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My information to the easiest issues to do in Bacalar, Mexico – house of probably the most lovely blue lagoon you’ve ever seen!
It’s a uncommon and delightful factor, once you return to someplace you travelled to years in the past and discover it each bit as magical as you bear in mind. In my reminiscence, Bacalar was so dreamy, the lagoon so impossibly cyan, that I used to be anxious I should have exaggerated it into one thing approach past actuality.
Then I headed again for a second go to and located it, if something, even extra particular than I remembered.
Bacalar Lagoon is a big freshwater lake, about 42km lengthy and solely 2km throughout at its widest level. It’s fed by underwater cenotes, and the water – often a vivid, Caribean-sea-blue – is way darker over these deep crevices, resulting in the nickname “lake of seven colors”.
Bacalar city, on the southwestern shore of the lake, is a small, sleepy little place. The city centre is crammed with vibrant murals, some nice eating places, and some energetic bars. Once I first visited, Bacalar was nonetheless fairly “off the overwhelmed path”. Lately, it’s undoubtedly seeing a lift in reputation – with a good few fashionable new bars and eateries popping up – nevertheless it’s nonetheless as tranquil and chilled out as ever.
Alongside stress-free subsequent to Bacalar lake, there are lots extra nice issues to do whilst you’re on the town. Hold studying for the total checklist…
Shortlist: In case you Solely have one Day in Bacalar
In case you’re brief on time, or passing by way of Bacalar in your approach to/from Belize, at some point might be simply sufficient time to see the principle sights. I strongly suggest you spend longer right here if doable, although. It’s such a beautiful city and there’s a lot to see and do close by.
For those who solely have a day, although, right here’s a fast checklist of the can’t-miss stops. Extra data on each within the subsequent part.
Issues to do in Bacalar: Map
READ MORE: How you can Get to Bacalar
15 Issues to do in Bacalar
1. Take a ship cruise on Bacalar Lagoon
One of many hottest issues to do in Bacalar is to take a ship tour of the lagoon. I loved it a lot that I did the identical tour on each my visits to Bacalar.
The basic is a 2-hour tour by lancha (small boat) or ponton (pontoon). You’ll head to all the main sights on Bacalar Lagoon, together with the “Pirates Channel”, a stromatolite reserve, and the underwater cenotes which feed the lake. It’s an effective way to see the hanging distinction within the color of the water at completely different components of the lake.
You’ll discover a great deal of completely different tour corporations in Bacalar, and all supply a really comparable boat tour. The costs are set, so each firm provides the identical value. Ponton excursions are 400 MXN pp and lancha excursions are 300 MXN.
You too can e book personal excursions, crusing excursions, and catamaran cruises. Try these advisable excursions:
2. Go for a Swim in Cenote Azul
Cenotes are pure, water-filled sinkholes the place the ceiling of a limestone cave has collapsed. There are a number of truly beneath Bacalar Lagoon, whereas Cenote Azul is correct subsequent to the lake, separated from the turquoise water by a skinny strip of land.
Cenote Azul is sort of 300ft deep, giving it a profoundly darkish blue color in stark distinction to the neighbouring lake. Swimming on this deep, blue pool is a incredible expertise and one that you just shouldn’t miss once you go to Bacalar.
It’s a couple of ten minute drive from Bacalar city (or a 50 minute stroll). Getting there by taxi ought to price you not more than 60 MXN. You must pay an entrance charge of 25 MXN to go to Cenote Azul. Inside, there’s a restaurant, bathrooms, and a few Instagram-tastic swings (each over the water and in entrance of it.
You too can go scuba diving in Cenote Azul if you wish to discover its depths! Dive centres in close by Mahahaul can organise this.
3. Uncover the stromatolites
Bacalar is house to a fairly distinctive pure phenomenon: stromatolites. These are literally dwelling fossils: at round 3.5 billion years previous they’re the oldest dwelling lifeforms on our planet. They usually’re solely present in a handful of locations around the globe!
So what are stromatolites? Primarily, they’re stony buildings constructed from sediment by microscopic organisms referred to as cyanobacteria. Stromatolites recycle parts like CO2, actively enhancing the surroundings, and it’s thought that these rocky beings are one of many causes the lake’s water is so exceptionally clear.
You possibly can see these dwelling fossils throughout the lake. There’s a stromatolite sanctuary in entrance of the Cocolitos baleario, and a handful of them in entrance of Seaside Membership Blu – in addition to the well-known channel of them at Los Rapidos.
While you witness these dwelling fossils in Bacalar, PLEASE assist shield them! Don’t contact or stand on them in any respect, as this may do irreversible injury. You additionally shouldn’t put on suncream within the lake (even the reef-safe variety): I counsel sporting a rash vest as a substitute.
4. Take in Native Historical past at San Felipe Fort
San Felipe Fort dominates downtown Bacalar. It was in-built 1733 to guard the city from repeated pirate assaults, and has a really attention-grabbing historical past.
Pirates would sail up the Hondo River and thru the swamps that encompass Bacalar to raid the city. These aren’t the loveable rogues of Holywood motion pictures, however vicious criminals whose assaults in town have been devastating – therefore the necessity for a full navy fort. Its hilltop place overlooking the lake additionally means the views from San Felipe Fort are spectacular!
Contained in the fort is a small museum which outlines the historical past of Bacalar and sheds just a little extra mild on the story of the pirates. Entrance is 110 MXN for overseas guests (55 for locals) – although in the event you go to later within the day the ticket officer could solely cost you half value.
5. Discover Downtown Bacalar
Bacalar’s downtown space is small, and there’s not an entire heap of sights or points of interest right here. However that’s a part of the appeal, actually. It’s a very vibrant space, stuffed with avenue artwork murals, cute outlets, and nice eateries. And, in fact, the enduring “Bacalar” signal, as a result of it’s a Pueblo Magico (cities famous for his or her pure magnificence, tradition, historical past, and many others).
Simply go for a wander and see what you discover – ensuring to swing by these essential sights…
- Bacalar Signal – vibrant register entrance of the Zocalo, proper subsequent to San Felipe Fort.
- The Zocalo – central sq. with a beautiful park surrounded by some nice cafes, eating places and bars. Go to round sundown, when a whole bunch of noisy birds descend on the bushes within the park.
- Parroquia de San Joaquin – a small, fairly Nineteenth-century church devoted to the city’s patron saint.
- San Felipe Fort – see above.
6. Take in all the road artwork murals
One of many issues I really like most about Bacalar is the abundance of avenue artwork. Within the blocks surrounding the Zocola (the central sq.), you’re laborious pressed to discover a avenue that doesn’t have no less than one gorgeous mural on it.
Once more, simply go for a wander and see what you discover! Avenida 5 is without doubt one of the finest streets for murals: begin on the Zocalo and head north.
7. Float on a Pure Lazy River at Los Rapidos
Regardless of having been to Bacalar a number of occasions, I’ve nonetheless by no means been to Los Rapidos. That’s simply YET another excuse to go again to the gorgeous lagoon, as a result of this is without doubt one of the high issues to do in Bacalar.
Los Rapidos is a slender, mangrove-lined part of Bacalar Lake which kinds a type of canal with a pure “lazy river”. You possibly can stroll to the far finish after which float again alongside the channel on these currents!
The channel is lined with stromatolites, so it’s an incredible place to see these “dwelling fossils” up shut with a snorkel. Simply PLEASE don’t contact or stroll on them!
There’s a seaside membership and restaurant at Los Rapidos, and you must pay to enter. However, you possibly can simply make a full day trip of your go to: lease a snorkel and spend a while floating alongside the channel. Additionally they lease kayaks and paddleboards to benefit from the lake.
8. Loosen up at a Bacalar seaside membership
One in every of my favorite issues to do in Bacalar is to easily relax and benefit from the lake. Swim, sunbathe, and laze round… interrupting your silence each jiffy to comment on simply how extremely BLUE that water is!
There aren’t actually any seashores round Bacalar Lagoon – no less than not conventional, sandy seashores such as you’d discover alongside the coast.
As a substitute, there are quite a few balnearios or seaside golf equipment. These are lakeside golf equipment which often have a bar and/or restaurant and several other chairs or solar loungers. Some even have altering rooms and towel leases.
Many have small jetties into the lake, so you possibly can hop straight into the deeper water to swim with out wading by way of the silty mud on the water’s edge. There are hundreds to select from, so listed here are a number of of the most well-liked seaside golf equipment in Bacalar…
- Seaside Membership Blu (my private favorite) – just a little exterior of city, close to Cenote Azul, it is a tremendous chill seaside membership with nice music and a few dreamy views of the lake. It feels just a little distant and quieter than the seaside golf equipment nearer city.
- La Playita – nice meals, good vibes, and an extended jetty for swimming. There’s no minimal spend or entry charge at this one, so long as you eat on the restaurant they appear completely satisfied so that you can stick round and swim!
- Bacalar Seaside Membership – fashionable spot near city with a pool, bar, and decking space with solar loungers.
- Cenote Cocolitos – maybe probably the most well-known seaside membership, nevertheless it’s at present closed (as of Feb 2023).
- Los Aluxes – water hammocks, swings, and a picturesque dock.
- Balneario Ejidal – one of many cheaper and extra rustic seaside golf equipment, however extremely popular with households because it has waterslides which drop out into the lake!
9. Go paddleboarding or kayaking on the lake
On my first journey to Bacalar, I spent a few afternoons exploring the lake by kayak. We rented them from our hostel and spent a very memorable day towing my good friend’s big inflatable swan round behind us!
You possibly can lease kayaks and paddleboards from a wide range of locations across the lake, together with most of the balnearios, or be part of one of many fab excursions listed beneath. It’s an effective way to discover at a slower tempo, and with comparatively calm waters Bacalar is a straightforward place to paddle.
10. Discover the Mayan ruins at Kohunlich
Chichen Itza will get all of the glory, however the Yucatan Peninsula has many extra Mayan and Prehispanic ruins to go to. One, Kohunlich, is inside straightforward attain of Bacalar – so it makes an incredible day journey.
Resulting from unhealthy timing, I sadly wasn’t capable of go to Kohunlich on my final journey. It’s one other one for my “subsequent time” checklist! However a good friend of mine went a number of years in the past and says it’s unbelievable.
The 21-acre web site is surrounded by dense tropical jungle, so it has a very cool, adventurous environment. One of the spectacular buildings is the Temple of the Masks, a pyramid courting from round 500AD, which has a central stairway flanked by large stucco masks.
RECOMMENDED TOUR: Tour to Dzibanche and Kohunlich with 3 Course Meal Included
11. Go to the Pirates Channel (Canal de los Piratas)
The Canal de los Pirates, or Pirate Channel, is one in every of my favorite locations to swim in Bacalar. It’s a synthetic channel which hyperlinks Bacalar Lagoon with the smaller Laguna Mariscal, which in flip is linked by streams and swampland with the River Honda.
It’s thought the channel was initially utilized by Mayans for commerce. Then, through the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it attracted the eye of pirates, who would apparently sneak up the channel with the intention to raid the city.
At this time, it’s a surprising swimming spot recognized for its nearly unnatural-looking turquoise waters. There’s additionally a “shipwreck” to discover: the ruins of a boat-shaped restaurant which collapsed earlier than the constructing was accomplished. These often-graffitied partitions are nice for leaping into the cool waters of the lake.
Many of the boat excursions go to the Pirates Channel, or you possibly can lease a kayak and paddle over there your self.
12. Go Ziplining at Tirolesa Kan Kin Bacalar
Fancy a little bit of journey? Head to Tiorlesas Kan´Kin, a zipline park within the forest close to Bacalar.
There are 5 towers and nearly 1.5km of zipline altogether, permitting for an exciting new perspective on the world! Glide over the treetops and luxuriate in gorgeous views of the jungle and the lagoon. You could even see monkeys and different native wildlife!
13. Take a day journey to the Seaside at Mahahual
Mahahual is one other nice day journey from Bacalar. This small seaside village enjoys clear blue sea and pure white sands backed by swaying palm bushes – so it’s straightforward to see why it’s such a preferred spot with vacationers!
This seaside is thought for its unbelievable coral reefs. There’s one simply off the coast, which you’ll be able to go to with out a boat or a information. Then there’s the protected Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, recognized for its sea turtles, coral reefs, and underwater shipwrecks, the place you possibly can take snorkelling and diving excursions.
14. Dine at a few of these nice eating places
There are loads of nice bars and eating places in Bacalar, from crowded native spots to fashionable new eateries. These are a number of of the perfect…
- Mr Taco – undoubtedly the perfect tacos on the town, probably the perfect I had in Mexico! Tiny, all the time crowded (queues are possible) and WELL value it. The fish and shrimp tacos have been my faves – however there’s an enormous vary with good veggie choices too.
- La Playita – nice seafood and informal eats in a beautiful backyard setting by the lake.
- Mango y Chile – some of the in style vegetarian/vegan eating places in Bacalar with nice views.
- Barbanegra Bacalar – the meals we ordered was hit or miss, however some dishes have been nice and the environment may be very cool.
- Chacá Restaurante – out of doors eating and nice meals at some of the in style eating places on the town.
- Nao – sushi and Japanese meals with lake views.
15. Watch the dawn over the lake
It’s not fairly often that I’ll drag myself off the bed in time to observe the dawn – however in Bacalar, it’s value it! The city (and most lodges) are on the western shore, dealing with east throughout the lake. Which implies you possibly can watch the solar come up over the water, portray the lake in golden tones.
So set your alarm and get your self all the way down to the water’s edge to observe one in every of these very particular lakeside sunrises! It’s completely value it.
