10 Best Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico: A Complete Guide

Oh Bacalar… one of our favourite spots in all of Mexico! The little town is best known for its incredible Lagoon of Seven Colours and laid-back vibes.

Despite being only a few hours south of popular destinations like Cancún & Tulum, Bacalar remains relatively off the beaten path for most visitors. Although, it’s gaining more and more traction with its crystal-clear waters, fascinating history and unique activities.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Bacalar, plus how to get there, where to stay, when to visit, and more. With this info, you should have all you need to plan the perfect trip to this blue gem in south-eastern Mexico!

When to Visit Bacalar

The majority of activities in Bacalar are outdoors, best enjoyed with clear, blue skies.

Therefore, the best time to visit Bacalar is during the dry season, which is typically from November to April. 

Shoulder months such as October and May may be quieter, but these come with the risk of rain showers that might dampen your outdoor fun!

How to Get to Bacalar

Bacalar is located close to the Belize border on the south-east coast, just south of Cancún, Tulum & Playa del Carmen. That means it’s pretty easy to visit as part of your trip to most parts of the Yucatán peninsula. It’s a particularly popular stop for backpackers who are looking to cross the border into Belize too.

With smooth roads connecting the region, it’s super easy to drive yourself there or take buses from various other popular stops – like the aforementioned Cancún, Playa del Carmen & Tulum.

We used Mexico’s great bus system to get from Cancún down to Bacalar, and booked tickets via Busbud in advance. 

Booking with Busbud

Just a quick note on Busbud… it was our saviour for booking buses in and around Mexico.

We’re classic planners who love to have everything booked in advance rather than leaving things to chance. A lot of buses we got on were full and we hate the idea of our chosen bus being sold out and being stuck in a city for an extra day!

That’s why booking our buses in advance on Busbud was perfect for us. Benefits include:

• You have the ability to book your tickets before you even arrive in Mexico, or on the go
• It saved us having to try and communicate poorly with shocking levels of Spanish at the ticket counters
• Tickets are held on the app
• You can choose your seat ahead of time (people really stick to their given seats in Mexico).

You can, of course, rock up to the ticket counter on the day of travel and task the risk, but for us the knowledge that we had a secure onward journey that worked with our timetable was more important.

Check out Busbud’s website here

10 Best Things to Do in Bacalar

Time for the list of things to do! These are in no particular order, although 1-3 were our favourites while we were there…

1. Visit Los Rápidos

If you do just one activity in Bacalar, let it be Los Rápidos. This stunning spot features a natural canal of turquoise water with a gentle current, meaning you can enter at one end and simply float and enjoy being whisked to the other.

The underwater stromatolites (ancient microbial structures) add a unique touch to this natural wonder. There’s also hammocks and chairs to relax in, a restaurant and bar, so it’s a perfect place to spend a few hours.

• Info: Please don’t wear suncream as the ancient stromatolites are slowly being destroyed by chemicals in the water from suncream. Go earlier or later in the day when there is less UV or wear long sleeves if you are prone to sunburn.
• Getting there: Los Rápidos is about a 20-minute drive from Bacalar’s town centre, so you’re best taking a taxi if you don’t have a hire car.
• Cost: MX $225 per person (about £9 or US $12)

Check out our complete guide of how to visit Los Rápidos [COMING SOON] which includes opening times, how to get there, what to bring and our top tips!

2. Take a Lagoon Boat Tour

No trip to Bacalar is complete without actually getting on the Lagoon of Seven Colours by boat. The best way to enjoy the lagoon is as part of a tour, which typically includes stops at well known spots like the Pirate’s Channel, Cenote Negro and Bird Island.

• Experience: We opted for an affordable group tour that included free beers & snacks, plus a very chill guide who gave our group plenty of time to chill and be flexible.
• Duration: Most tours last 2-3 hours
• Cost: It depends which package you go for. We did this one with GetYourGuide and it cost around MX $550 (roughly £22 or US $29.50) and included 3 hours on the boat, 3 beers per person, fruit & snacks. We were in a small group of only 6 people.

3. Explore the San Felipe Fort

Step back in time with a visit to San Felipe Fort, a historical site built in the 18th century to defend against pirates. The fort’s small museum provides insight into Bacalar’s history, and the views of the lagoon from here are stunning.

• Time needed: About 30 minutes – 1 hour.
• Cost: Entrance fee is MX $110 (£4.40 or US $5.90), which includes access to the site & museum.

4. Paddleboard at Sunrise

For an unforgettable experience, rent a paddleboard or join a paddle tour to enjoy the calm waters at sunrise. The early morning light on the water is incredible – what a way to start your day!

• Where to rent: Many accommodations and rental shops in Bacalar offer paddleboards for around MX $200-300 per hour during the day.

You can also pre-book online if you want to secure your paddleboard for sunrise. This option looks great: Bacalar: Sunrise Paddleboard Tour with Floating Picnic. It comes with a guide, breakfast & is only MX $550. 

If you also enjoy yoga why not check out the Bacalar: Yoga Class & Breakfast at the Lagoon of Seven Colors for a slightly different experience!

5. Spend a few nights glamping 

Just a few minutes drive outside of Bacalar town are a few glamping spots which sit directly on the lagoon. Imagine a calm nights sleep in a fancy tent, then waking up to the sunrise across the lagoons waters… hard to beat!

Often, you’ll find extra activities on offer at these resorts, such as yoga, kayaking, paddleboarding & bikes if you want to head into Bacalar town. 

We stayed at Asana Bacalar in a private tent with a shared bathroom for 2 nights and it was the perfect spot to both relax and keep the experience budget-friendly!

6. Relax at the Free Public Docks

If you’re looking to chill without spending a penny, head to one of Bacalar’s free public docks, a handful of which are located within a 5-minute walk from the town centre. They’re perfect to spend some time swimming, relaxing, enjoying the views and spending a nice day.

You can also visit at sunrise to watch the sun come up as the paddleboarders glide past and stay put for the day! Make sure you bring some snacks and a towel!

We found this free dock to be the best place to watch the sunrise in the morning, but the entire shore is east-facing so you won’t be disappointed wherever you find.

7. Visit the Pirate Channel (El Canal de los Piratas)

A scenic and historic spot in Bacalar’s lagoon, known for its turquoise waters and links to the region’s pirate history. You can stop here during a boat tour or combine with an afternoon spent kayaking yourself.

It’s great for swimming and has shallow waters perfect for relaxing.

8. Kayak to & Swim in Cenote Cocalitos 

Cenote Cocalitos is a fantastic chill-out area, known for its stunning crystal-clear water and stromatolites (ancient rock-like formations).

The hammocks half suspended in the water are just *chef’s kiss* on a warm day with a Corona in hand and good company. It’s also surrounded by soft grass so you can bring a towel and spend time here getting in some proper relaxation!

• Cost: MX $100 per person, which is roughly £4 or US $5.50.

9. Swim and Dive at Cenote Azul 

Just a short drive from Bacalar, Cenote Azul is a deep freshwater sinkhole surrounded by lush greenery that you can swim in to enjoy the cool waters.

If you’ve been to other cenotes in Mexico this might not be the most amazing one BUT the fact that it is so deep is what makes it special. It’s quite popular for diving as the water is so clear, if that’s something you’re interested in. 

• What to expect: The cenote is approximately 90 meters deep and has incredible visibility. There’s also a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy a meal after your swim.
• Getting there: Like Los Rapidos, you’ll likely need a taxi or car to reach Cenote Azul. We walked there, which took 1 hour, then took a taxi on the way back. 
• Cost: MX $100 per person (around £4 or US $5.50)

10. Eat! 

All these epic things to do will leave you feeling rather hungry! Luckily, Bacalar has some great food spots.

These are our recommendations:

🌯 Mi Burrito – super friendly & passionate service with fully customisable burritos! Plenty of veggie/vegan options

🌮 Taquería Abolengo – some of the yummiest and cheapest Tacos al Pastor we had in Mexico – we went back 3 times! 

🥑 Mango and Chile – great veggie/vegan food with lovely staff and views out onto the lagoon

🍕 La Catrina Bacalar – pizza & live music! What more could you want! Music starts from around 9pm

🍝 Trattoria Bacalar – great Italian spot, if you’re craving pasta/pizza or wanting a special date night 

Additional Tips for Visiting Bacalar

Getting around

Taxis and bike rentals are convenient options for short distances. For longer trips, consider renting a car or taking taxis/buses.

Where to stay

If you have a higher budget opt for a lagoon-front hotel. If you are on a budget, glamping just outside of Bacalar for a few nights can give you a lagoon side experience with a lower price tag.