Things to do in Bacalar: the Lagoon of Seven Colors, cenotes and travel tips

Bacalar is the Mexican Caribbean Magical Town that has no sea and doesn't need one. Its Lagoon of Seven Colors, a freshwater lake more than 40 kilometers long, shifts from pale turquoise to navy blue depending on depth and bottom. It lies in southern Quintana Roo, about 40 km from Chetumal, and was named a Magical Town in 2006.

Compared with Cancún or Tulum, Bacalar is quieter, cheaper and all about calm water: people come here to swim, paddle and do very little. This guide helps you plan it.

Things to do in Bacalar

1. Take a boat or sailboat tour of the lagoon

This is the classic way to see the lagoon. Two- to three-hour tours usually include:

Cenote Esmeralda and Cenote Negro, spots where the bottom drops suddenly and the water changes color.
Bird Island, a bird refuge you watch from the boat without landing.
The Pirates' Channel, the passage ships once used to enter the lagoon from Chetumal Bay. You can swim here in warm, shallow water.

If you prefer something quieter, there are sailboat tours at sunrise or sunset. Choose registered operators who respect the restricted areas.

2. Kayak or paddleboard at sunrise

At dawn the lagoon is like a mirror. Renting a kayak or paddleboard before 8:00 is one of the best things to do here: no wind, no boats, no crowds. Many waterfront hotels lend them to guests.

3. Swim in Cenote Azul

South of town, next to the highway, is Cenote Azul, one of the largest and deepest open cenotes on the peninsula, reaching about 90 meters deep. It has a restaurant and charges an entrance fee. The water is deep right from the edge, so wear a life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer.

4. Visit San Felipe Fort

San Felipe Bacalar Fort was built in the 18th century to defend the region from the pirates and smugglers who sailed in through the lagoon. Today it houses the Piracy Museum, small but well done, and its walls offer one of the best views of the lagoon. It faces the main square.

5. See the stromatolites

Bacalar has one of the largest colonies of stromatolites in the world: rock-like structures built by microorganisms that are among the oldest life forms on Earth. You'll see them along the shore and at Los Rápidos, in the south of the lagoon.

Don't stand or sit on them. They grow only millimeters a year and break easily.
Use biodegradable sunscreen, or better, a long-sleeved shirt: chemicals harm the lagoon.

6. Eat well and watch the sunset

In the center and along the waterfront you'll find Yucatecan and Caribbean food: cochinita pibil, tikin xic fish, ceviche and fresh fruit waters. The public piers and community-run swimming spots are the best places to watch the sun set over the lagoon.

When to go

November to April is the dry season: clear skies, less humidity and the most intense colors.
June to November is the rainy and hurricane season. Rain comes in short downpours, but after heavy rain the lagoon can look murky for a few days.
Sargassum: the seaweed that washes up on Caribbean beaches does not reach the lagoon, a real advantage over the coast.
Easter week, summer and the year-end holidays are high season: book ahead.

Check the festival calendar to see what is happening on the peninsula during your trip.

How to get to Bacalar

From Cancún: about 340 km, roughly 4 hours by car on federal highway 307.
From Tulum: about 200 km, 2 to 2.5 hours.
From Chetumal: 40 km, under half an hour. Chetumal airport is the closest.
By bus: frequent ADO departures from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Chetumal.
Maya Train: Bacalar has a station on the line between Cancún and Chetumal. Check schedules and frequencies before planning, as they change with the season.

Bacalar pairs well with Tulum and with the Mahahual coast, a little over an hour away. If you like fresh water, see the Magical Towns with cenotes; if you prefer the sea, the beach Magical Towns. You can also browse all the Magical Towns near Cancún.

Tips for your visit

Three days is ideal for the boat tour, the cenote, the fort and at least one sunrise paddle.
Stay on the lagoon if you can: that's where the magic is.
Bring cash; not every swimming spot or stall takes cards.
Pack insect repellent for the evening: mosquitoes come out at sunset.
Respect restricted areas and don't feed the fish or birds.

Hours, fees and lagoon access rules can change. Before you travel, confirm with the Bacalar tourism office or on the Bacalar page on GoPueblos, where you will also find the map, distances and upcoming events.