IS BACALAR WORTH VISITING? HERE’S WHY WE THINK IT SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT TRAVEL DESTINATION.
Bacalar, a town in the South of Mexico, a stone’s throw away from the Belize border is a really rather splendid place. So much so, that the Mexican tourist board recently designated it “pueblos magicos“, literally a magical town.
Bacalar is home to the Lagoon of Seven Colours, so called because throughout the day at different lights the lagoon takes on seven different shades of blue.
It’s name comes from the Maya word Bakhalal, which means near or surrounded by reeds. Bacalar is just that, a large and fabulous lagoon, but it is surrounded not just by reeds but also a lively and friendly town.
Read on to find out why we think that Bacalar is worth visiting and what to do when you get there.
Don’t have time to read the full post?
Bacalar top picks 😍
Short on time? Some of our top recommendations for Bacalar are:
Accommodation 🏨
- BUDGET – Hakuna Matata Glamping
- MID-RANGE – Hotel Henry Bacalar
- LUXURY – Khaban Baclar Hotel
Tours & Activities🎫
Tips 💡
Take advantage of the fantastic happy hours in Bacalar.
Transport 🚌
Take the Ado bus to Chiquila, then ferry to Holbox (you do not need to book the ferry but we recommend booking the bus.)
Where is Bacalar?
Bacalar is in the South of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo – the very same state as the famous sites of Tulum and Cancun. It lies around 200 miles South of Cancun and approximately one hour north of the Belize border.
Is Bacalar worth visiting?
Is Bacalar worth visiting – absolutely. Bacalar is a great destination if you’re looking for somewhere laid back, family friendly and safe, or somewhere that still feels a little bit hidden in the Quintana Roo area.
Bacalar was one of our favourite destinations during our entire Yucatan Peninsula trip. Truth be told, we nearly skipped it, but we are so glad that we didn’t.
Many people choose not to visit because it looks far away on the map and seems out of the way, but you can easily include it in your itinerary, even if you are reliant on public transport.
The other reason that we hear travellers choose not to visit Bacalar, is because there isn’t a beach. This is true, but the lagoon is just as good – if not better – the water is warm, calm and perfect for exploring safely.
Not convinced? Here are 5 why we think that Bacalar is worth visiting
Here are five reasons why Bacalar is worth visiting:
1/ The lagoon is stunning – perfect for relaxing and finding peace and tranquillity. Our afternoons spent lazing by the lagoon will always be etched into my memory. I found a new level of relaxation.
2/ Bacalar is perfect for anyone who loves water sports – sailing, paddle boarding or kayaking.
3/ Bacalar has a laid back and authentic feel
4/ Bacalar still feels a little of the main stream tourist radar, meaning you can discover it as a hidden gem. And, it’s quieter!
5/ Bacalar is a little cheaper than other places in the area, such as Tulum
Best things to do in Bacalar
Here are the best things that we discovered to do in Bacalar by day and by night.
1/ Chill by the water
What could be better in Bacalar than relaxing by The Lagoon of Seven Colours. All along the water, you’ll find pontoons where you can sunbathe, jump into the water or laze about on one of the water hammocks.
The water is warm and safe to swim in, so you can spend a few hours (or even a day) dipping in and out. Coming up only for margaritas or agua fresca. Many of the bars along the water will also allow you to enjoy your drinks on the pontoon.
2/ Get out and explore the lagoon
As the lagoon is the centerpiece of Bacalar, we recommend taking some time to explore it properly during your visit.
When in Bacalar, you can choose a number of different tours and trips on the lagoon.
Firstly, you can sail. There are many sail trips like this one, available for a few hours of scenic exploring. Prices are quite reasonable at around $40 for three hours on a group tour. If you’re looking for something a little more romantic, then you can choose a private tour for around $200 for two people.
Secondly, you can paddle board or kayak. We chose to paddle board and opted for a three hour sunrise paddle experience with a floating picnic. You can find more details on our experience here. If you prefer to enjoy the lagoon from a comfortable seated position instead, then you can hire kayaks.
3/ Take a yoga class
Bacalar feels like the perfect place to take a yoga class. Surrounded by water and beautiful nature. Plus lots of fit and healthy people strolling around. It certainly made me want to take some time doing yoga.
One of the nicest studio set ups in Bacalar is Mizu Yoga.
Here you can find a yoga deck surrounded by lush greenery. The perfect place to zen.
4/ Stroll around the square
The centre of Bacalar is the Zocalo park square found here. We really enjoyed strolling around this square, which gets quite lively in the early evening.
Enjoy an ice cream or a Marquesita (a Mexican chocolate filled crepe), from one of the vendors on the square as you take a seat on a park bench and watch the world go by. Bacalar is still very lived in and it’s marvellous to get a glimpse into normal Mexican life on the square.
Set back from the park, around the square you’ll find many bars and restaurants (some offering happy hour deals). Towards the water next to the square, you can also find the Bacalar fort – built in 1729, today it houses a museum.
5/ Enjoy a happy hour
As Bacalar is still flying a bit under the tourist radar, there are many places offering happy hours to draw in customers. Look out for deals on Monday nights (when happy hour can last all night), or from 17:30 to 19:30 on most evenings. The bars along the water offer deals, as do many in town.
6/ Dine out in Bacalar
Bacalar has a bit of an up and coming foodie scene. There’s lots to choose from, whatever the time of day and to suit different budgets.
Some of the best food we had in Bacalar, was breakfast. We tried delicious Mexican eggs dishes at Albahaca Breakfast restaurant – a small cafe with little dogs running around and tropical vibes. For vegans, there are many choices in Bacalar too. Such as Agni Vital Kitchen.
For lunch, there are plenty of choices. Like the super healthy La Casa de Lauu or the slightly less healthy (but delicious) Empanada cafe, El Paste 2, where hot filled pastry is served alongside delicious coffee.
For supper, Mr Taco is an absolute crowd pleaser. Huge numbers of diners arrive here, Mexican and tourist to enjoy the unusual taco fillings (cactus and pork with cream for example), served quickly and washed down with a Corona. We dined here twice in the end, marveling at the inexpensive prices.
More elaborate dinner options are available – Finisterre Bacalar is a top rated Italian restaurant in town. The idea of Italian food in Mexico may seem odd, but there’s an Italian community in Bacalar. For ceviche, try Hijos del Cocho. Or, if you want to go really up market, try Nixtamal. A highly rated restaurant which specializes in unique ways of using fire for cooking.
7/ Dance the night away
Bacalar is not as much of a late night party destination as towns like Tulum. Because many tourists are up early to take a sail trip or go paddle boarding, the nightlife is quite laid back. But, there are a few places to visit if you want a late (or late-ish) night out.
Our favourite bar in Bacalar was La Catrina Bacalar. There’s live music every night from 21:00 – and when we say live music, we mean it. There’s a big band, sometimes with saxophones, trombones and all sorts.
The dancing kicks off at 21:00 sharp and you can salsa until 02:00. Before 21:00 there are also happy hour deals and ladies night (currently a Tuesday, when ladies get a free Margarita.)
Is Bacalar an alternative to Tulum?
Bacalar is often being described as the “new Tulum” or the next big thing in Quintana Roo. True, both Tulum and Bacalar are in the same state. True, there are similarities – hip bars, a chilled vibe, shops selling quirky crochet outfits. But, the two are completely different apart from this.
Tulum is gargantuan compared to Bacalar. The beach is lined with luxury hotels, the town seems to be spreading out as far as the eye can see.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk from one end to the other, then another 45 to get to the beach.
Bacalar town is smaller, bijou but just right. The lagoon occupies the vast majority of space, and thankfully this will never change.
Tulum has gone way past being the hot place to travel to, it’s been trending on Instagram for at least ten years. Bacalar, is relatively new to the scene in comparison.
Sure, backpackers and vacationers do come here, but not en masse. It remains a very “lived in” town, a welcome change to the built up resorts of Tulum and dare we even mention Cancun.
In truth, we hope Bacalar never becomes the new Tulum. It is an area that could quite quickly become spoiled by mass tourism. Thus far, locals and tourists seem to be doing a good job of avoiding any serious environmental damage to the lake and any unsightly high rises from popping up.
We hope it doesn’t become the next Tulum, because it is better.
Can you swim in Bacalar?
You can swim in Bacalar. I saw many people clinging to the pontoons or posing on the over water swings rather than swimming. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I wondered if they were concerned about the safety of getting in the water. Suffice to say, the water is very safe.
Not only is it shallow, but it’s also very calm – locals swim in the water with their children regularly. The water is really pleasant, it tends to be around 25 degrees centigrade during the dry season – although it was a slightly more chilly 18 when we visited.
Where to stay in Bacalar
Bacalar is fairly small. You have two choices of location when it comes to where to stay in Bacalar. Either down town or on the waters edge. The fancier hotels take up space by the water and town hosts the more budget conscious travellers. Whichever you chose, it is quite difficult to find yourself too far from the lagoon.
Here are some options of where to stay in Bacalar to suit all budgets:
BUDGET: Hakuna Matata Glamping is a budget choice in Bacalar. This place offers unusual thatched bungalows, in a downtown location around a 5 minute walk from the lagoon. Each bungalow has a small terrace and there’s a roof top communal space. Bathrooms are external, but they are very clean and spacious. Popular with backpackers or couples on a budget.
MID RANGE: Bacalar has plenty of choice for mid-range 2 to 3 star accommodation. Three of the best are Hotel Henry Bacalar (which offers free bikes), Hotel Xa’An Bacalar (very spacious rooms), and Villa Akbal (for private apartment living.)
LUXURY: There are a small number of luxury hotels in Bacalar, but they are all really rather special. The lagoon offers a fantastic backdrop for eco friendly and upmarket resorts. If you want a hotel that combines wellness activities, like yoga, with excellent facilities then Our Habitats Bacalar is an excellent choice. Khaban Baclar Hotel is a boutique water side retreat, rooms are tasteful and offer a Maldives vibe.
How to get to Bacalar?
Bacalar is around two hours South of Tulum towards the border with Belize. Between the two you can find Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. If you have a hire car, then driving to Bacalar is a good option.
If you want to travel using public transport, you can take a direct bus from Tulum, or Cancun to arrive to Bacalar. We also took a bus to Valladolid from Bacalar, so it’s possible to come from there too. The bus, operated by Ado, takes two and a half hours from Tulum.
The direction of the bus is Chetumal, but you can alight in Bacalar. Book via Bus Bud, direct on the Ado Bus website or turn up at the bus station on the day. Our preference was to book ahead to avoid queues at the bus station. Prices vary, but expect to pay around 400 Mexican Pesos.
BusbudIf you’re looking to fly into Bacalar, the nearest airport is Chetumal – around 20km from Bacalar.
Best time of year to visit Bacalar
Much like the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula, Bacalar has two seasons – wet and dry. The dry season is from November to March and is invariably the best season to visit Bacalar, especially if you want to enjoy some time outdoors.
Where to next in the Yucatan?
- Cancun – beaches & food
- Tulum – beaches, yoga and nightlife
- Holbox – island paradise
- Bacalar – paddle boarding and relaxing
- Celestun – flamingos & laid back beach
- Progreso – fun beach town
- Sian Ka’an – nature reserve
- Merida – gastronomic city & culture
- Campeche – glamorous historical city
- Valladolid – history & culture
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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