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Town in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Photo: David Cabrera, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bacalar is a lakeside community in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This area, anchored by the stunningly azure blue Lake Bacalar, has a Yucatan small-village feel and is absent of busloads of tourists.
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Fuerte San Felipe
Represents one of the bastions used by the Maya before they were overrun by the Spanish, it has a small but modern museum inside, if you are in town it's worthwhile visiting.
Cenote Azul
Very wide and deep cenote that drops almost immediately to deep with very good facilities.
Cenote de la Bruja, Cenote Negro
Dark coloured cenote with depths that range from to .
Los Rapidos Bacalar is known for its stunning electric blue water near the Lagoon of Seven Colors. It is home to some of the oldest living lifeforms on our planet – stromatolites. There is also a natural lazy river with a current flowing into the Bacalar Lagoon that visitors can enjoy. Be aware that it's a tourist trap, with mediocre food and service.
Non-profit association for sailing lovers that holds sailing tours and sailing lessons for tourists. Uses the north-side of the lagoon that is practically empty.
Has excellent Yucatan/Maya meals for a good price at the Park Zócalo.
Good view of the lagoon and excellent food.
Traditional regional Mexican cuisine served in a waterfront patio restaurant. Good food with a number of innovative dishes and big, well-made cocktails.
Traditional regional Mexican cuisine with a smattering of international dishes to appeal to tourists. The dining room is clean and contemporary and filled with local artworks that are offered for sale. Outdoor garden patio is lushly landscaped and a pleasant place for lunch. Breakfast includes excellent coffee, chilaquiles, and more.
Lagoon-side dining with outdoor tables available. and an infinity pool. Fresh-caught seafood dominates the menu with house specialties like a marlin taco, grilled octopus, and a mixed shellfish ceviche. Huge cocktails. Off-street parking.
Lakeside open-air bar featuring a wide range of artesanal mezcals and skilled bartenders crafting innovative cocktails. Try the Bacalar, a refreshing mezcal drink with citrus and avocado. Full dinner menu available.
is nice.
5 km north of the town, a little oasis with lovely cabanas and a campground with beach and a lot of activities.
Three blocks walking distance from the fort. The suites are comfortable, stylish and big and have air conditioning and internet. The pool is not enormous but has a nice view of the lagoon as well.
12 suites with a private terrace, with a hammock, overlooking the lagoon or a beautiful tropical garden.
Upscale lagoon resort.
Upscale boutique hotel on the lakeshore with a variety of uniquely furnished rooms. Spa on-site. Restaurant on-site.
Small owner-operated accommodation with private bungalows and fully equipped apartments set in a tropical garden with a large swimming pool. Breakfast and home-cooked dinners are available with advance notice, and private sailing tours can be arranged.
near the hospital for just M$12 (Feb 2022)
on Avenue 7 / Calle 18
at the Park Zócalo right next to the Palacio Municipal
inside the Oxxo
at the Super Willys
By bus
There are first and second class buses from the ADO bus stations of Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Valladolid, Mérida and Chetumal.
By shared van
From Tulum and Chetumal you can also take a colectivo. It is only possible to carry small luggage with you as there is no trunk. From Tulum it's M$70 (Feb 2022) to Carillo (Felipe Carillo Puerto).
By train
Tren Maya, Mexico's newest intercity rail system serving five states in the Yucatan Peninsula region, has a station in Bacalar, providing service to Chetumal, Tulum, Cancún, Merida and other…
On foot or bicycle would be very doable if you are staying in the city of Bacalar, as well as taxis, which are not expensive.
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Chetumal · Regional · CTM
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