FAQs + Helpful issues to Know

March 6, 2023

1

Some posts on this website comprise affiliate hyperlinks. For those who guide or purchase one thing via these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no additional price to you). Check out my privateness coverage for extra data.

aerial photo of a huge lagoon with striking turquoise water and the shore covered in green tropical forest with several long wooden jetties reaching out into the lake - Bacalar travel guide Mexico

A journey information for visiting Bacalar Lagoon in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – with an inventory of FAQs.

Lake Bacalar – extra usually referred to as Bacalar Lagoon – is certainly one of my favorite locations within the Yucatan Peninsula, together with the tranquil, vibrant city of the identical title. The truth is, that is certainly one of my favorite spots in the entire of Mexico!

An enormous lake with unbelievably clear, turquoise waters, Bacalar nonetheless seems like a little bit of a “hidden gem”. It’s undoubtedly much more well-liked than it was the primary time I visited, however nonetheless has the sleepy, quiet vibes I fell in love with.

For those who’re planning a go to to Bacalar Lagoon, I’ve popped collectively a little bit of a journey information. I’ve tried to cowl as most of the foremost FAQs concerning the city and the lake as I can.

Hopefully, this can provide help to when planning your individual journey to the “Lake of Seven Colors”. For those who’ve obtained a query I haven’t lined right here, please be at liberty to go away a remark on the finish. I’ll attempt to assist if I can!

Bacalar and Bacalar Lagoon Journey Information

Whereas I used to be scripting this journey information, I had a take a look at all probably the most incessantly requested questions on Bacalar on Google. Surprisingly, lots of them hadn’t been answered all that properly!

So, I’ve gathered up the highest FAQ’s and popped all of them collectively beneath. Use the drop-down contents checklist above if you wish to skip forward.

The place is Bacalar Mexico?

screenshot of google maps showing the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico with Bacalar highlighted

Bacalar Lagoon is an enormous lake on the japanese coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico’s Quintana Roo state. It’s about as far south as you possibly can go alongside the east coast of Mexico, proper by the border with Belize.

Bacalar is additionally the title of a small city discovered alongside the southwestern fringe of the lake. The city sits on Freeway 307, which runs south from Cancun so far as the Belize border, a few 4-hour drive from Cancun Airport. The biggest city within the space is the border city of Chetumal, which is about 30-40 minutes down the highway from Bacalar.

The lake is roughly 42km lengthy and solely 2km throughout at its widest level, and is legendary for its ever-changing vivid blue colors, resulting in the nickname “Laguna de 7 Colores” (7 Colors Lake).

small white pontoon style boat with a red fabric roof floating on a lake with vivid cyan coloured water on a very sunny day with blue sky and fluffy white clouds overhead — *These vivid blue waters are purpose sufficient to journey to Bacalar!*

Is it a Lagoon or a Lake?

Many individuals appear to make use of the phrases lagoon and lake interchangeably when speaking about Bacalar. So is it a lagoon or a lake – and what’s the distinction?

Lagoons are our bodies of water which might be separated from the ocean by a barrier island or reef, and normally have brackish water (a mixture of salt and contemporary water).

Regardless of its proximity to the coast, Bacalar is, in truth, a freshwater lake fed by underwater cenotes.

FYI – I’ve seen a number of sources calling Bacalar the “second largest lake in Mexico”. That is unfaithful: the biggest is Lake Chapala (1,100 km²) and the second largest is Cuitzeo Lake (452 km²) in Michoacan state.

Is Bacalar Value Visiting?

Let me prevent a while and provide you with the quick reply first: sure, Bacalar is completely price visiting!

However if you’d like a extra thorough reply, learn on…

emily wearing a long red dress with her blonde hair loose standing on the grassy shore at the very edge fo a lake with clear shallow water turning to a viviv cyan in the distance. there is a single palm tree behind her on the shore and it is a very sunny day with blue sky and fluffy white clouds above. — *I like Bacalar a lot I’d fortunately spend a month there!*

Nicknamed the “lake of seven colors”, Bacalar Lagoon is an enormous, stunning lake identified for its many alternative shades of blue. Alongside the sting are some stunning swimming spots, with cyan water so vivid it nearly appears photoshopped.

The city itself is an enthralling little place with vibrant road artwork, a historic fort, and chilled-out vibes.

For those who love nature, Bacalar is unquestionably price visiting. In addition to the attractive lake, there’s an enormous, dark-blue cenote to go to, and the realm is wealthy with wildlife. There’s additionally a really distinctive pure phenomenon: the stromatolites. These appear to be rocks, however are literally prehistoric residing creatures. These are the oldest residing lifeforms on our planet, and are solely present in a handful of locations around the globe. It’s thanks to those water-purifying “beings “residing fossils” that Bacalar lake is so unbelievably clear.

Alongside all that gorgeous nature, Bacalar is nice for watersports together with paddleboarding, crusing, and (when the climate is true) windsurfing.

And should you merely need to calm down and swim in these crystal-clear contemporary waters, there are seashore golf equipment alongside the lake to go well with most budgets.

emptry road with a line of palm trees in the middle and the wall across the road is painted a light orange with a colourful mural of the word Bacalar painted over it in bright blue letters — *The city is filled with vibrant road artwork and murals*

Easy methods to Get to Bacalar

It’s very simple to journey to Bacalar from most components of the Yucatan Peninsula. There’s an ADO bus station on the town and a number of other buses a day.

READ MORE: Take a look at my information on attending to Bacalar for extra in-depth data.

To get to Bacalar from Cancun, you possibly can take an ADO bus from Cancun Bus Station. The bus from Cancun to Bacalar takes about 6 hours and there are departures nearly each hour all through the day. Tickets price round $500-600 MXN. If you buy them upfront on-line or by way of the ADO app they’re usually cheaper. Head to ADO.com.mx to test the bus instances on your journey date.

The identical bus calls at Playa del Carmen and Tulum, so should you’re heading to Bacalar from any of these cities you possibly can simply take the bus from the ADO station.

From Merida: You too can get to Bacalar from Merida by ADO bus. The bus takes about 5 hours and prices $630 MXN. There are fewer buses per day however nonetheless a number of selections for departure instances.

From Campeche, you’ll have to take a bus to both Merida or Escarcega first, then change for a bus to Bacalar. And from Palenque, you’ll need to take the 9-hour bus journey in a single day to achieve the lakeside city.

For those who’re travelling to Bacalar from additional afield, I counsel flying into both Cancun, Merida or Chetumal airports. From any of those, you possibly can both hire a automobile or take a bus.

How Many Days / How Lengthy to Keep in Bacalar?

You may discover Bacalar city and the lake in a single or two days, however to actually profit from the lake and the encircling nature you’ll doubtless need three or extra days.

For those who’re very quick on time, it can be attainable to see all the things in a day. You can take a ship tour within the morning, then go to the fort and stroll across the city centre within the afternoon. However it will be equally attainable to whereas away a complete week in Bacalar. I actually assume I might keep there for a month and never become bored with that unbelievable lagoon!

shot of a lake with vivie cyan water and the distant bank covered in palm trees with a few houses and buildings dotted between the trees. there are two people rowing a blue kayak on the lake i nthe distance — *There are many enjoyable issues to do on the lake.*

When is the Greatest Time to Go to Bacalar?

The very best time to go to Bacalar is mostly thought of to be between November and Could. It’s, nevertheless, just about a year-round vacation spot. Common excessive temperatures sit between 28-32°C all year long. For probably the most snug temperatures, January is the best month to journey to Bacalar, with a median low of 19°C and a excessive of 28°C.

In keeping with WeatherSpark, June to October are the rainiest months in Bacalar, with September having probably the most rainfall and extra overcast skies. Nevertheless, rain on the Yucatan Peninsula normally is available in quick, heavy showers. So you should still get pleasure from sunshine for many of the day.

Christmas week and Holy week (Easter) are among the many hottest instances for locals to vacation in Bacalar. Subsequently, the realm could be extraordinarily busy and costly at the moment. It’s additionally usually busier at weekends, so should you can go to mid-week you’re extra prone to discover a whole lot on lodging.

I actually have been to Bacalar in January and February and loved clear, dry, sunny climate on each events!

Why is it Referred to as the Lake of seven Colors?

Bacalar is usually referred to as the “Seven Colors Lake” or the “Laguna de los Siete Colores”. This nickname is because of the various shades of blue discovered throughout the lake.

aerial photo of a large landscape with a cyan lake and three circular cenotes with dark blue water - two are under the lake and the closest one is just next to it surrounded by green forest - bacalar lagoon travel guide mexico — *Are you able to see why they name Bacalar the “Lagoon of seven Colors”?*

Close to the shore, the shallow, clear waters are a vivid cyan, whereas over the deep cenotes that feed the freshwater lake, it’s a a lot darker blue or inexperienced color.

One of the best ways to expertise these totally different shades is by taking one of many well-liked Bacalar boat excursions. These will take you to a couple spots on the lake, together with two of the underwater cenotes, so you possibly can see the altering colors of the water with your individual eyes.

Are you able to Swim in Bacalar Lagoon?

Sure, you possibly can swim in Bacalar Lagoon / Lake. It’s a freshwater lake with very clear water – so it’s a extremely great place to swim.

Across the edges of the lake, the water is pretty shallow, usually waist-deep. Most of the seashore golf equipment have small jetties so you possibly can bounce straight into the deeper water with out having to wade via the silty mud.

An area organisation referred to as Agua Clara por Bacalar displays the water high quality and publishes a month-to-month report – together with the degrees of E Coli within the lake. On the time of writing, these outcomes are “wonderful”. Click on right here to test the newest report.

PLEASE NOTE: swimmers are requested to take a number of measures to guard the lake (learn extra right here). Don’t use sunscreen whereas swimming (I like to recommend protecting up with a rash vest as an alternative), don’t pee within the lagoon, don’t exfoliate with the clay of the lake, and don’t contact the stromatolites. Please inspect the principles and be sure you assist shield the lagoon for future generations.

Are there Seashores in Bacalar?

There aren’t actually any sandy seashores across the fringe of Lake Bacalar. The sides of the lake hit the land immediately, and are usually surrounded by grass.

As an alternative, there are quite a few balnearios or seashore golf equipment. These lakeside golf equipment normally have a bar and/or restaurant and a number of other chairs or solar loungers. Some have altering rooms and towel leases. Many have small jetties into the lake, so you possibly can hop straight into the deeper water to swim with out wading via the silty mud on the water’s edge.

Some cost an entry charge, whereas others have a “minimal cost” that you need to spend on foods and drinks.

grassy lawn with two skinny palm trees and a row of grey sun loungers with bright blue towels on facing a lake with vivie cyan water on a very sunny day with blue sky overhead — *I can very a lot suggest Seaside Membership Blu in Bacalar*

What Occurred to Cocalitos Bacalar – is it Open?

Cocolitos was one of the well-liked seashore golf equipment in Bacalar. Discovered simply exterior the city, this lakeside seashore membership was well-known for its vibrant over-water hammocks and swings. It’s additionally dwelling to a sanctuary of big estromatolitos (stromatolites): historical, “residing” rock-like formations created by layers of microorganisms.

Nevertheless, after I visited Bacalar in January 2023, the well-known Cocolitos seashore membership was closed – and had been for a number of months. Locals advised us there had been a disagreement amongst the household who personal it, and nobody was certain when (or even when) the seashore membership can be reopening. I’ll attempt to replace this put up as and after I study extra.

Within the meantime, you possibly can nonetheless go to the stromatolites right here as most boat excursions cease off on the sanctuary.

Are the Boat Excursions Value it?

One of the vital well-liked issues to do in Bacalar is to take one of many many boat excursions across the lake. These are a good way to see the lake. You’ll go to a number of foremost sights, together with the underwater cenotes which feed the lake. You may see how the color of the water adjustments in numerous components of Bacalar Lagoon, resulting in the nickname “Seven Colors Lake”.

You’ll additionally cease off on the stromatolite sanctuary subsequent to Cocolitos Seaside Membership (see above). So that you’ll get a close-up view of the fascinating “residing fossils” that hold Bacalar’s water so pure.

I truly loved the boat tour a lot that I did it on each of my visits to Bacalar! It’s a good way to see the foremost sights across the lagoon in a brief area of time.

shallow clear water with white sand beneath and several large grey rock formations of stromatolites under the water in Bacalar Lagoon Mexico — *Stromatolites below the water in Bacalar lake*

Are there Crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon?

The Riviera Maya’s freshwater areas are sometimes dwelling to crocodiles, and Bacalar isn’t any exception. There have been a number of reported crocodile sightings in the previous couple of years, however these are very uncommon and most studies that may be seen on-line seem unsubstantiated.

In March 2022, an unbiased native information website reported {that a} man had been minorly injured in a crocodile assault in Bacalar. It’s onerous to confirm if the story was true or a hoax, because it wasn’t reported elsewhere and seems to have been based mostly on a tweeted photograph by the person in query. That is the one reported assault from latest years so it seems to be a freak incident.

Bacalar Lagoon is 42km lengthy and just some areas are constructed up. Crocodiles are normally pretty shy, so if there are crocodiles in Bacalar they’re unlikely to be seen wherever close to the city or vacationer areas. They’ll normally persist with the quieter, wilder spots the place they gained’t be disturbed by the various boats on the lake. So should you’re nervous about swimming within the lake, persist with seashore golf equipment and swimming spots close to city.