Heading to the magic town of Bacalar in Mexico and wondering what are the best things to do there? We are here to help!
Tucked away in the southern part of the Yucatan peninsula, near the border with Belize, Bacalar is famous for its blue lagoon called the lagoon of 7 colours.
It’s one of the most beautiful places in Mexico as well as a bit of a hidden gem.
While it’s easily accessible by car or public transport, it is a bit of a detour from the Riviera Maya and a lot of tourists choose not to visit.
But if you are here, that means it’s a mistake you’re not going to make. Bacalar is absolutely stunning and definitely worth the time and effort.
Now, are you ready to discover the top things to do in Bacalar? Let’s go!
1. Sailing trip on the lagoon of 7 colours
The absolute highlight of any trip to Bacalar is its lagoon. It’s called the lagoon of 7 colours but I can tell you there are a lot more than that!
The best way to experience it is by opting for a boat tour. There are quite a few options for that and if you are on a tight budget, you can book this pontoon tour.
If you can spare a bit more, I highly recommend booking this sailing trip. It’s great value for money because it lasts 3 hours and you’re only 4 or 5 people on the boat.
This means that usually it’s you and another couple / family, which is very pleasant.
Also, there is something magical about sailing boats isn’t there?
During the trip, you’ll visit the canal of pirates where you can go for a swim but also two cenotes on the lagoon (cenote negro and cenote esmeralda).
You then end the tour at Isla de los Pájaros where you can see many birds and even flamingos.
PRO TIP: I recommend booking the tour that starts at 3PM because it ends around sunset time and the sunset over the lagoon is absolutely stunning.
Click here to see availability and prices.
2. Sunrise SUP on the lagoon
Since it is a lagoon, there aren’t really any currents or waves which means it’s an ideal place to do stand up paddle.
If you like watersports and would like to give it a go, you can hire some boards during the day but you can also join a local sunrise SUP tour.
That way, you will be with a guide who will take you to the best spots on the lagoon (the ones with the most impressive colours) such as Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Cocalitos and Bird island.
Also, you get to see more colours since it’s at sunrise time and you will avoid the heat of the day (and sunburns!)
3. Enjoying the views of the lagoon
While experiencing the lagoon from a boat is definitely the best thing you can do, it’s also very interesting to see the lagoon from above because that’s where you can see all the colours coming together.
Since Bacalar is a rather flat area, you need to go to a viewpoint in a tower. I particularly recommend the 360-degree view tower at Casa China Bacalar on Cenote Esmeralda.
It’s a lagoon club with a bar and they also offer this sailing tour so you can hit two birds with one stone.
4. Going for a swim at cenote azul
Cenote Azul is located just out of downtown Bacalar. It’s a short 10-minute drive and is easily accessible.
Not only is it one of the best cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula but it’s also a great option for people on a budget.
A lot of cenotes in Quintana Roo are expensive and since there are so many things to do, it can quickly add up.
This is an open cenote and it’s quite big so you can go for a good swim. There is also a restaurant and a couple of shops.
You can choose to swim without a life jacket or you can hire one for $50.
PRO TIP: I always recommend wearing life jackets because although they are not the coolest looking items, they allow you to enjoy the swimming experience while relaxing. You don’t actually exhaust yourself swimming.
5. Going to Los Rapidos
Los Rapidos is another highlight of Bacalar (and Mexico in general actually!). It takes a bit less than 20 minutes to get there from downtown and it’s a magical experience.
It’s a natural lazy river surrounded by stromatolites (natural rock and sulphur formations).
To access it, you need to pay the entrance fee to the beach club.
PRO TIP: Go there for the opening (at 9AM) because it will be completely empty and you can enjoy it without the crowds.
There are lockers available for a fee and you can get food or drinks. The tables by the water have a minimum tab but the others are fine.
You can then grab your lifejacket and walk along the wooden path to enter the water. Since there is a current, you can then simply let yourself go until you reach the hammock.
You can float down the river as many times as you want.
It truly is stunning and very unique. You will love it.
6. Walking around the town
Bacalar is one of the pueblos magicos of Mexico. These magic towns were chosen because of their “cultural richness, historical relevance, cuisine, art crafts, and great hospitality”. They are all incredibly cute and great places to visit.
Bacalar definitely fits that description. It’s a very nice place to discover on foot. There is a lot of street art, cute cafés, shops and more.
It gets quite hot during the day so I would recommend having a walk around in the morning or late afternoon.
You will also find a lot of photo opportunities since there are a lot of murals from famous Mexican street artists.
7. Enjoying some relaxing time in a lagoon club (Balnearios)
As for many places in Mexico, the best beaches can be accessed via a beach club. Since Bacalar is on a lagoon and not the ocean, these beach clubs are more lagoon clubs.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee but can have access to the beach, chairs and umbrellas as well as the bar and restaurant.
8. Visiting San Felipe Fort
San Felipe fort is located by Zócalo park which is the main square and park in Bacalar. It’s a historical fort that was built by the Spanish to protect the area from the pirates.
Back in the days, the pirates would arrive via the pirates canal (hence the name) which you can visit during your boat tour.
It’s an interesting place to visit especially if you are interested in the colonial history of Mexico.
You can walk around the fort but also visit it inside. There is a museum with historical facts and various pieces of art.
9. Kayaking on the lagoon
As previously mentioned, kayaking is a great activity in Bacalar since there aren’t waves on the lagoon.
Most beach clubs offer kayak rentals so you can book a kayak for a small fee and explore on your own.
Please note that if you booked this sailing trip, the kayak rental is included and you can do it after the tour or the day after.
10. Souvenir shopping
The town centre is full of local shops with souvenirs. They are usually closed in the afternoon (because of the heat) but open quite late in the evening.
If you’d like to bring back some cute souvenirs such as bracelets or dream catchers, you’ll be in for a treat. It’s also a lot less expensive than in Tulum.
11. Go to the local market
The Mercado Municipal de Bacalar is located a bit further out compared to the main square but it’s easy to access on foot. There are also loads of parking spots around.
This is a place where locals go so you won’t find a lot of tourists but it’s a great place to get fruit or even some cheap beach clothes.
There are also a couple of local restaurants around including La Bendición de Dios which is a local’s spot. Here you won’t find a lot of tourists but the food is delicious and very cheap!
I hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to Bacalar. This is truly a fantastic destination and you will love it!
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