BACALAR, MX
Bacalar is one of the gems of the Mexican Caribbean. It's so far south in the country that it is practically Belize. You can be in Belize in about 20 minutes after leaving Bacalar. This is certainly why Bacalar is less traveled than a lot of the other places in the Caribbean of Mexico. It's relatively far from an airport. The sole fact that it's inconvenient to get to, keeps a lot of the riff-raff away. Which is great. That's not to say there isn't tourism here. There certainly is. The place relies almost entirely off of tourism. Bacalar is a town located on one of the most beautiful lagoons on the planet. It’s on Lake Bacalar, which is sometimes referred to as the lagoon of 7 colors. This being because there are 7 distinct different shades of blue that can be witnessed in the lagoon. It's really striking actually — this fresh-water lake. The sand is so pure white, and the water so unbelievably blue it doesn't look real. Especially considering it's fresh-water. Theres almost nothing living in the lake either. Practically entirely void of life. But the water is as fresh and pure as glacial water. The lake being fed solely by groundwater. The lake's stunning different colors of blue are a result of the water reflecting the sun at different depths, resulting in different colors of blue. A lot of the lake is really shallow, so it's easy to just hang out and walk around in about waist-deep water. One of the best things to do — really one of the only things to do in Bacalar, is to hang out on the lake. It's a must to hop on a boat and go on a little tour throughout the day in the lake. It's fun, beautiful, and there's really nothing else to do. That's what Bacalar has going for it from a naturalistic perspective. Outside of that there really isn't much to do, which is what I would say is the main negative about it. It can get a little bit boring. But the town of Bacalar itself is pretty charming. With cool streets to walk around, some good food options, a few fun places to get some drinks and all that. It's a pretty mellow lifestyle here. Don't come here and expect to be constantly on the go. Life is slow and mellow. With nothing to do really outside of the lake, it's a good place to come and relax for a few days. Highly recommend coming and checking it out though. The lake is something that you won't forget.
Bacalar is a slightly inland town located deep in southern Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. It is about as far southeast in Mexico as it is possible to go. The town is located on a 26-mile-long freshwater lake called 'Lake Bacalar', or the 'Lagoon of 7 Colors', due to the fact that there are 7 distinct shades of blue water that can be observed in the lake. The town is also about as close to Belize as you can be. It's only 34 kms, or about a 30-minute drive to the land border. So it is extremely close. It's located right along the highway that goes towards the border. The only town that is close is the coastal town of Chetumal. But you are pretty much as close to Belize as you can get.
So if you are trying to get yourself to Bacalar you are either going to be coming from the North, Cancun, Tulum, etc. Or potentially coming up from Belize. Below are some options for travel. I am going to assume that you will be traveling by land here. If you are coming from Cancun or Belize City maybe you flew in there. But let's just assume that you have already gotten there.
The options are:
FROM THE NORTH, CANCUN - Either way you are going to have to get here from the Cancun bus stop. If you are flying into Cancun, you first need to get there. Once you are at the airport you need to find an ADO bus that will take you to the Cancun bus terminal. There is no direct bus from the airport to Bacalar, like there is to Tulum. Find an ADO bus from there to Bacalar. The trip is going to take you about 6 hours, and will cost ~500 MXP. So the journey from the nearest large international airport is quite long. If you're coming straight to Bacalar, don't expect it to be quick.
FROM THE SOUTH, BELIZE - If you are coming from Belize, you're most likely going to be coming from Belize City. Even if you are out on the islands, those ferries, or planes, are going to take you to Belize City most likely. So you'll be here. There are shuttles, that will handle everything for you from Belize City to Bacalar. One of the options is here. It's going to cost about $50 USD and take about 5 hours. Things are generally more expensive in Belize, so that price isn't all that bad for a 5-hour bus and a border crossing. You will get dropped off in Bacalar. In Belize city, you pick up the bus at the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, which is pretty much where the boat from the islands will drop you off. There is nothing redeeming about Belize City, so just avoid it anyways.
Once you are in Bacalar, everything is pretty walkable. If not, you can just pick up a taxi to take you to your hostel or wherever you need to go. Nothing too hard.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
Bacalar isn't a massive place, but there are a lot of accommodation options. There's a lot of hostels here in town and it won't be hard to find something that works for you. They are kind of all over the place when it comes to price, like $10-$25 per night for a dorm bed. There's realistically good options up and down the price-point scale.
The place is also going to have a lot of hotel options up and down the price spectrum. There are some pretty cheap hotels that are great if you are traveling with someone else and don't want to do a hostel. I actually stayed at a little hotel here with my buddy I was traveling with, and it was nice.
Additionally there's going to be lots of really good Airbnb options all over the place that are good for vacations, or group travelers if you don't want to do a hostel.
Below I am just going to get into the few hostel options.
Probably the most popular place to stay in Bacalar. It's a cool spot and you can go hang out there even if you aren't a guest. It's right on the water, which is going to be unique for all the places that I have recommended here. So you will have the best location from a beauty and what not perspective here at Yak Yak. But it is expensive. You are going to be spending $21 per night at least on a dorm bed. If it were me I would probably stay somewhere else and just come hang out here. They have parties there, and a bar and restaurant.
A cool and modest hostel here in Bacalar. It's designed pretty cool, and is small and intimate enough that you will probably meet some cool people. Not going to be party or anything like that, and the location is good right in town near the restaurants and stuff. It's cheap also, at only $10 per night.
The Bacalar installation of the large Yucatan party hostel chain. It's not all that different from all the rest. It's big, it's nice, and there will be a lot of partying. It has a cool pool, and a huge bar. If you're looking to party, then this is a good option. It will almost always be full of people, so actually make sure you book this one in advance. It's not that expensive either at $15 a night, and the accommodation will be modern and nice.
Certainly the most basic of all the accommodations. But I like places like this. It's going to attract a cool crowd of people who aren't looking for anything fancy. Also they have tents that you can rent, so the super-budget people can come here and rent a tent for cheaper than anything else you can find in town.
EATS
Bacalar has some good places to eat. There's some of the more westernized food spots, as there has been a little bit of a spillover of people coming from Tulum and opening up cool and kind of hip-looking places. But also a lot of good local options. It's not going to be the best food that you will ever have in Mexico, but it's not going to disappoint. There's also a good amount of more expensive spots right on the water, but that's to be expected with more prime real estate.
If you are heading South into the Caribbean and Belize, I would be aware that the food is not going to get better from here. Mexican food is a leg above the Caribbean for sure. That's not to say you can't find good food down there, but it's just not the same. If this is your last stop in Mexico, eat plenty of Mexican food. You're going to miss it pretty soon.
Food Options
The eats in Cozumel can be really really good. But you've gotta get yourself off the really touristy Malecon. Really like anywhere in the world this touristy walk is going to have overpriced food that is not really quality at all. Or reminiscent of the local flavor at all. I personally avoid them at all costs. Really the only time that I will go into tourist traps like this is if I need to buy a beer or something while I wait for example a ferry. I would rather not eat not eat in these places, save my appetite for a legitimately good place that is just down the road or waiting to be found, with just a little bit of added effort. The extra effort in finding a local spot will save you money, and your pallet will thank you. So will the local people who rely on this.
If I had to go to one place in Bacalar I would probably go here. I love burritos though. It's a delicious burrito, wrapped in a banana leaf. It's served from a food truck that has a dedicated little courtyard with tables. Great food, atmosphere, and the price point is good.
Good tacos right in the center of town near the main square. It's all pink inside so it will draw your attention right away. I liked it here a lot.
Certainly a more pricey place to go. But they are serving up good sushi on the south side of town in a cool jungle-like atmosphere. It's going to be expensive though.
Restaurant that only serves vegan and plant -based food. If you like that stuff, then this is the best place in town for it. Cool environment, good food, and a nice view.
Sit-down restaurant right on the lagoon. The food is decent, if not a bit overpriced. I only had some drinks when I came here, but the food is considered good. It's a nice place to hang out.
Cute little cafe spot for breakfast and lunch. Not expensive, nice atmosphere, and has a really nice back patio where everyone eats. A little art gallery out front too.
Really chill little spot for fresh juices and stuff. Nice place in the morning to casually start your day with something fresh.
Much more of a local option. It's to the north of town, so a bit out of the way — but the food is really good and priced really well.
Local option in the center of town with tortas, tacos, burritos etc. The price-point is good, and the food good as well.
and many more...
Lots of places to eat here. All up and down the price spectrum. There's local seafood restaurants on the lagoon, and local spots along the highway near the bus station. Some little carts that serve burgers late night and what not. Try whatever you want. Options all over.
NIGHTLIFE
Bacalar nightlife was really fun from my experience. It's not big, and it's really centered around one place, 'I Scream Bar'. It's not overwhelming or anything, and after a few nights you'll probably have your handle on the whole thing. But that's pretty great after potentially coming from Tulum or something like that where the nightlife can be just too much.
There's bars around the center of town, some nice places on the lagoon to get some drinks with a view, and some of the hostels also double as nightlife options in their own right. It's a fun place at night, but at the same time if you want to be mellow you're not going to feel obligated to take part. A nice kind of combination between the two.
Probably the center of nightlife in Bacalar. It's in the center of town, and the party will spill over into the street. It's a great place to come and get drinks, it will be full of people and fun. It's also designed interestingly with a large back courtyard. Just a generally good time. It's weirdly also an ice cream shop.
Also in the restaurants section, but this is a good spot to just come and get some drinks right on the water. Jungle-like atmosphere, and good views of the lagoon.
This is one of the hostels that also has a bar right on the lagoon. It will be full of backpackers, so a good spot to meet people. They also have parties, so it's a really easy place to come start your night if you are on your own or just want to be around some more people.
Cool little bar right off the lagoon. Near to Yak house, and La Playita. It's a low-key little bar with music, and a great spot for drinks at the beginning of the night or later.
Huge party hostel that has a massive bar, that turns into a party. It's going to be wild and loud with a DJ and it's a good spot to go party or to just start the night and meet people.
Mellow bar and cocktail spot in town. It's got a cool design, and is a good place to just come grab a couple drinks. They also have food that is pretty decent.
SIGHTS
There is really not a whole lot to do in Bacalar if we are being honest. I remember saying that I don't think I could spend all that much time here realistically because of the lack of things to do. I would just get bored. The only things to do here are really associated with the lagoon.
That's why people are here and that's what there is to do. But Bacalar is a really relaxed place. So take this opportunity to just chill. Go and see the Lagoon — it's a must, but other than that just chill, enjoy yourself, don't feel at all like you need to do too much. It's a relaxing, do nothing spot.
If you aren't doing this then I don't even know why you came to Bacalar. It's really one of the only things to do in the whole place. It's a beautiful tour that takes about half the day. You get to go to a few different spots in the lake, and check out the different shades of blue that make up th famous 'Seven Blues Lagoon'. It's a boat tour, and won't cost much.
Cenote Azul is a giant, 90-meter-deep cenote right off of the lagoon. It's a very very dark blue color — almost a scary looking dark blue but it's a cool thing to do one day. You can snorkel, swim, or even scuba-dive in this massive cenote. One of the largest in the country.
Just relaxing on one of the docks is one of the better things to do here in Bacalar. It's pretty mellow, and there's not much to do. So go sit on a dock, have a beer, or read a book. Whatever you like. Linked is a nice dock I hung out on all day once.
There's an old Spanish fort located right in the center of town. The ruins are there that you can just walk around and check out. It's a very easy and cool thing to do.
You on a lake, homies. Nothing happening here.
SURFING