We spent a few weeks living in the small town of Bacalar and explored everything it has to offer. In this post, we’ll share the things to do in Bacalar Mexico to enjoy for a relaxing family vacation. If you haven’t had a campfire chat like we did with some friends in La Paz, Mexico, where they told us about the pueblo magico with Maldives-like blue water in Mexico, then here’s your chance.

The town is famous for its lagoon of seven colors and is often called the ‘Maldives of Mexico’ by travelers. However, we think it’s more like some of the small towns on Moorea in French Polynesia.

The Bacalar lagoon is fed by an underground river and springs from nearby cenotes. The stunning blue shades come from the varying depths, the dark blue water indicates deeper areas and lighter colors where it’s more shallow.

What Makes The Bacalar Lagoon the Main Attraction?

Lake Bacalar is a living ecosystem, and its beautiful blue waters are very sensitive to environmental changes. The stromatolites in the lake are alive, so it’s important not to wear sunscreen, lotion, makeup, or anything that can wash off into the water. 

These stromatolites may look like layered rocks, but they’re actually formed by microorganisms and this is what makes the clear waters of the bacalar lagoon special. 

To help preserve this natural beauty for the future, please take precautions. The local government is helping by banning motorized boats on Wednesdays, but swimming is still allowed on that day. 

Enjoy Time At A Bacalar Beach Club

Enjoying a beach club is a must if you’re not staying at a waterfront property, like Casa Hormiga, which is a gorgeous luxury spot. We stayed there and had a great experience using Hyatt points, Mr & Mrs Smith property for the win and our full review can be found here.

On the flip side, if you’re at a place like Khaban Bacalar Hotel (where we stayed for a week), you might not feel the need for a beach club at all. We had a private dock for sunrise, lagoon-view breakfasts, and all the chill vibes you could ask for. If you want to read our full review click here.

It really depends on where you stay, but if you’re looking for a family-friendly option, our top pick was Beach Club Blu because it’s laid-back, beautiful, and great for the whole crew.

Beach Club Blu

A few days after arriving, we went searching for a beach club since the rain was starting to let up. We drove along the lagoon road, and just before it ended, we turned into Beach Club Blu.

It turned out to be the perfect place to enjoy the rest of the day. As we entered, the owner greeted us with a big smile and tons of enthusiasm. The entry fee is 500 pesos, and 250 of that can be used toward food and drinks. 

The beach club offers a pretty extensive menu and makes some great drinks. It also has lounge chairs, easy lake access with a large dock, and even a giant chess set for some fun. You can read our full review here.

La Playita Is One of Bacalar’s Must Visit Hotspots!

Set right on the lagoon, this laid-back restaurant serves up a mix of tacos, burgers, flatbreads, and some of the best cocktails in town, the jalapeño mezcalita is a spicy standout! With cozy outdoor seating under the trees, a dock where you can swim, and a huge dessert menu, it’s the perfect spot to spend a chill afternoon. The service is top-notch, the vibe is dreamy, and it’s easy to see why it’s a Bacalar favorite.

The Best Restaurants to Visit in Bacalar 

Bacalar has a great mix of restaurants and beach clubs that serve food. The two beach clubs I mentioned above do have stand out dishes and drinks for a day filled with water sports and relaxing directly on the lagoon. I will highlight some of the restaurants that may be overlooked or hard to peak your interest. 

Ruda 

If you’re looking for a dinner spot that’s quaint and mellow, this place is perfect. They offer a great menu that changes regularly, mixing things up based on the season and what is in season.

The murals and red couch outside add a fun, artistic vibe that’s super appealing. They also have regular live music, which makes the atmosphere even better. We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here, everything from the food to the drinks was phenomenal.

Mango and Chile

Right by San Felipe Fort, this plant-based cafe serves up epic mango smoothies, vegan burgers, and laid-back vibes with gorgeous lagoon views. The staff is super friendly, the drinks are fresh, and the atmosphere is pure good energy. A must-stop for a quick bite or drink!

Can You Access The Bacalar Lagoon For Free? 

The free public docks are a perfect way to see the different shades of the lagoon, and there are two spots to choose from. If you’re after a quick sunrise experience or just want to cool off with a dip, these are the places to check out.

Balneario Municipal El Aserradero 

The T-shaped dock next to ITZÁ Bar & Brasa offers free access. There’s a small fee if you need to use the restroom, but it’s a great spot to jump in the water or relax and enjoy the day. You may even encounter some ducks and enjoy the park. 

Muelle Público 36 

This dock is located just north of the ecological park and a few steps from Bacalari Boutique Hotel. It has a 20-person capacity and a small covered area to relax. There’s also a ladder for easy access in and out of the water.

Kayak or Paddle Board The Lagoon

Kayaking and paddle boarding are an awesome way to experience the lagoon’s beauty. Most of the beach clubs and waterfront hotels offer these amenities either for free or for a small fee. While we were staying at Khaban Bacalar Hotel, we got to use them and I was the only one who took advantage of it! 

I definitely recommend it because being above the water lets you see into the shallows and spot fish and other creatures up close. And if you are looking for a paddle board guide, contact Jorge at 55 3070 2592, he is a great guide and speaks great English. 

Bicycle Rentals and Walking The Town of Bacalar 

Bacalar town is such a picturesque place to explore, especially by foot or bike. They have some of the most murals per square mile that we’ve seen, not just in Mexico, but across the 20 countries we’ve visited so far!

There’s a inicio de ciclovia (start of the bike path) on the north end of town, but honestly, the whole town is super easy to cycle through, especially along the lagoon-front road. We rented bicycles from Casa Hormiga during our stay, they were included in our room rate and renting them was super easy.

There are other bike rental shops around town too. One that really stood out was Italia Probike, they have a big storefront, tons of newer bikes, and even motorized scooters available.

Venture on a Bacalar Boat Trip

The best way to truly experience the lagoon is by taking a midday boat tour of the lagoon. We enjoyed both a private pontoon tour and a private sailing tour during our stay, because why not? Keep in mind that different tour companies will show you various areas of the lagoon, so choose wisely when you’re looking for one. 

Sailing Tour with Wild Wave Bacalar 

Since we love sailing, we decided to go on a sailing tour, but don’t worry, the awesome crew handled everything! A sailing tour is a super fun adventure for your family if you’re looking to try something exciting.

The tour takes place on Cenote Esmeralda, and you get an awesome view as the crew sailed us to our first stop. We visited Cenote Negro, also called the Black Cenote.

We stopped at Isla de los Pájaros, also known as Bird Island, hoping to spot the Roseate Spoonbill. This bird, which often visits the area, looks a lot like a pink flamingo.

Our final stop was at the shores of an abandoned hotel called the Bacalaria. It’s located just south of Beach Club Blu, in a more remote and quiet part of the bay.

If you’re looking for a peaceful sailboat tour of the lagoon, this is the perfect way to spend a day in nature. There’s no loud engine noise, but you’ll feel a bit of a lean on the boat to make the adventure even more fun.

Boat Tour Of The Lagoon With Delu Travel Tours 

After the sailing trip, we stayed at one of the boutique hotels, Khaban. They had a flyer that mentioned the tour company could pick you up directly from their dock, so you don’t even need transportation to get to the boat. It’s another great perk when booking with this company, especially if you’re staying somewhere with direct lagoon access.

Delu only offers a private tour, so you won’t have to share your experience with anyone else, unlike the companies in town. This ended up being our favorite of the two tours because the captain and his wife ran it. 

They gave us a warm, family like vibe that the other tours just didn’t have.They speak minimal English, but the captain used the boat’s audio system and a translation app to share great information about Bacalar Lake. 

He explained things like the stromatolites and where the lake’s blue color comes from. This tour gave us a unique vibe and a fresh perspective of the lake. We also got to experience Cenote Cocalitos and its impressive stromatolite formations.

Another stop on the tour was the Canal de los Piratas, also known as the Pirates Channel. The story goes that this channel was originally dug by the Mayans to help with irrigation for farming. 

Today, the Pirates’ Channel is famous because a restaurant owner once tried to build and run a restaurant shaped like a boat. It’s been abandoned since then, and now nature is slowly taking it back.

If you have the chance to do a variety of tours, I’d definitely recommend it because every captain and boat tour operator brings their own unique style. If you asked me which tour to choose for a family vacation, I’d say go with Delu Travel Tours. 

The boat was nice, they provided fruit and drinks, and we never felt rushed. I also got some great aerial shots and photos. The captain was super accommodating, he even stopped the boat twice to help us recover a lost hat and was happy to pause for any specific photos we wanted, we definitely received 5 star service at Delu Travel Tours. 

Visit the 17th century Fort of San Felipe

The Fuerte de San Felipe is right in the main square and is a major landmark in the city. You can’t miss it, it’s visible from almost anywhere in town. Just keep in mind that, unfortunately, the san felipe fort is closed on Mondays.

We stopped by Mango y Chile for a quick smoothie and coffee before heading to the fort and its small museum. The fort was originally built to defend against pirate attacks that were happening in the area. The museum is filled with artifacts and tells the story of the trade routes in the region. Our full experience can be found here.

Los Rapidos is a Must Visit

Los Rápidos is one of the best places to bring your family for a full day of fun. It’s an amazing experience, floating along the current from one end of the stromatolites to the other. There’s a small entrance fee of 200 pesos, which gives you access to the entire place.

Once you’re in, they offer lockers for 100 pesos upfront (you’ll get 50 pesos back when you return the key). If you’re not a strong swimmer, they also provide free life jackets.

After walking down the pier-like structure, you can jump off the end and let the current carry you through the narrow channels lined with stromatolites. You can also hop in before reaching the end. Just remember, these rock-like structures are alive, so try not to touch them as it can cause damage.

After spending the whole day here, it quickly became one of our favorite places in the Bacalar area. It’s truly one-of-a-kind in the entire region and you can learn more here.

Visit The Large Cenote Azul

This cenote is just a few meters from the beautiful lagoon. It’s quite large and gives off more of a jungle vibe, unlike some of the cenotes in the lagoon that have more of a beachy feel.

This is a perfect place to cool off and enjoy a different kind of cenote experience, one that feels more like a lake compared to the smaller, more intimate cenotes we’ve visited. The best time to go is early in the morning, as tour buses tend to stop here later in the day.

Visit the Mayan Archaeological Site Becan 

There are several archaeological sites in the area, with the closest being the small Limones Mayan Ruins. The newest site, which just opened, is called Zona Arqueológica de Ichkabal.

We had planned to visit the Archaeological Zone of Kohunlich, but since Ichkabal wasn’t open yet and Kohunlich was closed due to Mayan train construction, we decided to take a day trip to Becan instead (trip details here), from The Explorean Kohunlich hotel. Our review of the hotel can be found here.

Visit the Museum of Mayan Culture in Chetumal

If you can’t make it to a nearby archaeological site, I highly recommend visiting the Museum of Mayan Culture in Chetumal. We ended up there after discovering that the Zoo Payo Obispo was closed for maintenance.

The museum was a great place to learn about Mayan culture. They explained where the Mayan cities were located and how they traded goods with each other across the Yucatan Peninsula.

The museum had three floors, showcasing ceramic artifacts, large stone carvings, and Maya codices. The codices, or folding books, were made from bark paper and featured Maya hieroglyphic script.

What Are The Best Things To Do on a Family Trip to Bacalar Mexico?

We recommend taking a boat ride to see some of the deepest cenotes in the lagoon and fully appreciate the beauty of the lake. Certain spots, like the Pirates Canal, are only accessible by boat. And don’t miss visiting Los Rapidos for the unique experience and the stunning palm trees.

If you’re visiting during the rainy season or hurricane season, plan your activities for the morning, as it often rains around midday or in the afternoon. No matter what you do, enjoy your time in this magical town in Quintana Roo, you’ll create some amazing memories.