Bacalar was our next stop after having spent a few (welcomed) days away from beaches in the cities of Valladolid and Merida. Bacalar did however take us back to more beaches, hammocks, lagoons, and cenotes and don’t get us wrong, we’re not complaining.

Bacalar does get its fair share of tourists, but it is nowhere near as crowded as some other destinations in the Yucatan peninsula, such as Tulum.

Getting from Valladolid to Bacalar

Getting from Valladolid to Bacalar was a 6 hour ADO bus ride costing MXN 456 each.

Things to do in Bacalar

Cenote Cocalitos

Getting to the Cenote was a short 15 minute taxi ride from Bacalar town costing MXN 60. 

Access to the Cenote opens at 10:00, and we paid an entrance fee of MXN 50. We arrived at the Cenote right before 10:00, so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves for an hour or two. There is a small restaurant on site and the lagoon itself with its clear, mostly knee high waters and a few hammocks and swings is quite beautiful.

As more people showed up, the hammocks and swings turned into what seemed like a historic relic with people swarming them and lining up to take photos. Cenote Cocalitos is famous for the presence of one of the oldest living organisms but it seemed that the hammocks and swings still got all the attention.

Ultimately, we were glad to have shown up early. It was peaceful for a few hours and we really felt that a few hours is all you need at the lagoon. 

Parque Nacional Maracuya

Parque Nacional Maracuya is around a 20 minute walk from Bacalar town. The Parque is simply a largish food court with a few tables and deckchairs on a dock. It’s quite nice actually and we enjoyed a whole afternoon there. 

We ordered a veggie burger and fries each and when the food arrived, the server showed up with four burgers in total. We of course told him that they weren’t ours and there must have been some mistake. We were assured that it wasn’t and all food orders were 2 for 1.  

Kayaking in Laguna Bacalar

Bacalar Lagoon was closed for conservation on Wednesdays when we were there. Check with tour offices about this before making any plans to Kayak in the lagoon. 

Renting the Kayak simply involved showing up early at the lagoon on the day, and in our case agreeing on a price of MXN 300 for 2 hours. We were glad we rented the Kayak early in the morning and we certainly recommend trying to set out as early as possible to catch the sunrise.

We first Kayaked towards Canal De Los Pirates. This is one of the main Kayak spots in the lagoon and we could understand why. It’s a beautiful canal, famous for being a pirate route between the Hondo River and the Bacalar Lagoon.

We then Kayaked towards Cenote Negro. This Cenote is the deepest cenote in Bacalar and its name is due to the darkness of the water. We spent some time swimming in the Cenote and then Kayaked back to where we rented our Kayaks.

Bacalar Town

Bacalar is not yet a very popular destination in Mexico. It has a very relaxed and laid back vibe and we enjoyed walking around and exploring the town. Fort of San Felipe of Bacalar is a popular landmark.

The few bars and restaurants found in the streets of Bacalar town also have a relaxed and authentic feel.

How many days to spend in Bacalar?

We would suggest spending at least 3 days in Bacalar. This should give you enough time to enjoy the the lagoon without being rushed. If you truly want to appreciate the beautiful colours of the lagoon, we would suggest renting a kayak and exploring the Bacalar laguna (kayaking at sunrise/sunset is an even better experience!)