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    Bacalar
    Sharon Hahn Darlin / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Mexico

    Bacalar

    CityNature

    Bacalar is a small town in southern Quintana Roo, about 40 kilometers north of Chetumal, on the shore of the lagoon of the same name.

    1. Home
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    5. Mexico
    7. Yucatán Peninsula
    9. Bacalar
    Bacalar is a small town in southern Quintana Roo, about 40 kilometers north of Chetumal, on the shore of the lagoon of the same name. You come for the Lagoon of Seven Colors, whose water changes from turquoise to deep blue depending on the depth, and for the living stromatolites in its canals. Overlooking the shore is the 18th-century Spanish Fort San Felipe. Since 2006, the town bears the title Pueblo Mágico.
    With around 12,500 inhabitants (2020 census), Bacalar is small and manageable: The town center, including the main square and the fort, is directly on the western shore of the lagoon; most accommodations and swimming spots line the shore. The lagoon is about 55 kilometers long but only about 2.5 kilometers wide at its broadest point. In town, you get around on foot or by bike; for Cenote Azul and Los Rápidos, you'll need a taxi or rental car. You can explore the lagoon by kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or on a boat tour to the Canal de los Piratas.

    Sights in Bacalar

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Fuerte de San Felipe
    Museum

    1Fuerte de San Felipe

    Spanish fort with moat and four bastions on a small hill above the lagoon, built in the 1720s and early 1730s to protect against pirates. The fort's museum displays Maya artifacts, weapons, everyday items, historical maps, and a mural on regional history. From the walls, you gaze over the lagoon.
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    Cenote Azul
    Park

    2Cenote Azul

    A round, very deep cenote south of the town, right next to the lagoon. The dark blue water is clear; you can swim and snorkel. Dives are only recommended with appropriate certification and a guide.
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    Canal de los Piratas
    Attraction

    3Canal de los Piratas

    Narrow waterway opposite the Fort, once used by pirates from Río Hondo to reach the lagoon. Boat tours lead through the shallow, turquoise water. The canal is considered a sensitive zone; motorboats require a permit from the Port Authority.
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    The Rapids of Bacalar
    Attraction

    4The Rapids of Bacalar

    A canal in the south of the lagoon, connecting it with Laguna Xul Há, where the water noticeably flows. Stromatolites grow along its edges, which you must not step on or touch. This section is within the Port Authority's restricted zone; motor and sailboats are restricted here. Please keep to marked areas.
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    Restaurants in Bacalar

    1

    Finisterre Bacalar

    Restaurant with bar on Avenida 3 in the town centre, between Calle 24 and 26. Serving Mediterranean dishes and pizza.
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    2

    Mi Burrito Bacalar

    Small spot on Costera waterfront road between Calle 16 and 18, specializing in burritos. Casual and great for a quick bite after a day at the lagoon.
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    3

    The Order of the Cock

    Restaurant on Avenida 5 in the town center with breakfast and brunch, pizza & drinks in the evening. Perfect start before your lagoon trip.
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    4

    BAMOA Café

    Cafe with bakery on the corner of Avenida 3 and Calle 32, north of the town center. Breakfast, coffee and pastries, later in the day also drinks at the bar.
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    History and Lagoon

    Mayans and SpaniardsBacalar originated as a Mayan settlement. The Spanish conquered it in 1543 and founded the town of Salamanca de Bacalar in 1545. After repeated pirate attacks in the 17th century, Fort San Felipe was built in the 1720s and early 1730s, which today houses a museum of regional history and piracy.The Caste WarIn the Caste War, Mayan troops from Chan Santa Cruz captured the town in 1848; it only returned to Mexican control in 1902. Since 2011, Bacalar has been its own municipality, having previously belonged to Othón P. Blanco. In 2006, it was named a Pueblo Mágico.Stromatolites & Conservation RulesIn the lagoon, stromatolites grow – calcareous structures formed by microorganisms; the lagoon is home to one of the largest freshwater occurrences of these structures. They are sensitive: do not step on or touch them. In the water, avoid sunscreen; a UV shirt and hat protect without chemicals. From September 2025, the port authority will divide the lagoon into five navigation zones with speed limits. Los Rápidos and the Canal de los Piratas are restricted or limited access zones. Buoy-marked sensitive areas are completely off-limits to boats and swimmers.

    Getting There & Around

    Train and BusSince 2024, the Tren Maya has stopped in Bacalar; the station is located outside the town center, take a taxi for the last few kilometers. Buses depart from Tulum Centro bus station, reaching Bacalar in just under three hours; from Cancún, it takes about five and a half to six hours. Chetumal is just under 40 kilometers away, with buses and colectivos taking about 40 minutes.By CarBacalar is located on Federal Highway 307, approximately 170 kilometers south of Tulum. The nearest airport is Chetumal, about 45 minutes by taxi; colectivos also run directly to Bacalar from there.LocallyExplore the town center on foot. The bus station is just over a kilometer from the center. For swimming spots on the shore, Cenote Azul, and Los Rápidos, take a taxi, bike, or rental car.

    Accommodations in Bacalar

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      • 1Fuerte de San Felipe3 days
      • 2Cenote Azul4 days
      • 3Canal de los Piratas5 days
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    Nearby

    Tulum

    Tulum

    Tulum is located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Cancún on the Riviera Maya. It is known for its Maya ruins on a cliff directly above the sea, for cenotes in the hinterland, and a long beach lined with boutique hotels and beach clubs. Tulum has grown significantly in recent years, with prices increasing accordingly.

    Akumal

    Akumal is located on the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about a half-hour drive from both places. Its name means "Place of the Turtles" in Maya. In the protected bay, Green Sea Turtles feed in seagrass meadows, making it one of the coast's most famous snorkeling destinations.
    Chichén Itzá

    Chichén Itzá

    Chichén Itzá, in eastern Yucatán, 120 km from Mérida and over 40 km from Valladolid, was one of the Maya's most powerful centers from the 9th-12th centuries. You come for the stepped pyramid El Castillo, the 168m Great Ball Court, and the Sacred Cenote, a day trip doable from Mérida, Valladolid, or Cancún. Since 1988, it's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site; in 2007, El Castillo was chosen in a private vote as one of the New Seven World Wonders. Around the equinoxes, the afternoon light on the pyramid's north staircase casts the shadow of a descending snake.
    Valladolid

    Valladolid

    Valladolid, located in the east of the state of Yucatán, is a colonial city with nearly 57,000 inhabitants, colorfully painted houses, and a lively main square. It lies approximately 40 kilometers from Chichén Itzá and is surrounded by cenotes, making it a peaceful base between Cancún and Mérida. Valladolid holds the title of Pueblo Mágico.
    Uxmal

    Uxmal

    Uxmal, about an hour's drive south of Mérida, was the political center of the Puuc region in western Yucatán from the 8th to 10th centuries. The site is known for its oval Pyramid of the Soothsayer and the finely decorated stone friezes of the Governor's Palace. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.