The Khaban Bacalar Hotel is hidden in the jungle, right on the lagoon, just a few minutes north of town and about an hour’s drive from Chetumal International Airport. We had an amazing family getaway here, and it’s one of the top boutique hotels in the area. 

What’s unique about Khaban Bacalar

The 4-star Khaban Bacalar Hotel Boutique has a few cool spots to check out on the property. If you’re wondering how to even get to Bacalar in the first place, check out this post on the 7 ways you can get to Bacalar Lagoon.

The Outdoor Pool 

They have an outdoor swimming pool that overlooks the lagoon, offering awesome views of the lake. It’s a great spot to hang out and will keep you and your kids entertained, especially if you decide to skip the lake for the day.

The Wildlife

When we checked in, the staff let us know about the wildlife on the property. We spotted lots of birds hanging out in the large trees. The  jungle foliage really connects you with nature, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a Yucatan spider monkey! They were moving fast, so we couldn’t snap a picture. 

If you’ve checked out their Instagram, you’ll notice they have a lot of birds around the area. I wasn’t as lucky at this particular spot, but we did get to see a Keel-billed Toucan and a Collared Aracari in the wild, which was amazing! Keep an eye out for the Roseate Spoonbill and parrots, which are also known to visit the area.

There are a few signs around the property warning that snakes might be present. After soaking in the breathtaking views from the dock, we actually spotted a snake curled up in an electrical box. We told the staff, and they quickly took care of it, relocating the snake to the lush gardens nearby.

Private Beach Area with Direct Lake Access

The private beach area gives you direct access to the lagoon, complete with two swings where you can relax and soak in the good vibes. There’s also a dock where you can enjoy the fresh breeze, lounge on the cargo net above the water for a quick nap, or even spot some fish. The palapa area is set up with plenty of chairs and a few hammocks, making it a great spot to unwind.

We watched the sunrise here and was joined by other guests. It was a peaceful time to sip on some coffee and even a few margaritas! The beach also has kayaks and paddle boards available for guests to explore the lake, with life jackets provided at no extra cost. This was an awesome free amenity included with the room.

Nearby Places Close by You Must See 

Fort of San Felipe

The Fort of San Felipe is nearby and definitely a must-see if you’re in the area. There’s a dead guy inside and a ton of info on the history of the pirates who once lived

Bacalar Lagoon of 7 Colors

Bacalar has many options to experience the lake. You can head to several free public docks or head over to some pretty beautiful clubs. Many locations offer direct access with included water activities like kayaking or paddle boarding. You’re also able to pick from many of excursions that take you our by sailboat or on a pontoon cruise. But if you can only go to one spot on the lake it has to be Los Rápidos. Check out our favorites and recommendations here.

Mayan Temples and Pyramids

There’s so many in this area and they’re pretty cool to check out. If you’re considering a day trip to see one of these mesoamerican pyramids. The Kohunlich and Becan, Chacchoben and Chichén-Itza ones are some of the most popular ones to do nearby.

If you’re searching for more things to do in the Bacalar area, check out our blog post where we’ve listed all the top sights and activities. Click here for all the details!

Room Type Selection at Khaban Bacalar

Khaban offers several room types, and we chose the double queen room, which came with plenty of amenities. It had one of the best air-conditioned rooms we’ve experienced in the area, keeping us cool during the hottest month.

All the nice rooms are equipped with ceiling fans, perfect for winter visits when you might not need the air conditioning. Plus, each room features a private balcony with a hammock, making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the view.

The key amenities include a coffee machine for all you coffee lovers, and a safety deposit box to keep your valuables secure. Right next to the safe, you’ll find a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water and snacks, which was a super nice touch.

The Split Style Bathroom 

The private bathrooms have an open and spacious design, which we really appreciated as a family. The showers are equipped with relaxing rainfall showerheads and come with free toiletries. Plus, the toilet has its own separate room, offering privacy while others can use the rest of the bathroom without any interruptions.

The additional features that were included in the bathroom sink area had a convenient water station that the hotel staff refilled regularly. There was also a hair dryer in the bathroom, which came in handy. One of my favorite touches was the locally made soap from bees, as well as the lotion. They added a unique and eco-friendly vibe to the experience and we smelled amazing throughout our stay.

Khaban Bacalar Hotel Reviews and Amenity Specifications  

• Free Wi-Fi Speed: The complimentary wireless internet access is one of the fastest we’ve tested, clocking in at around 50 Mbps and earning a solid 4 out of 5 stars.
• Early Check-in & Baggage Holding Available: When we arrived, our room wasn’t ready yet, but we decided to hang out by the pool. I’m not entirely sure if they officially offer this option, but it worked out for us.
• Wall Sockets for Charging: The rooms are equipped with American-style plugs featuring the standard two prongs, making it convenient for travelers from the U.S. to charge their devices without needing an adapter. 
• Bed, Sheets, and Furniture Comfort Level: The bed comfort gets a low rating of 1 out of 5 stars, as it was super soft and offered minimal support. On the plus side, the sheets and towels were nice and soft. The furniture on the balcony rated a 3 out of 5; there’s definitely room for improvement in that area.
• Level of noise Inside and Outside During Day Time and Night Time While Sleeping: The noise level is incredibly low, with only the sounds of wild animals and a gentle breeze interrupting the peace. We slept really well, aside from the bed being a bit too soft for our liking. 
• Water Pressure & Water Temp: The water pressure in the shower is average, but the water temperature can get scalding hot if you want it that way. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
• Shuttle Service: Unfortunately, there is no shuttle service available, but the nearest airport is in Chetumal, with Tulum being the next closest option. 
• Customer Service: We didn’t encounter any major issues during our stay, and we did receive good service throughout our stay. 4 out of 5 stars
• Bell & Maid service: With lots of steps on the property, the bell service was a lifesaver for getting our bags to our room. I’d give them a solid 4 out of 5 stars!
• Customer Complaint Resolution Experience: Unfortunately, some customers were not following the property rules and were smoking by the pool during our dinner, which wasn’t handled well at the time. However, they made it up to us by delivering dessert after we returned from eating in town.

Critique For Kaban Bacalar Hotel and Recommendations

Unfortunately, handling customers who refuse to follow hotel rules requires a special skill set. I would suggest better training for your staff on how to manage difficult guests and possibly enforcing fines for those who repeatedly ignore the rules. We would also like to see a bit more transparency about the amount of stairs on the property during time of booking. It is not disability friendly and the photos can be somewhat deceptive. The roads into and out of the hotel are not being well maintained and as a guest we found it difficult to easily access the roads. It added on about an extra 15 minutes to navigate the dirt road that had challenging stretches, each time we wanted to come and go.

Where to eat at Khaban Bacalar

We ate at so many place within the Bacalar Lagoon area but also on property. We recommend you do both to fully enjoy you’re time in the area!

Kinal Restaurant at Kaban Bacalar

We ate here almost every day and were always greeted with a satisfying meal from the chef. The restaurant is perfectly located on the beachfront property, offering stunning views of the lagoon. A super perfect spot to enjoy our meals.

The food was consistently good and didn’t get boring after a few days, unlike typical hotel food. Everything was homemade in the kitchen, and the flavors were on point. Most days, our waiter was Victor, and he kept the good vibes going, even when we were out on the dock under the palapa.

Nearby Dining Options

There are tons of local restaurants in Bacalar, and while we didn’t eat at all of them, we did find a few favorites! Punta Corcho Bacalar, La Burguesía del Pueblo, and La Trattoria Del ‘46 were some of the best spots we tried.

If you’re looking for more detailed reviews of the top places to eat with your family in Bacalar, click here!

The Best Time to Visit & Things to Know About Visiting Khaban Bacalar

Best Time to Visit 

Bacalar’s busiest season is right after hurricane season, from November to May. This is when you’ll experience the most comfortable temperatures and lower humidity levels. 

We visited during hurricane season, and it was definitely hot and humid, but the lake made it much more enjoyable, especially with the refreshing breeze coming off the lagoon.

Things to Know 

The resort is a little outside of town, just a 10-minute ride to the town center. The road leading to Khaban is a dirt path, but a regular car can easily make it there. It’s best to look for the green Khaban sign along Highway 307 to find the right turn. During our stay the road was poorly maintained adding additional time to navigate back and forth.

If you take the road that connects to La Brisa’s Children Camp and follow the lake road, you can still reach the hotel. However, it’ll be more of an adventure, and your driving skills will definitely be put to the test!

The free private parking at the resort is right next to a steep ravine, and we did scrape the bottom of our car a bit getting over the exposed limestone road. Once you arrive, the free self parking is in a rock lot directly across from the hotel entrance.

Frequently Asked Questions on visiting Khaban Bacalar Hotel

Do they offer a tour operator for the lagoon? 

The tour operator the hotel partners with, Delu Travel Tours, provided one of the best boat tours we’ve experienced in a while. The captain and his wife didn’t speak much English, but they used a phone to translate, making the whole experience smooth and easy.

They offered drinks like water, soda, and beer, and at the longer stop at Pirates Canal, they served a fresh fruit plate. Plus, they conveniently picked us up right at the dock on the property! Our full review of the experience can be found here, we had a fantastic time. 

Should I stay at the Khaban Bacalar Hotel with my family?

Staying at Khaban Bacalar will be an unforgettable experience for you and your family. As a 4-star accommodation, it offers so much to enjoy! The complimentary amenities exceeded our expectations, and the paid services, like onsite massages and convenient pickups right from the private docks, made exploring the lagoon easy and seamless.

Book this location if you’re looking for a romantic escape, whether with family or just as a couple, and want a hassle-free experience in the jungle. It’s also a good location for group events like bachelorettes and retreats. They provide everything you need for a fantastic time in Bacalar, Mexico!

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