in the cenote). The only way to access it (if you’re not staying at the accommodation on the cenote) is via the lagoon – so, you can either kayak in here or many of the boat tours, like this one include a stop here. Entry is free.
Here are the most popular tours in Bacalar:
8. Blu Beach Club by Paraiso Bacalar
If you’re not staying in a hotel on the lagoon, then a great way to enjoy the lagoon for the day is to pay to enter a beach club. There are loads here, but one we spent a couple of hours in was Blu Beach Club by Paraiso Bacalar.
This beach club has more of a chilled, quiet vibe than some of the others -and there’s a lovely sandy beach here. The food at the on-site restaurant is great, as are the cocktails from the bar.
Plus, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards here.
9. Los Rapidos
I’d best describe this as nature’s lazy river – you are given a life jacket and then you hop in and let the flow of the water carry you down the river. You can easily climb off along the way and sunbathe, have a snack or drink (there are a few snack bars along the route).
It costs around 160 MXN ($8 USD) pesos, and that includes the life jacket. Bring cash in a waterproof wallet to buy snacks along the way.
10. Watch the sunset
I’m not sure about you, but every night of vacation, I try to catch the sunset, and as you can imagine, in a place as beautiful as Bacalar, I made sure to do this every night.
We were lucky that we were staying right on the water, so most nights we caught the sunset from our jetty, but there are several public piers on the lagoon where you can nab a great shot of the sunset. Like the one near the Public Beach (Balneario Municipal), here the calm waters make the sunset even more magical.
Or La Playita, a lagoon-side restaurant, is another great sunset spot to catch the sunset in Bacalar.
11. Explore the town
Despite its growing popularity, Bacalar retains its laid-back vibe, with quaint streets, local eateries, and welcoming locals. So definitely spend an hour or so wandering the streets of this small town. Stop in for a coffee at BAMOA Cafe and check out the goodies in stores, like La Casita Azul and Corazon de Pina Boutique.
More fun things to do in Bacalar:
Because we only had a couple of days in Bacalar, we didn’t get to do everything there is to do here. But all these are on our itinerary for our next visit.
- A sunrise SUP with floating breakfast – it costs just $25 USD per person and lasts for 3 hours.
- Sailing tour of the lagoon – a super-peaceful experience (no loud music or engine noise), unlike some other, more fun boat tours here. This one is 3 hours long and costs $38 USD per person.
Where to Stay in Bacalar:
As I said, we stayed at Casita Carolina for 3 nights, and we highly recommend it. It’s a quirky place to stay (we stayed in a small wooden cabin with a private bathroom), and it’s right on the lakefront with its own private wooden jetty!
Some other awesome hotels in Bacalar include:
- Hotel Casa Hormiga – a small boutique hotel with a lovely pool.
- MIA Bacalar – a super-luxurious 5-star property, if you fancy splurging!
- Yak Lake House – if you’re on a budget, this is a great place to stay. This hostel is adults-only and located right on the lagoon.
Where to Eat in Bacalar:
- La Trattoria del 46 – We ate at this cozy Italian Restaurant twice during our time in Bacalar, as we were craving something other than Mexican after spending more than a month in Mexico.
- El Manati Bacalar – We also ate at El Manati. This is the place to come for breakfast in Bacalar. Their food is so fresh, and they also have awesome fresh juices and coffee.
- La Playita – This is one of the most popular restaurants in Bacalar, and for good reason. Its position is unmatched – overlooking the lagoon, and they have heaps of fresh seafood dishes.
Getting to Bacalar:
We actually came to Bacalar from Belize. We got the ferry from Belize to Chetumal and from there caught an ADO bus for around an hour to Bacalar.
If you’re flying in, the nearest major airport is in Chetumal, about 40 kilometers away, which is well-served by domestic flights from most major cities in Mexico. From Chetumal, you can take a taxi, get the bus (like we did), or rent a car for the short 40-minute drive to Bacalar.
Alternatively, if you’re coming from Cancun or Playa del Carmen, you can opt to hop on an ADO bus, which offers comfortable, direct routes to Bacalar. The journey from Cancun takes approximately four to five hours.
Driving is also an option, allowing you the flexibility to explore the beautiful landscapes along the way.
Thanks for Reading!
And there you have it, 11 of the best things to do in Bacalar. It truly is a charming region with lots of relaxing activities and epic views everywhere you look. I hope this blog post has given you lots of inspiration for your visit to my favorite town on the Yucatan Peninsula!
You can also see some of my most-read articles below –
How Many Days Do I Need For Antigua Guatemala? (3-Day Itinerary)
10 Epic Reasons to Visit Guatemala
Things to Know Before Traveling to Belize
The 10 Best Things to Do in El Salvador
PIN THIS
Last Updated on October 7, 2025 by snaphappytravel