Bacalar – Your Ultimate Guide

Remember this name, Bacalar, and incorporate it into your next Mexican adventure.

Not only is this magical town the perfect place to break your travels between Mexico and Belize, Bacalar is a heavenly destination in its own right. It is home to the sparkling lagoon of seven shades of blue and has fondly acquired the title of being the Maldives of Mexico.

If you haven’t heard of it before, There is a good reason why, It has only started to emerge on the tourist trail over the past couple of years and is still a blissful paradise where you can while away your days on, in and around the water, while you recharge.

I was obviously so zen that I completely forgot to take any photos while I was here, so have instead featured some of my favourite instagram accounts that have posted from Bacalar to tease you with its beauty.

 

Travelling to Bacalar

Bacalar is easy to access, It is a short two hour bus ride from Tulum in the North and only forty minutes to the port town of Chetumal in the south of Mexico. This is where you can take the ferry to or from Belize. The boat takes an hour and half to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye and you can also continue on for another thirty minutes to Caye Caulker, after immigration.

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What to experience in Bacalar

Being a lagoon based town, The highlight here is water sports; You can kayak, swim, jetski, waterski, sail and fish, although my highlight was the sunrise stand up paddle board class.

If you only have time for one thing here, make it this! You will witness the lagoon in all its glory while the sun rises and you soak in gratitude for being alive in this moment. You’ll get a three hour work out, visit the pirates channel, jump off the abandoned wreck and swing into the black cenote (also known as the witches cenote) where the turquoise blue waters swiftly drop off into over 90 metres of pitch black magic… all before the included breakfast at the end.

There are a few companies who do this trip, we chose to book through the Green Monkey Hostel, They also have a sister hostel called the Blue Monkey which is a little out of town, where the tour ends. They drive you back in after breakfast but we chose to walk and explore a little more.

While you’re in town, make sure you take a stroll through San Felipe Fort which was built to protect the town from pirates invading.

 

Where to eat in Bacalar

Being a small town there is not a huge choice of places, But you seriously don’t need any more than my favourites below;

Mango Y Chile – Located near the fort with a brilliant view over the lagoon, this is your vegan heaven in Bacalar. While I am not vegan, This was my favourite place to eat because of how fresh and flavoursome the food is.

La Playita – This place is ‘Tulum cool’ and you can spend the full day here, eating their latin fusion tapas menu, swimming in the lagoon and reading a book in one of the many hammocks while listening to upbeat music with a cocktail in your other hand.

La Pina – A simple, colourful and traditional Mexican restaurant with quality cheap eats.

 

Where to stay in Bacalar

Two nights here is ideal so you get at least one full day but if you’ve got longer and are wanting to relax, you could easily add on time.

Los Aluxes is everything, It’s also home to the Instagram worthy swings over the water.

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Hotel Aires Bacalar is another great option in the centre of town and has a simple, organic design.

If hostels are your thing, The Yak Lake House is the place to be.

 

With over ten years experience in designing travel experiences, you know I have the contacts to enrich your next adventure and make it seamless. You can contact me directly HERE to book your trip.

Leave me a comment below and tag me in your posts from Bacalar @wildheartedworld, I would LOVE to see your experience.

Love,

Dana x