The Mexican Lagoon That Looks Straight Out of a Dream—And Hardly Anyone Knows About It

In this article you’re going to learn everything you need to know about the pueblo magico (magic town) of Bacalar Mexico — and how to visit Bacalar Lake like a pro!

As more and more people discover this Mexico hidden gem, it is quickly becoming a must visit Yucatan destination, and finding its way to the top of many a Mexico bucket list.

Ready to travel to Laguna Bacalar? Let’s get to it!

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What Makes Bacalar So Special?

The answer is: beautiful Laguna Bacalar (AKA Bacalar Lake, Lago Bacalar or Lake Bacalar) — and as you might have gathered, the main things to do in Bacalar involve being in, on, and around the lagoon.

Though it’s a pueblo (small town), there are actually quite a few things to do in Bacalar beyond simply taking a blissful swim in Bacalar Lagoon.

There are also some cenotes near Bacalar that you’ll want to check out, and a couple of notable things to see in Downtown Bacalar.

Located just outside of town, there are also Mexico Mayan Ruins near Bacalar, and also a nearby Mexico beach town you can check out.

Ready to learn exactly what to do in bacalar so you have an epic trip? Let’s get to this list of the 10 Best Things to Do in Bacalar Mexico.

1. Bacalar Boat Tours

As mentioned, Lake Bacalar is the second largest freshwater lake in Mexico — large, as in, 26-miles-long (42 km).

The best way to explore Bacalar and really to see it all is by boat. I recommend you book one of theses best Bacalar tours.

On nearly all tours of Bacalar Lagoon, you’ll take a motorboat or sailboat ride to see some of the lagoon’s best sites.

The boat rides are peaceful, thanks to Bacalar’s calm waters.

These best things to see in Bacalar include the Canal de los Piratas (Pirate’s Channel), Cenote la Bruja (Witch’s Cenote) and Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island).

The Pirate’s Channel also connects the main lake and the Laguna Mariscal Lagoon.

2. SUP Paddle Boarding in Bacalar

Ever wanted to try standup paddle boarding (SUP)? Bacalar is the perfect palace because of this calm water this lagoon in Mexico has.

Many Bacalar Airbnbs, hotels and hostels have SUP boards available for free or rent.

Also, several companies in Bacalar offer lessons, tours, and sometimes even SUP yoga classes.

3. Kayaking in Bacalar Mexico

Want a more sit-down type of activity? Besides standup paddle boarding, Lake Bacalar kayaking is very popular as well.

Like the paddle boards, most Lake Bacalar hotels, resorts and hostels have free or rental kayaks on site, or you can go with a tour.

Your hotel or hostel staff can also give you an overview of how far away from your accommodation venture while kayaking Bacalar Lagoon.

Since the lake is so huge, you’ll want to have an idea of how far you’re planning to head out, keeping in mind you have to kayak that exact distance back.

4. Best Bacalar Cenotes

In case you’re wondering What is a cenote? — They are basically underwater sinkholes filled with the fresh water that flows beneath the entire Yucatan Peninsula.

In total, Mexico has about 6,000 cenotes! There are a few cenotes in and around Bacalar, with three of them in the lagoon itself.

1. Cenote la Bruja (Witch’s Cenote)

Located inside the lake, many of the boat tours will take you to see this cenote.

Sometimes called Cenote Negro (Black Cenote), the water here is about 250-feet-deep (76 m) so they don’t encourage swimming in it.

When boating over it you’ll see the dark blue, almost black, water beneath you.

2. Cenote Cocalitos at Cocalitos beach Club

Head to Cocalitos Balneario (beach club) to go swimming in the cenote. This is one of the most popular places for travelers in Bacalar.

3. Cenote esmeralda (Emerald Cenote)

Cenote Esmeralda is located in Laguna Bacalar, between Cenote Cocalitos and Cenote la Bruja.

5. Cenote Azul Bacalar

Besides Bacalar Lagoon itself, the second most popular place to swim is Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote).

It is also one of the deepest cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, at about 300-feet-deep (91.5 m).

💙 Mexico travel tip: There is also one of the Tulum cenotes named Cenote Azul, so make sure you’re always looking at info about the Azul Cenote in Bacalar!

Cenote Azul is not connected to Bacalar Lake, but makes for another great place to spend the day.

There is an on-site restaurant, lockers for your stuff and bathrooms.

6. Los Rapidos Bacalar

Located on the southern end of the lake Los Rapidos (The Rapids) is one of the most popular places to spend the day.

It is also a Bacalar balneario, but located far enough away from all the others that you’ll have to grab a taxi and plan to spend a good part of the day there.

At Los Rapidos, there’s a restaurant, bar, kayak rentals, water hammocks, swings, bathrooms, and as the name implies, fast-moving rapids you play in.

If you get there early enough, you can grab one of the beds by the edge of the lake, where you can hang out all day.

Even if you can’t get there early, don’t skip Los Rapidos! It’s one of the best Bacalar things to do, and located near Xul-Ha, which is the best side of Bacalar.

7. Fuerte de San Felipe Fort (Downtown Bacalar)

While not a very large area, there are a few things to do and see in Downtown Bacalar. Three of the top things to see are:

• Parroquia de San Joaquin (Saint Joaquin’s Parish), an 18th Century Spanish colonial church
• Big, colorful Bacalar letters sign in the Town Square
• Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar, a historic fort in the center of town

If you do a Bacalar boat tour, you’ll definitely go see the Canal de los Piratas (Pirate’s Channel).

A fun fact about the history of Bacalar is that back in the day, this part of Mexico was very susceptible to pirate attacks.

Nowadays pirates are less of an issue, so visitors can see the fort and cannons once used to defend the town. It also offers one of the best views in the entire lake.

8. Head to Mahahual Beach & Xcalak

While Bacalar Lagoon does look like a beach, it is in fact, a lake.

If you want to visit a real Mexico beach, head to the towns of Mahahual (pronounced ma-hah-wall) and Xcalak (pronounced esh-kah-lack).

Mahahual, Mexico, located on the Costa Maya, is one of the best Mexican Caribbean beaches for snorkeling.

Located a bit further south of Mahahual, Xcalak is great for diving if you’re looking for something to do under the water.

🚙💨 Bacalar is located about 1.5 hours from Mahahual by rental car or on the Bacalar to Mahahual bus.

9. Bacalar Zip Lines at Tirolesas Kan K’in

While there’s peace, quiet and relaxation on the lake, adrenaline junkies will want to head to Tirolesas Kan K’in Park to enjoy their ziplines.

They have numerous ziplines, offering great views of the lake and surrounding Mayan jungle tree canopy, and you can also do some Bacalar hiking at the park.

10. Mayan Ruins Near Bacalar

Want to visit some Mayan Ruins in Mexico? Some of the best Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan are located not far from Bacalar.

The Mayan archeological sites near Bacalar include Chacchoben, Kohunlich, Dzibanche, Oxtanka, Kinichna and Santa Rita.

Those wanting to visit Chichen Itza should know it’s quite far from Bacalar, so you’ll want to consider the ruins close to Bacalar if you have limited time.

1. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

Chacchoben Ruins (pronounced cha-cho-ben) are among the most visited Mayan ruins Costa Maya Mexico has.

Here, you’ll see three excavated and restored pyramids. Inside the largest one, there’s ancient Mayan hieroglyphic writing.

2. Kohunlich Mayan Ruins

Kohunlich Ruins (pronounced koe-hoon-leech) is a popular day trip from Bacalar, as the Kohunlich site is located about two hours away.

Located deep in the dense jungle, you’ll probably hear and see some howler monkeys as you walk amongst these ancient Mayan structures.

Final Thoughts: Traveling to Bacalar Mexico

We’ve reached the end of this Ultimate Guide to Bacalar, and I hope I helped you discover everything you needed to know before you go.

One things’s for sure: Bacalar Lagoon is one of the most beautiful places in Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula — and you’re going to love it!

For those wanting an alternative to the beach party scene of Cancun and Tulum, Bacalar provides an equally-beautiful, though much more chill, Mexico vacation destination.

While getting to there can be a bit of a trek to get there, the payoff is worth it to swim in the blue Bacalar waters.