The small town of Bacalar in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo is far from the beaten tourist track. Nevertheless, Bacalar is widely known among travelers familiar with the region. And this is not only due to the charm of the small town. It is because Bacalar is located directly besides the beautiful lagoon of the seven colors.

Have you ever thought about a trip to Bacalar? Is it even worth it? And how long should you stay? What can you do there? In this article we would like to tell you more about the small village and answer your questions.

Bacalar is not situated directly at the sea like the other places along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. But it’s located besides a large lagoon famous for its beauty. The place has a long history, and there are some interesting things to see. The name of the city means “surrounded by reeds” in the Mayan language. In the time of the Maya and the colonial period, an important trading center was here.

Nowadays, street art is rather popular in Bacalar. So, you can walk through the streets in peace and let yourself be enchanted by this small town. Just take a deep breath and relax. After all, you’re on vacation, aren’t you?

The lagoon of Bacalar is also called the lagoon of seven colors. They say that the water should shimmer in seven different shades of blue. This insight is probably reserved for locals who have their own boats and know the lagoon very well. But still – the lagoon also is very beautiful for new visitors.

Actually, the lagoon is a lake of fresh water. This is very rare on the Yucatan Peninsula, where there is usually no fresh water on the surface. The lagoon is about 40 km / 29 mi long and therefore quite large. It is connected to the bay of Chetumal by a narrow channel called the “Channel of the Pirates”.

The lagoon was formed from several Cenotes. These are intrusions in the limestone of the soil, which open up access to groundwater. These underwater caves are typical of the Yucatan Peninsula. You can also visit the Cenotes in Bacalar. Some of them are quite deep and are wonderful for cenote diving.

Of course, there are no sandy beaches at the lagoon of Bacalar. But in many places, you will see wooden walkways where you can get into the water. Often there are swings or hammocks in the shallow water to let your soul dangle and really enjoy the beauty of nature. Some public bathing areas offer small sunbathing areas, toilets and restaurants for a cheap entrance fee.

There are rumors that crocodiles live in the lagoon of Bacalar. If this is true, however, they are very shy. At least, we have not yet heard of accidents with crocodiles while swimming.

Bacalar is located in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. Depending on which road you take, the trip to Bacalar takes about 400 km / 290 mi or 5 hours, driving south from Cancún. Behind the small town, the road continues for about 40 km / 29 mi to Chetumal, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. After Chetumal, there already is the border to the neighboring country Belize.

Bacalar is located in the tropics, and the temperature is pleasant all year round – if you love warm weather as much as I do. The hottest time falls in the months of April to December. From June to October there are is the highest number of rainy days per month. The hurricane season over the nearby Caribbean Sea also falls into this period.

The high season throughout the region is the period from December to April. In these months, you can expect the most pleasant temperatures and a lot of sunny days – but also the highest prices.

You have several options to get to Bacalar. However, you can get there only by road. The route takes more or less a five-hour drive from Cancun.

The first and easiest way is to get there by public bus. The ADO line in Mexico runs more or less from everywhere to everywhere. The quality of the buses is quite good, and the tickets are cheap. Bus travel is one of the most important means of transport for the locals. You can even pre-book tickets for the bus online. Here, for example, Cancún – Bacalar via Bookaway  from 25 USD per person.

If you prefer to drive yourself, a rental car is recommended. At City Car Rental you will find a reliable and friendly service at fair prices. As I said, you should prepare for a driving time of about five hours for one route.

If you want to go directly to Bacalar from Cancún Airport, you can use a personal shuttle service. For one or two people you this might be a bit expensive. For a group of four people, however, the surcharge is not very high and the privacy is always worth it. Especially in times of pandemic.

If you want to arrive by plane, the airport of Chetumal is relatively close. From there, Bacalar is only 42 km / 26 mi away. From 2024, you will also be able to reach Bacalar with a modern train connection – namely the Tren Maya.

Although Bacalar is only a small town at the southern end of Mexico, you can eat very tasty there. There is a lot of fish and seafood – who is surprised? But steaks, sushi, vegetarian dishes and traditional Mexican cuisine are also offered. The prices are fair. So… bon appétit!

Bacalar may be a small town that is wonderful for deep relaxation. But there is still a lot to do. Whether you’re here for a few days or a few weeks, you should make good use of your time. Here are a few tips for your exploration.

Well, the lagoon is probably the reason why you took the trip to Bacalar. But now you should really enjoy it. Go swimming, lie down in the sun, relax in a hammock and let your soul dangle. Ideally with delicious snacks and a good drink in hand.

The lagoon of the seven colors is huge. And you should get to know it in all its beauty. The best way to do this is with a boat. Either during the day, or at sunset time. Let your guide take you to beautiful places and explain the nature of this unique place. The best way to do this is with a private tour. It is worth the time and money.

The old fortress of San Felipe in Bacalar is probably the most famous sight next to the Lagoon of the Seven Colors. It is also located just besides the water, right between Avenida 1 and 3 in the center of the village.

The fortress was built in the 18th century, when the little village was regularly looted by pirates from all over the world. Thanks to San Felipe the town was successfully defended. Today, San Felipe offers great views of the lagoon and a small museum. Admission is cheap with 20 MXN for Mexicans and 50 MXN for foreigners.

A kayak trip in the lagoon of seven colors should actually be fixed on your program. And there’s a really magical moment for that… the sunrise. You don’t need a tour with a guide, it’s enough to rent a kayak. They are available in many places in Bacalar. And yes, you have to get up early. But you’ll see, it’s worth it!

Calakmul is little known among tourists. And that’s actually incomprehensible. Because once it was one of the most powerful cities of the Maya. Calakmul, El Mirador and El Tikal are the three largest sites ever discovered.

On an area of more than 30 km², once there have been more than 5,000 buildings. Among them, more than 100 epic buildings. In addition, the whole complex is also located in a biosphere reserve. What are you waiting for? It’s a bit more than 200 km / 125 mi from Bacalar. You are therefore well advised with a guided tour.

Bacalar is a small, colonial town with a history that is actually quite long for this remote corner of the world. There are delicious restaurants, nice locations to relax and in some places, you will find great street art. Dense vegetation and colorful flowers can be seen everywhere.

So, if there’s a good time to stroll and explore, it’s now. The place is not too big, and you can easily reach everything walking or by bike.

Oh yes – paddleboards are very fashionable. But rightly so. Paddling on the board is fun and very healthy. Your ecological footprint is tiny. And you can see great things. In Bacalar, for example, these would be the incredible beauty of the lagoon, the mysterious cenotes there and the magic of the sunrise. Renting the SUPs does not cost much.

The way to Bacalar is a bit far. But if you don’t just live for partying and dancing, it’s always worth it. The beauty of nature, the relaxation in this magical place, the delicious food and the refreshing lagoon are quite unique. And after all, not every tourist comes by here.