Bacalar Travel Guide: How to Get There, Where to Stay, and What to Do

If you like turquoise water, colorful streets, and days that don’t feel rushed, Bacalar will win you over quickly.

In August 2024, Kevin and I finally made the trip — and immediately wondered why we’d waited. We’d had our eye on it for years. This small Pueblo Mágico in the far south of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, just shy of the Belize border, still feels lost in time. No resort strip. No chain restaurants. Just friendly faces, local shops, and one giant freshwater lagoon that’s other worldly.

It’s also known as La Laguna de los Siete Colores — the Lagoon of Seven Colors. The name’s not marketing spin. Different depths and sunlight bouncing off a limestone bottom turn the water from pale turquoise to deep navy. It’s freshwater, so no salt, no seaweed, no waves. Just calm mornings, easy swimming, and a view you’ll think about long after you’ve returned home – in fact it’s still the screensaver on my phone!

View from our dock

Here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.

Best Time to Visit Bacalar

When you go will affect your experience.

  • Dry season (November–April): Blue skies, lower humidity, and perfect swimming weather. This is the busiest time.
  • Rainy season (May–October): Afternoon showers roll in, but they’re usually quick. The lagoon can cloud up for a bit but clears fast. Quieter streets, better prices.
  • Tip: The town faces east — don’t miss sunrise.
Pontoon Cruise – Swimming

How to Get to Bacalar, Mexico

There are a few easy ways to reach Bacalar:

  • By bus: We took the ADO from Mérida — big seats, cold AC, and no drama. Direct buses also run from other Yucatán and Quintana Roo hubs.
  • By plane: Fly into the airport in Chetumal (about 40 minutes away) and grab a taxi or shuttle.
  • By train: The Tren Maya station opened in Bacalar in late 2024. From there, you’re in town in minutes by taxi or colectivo. If you’re traveling through the region, it can save hours compared to buses. We can’t wait to try this when we return to Mexico.
  • From Belize: Cross at Corozal and catch a taxi or colectivo.

Getting Around Bacalar

Bacalar’s compact, but the midday sun might change your walking plans – bring a hat and sunscreen.

  • Walking: We stayed lagoonfront and walked to most meals. Sidewalks are uneven, and shade is hit-or-miss.
  • Bikes & scooters: Easy to rent and great for getting to Los Rápidos or the quieter lagoon edges. Just watch for potholes and stealth speed bumps.
  • Taxis & Uber: Taxis are easiest to find at the bus station or through your hotel. Colectivos head to nearby spots but on their own schedule. Uber is also an option.
  • By boat: Not transport — just fun. Pontoon, kayak, or sail for lagoon views you can’t get from shore.
Ice Cream Stop Number 1000

Where to Stay in Bacalar

No high-rises or mega-resorts here — most stays are small-scale and locally run.

Lagoonfront or in town?

  • Lagoonfront: sunrise views, dock access, and quick swims – we loved our airbnb with a dock.
  • In-town: saves money and still close to everything.

Options include:

  • Boutique hotels and eco-lodges
  • Budget hostels with shared docks
  • Vacation rentals from one-room casitas to full houses
  • Remote retreats outside town for a quieter stay

Ask before booking: AC, Wi-Fi, filtered water, and if there’s a dock.

Best Things to Do in Bacalar

  1. Get on the lagoon.
    Kayak, sail, or book a pontoon cruise. You’ll pass cenotes, mangroves, and the Pirate Channel — once used by actual pirates. 100% recommend a pontoon cruise!
  2. Visit Los Rápidos.
    A narrow stretch with a steady current you can float. Stromatolites grow here — they look like rocks but are alive, so no touching.
  3. Eat around town.
    Mix it up — casual spots, local favorites, and always add a stop for ice cream – it was part of our daily routine.
  4. Find the murals.
    Bacalar’s street art is everywhere. We spent part of a day snapping pics.
  5. Watch the sunrise.
    If you’re lagoonfront, it’s as easy as walking to the dock.
So many murals

What to Know Before You Go

  • It’s freshwater. No salt, no seaweed, no waves.
  • Stromatolites are protected. Over 3 billion years old and alive — don’t touch them.
  • Pirate Channel history: In the 1600s–1700s, pirates used it to move goods inland from the Caribbean.
  • Tourism is still small-scale. Wi-Fi can be spotty, and AC isn’t a given.

Fun Facts About Bacalar

  • It’s one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, recognized for culture, history, and natural beauty.
  • The lagoon’s colors change with depth, minerals, and sunlight.
  • Development is picking up, but it’s still far from crowded.

So, Should You Go?

Heck Yea! Bacalar is relaxed, affordable, and still under the radar.

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