Bacalar Like A Local: Best Things To Do 2025

Are you on the hunt for a small magical town in the Riviera Maya? Bacalar is a tiny town with a magical lagoon surrounded by sinkholes known as cenotes.

Having spent a few months living here, I managed to do most of the touristy things and local things to tell you exactly which of them are worth doing.

By far, the number one reason to visit Bacalar is because of the multicolored lagoon. It's something straight out of a postcard — almost Maldives.

From my experience, Bacalar seems to be mostly visited by travelers avoiding the crowds in Cancun and Tulum looking for a more quiet, secluded and natural getaway.

If that sounds like you, let's jump in and let's explore the Best of Bacalar

Why Bacalar Worth Visiting

Things To Do

Visit Cenote Azul

Price

Free

Hours

10AM–6PM

Location

Walking Distance

Visit this cenote through the secret entrance in front of Amainah Hotel. Alternatively, you can go through the formal entrance and pay the 35 MXN fee. Only locals come through this backdoor entry so follow the signs, be respectful and keep it clean.

Explore Central Park

Price

Free

Hours

Always Open

Location

Walking Distance

Having lived in Bacalar for a month, I'd say one of the most interesting free attractions is the Central Park. I find myself coming back here weekly. Central park is filled artisans making everything from woodwork to handmade soap. There are also plenty of vendors for your evening snack. Locals call this antojitos which means snacks.

Visiting the park is also a perfect end to a chill day at the lagoon. And if you're getting ready to head back home, you'll find tons of souvenirs to look at. The central park is the best during the weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) which is when even more vendors join in.

Swim At Eco Parque

Price

20 MXN

Hours

9AM–6:30PM

Location

Walking Distance

The Eco Parque in Bacalar is where most of the foreign and domestic travelers gather during the day and for sunset. It's a long squared boardwalk that sits above the mangroves and the lagoon. It's the perfect place to chill.

While it's not the best place to see the sunset, it is perfect for sunrises. It has a 20 MXN entrance fee but that's a good thing since it kinda filters out the noisy crowd for the most part. Sorry, but I had to say it since I've been to the free piers where locals can blast out music and also drink beer and get rowdy.

One word of warning is to avoid coming midday since there is absolutely no shade here. The only shade is under the the pier itself so early morning and late evenings are good.

Swim At A Free Pier

Price

Free

Hours

9AM–6:30PM

Location

Walking Distance

The top reason to come to Bacalar is for the lagoon. If you're like me, and prefer to do as the locals do, a free pier is worth searching for. I've found the top piers you can go and enjoy a nice swim.

My favorite is is definitely El Aserradero which is just 3 blocks south of the Central Park where the Fort is located. This free pier has a lot of space to just sit and lounge on the dock. There is no shade so it makes sense to go in the evening or morning.

My second favorite place I recommend is Muelle 36 which is further north right beside the Eco Parque. It's much smaller but has some shade (thatch roof) but it can get packed and rowdy in peak hours.

Kayak To Canal De Los Piratas

Price

400 MXN

Hours

Always Open

Canal de los Piratas is one of my favorite places to visit. I've only been here on kayak but it can also be reached by boat and sailboat. According to the history, the canal was used by pirates to raid Bacalar. And as a result, the locals built the Fuerte de San Felipe — another local attraction.

Before entering the canal there, a sort of restaurant bar that was being built but the idea seemed to have failed so now there's only a an abandoned foundation left it's place.

Having rented a kayak with my friend, I'll be breaking down this entire attraction fully so you can visit this attraction along with other nearby spots like the Cenote Negro and Isla de los Pájaros. It's an excellent way to spend the day exploring the entire Bacalar lagoon.

Float Down Los Rapidos

Price

500 MXN

Hours

Always Open

Location

Walking Distance

Los Rapidos is sometimes recognized as a tourist trap because of the restaurant, entrance and extra fees like one for using wifi. But, if you visit with your budget as priority, you can enjoy the site regardless of the costs. One of the most economic ways of enjoying the site is by renting a kayak.

Go On A Sailing Tour

Price

450 MXN

Hours

Always Open

Duration

2-Hour Tour

Location

Walking Distance

Shared tours (colectivos) can be a lot more economic compared to private tours which are 10x the price at around 3500 MXN. There are dozens of tours along the main town square and park so you can shop around while you are exploring.

If you'd like to get a reduced price, you can approach a tour last-minute and they can give a deal to enter the boat tour for 250 MXN to fill up the boat's capacity. I can't guarantee this since it's dependent on the boat company or agency.

Visit Fuerte De San Felipe

Price

110 MXN

Hours

9AM–7PM

Location

Walking Distance

If you're interested in the history of Bacalar, visiting this fort will be a treat for you. The site is close to the central park and can be seen from the outside but an entrance fee is required to go inside. There is also a museum within the fort.

Locals pay 55 MXN for adults and 30 MXN for kids. Foreigners pay 110 MXN.

Where To Eat

Unlike the rest of Mexico, Bacalar isn't really known for a specific dish. The only two "local dishes" are Marquesitas and Pozole de Cacao which is famously sold by the street sides and at the central park.

But if you're into fancy dining, a relaxing café or just want to have a nice date night, Bacalar has plenty of options. In fact, Bacalar has tons of restaurants with dishes that might might even be Michelin Star worthy.

Having spent a few months here, I was able to scout out the budget local eats, mid-range restaurants and the finer dining options. I'll list them in that order — by price.

I highly suggest having lunch before 2PM since that's when most restaurants close or sell out. Also, double check the hours because many restaurants have rest days like Wednesday.

Best Veggie Tamales

Tamales Lataba

Price

30 MXN

Hours

5:30PM–7PM

It's not easy always easy to find veggie options in a small town but Tamales Lataba offers veggie tamales in Bacalar. There are also meat options available. What makes the tamales special are the sauces so don't miss out on those.

I tried the veggie plantain tamales with cheese.

The tamales are not only homemade, authentic and packed with flavors but they are made by wonderful people. The owners are originally from Tabasco.

Best Meat Tamales

Street Tamales

Price

25 MXN

Hours

7PM–10:30PM

This street tamales are not on Google Maps but they should be. A young man sells some of the most delicous meat tamales in front of the Main church in town (Parroquia De San Joaquin). It's actually located right besides Tamales Latabe (Veggies Tamales) which is listed above.

After an evening swimming at the lagoon, I normally pass by this tamales stall and get two "tamales licuados" at only 25 MXN each. The "licuados" are softer while the "tortillados" are much firmer. You can try one of each. Don't forget to add the tomato sauce. Be careful though because it's really spicy. Your nose might be runny after showering your tamal with this sauce.

Local Family Dishes

El Panzoncín

Price

35 MXN

Hours

6PM–11PM

On a random Saturday evening I stumbled on an old friend on the street and being hungry she took me to this random street food restaurant. It was literally someone's house with an outdoor kitchen and a sign that said Panzoncín which translates to potbellied person.

This is as local as it gets. We both ordered a gringa made from nopales which is a huge open taco essentially. Each is valued at 35 MXN. This place is as homemade as it gets and it feels more like a family cooking for you.

You won't find this restaurant on Google maps but I'll leave you the location below. It's only two blocks away from the Central Park so you stop by if you're heading towards the touristy party avenues in the northern lagoon side.

Late Night Snacks

Central Park Food Stalls

Price

28 MXN

Hours

5PM–11PM

The food vendors were previously based in a stadium center that was a block away from the Central Park but now they are conveniently lined up on the north side of the park.

Here you'll find a long line of vendors selling the famous Waffles with cheese (Marquesitas), Hotdogs (Perrones), Corn on a Stick (Elotes), and other snacks like potato chips.

My personal favorite is the Elotes on a stick which costs 40 MXN. Honestly, most of the street food here is overpriced for what it is but it's one of the easiest places to eat the famous Bacalar snack — Marquesita.

Street Hotdogs

King Kevin

Price

25 MXN

Hours

5PM–10:30PM

Bacalar and Chetumal are known for their hotdogs. Located right in front of the Colectivo Taxis, is a bustling food area. King Kevin sells hotdogs and burgers here.

Hotdogs are only 25 MXN. Two are enough to fill you. It's a solid meal if you're arriving Bacalar late at night and then want to move to your lodging.

Right beside King Kevin is a Tacos spot that is also popular. And, in the street in front is a popular Hotdog vendor called Hot dogs Perrones which is a brand from Chetumal that also has a stall in the Central Park. This area only opens at night but during the day, there's a Rotisserie spot that is listed below.

Best Pozole

Kin Naku

Price

80 MXN

Hours

10AM–8PM

As a huge fan of Pozole, I was so happy to stumble upon Kin Naku on the way to a nearby grocery store. It looked very local and after chatting with the owner, I found out her family had recently opened this small local restaurant. And, they were originally from Poza Rica, Veracruz. I had to try it.

I got a small order of red Pozole and it was exactly as I remembered it when I ate it in Guadalajara. And, it was served in the same fashion with lettuce and radish. The cost was 120 MXN which seemed fair for an authentic and laborious dish. You can also get a smaller dish for 80 MXN.

Rotisserie To Go

El Pechugón

Price

65 MXN

Hours

9AM–6PM

El Pechugón was one of the first places that my local friends recommended I go eat. It's good, cheap and fast. This isn't a sit and eat spot though. You pick up your food and go.

I got the basic package that included roast chicken, tortilla, rice and some sauces. It was oily but delicious. It was priced at 65 MXN. If you're traveling with a larger group, there are bigger packages too.

As a bonus, bigger packages are discounted on Wednesdays if you're looking for a deal.

Authentic Mexican Breakfast

Antojitos Orizaba

Price

65 MXN

Hours

9AM–6PM

After hearing about this place everywhere online, I finally decided to go to grab brunch here. The restaurant front is very unassuming with a palapa-style rooftop and no real signage. I knew it would be good.

I was really happy to see the place filled with locals as well. One thing I've learned is that most places with red plastic chairs and tables serve good food. The food is even better if the logo on those said tables is Coca Cola.

My dish of choice was the "Huevos Motuleños" at 90 MXN. I chose it since I didn't know what it was. The dish was heft and very filling with a serving of over-easy eggs, plantains, tomato sauce, ham and beans served with tortillas.

The food is very authentic and so is the ambience. I highly recommend visiting.

Best Brunch

Madre Masa

Price

70 MXN

Hours

8AM–5PM

On my first trip to Bacalar, my local friend took me to this Brunch spot. It looked like an outdoor to café to me but the menu is extensive. They serve a full breakfast menu from Chilaquiles (Mexican Dish) to delicious sandwiches. They also have cinnamon rolls, hot chocolate and of course chocolate.

As a huge fan of cinnamon rolls and cacao, I opted for that. There is no wifi here so don't expect to come here for digital nomad work.

There is normally a waiting line to expect to wait 15-30 minutes for tables to clear up. I would advise to go early or I believe you can even reserve. There is a special reservation area.

Breakfast Menu

Restaurante Ixchel

Price

140 MXN

Hours

8AM–2PM

After spending the first few days going to the lagoon, I passed by this place and always saw it full in the morning.

Having confused it for a café, I simply went there to work but quickly found out they have a full breakfast menu that is very kid friendly. In fact, I saw a few families coming here.

I haven't gotten a chance to try andy of the dishes but breakfast eggs, waffles and sandwiches looked pretty good. The coffee was fantastic. This place is a little pricier because of the location but the service is top notch similar to Kinta Café.

Like most places in Bacalar, this spot closes at 2PM so schedule your brunch accordingly.

Best Chilaquiles

La Casa de Lauu

Price

70 MXN

Hours

9AM–2PM

La Casa de Lauu is my number one place to eat. The space is almost like a café — it's small and cozy. The food is fairly priced and delicious with a few veggie options. It’s a little far out from town (25 mins walk) but the vibe with lofi music and homey feel make it worth the trip. The food and workers are enough to keep you coming back.

I had the famous Chilaquiles which was 70 MXN at the time. I couldn't decide between the red and green sauce so the kind lady recommended I just split it which was a fantastic idea. The dish's aesthetic look matched the flavors and the pepper sauce was equally as amazing.

Authentic Mexican Lunch

La Bendición De Dios

Price

70 MXN

Hours

7AM–5PM

I would have never known of this place if it wasn't for my insistence in asking locals where they go to have lunch. It's located right beside the main market in town.

At first glance, the place looks slightly beat down but then if you go to do the outdoor section of the restaurant, you'll see mostly locals eating and the food is spectacular. I took a peak at the back and immediately noted the smoked food cooking.

I had the Huarache dish at 95 MXN and while it was a bit small in size, it packed serious flavor. I wanted more!

I was here a Saturday and was sad to see it closed so take note of that. But on Sundays, it was packed again with lots of locals enjoying Brunch. The menu is packed so you won't be limited by choices.

Best Vegan Spot

Mango Y Chile

Price

180 MXN

Hours

12:30AM–8:30PM

Mango Y Chile is where I go if I go for vegan food with a view. The menu is really simple with burgers, hotdogs and tacos but the flavor is impeccable.

I've tried the burger and the hotdog so far and it's the best I've tasted. Yes, it's 4 times the price of a regular meat burger but it is vegan and the ambience is impeccable. Don't forget to load up on sauces at the tiny sauces station.

The staff is very helpful and the background music is relaxing. Since it caters for the higher end clientele, the ambience is relaxing, quiet and enjoyable. They also have coffee from the mountains of Chiapas. I liked the restaurant so much that I ended up buying one of their hats that have their brand name and the words "Bacalar" on it!

Romantic Dinner Date

Nixtamal

Price

500 MXN

Hours

8AM–10:30PM

This place is just wow. I came here with my local friend since she likes to enjoy the finer things in life and we did just that. The ambience and flavors here are exceptional. It reminded me of some upscale restaurants I visited in Peru — ingredient feels intentional.

I had the Stuffed Portobello Mushroom which was a vegetarian dish. It was spectacular. Many of the dishes are smoked and done fresh so that by itself is worth the visit. If you just celebrated your birthday, you also get a complimentary desert!

My Favorite Cafés

La Kinta Café

Price

45 MXN

Hours

8AM–10PM

This is my favorite café to work online. It's centrally located, has AC and the coffee is top notch. I found myself coming back more than once a week. I even tried the baguette which was super flavorful. Coffee americano starts at 45 MXN.

Panadería La Tartaleta

Price

35 MXN

Hours

7AM–11:30PM

This bakery/coffee shop is my second favorite on the list to do work. It also has air conditioning and comfy seats. The location is also close to the central park.

As a bonus, they even sell homemade gelato here. I haven't tasted it but I'll give it a try soon enough.

An Americano here is 35 MXN which is the best price for the location. I often pair it with the polvoron.

What's even better is that they have another mini branch in front of the central park that sells the exact same baked goods and coffee.

Café Tito

Price

40 MXN

Hours

7AM–11:30PM

If you go to a café for good coffee and a good chat, Café Tito is your choice. Locals had recommended it to me as the best coffee in town and it was exactly that. The Café is easily spotted at Central Park by the iconic Vincent van Gogh painting — The Starry Night.

My friend and I went after a long day kayaking at Canal De Los Piratas and it was a treat. She got the Mocha Coffee and I got the regular Americano. It was delightful. We just want to chat and enjoy our company.

Enamora Restaurante & Café

Price

45 MXN

Hours

7:30AM–4:00PM

On my first trip to Bacalar, Enamora Café was recommended by a lot of travelers but I hadn't gotten around it until now. I knew the prices were a little higher than usual but now I see the flavors justify it.

It's more of a restaurant than a café in my opinion. The setting is outdoors so it would be a little challenging to work here especially on rainy days.

I had lunch here on a Sunday and tried the Yaca Sandwhich which was a vegan option with the main ingredient being jackfruit. I love trying vegan dishes since I like figure out how they get the flavors to pop being an amateur cook myself. The sandwhich was 150 MXN which was worth it in my opinion. Coffee is 45 MXN The staff is excellent.

Besides the restaurant & café, the site also has an art showcase by women-only artists from Bacalar and also outside. That's worth checking out too.

El Paste 2

Price

30 MXN

Hours

9AM–9PM

On my way back home, I normally take the same route and saw a nice little outdoor café that sells Argentinian Empanadas. My assumption was that they must be goood since that's the main item on the menu. And they definitely were.

I had the mushroom and cheese empanada for 30 MXN. The coffee is 50 MXN and they also have small kamboucha drinks at 75 MXN. There are both meat and vegetarian options.

This is the perfect stop after going to the lagoon for a swim. My lagoon day was on Wednesday when only swimming was allowed.

Panadería LGD

Price

45 MXN

Hours

7AM–10PM

While this isn't exactly a café, I stumbled on it while walking back home. It's a relatively upscale bakery close to the main highway so it's not that close to the town center.

The full name of the bakery is La Gracia de Dios but it's called L&D on Google Maps. My favorite treat here is a bit generic. It's called Hojaldra which is a triangular crispy bread with cheese and ham which costs 45 MXN. While it's not that cheap, it's my personal favorite.

The bakery also has a few other options like cinnamon rolls, conchas, donuts, and other popular Mexican bread.

Latte Corazón Cafeteria

Price

50 MXN

Hours

8AM–5PM

The reason why this café came in my radar was because I searched coworking on Google Maps and this popped up. It was relatively far from town but close to the ADO station. It's a good place to grab food and catch up on wifi if you're coming by ADO bus.

I picked up an Americano valued at 50 MXN. The vibe was very relaxing and they even serve an extensive breakfast menu. The workers are super friendly and attentive.

I didn't see much traffic throughout the day but I was very happy with the internet. It was very fast and I had it all to myself that day.

Bacalar Tips

1. ⛔️ Lagoon is Closed Wednesdays: Only Swimming Allowed, No Boats/Kayaks.
2. 🚫 Do Not Wear Sunscreen While Swimming: Protect the Stromatolites.
3. 🦟 Try locally-made natural repellent: Sold at small eco shops in town.
4. 🍽️ Eat lunch before 2PM Most popular restaurants close after this time.

Night Life In Bacalar

1. La Catrina - salsa and dance
2. El Galeón - bar and cultural center
3. Yak Lake House - special events
4. Xolo Bar - billiards and drinks

Prices To Expect

Facts About Bacalar

1. 🌎 Bacalar has a population of roughly 42,000 people with slightly more men than women.
2. 🏡 This small town also has over 700 hotels which seems a little outrageous for the size.
3. 🪄 Bacalar was announced as a "Pueblo Mágico" in 2006 increasing it's yearly visitors significantly.
4. 🎒 Annually, Bacalar receives over 200,000 visitors which includes domestic and international visitors.
5. 🌈 7 brilliant tones is the signature mark of Bacalar's lagoon seen clearly on sunny days.
6. 🕳️ The lagoon was also formed by 7 sink holes (cenotes) that surround it.
7. 🌊 Bacalar has the second-largest lagoon at 27 miles long (43km) in the Yucatan region.
8. 📜 Stromatolites are the oldest living beings at 3.5 million years old found at the lagoon.

Mosquitoes In Bacalar

While I would much rather talk about the 7 brilliant tones of the lagoon, there is a major issue in Bacalar – Mosquitoes. These guys are huge, aggressive and everywhere.

Some higher-end accommodations & restaurants do burn some sort of copal to keep them away which helps a lot. But while you're outside those safe zones, you're constantly attacked. Luckily, while you're in the water or by the docks, you get a moment of relief because of the breeze.

Getting To Bacalar

Chances are you're coming to Bacalar from Cancun or somewhere in-between these towns in Riviera Maya. The easiest way to travel from Cancun to Bacalar is by ADO Bus.

If you'd like to travel at half the price, I recommend taking the Local Quintana Roo Colectivo which is essentially a network of shared vans that travel the same route s the ADO Bus but cheaper.

Now, if you're traveling from Belize To Bacalar, there are a few ways to get here: bus, shuttle and even by ferry. I highly recommend reading my Belize/Mexico Border Crossing guide where I recommend the best way to travel based on your travel style.

Being from Belize, I've crossed this border more times than I can count, so I highlight the best ways to cross and how to avoid extra fees.

Getting To Bacalar From Chetumal

There are colectivos (Shared Taxis) from Chetumal at Plaza De Las Americas that go daily to Bacalar and run till around 11:00PM. As a backup, there are late buses at the ADO Terminal (ADO & Mayab) that run till 10:00PM and 1:00PM. The fee is 60 MXN one-way and it drops you off at this Bacalar Roadside Bus Stop.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.