Best Things To Do In Laguna Bacalar

Located in the southeastern part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Laguna Bacalar is a hidden gem known for its mesmerizing lagoon with shades of blue that seem almost surreal (also referred to as the “lagoon of seven colors”). it is pleasantly different to other places in Quintana Roo (and Mexico in general), mainly because it is a freshwater lagoon compared to other tourist hotspots located at the caribbean sea (like Isla Holbox, Cancun, Tulum, Paya del Carmen). With its tranquil waters and lush surroundings, Laguna Bacalar offers a serene escape if you are seeking natural beauty and a slower pace of life.

What to do in Laguna Bacalar

#1 Explore the lagoon

There are various ways to explore the lagoon and each probably special itself. You can either take a boat tour or rent a kayak or SUP to discover the varying shades of blue and explore the enchanting cenotes and mangroves that surround the lagoon. Don’t miss the chance to swim in the crystal-clear waters. One popular spot to head out to is the canal de los pirates.

#2 Let yourself float in Los Rapidos

Located in the very south of the lagoon, Los Rapidos is a super fun place where you can float in the currents of this very narrow part of the lagoon. You can take a taxi from the town of Bacalar for 200MXN that takes about 20 minutes and brings you to the restaurant and beach club Los Rapidos, from where you can access that part of the lagoon (for an entrance fee of 200MXN) and also enjoy food and drinks while you are there. Please act responsible in this place and respect nature and the signs to not touch the stromatolites.

#3 Swim in Cenote Azul

Located just outside of the main town of Bacalar, Cenote Azul offers a unique swimming experience in its deep blue waters surrounded by lush vegetation. Take a refreshing dip or simply relax on the wooden platforms and soak in the peaceful atmosphere. You can take a taxi for about 50MXN and it is a very short ride of just 5-10 minutes to get to the cenote. Taxis will also wait there to bring visitors back to the city. At the entrance, you will need to pay a small fee of 25MXN.

#4 Explore the town of Bacalar

While the lagoon is certainly the main highlight, also the town of Bacalar is worth seeing. It is a Pueblo Magico, part of a collection of small towns in Mexico with lots of cultural heritage and a vibrant artisan scene, and I totally recommend taking a stroll through the town and enjoy its beauty and relaxed atmosphere. Especially the fort Fuerto de San Felipe de Bacalar is worth visiting as it provides a lot of history about the town.

How to get to Laguna Bacalar

Get to Laguna Bacalar by plane

The closest airport is Chetumal (CTM), which offers good connections from Mexico City and other major Mexican cities (e.g. Monterrey, Guadalajara). Mexico’s major airlines Aeromexico, VivaAerobus and Volaris all offer flights to Chetumal, however with less daily options like the bigger airport of Cancun in Quintana Roo. Check Skyscanner or Kayak for best flight options and prices.

Get to Laguna Bacalar by bus

If you plan to arrive from other areas in Mexico (for example Chiapas) or you are flying into Cancun, you will need to take either a bus or rental car to get to Bacalar.

There are bus connections from and to Valladolid (passing through Tulum), which I would add to your Quintana Roo itinerary as well. We took a bus with ADO that took about 4 hours to Valladolid and cost us 362MXN per person. It is recommended to book tickets in advance (Check busbud for prices and availability) as the bus is usually very full.

The bus stop is located at the main road between Chetumal and Cancun, check the location on Google Maps here.

Get to Laguna Bacalar by rental car

Quintana Roo is also very attainable via car and offers more flexibility than the bus connections that only leave a few times per day. Check Discover Cars for best rental car offers during your planned visit.

The roads in the Yucatan Peninsula are usually well-maintained and safe, however to some cenotes or beaches you might face some dirt roads so a full rental car insurance is recommended. If you plan to travel for a longer period to multiple destinations and use rental cars more often, I would recommend a credit card that includes rental car insurance, for example an American Express Platinum Card.

Recommended places near Laguna Bacalar

Valladolid: Best Things To Do in Valladolid, Quintana Roo

Mérida: Best Things To Do in Mérida, Yucatán

Isla Holbox: Best Things to Do in Isla Holbox

Where to stay in Laguna Bacalar

I recommend staying near the main town of Bacalar for access to the many cafes and restaurants in the town. We stayed in Poza Clara Sanctuary and really liked it for its great location and value for money. Also, they have a small “beach club” 20 minutes walking distance from the hotel where they have a small bar, a pier leading into the water with sunbeds and also small kayaks to rent for free. There were just a few other guests there and it was really peaceful and quiet there.

Also, a real highlight (but a bit pricier) is to stay at a hotel or airbnb directly at the lagoon. However, you will get to wake up looking at the many shades of blue of the lagoon, which is a truly unique experience and definitely something to consider for your stay in Bacalar.

Where to eat in Bacalar

To start your day with a delicious breakfast with good coffee and a nice atmosphere, I can recommend eating in El Manati or Picaflor, both with a super relaxed backyard with lots of plants where you will have a peaceful start to the day. Also Madre Masa is a good choice if you prefer bagels and toasts.

For lunch, I recommend La Playita which is directly located at the lagoon and you can enjoy the really good food with a mesmerizing view of the colors of the lagoon. I went there for dinner as well but liked it a lot more during the day as you can be so close to the lagoon.

For dinner, I really strongly recommend Nixtamal, which offers a really fantastic cuisine with rich flavors for fair prices and has been one of the best places for dinner during my time in Mexico.

Also, I really recommend trying marquesitas, a typical street food in the whole Yucatan peninsula that combines sweet and salty flavors. I had a crepe with Nutella and cheese and while it may sound a little odd, it tasted really really good! You will find plenty of street vendors in the town to try one.