How To Get There

Bacalar is a beautiful destination in Mexico known for its stunning lagoon. Here are various ways to get to Bacalar:

By Bus:

• ADO Buses: ADO buses are a reliable option for traveling within Mexico. You can take an ADO bus to Bacalar from cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum. The journey may take a few hours, and the bus terminal is typically located in the town center.

By Car:

• Renting a Car: Renting a car is a convenient option if you prefer flexibility. You can drive from major cities like Cancun or Playa del Carmen to Bacalar. The journey provides an opportunity to explore the surrounding areas at your own pace.

Shared Shuttles or Tour:

• Shuttle Services: Some companies offer shared shuttle services and day tours from popular tourist destinations like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun to Bacalar. This can be a comfortable and direct option.

Taxis or Rideshare:

• Local Taxis: You can take a local taxi to Bacalar. Make sure to agree on the fare before starting your journey.

Where To Stay

Bacalar has many accommodation options, including friendly hotels. i would recommend staying in accommodation along the lagoon. Most places will have private piers and kayaks or paddle board for you to use.

What To Do

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Los Rápidos de Bacalar

The rapids in Bacalar are by far the most underrated activity, although they are more of a lazy river than rapids. Check the google maps location here.

Entrance to the rapids cost 150MXN which gives you access to the rapids all day and a lifejacket. There are hammocks, sun loungers along wooden decks, along with bathrooms, changing rooms, showers and a restaurant. Kayaks cost 200 pesos per person, but I would recommend enjoying floating down the rapids with just your lifejacket first.

Since I visited, they have built a wooden pier along the edge of the river to stop people walking along the stromatolites. Stromatolites are what look like white rocks under the water, but they are in fact microbial reefs, formed by teeny photosynthesizing organisms called cyanobacteria. Bacalar is one of the few places on Earth where you can see stromatolites, which not only hold the whole “oldest living organism on Earth” title, but also are incredibly important to our planet. They produce a ton of oxygen and have been named by scientists as equally as important to our environment as forests.

Cenote Azul

Discover the beauty of Cenote Azul, a large, deep cenote with crystal-clear water. Snorkel or swim in its refreshing waters surrounded by lush vegetation. Entrance costs 50 MXN and there are changing rooms, a restaurant, toilets and a place to rent a life jacket for 50 MXN. Click here for the location.

Tip: I would not recommend visiting this cenote if it has been raining as it gets quite muddy and slippery.

Cenote Esmeralda

The primary attraction is the stunning Bacalar Lagoon, known for its different shades of blue. Spend a day swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing along the lagoon’s shores. Cenote Esmeralda is situated in the Lagoon of 7 colours in Bacalar. Because of the depth of the water, (more than 100m) it has a different colour to the water around it.