A quick hop from the Mexico-Belize border is Bacalar, home to one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Mexico. Once a haven for pirates, this laid-back town is today an eco-tourism paradise. Lake Bacalar—also referred to as the Lagoon of Seven Colors—and its spectacular cenotes may take the prize as the area’s most popular attraction, but there are plenty more things to do in Bacalar. Highlights include the 18th-century Fort of San Felipe (built to keep out said pesky pirates), Bacalar Ecopark, sailing, kayaking, birdwatching trips through the mangroves, and colorful handicraft markets.
Bacalar is best visited during the dry season—November to April—when the dry weather keeps the lagoon looking its colorful best. The warm temperatures and lower humidity levels are also perfect for lake-based activities like swimming and sailing. While December and January are the busiest months of the year, if you’re desperate to avoid any crowds, the shoulder months of October and May can also be a great time to visit—but it’s worth bringing an umbrella, just in case.
As Bacalar is fairly small and easy to get around, most visitors tend to walk or rent a bicycle to zip around town and then take boat or kayaking tours out on the lagoon. While some travelers may opt to rent a car—especially when planning to head further afield to places like Los Rápidos and the archaeological sites of Dzibanche, Kohunlich, and Chacchoben—you can also join day trips, take taxis, or organize private transportation.
The beauty of this pueblo mágico (magic town) extends into the realm of eco-tourism. Protecting the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem—which includes cenotes, mangroves, and stromatolites—is a top priority for many tourism operators, partly due to the recent growth in visitor numbers to the area. Destinations such as Bacalar Ecopark, where you will find a laboratory and outdoor exhibits, are a great way to learn more about what makes Bacalar so special—and what tourists can do to help protect it.
