The Cove

The Seven-Coloured Lagoon is the main reason to visit Bacalar. The various shades of turquoise and blue are created by a combination of varying depths, the light-coloured limestone seabed, sunlight and the weather. You won’t therefore see the colours as vividly every time – they stand out best on a clear day when viewed directly from the water. From the shore, you can access the lagoon via Ecoparque, Balneario Ejidal or Cocalitos, for example.…

The Cove

Regular boat trips moor in the wide, shallow section at the entrance to the Pirate Canal and the famous unfinished structure. That’s exactly how our visit went – we went for a swim by the canal, but we didn’t actually sail through it. If you want to travel through it all the way to the calmer Mariscal Lagoon, the safest option is a kayak or a paddleboard. [btn "Compare boat trips around the lagoon" https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-6486361…

Water Canal

Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to visit Los Rápidos, and looking back, we’re rather sorry about that. According to other visitors, it’s one of the most interesting places in the Bacalar area, though it’s worth knowing exactly what to expect. It’s not a set of wild rapids, but a narrow channel with a natural current that acts as a natural ‘lazy river’. [btn "Book a hotel in Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid=2380460…

Lake, Promenade

We really liked Ecoparque Bacalar, even though its main attraction is really just a long wooden jetty. [btn "View hotel prices in Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bacalar-ecoparque] It winds its way through the mangroves and over the shallow waters of the lagoon, so during a short walk you’ll see Bacalar from a completely different perspective. The views are beautiful, and it was here that we took…

Lake

Cenote Azul is the most easily accessible standalone cenote in the Bacalar area. You don’t need to book an organised tour – you can get there from the town centre by car, taxi or Uber. We used Uber without any problems, but bear in mind that, due to the small number of drivers, you may have to wait more than 20 minutes for a ride. [btn "View hotel prices in Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bacalar…

Lake, The Cove

Although Cocalitos is labelled a cenote, a visit feels more like a simple natural swimming spot on the shores of the Seven-Coloured Lagoon. This is precisely where we see its greatest advantage over Cenote Azul – you can swim in the shallow, turquoise waters of the lagoon, surrounded by a lawn, several palapas, swings and hammocks suspended above the water. [btn "View hotel prices in Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid…

Swimming pool

Balneario Ejidal Mágico is one of the largest and best-known public swimming pools in Bacalar. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the main square, making it one of the most easily accessible options if you just want to have a quick swim in the lagoon. [btn "Find a hotel in the centre of Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bacalar-balneario] The site offers a shallow entry into the water, a jetty, swings,…

Fortress

San Felipe Fort stands right in the centre of Bacalar and adds a lovely touch to a stroll between the main square and the lagoon. It dates back to the first half of the 18th century, when it was built to protect the town from pirate attacks. In our opinion, the view from the outside is the most beautiful part – the stone walls seem almost out of place in the otherwise colourful and laid-back town of Bacalar. [btn "Find a hotel in the centre of…

Square

We really liked the main square, also known as the Parque Principal or Zócalo. It’s not just a must-see spot with the colourful ‘Bacalar’ sign, but the true, vibrant heart of the town, which you’ll probably pass through several times a day. [btn "Find a hotel in the centre of Bacalar" https://www.booking.com/city/mx/bacalar.en.html?aid=2380460;label=p-bacalar-zocalo] Around the square you’ll find a chemist’s, small shops, food stalls and…