Bacalar is a tiny town with a magical lagoon surrounded by sinkholes known as cenotes. The hippie town has cozy cafés, lazy water-front hotels and eco-chic restaurants.
If you're traveling around Yucatan & Belize right now, you're probably asking yourself - is Bacalar worth visiting? In summary, YES! The tiny town still feels like a hidden gem with a few caveats.
This local guide includes 👇:
A Local Guide To Bacalar
I'll show you recommendations from a local and while I'm not Mexican, I stayed with a local friend that helped me experience the town the same way they would.
And while I try to be unbiased as possible, I do gravitate towards non-touristy activities that are accessible to all types of travelers. All suggestions are focused around supporting ethical, locally-owned and eco-conscious providers wherever possible.
Bacalar In A Nutshell
Highlights
- 🌊 Magical Fresh Water Lagoon
- 🚣 Water Activities Paradise
- 🪄 Relatively Eco-conscious Community
- 💻 Cozy Cafés for Remote Workers
- 🌮 Restaurants for all Budget Types
- 🛝 Bustling Central Park with Food Vendors
- 🚌 Easily Accessible via Cancún & Belize
Downsides
- 🦟 Mosquitos are Aggressive
- 🏖️ Slightly Touristy Vibe
- 💰 Relatively High Prices
- 🤔 Less Cultural & Historical Sites
Mosquitos In Bacalar
While I would much rather talk about the 7 brilliant tones of the lagoon, there is a major issue in Bacalar – Mosquitos. 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.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Colorful Lagoon
The 7-tone lagoon is Bacalar's main attraction - a 37-mile (60km) long freshwater body (2nd largest in Mexico) surrounded by a few popular sink holes.
Sink Holes
Sinkholes known as Cenotes in Mexico are caves filled with cool & clear water with Cenote Azul being the deepest in Bacalar at 300 feet (90 meters).
Lagoon Rapids
Known as Los Rapidos in Mexico, these are natural water currents & rapids that connect portions of the Bacalar Lagoon akin to a natural adventure park.
Things To Do In Bacalar
1. Visit Cenote Azul
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 pesos fee. Only locals come through this backdoor entry so follow the signs, be respectful and keep it clean.
Additional Info
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- 10AM–6PM
- Location
- Walking Distance
2. Explore The Central Park
Town squares are some of the most lively areas in Mexico and Bacalar's central park is filled with food vendors from all over Mexico. At night, artists sell their handmade crafts. You can find them scattered throughout the park.
My friend took me walking at night all around the park and it kinda became a daily ritual after the first day.
Additional Info
- Price
- Free
- Hours
- Always Open
- Location
- Walking Distance
3. Swim At Bacalar Eco Park
Swimming for free at Bacalar is surprisingly difficult with all the restaurants and beach clubs pay-walling it. This Eco Park is a short but lush boardwalk trail to walk through. Be sure to take bug repellent and something to protect against the sun because there's little to no shade here.
Additional Info
- Price
- 20 MXN Pesos
- Hours
- 9AM–6:30PM
- Location
- Walking Distance
4. Kayak To Canal De Los Piratas
One of the most beautiful spots in the lagoon is Canal De Los Piratas. It's a shallow canal has beautiful colors and can be visited by paddle boarding and boat tours as well. There's a ship wreck that symbolizes the pirates that actually came from the through the lagoon. The kayak rental at this rate is for 3 hours.
Additional Info
- Price
- 500 MXN Pesos
- Hours
- Always Open
- Location
- Walking Distance
5. Float Down Los Rapidos
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.
Additional Info
- Price
- 500 MXN Pesos
- Hours
- Always Open
- Location
- Walking Distance
6. Go On A Sailing Tour
Shared tours (colectivos) can be a lot more economic compared to private tours which are 10x the price at around 3500 MX Pesos. There are dozens of tours along the main town square and park so you can shop around while you are exploring.
Additional Info
- Price
- 450 MXN Pesos
- Hours
- Always Open
- Location
- Walking Distance
7. Visit Fuerte De San Felipe
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.
Additional Info
- Price
- 110 MXN Pesos
- Hours
- 9AM–7PM
- Location
- Walking Distance
What To Eat In Bacalar
Unlike the rest of Mexico, Bacalar isn't really known for its cuisine. The only two popular treats that are local to Bacalar include Marquesitas and Pozole de Cacao which is famously sold by the street sides. Regardless, the little town has excellent cafés and restaurants.
Where To Eat In Bacalar
Bacalar has tons of street food at the central park, coffee shops and restaurants with dishes that some even claim are Michelin Star worthy. For snacks, try local ice cream, popsicles, boiled corn on a stick (elotes) and a ton of goodies at bakeries.
- Tamales Lataba - budget street food, vegan option
- La Casa de Lauu - mid-range restaurant, vegetarian option
- Nixtamal - for a luxury dinner night, vegetarian option
- Madre Masa - decent café, relatively cheap, no internet
- Mr. Taco - relatively expensive, vegetarian option
- Marquesita Stalls - local snack, relatively expensive
- Enamora Café - cute corner café, local art gallery
- Agni Vital Kitchen - upscale plant-based restaurant, serves breakfast
- Mango Y Chile - upscale, fully vegetarian, lagoon view
- Yerba Buena - upscale, plant-based restaurant, serves breakfast
Night Life In Bacalar
- La Catrina - salsa and dance
- El Galeón - bar and cultural center
- Yak Lake House - special events
- Xolo Bar - billiards and drinks
Where To Stay In Bacalar
Besides world-class restaurants, Bacalar has a budget, luxurious and eco-friendly accommodations. These are a few that came under my radar and some I stayed at.
Hostel Xibalá
Hostel Xibalbá is a solid choice if you're passing through Bacalar. Here's the quick 101 to help you decide.
- Incredibly clean
- Centrally located (Next to old bus station)
- Best bang for buck at 200 MXN Pesos (~$11 USD)
- Super helpful staff of volunteers with good vibes
- Requires security deposit of 100 MXN Pesos for key
- Free breakfast included but very basic toast, jam, coffee, oatmeal (no fruits)
- Free water included
- Dorm room of only 5 beds and shared bathroom in dorm
- Wifi didn't reach my dorm (no extender)
Facts About Bacalar
- 🌈 7 brilliant tones is the signature mark of Bacalar's lagoon seen clearly on sunny days.
- 🕳️ The lagoon was also formed by 7 sink holes (cenotes) that surround it.
- 🌊 Bacalar has the second-largest lagoon at 27 miles long (43km) in the Yucatan region.
- 📜 Stromatolites are the oldest living beings at 3.5 million years old found at the lagoon.
Getting To Bacalar
Bacalar To Belize
- From Bacalar, take a colectivo from this location which is in front of a small bus station that sells ADO bus tickets. $2.50 USD60 MXN Pesos
- Ensure you take the van and not the small taxis since the vans drop you off closer to your final destination in Chetumal.
- The bus should drop you off close to the Old ADO Bus Terminal which is a 15-minute walk away from Mercado Nuevo.
- From Mercado Nuevo, take a Belize Bus from Chetumal to Belize City or one of the local Belize towns in before that. Follow the schedule carefully. Buses are extremely limited and packed on weekends. $7.00 USD
- Prepare to pay the Mexico Tourism Tax (DNI). Your flight ticket breakdown should include this fee which you can show to the immigration official. 45.00 USD
Alternative
- Marlin Espadas: $41.50 USD
- ADO Bus: $34.50 USD
Belize To Bacalar
- From the Novelo's Bus Station in Belize City, take the local bus all the way to Corozal (Border Town). $6.00 USD
- From Corozal, go to this Belize Border Bus Stop (under a tree) where you can take combis to the old border (Belize Side) which you can walk across. $1.50 USD
- Prepare to pay the Belize Exit Tax. $20.00 USD
- From the Old Border in Belize, walk across the Old Border (Mexico) to this Santa Elena Bus Stop and wait for a colectivo labeled Santa Elena Chetumal. This will drop you off on the street in front of Plaza Las Americas. $1.00 USD20 MXN Pesos
- From Plaza Las Americas, walk over to the Chetumal-Bacalar Colectivo Bus Stop and wait for a white/yellow taxi that takes you to the Bacalar ADO Bus Terminal. $2.50 USD50 MXN Pesos
Alternative
- ADO Bus: $34.50 USD
- Marlin Espadas: $41.50 USD
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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.
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