Bacalar – 7 Colors Lagoon Excursión Costa Maya
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Costa Maya, Mexico
- 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Bacalar Lagoon was once a haven for Caribbean pirates but has become one of the Yucatan's most beautiful places to visit. Join a small group and take a guided tour from Costa Maya to the 7-colored lagoon for a day of swimming and exploring. Visit the Cocalitos and Black cenotes as well as the Pirate Channel, where precious wood was once smuggled.
- Spend the day swimming and soaking up the sun
- Lunch, snacks, and beverages are included
- Hassle-free transfers from the cruise ship terminal
- A small group means more attention from your guide
What's Included
- Lunch
- Bottled water
- Soda/Pop
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Snacks
- Transportation round trip: Costa Maya – Bacalar
- Insurance
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Av. P.º del Puerto 1300, Nuevo, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
There will be a guide outside the port waiting for you with a Chac Ek sign and a white board with your name on it.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 07/18/2019 - 07/07/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday : 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Itinerary
Join this small-group adventure that takes you to the Bacalar Lagoon, where you can swim and relax in the 7-colored water, explore two cenotes, and learn about the pirate and smuggling history of the area.
Your hassle-free tour starts with meeting your guide and group at the port terminal in Costa Maya. Hop on your minibus, and relax as your driver takes you over to both “Cenote Esmeralda,” another name for Bacalar Lagoon. Later you’ll visit “Cenote Cocalitos” and the “Black Cenote,” and see the distinguishing features of each with your guide.
You’ll also be able to spend time at Cocalitos Beach Club where you’ll have refreshments provided, like snacks, lunch, beer, and other fun drinks.
Your hassle-free tour starts with meeting your guide and group at the port terminal in Costa Maya. Hop on your minibus, and relax as your driver takes you over to both “Cenote Esmeralda,” another name for Bacalar Lagoon. Later you’ll visit “Cenote Cocalitos” and the “Black Cenote,” and see the distinguishing features of each with your guide.
You’ll also be able to spend time at Cocalitos Beach Club where you’ll have refreshments provided, like snacks, lunch, beer, and other fun drinks.
1
Laguna Bacalar
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Bacalar
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos





Featured review
Elizabeth_T
This is our second time on this excursion. We booked it again because we loved it so much the first time. We got lucky and John was our guide both times! We learned so much about the local culture and Mayans. We loved the boat ride and swimming time. The lagoon is absolutely beautiful and worth the ride to get there. Juan kept us happy with snacks, sodas, water, beer, and Tequila. My sons (5 & 8) loved it as much as we did. We also enjoyed the lunch!! Highly recommend and will go again with this company anytime we are back in this port!
Reviews
4.8
based on 465 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Victor_C, Jul 2026
This was a great excursion.
The hardest part was getting from the ship to the meeting point…lol.
Our tour guide Juan was great, very informative and engaging.
The tour around Bacalar lagoon was awesome and swimming on the shallow waters was very relaxing.
I would recommend this excursion to everyone.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Alisa_A, Jul 2026
This was, without a doubt, the highlight of our trip! One piece of advice: don’t take your time getting off the ship. You only have about 20 minutes to reach the meeting point, and it’s a longer walk from the NCL ship than we expected. It’s easy enough to find, but it’s not right outside the port. If possible, take the port carts instead of walking the entire pier. We ended up being the last ones to arrive and were so grateful they waited for us. Even though we docked early, many people were already there and ready to go.
Our tour guide, Edwin, was fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and even took photos throughout the day and sent them to us before we returned to the ship. The drive to the launch point was about an hour and 15 minutes, but it went by quickly because Edwin shared local history and information along the way.
One surprise was that we got to ride a pontoon boat to the lagoons. We had no idea that was part of the excursion, and it ended up being one of our favorite parts! The boat ride lasted about 30 minutes, and they provided snacks and drinks before dropping us off in the shallow lagoon.
The lagoon itself was the absolute highlight of our entire cruise. It was stunning, peaceful, and so much fun to explore. Edwin brought us fresh pineapple and mango, kept the drinks flowing (including plenty of tequila!), and made sure everyone was having a great time. It honestly felt like paradise.
Afterward, we headed back for a delicious local lunch. I ordered the fajitas, and before we left, I treated myself to one of their homemade ice cream popsicles for about $3. It was the perfect ending to the meal. On the ride back to the port, just about everyone in the van fell asleep after such a relaxing day.
I would recommend this excursion without hesitation. It was an incredible experience from start to finish and easily one of the best excursions we’ve ever taken.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Meredith_M, Jul 2026
It is an hour and fifteen minute ride to the lagoon. Once you arrive, you quickly realize it is absolutely worth the drive. The water is several different shades of blue and there were lots of good spots for photos. The water was freshwater so you could see underwater without a mask or goggles. The authentic food and drinks were also very good.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Jennifer_E, Jul 2026
Juan was a wonderful tour guide. He took the time to get to know each guest. He gave us snacks, drinks, lunch and more snacks. The lagoons were so pretty. I would recommend this tour to anyone...families as well.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Cherie_T, Jun 2026
The lagoon was beautiful and the guides were very friendly. The “cenote” viewing is rather misleading as I have been to centotes before and we could swim in them and they were so beautiful, so it was a disappointment that all of these so called cenotes were underwater and there was really nothing to see. The grandkids enjoyed the swimming at the end of the tour of the lagoon.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience and for visiting us at Chac Ek Costa Maya.
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the beauty of the lagoon and that our guides made you feel welcome throughout the tour. It is also wonderful to know that your grandchildren had a great time swimming in the lagoon.
We appreciate your feedback regarding the cenotes. Bacalar is unique because its cenotes are connected to the lagoon and remain underwater, which is quite different from the open cenotes that can be found in other regions of Mexico. We understand that this may not have matched your expectations, and your comments help us improve the way we explain these natural formations before and during our tours.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback. We hope to welcome you and your family back in the future to continue exploring the natural beauty of Bacalar.
Mary_S, Jun 2026
The lagoon was nice but not worth the price and the long ride. Maybe if we had the pontoon ride with it but they told us the day before after they took our payment that it is "no navigation Wednesdays" for all operators. I am sure they knew that when I booked it and could have told me then when I had time to figure something else out. The food at the restaurant was just meat or fish on a soft taco shell. No lettuce, tomato, onions.
Bright spot, Adam the tour guide was very nice and informative.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hello, good morning.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for taking the time to leave us a review. We sincerely regret that the tour did not fully meet your expectations.
In situations where navigation on the lagoon is restricted by order of the authorities, our team makes every effort to contact all visitors in advance to provide clear information about the situation, explain the existing conditions, and offer available alternatives before the activity.
We understand that, even with these measures, the final experience may not have been what you expected, and we are very sorry that it wasn't entirely to your liking. We value your feedback, as it helps us continue improving our service and communication with our visitors.
Thank you again for your visit, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future under better conditions.
Tess_N, May 2026
We had to cancel due to weather but they were extremely gracious and easy to work with. We will book with them again next time we visit!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Tammy_P, May 2026
Absolutely amazing experience! Gorgeous lagoon views and our guide Adan was amazing. We got fruit and beer/snacks/water on board. It was very choppy but still a smooth pontoon ride. Our driver man he was amazing and kept us safe. Our boat driver and his daughter were awesome navigators. Excellent family day!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Michaela_K, May 2026
Amazing shore excursion in Costa Maya! We decided to visit Bacalar Lagoon and it was absolutely worth the drive from the port. Our early tour start meant we arrived before the crowds, making the experience so peaceful and relaxing.
The guide was fantastic and shared lots of interesting local history along the way. We loved the stop for fresh pineapple and mango served right in the water — such a fun touch! Pirates Channel was another beautiful swimming spot with crystal-clear water.
After enjoying the lagoon, we stopped for delicious tacos before heading back to the ship with plenty of time before departure. One of my favorite excursions of the cruise — highly recommend getting outside the port area and exploring Bacalar!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Charlotte_H, May 2026
We had a wonderful trip to Bacalar! This was our first time visiting Costa Maya on a cruise and after reviewing this posting, we decided to book. We are so glad we did! Pick up from the port was seamless with extensive directions provided on how to find our tour operator once we were off the ship. They communicated throughout the process and even accommodated our seating requirements due to a recent knee surgery for my husband. The water at Bacalar was insanely beautiful and we’re so glad we did not miss out on the opportunity to take this trip. It’s about an hour and 15 minutes from the port, but our tour guide Carol was amazing at ensuring us that we would be back on time. Before we left, she laid out the agenda for the full day and gave us approximate times that we would arrive at each stop. The provided lunch at Taco Loco was delicious and it was a day to remember!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Bree_F, May 2026
Francisco and Erick were great drivers & guides. We had so much fun the entire bus was knocked out and snoring on our way back to the port. The lagoon is unreal, the color is magnificent. Lunch was prepared and ready for us as soon as we left the lagoon. It was a long drive (1 hr+) to and from but it was worth it.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Lela_G, May 2026
We had a great excursion in Bacalar 7 color Lagoon! The food was very good, especially the fresh fruits. We also enjoyed learning about the history of the town and the local culture. Everything was well organized, and they brought us back to the ship on time, which we really appreciated.
For future bookings, I recommend getting off the ship right away so you have enough time to meet the tour and enjoy the full experience. Highly recommend this excursion!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Jessie_W, May 2026
Amazing experience! The water was beautiful and our guides were great. They took care of everything and the fruit they brought was delicious.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Becky_G, May 2026
AMAZING guides and experience. The space was absolutely beautiful and everyone was VERY friendly. Didn't take long to get their either, fantastic trip.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Blanca_B, Apr 2026
My husband, two teenagers, and myself did this experience this past week. It was amazing! Our guide Juan was friendly and knowledgeable and made us feel so welcome. He and the boat Captain took us on a fantastic tour and the swimming was a dream. They brought plenty of drinks and snacks and even bought a fresh pineapple and mango on the way for us to enjoy. We'll definitely do this again when we visit again.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
steve_h, Apr 2026
Our guide, Juan Corona and driver, Andreas treated us to a great excursion. We were met outside the dock and Andreas drove us 3 and another couple to the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon where we got on a small boat and toured the lagoon. The water was the most beautiful colors and it was so clear. We saw 3 different ceynotes then stopped to cool off in the waist deep water. Juan & Andreas then served us the most delicious honey pineapple and mangoes sprinkled with tahine in the water as well as beer and taquila shots. We then drove to a great local restaurant and had fabulous tacos and fajitas. Juan was most accomodating and knowledgeable about the area.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Mirella_M, Apr 2026
Francisco was a great guide, very informative and polite. I would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone that wants to experience the beautiful Bacalar lagoon. It was a wonderful experience, the boat ride and the lunch was amazing.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Jenna_T, Apr 2026
Adan was the best guide and made our day so fun! The water exceeded our expectations and was by far the most beautiful water we have seen. The drive there is about an hour and 10 mins but goes by so fast and we had a wonderful time ! Very nice small group only 8 people total. The van we rode in was very nice and comfortable. Would 10/10 recommend this tour to anyone who wants something other than a beach day in costa maya. The fish and shrimp tacos were delicious at the end also!!! Great experience !!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Lindsay_B, Apr 2026
The Bacalar 7 colors lagoon tour was a very unique and fun experience for our family! We met our guide Adan outside of the port area and were quickly given a seat in their air conditioned van as well as cold water to drink. We drove for about an hour which went by quickly as Adan gave us great history about the area as well as the geography and topography. We stopped to eat at El Tacos Locos in Bacalar. The fried shrimp tacos were the best!! We then continued on to the lagoon. We boarded a pontoon boat. We were given a tour of three cenotes and saw the microbiolitos which are the oldest living organisms on the planet. Very cool to witness! We then were able to get off the boat into the lagoon and had drinks, fresh fruit and lots of time to enjoy the water. We got back on the boat and drove back to the port. Our guide, van driver and boat captain were all great!! Lots of history, fun, food and amazing scenery!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Karin_F, Apr 2026
Did this excursion from our RC cruise. We had an amazing day with our guide, Adan! The weather did not cooperate but it was still beautiful and we were still able to swim (the water was warmer than the air). The water was absolutely beautiful and it was nice to swim in fresh water. The ride to the lagoon wasn't bad at all. We stopped along the way to get pineapple, which was amazing, and it was just nice to relax after a busy few days on our ship. On the way home we stopped for lunch so again, it breaks up the ride. No issues with getting back to the ship on time. Our guide was very conscientious about the need to get back and we had hours to spare.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Brenda_W, Apr 2026
Beautiful. However bus ride is about 1 hr to and from . It's worth it. Leo was a great guide. Pineapple and tequila was a treat.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Cindy_G, Apr 2026
It was a walk to get to the meeting point but once we were there everyone took care of us. Our tour guide (Aden) was great!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Eunema_S, Apr 2026
Lots of fun, the lagoon is beautiful!! Our guide Juan Corona was really great - it was about an hour fifteen minute drive from the port. Once on the lagoon, we rode around on the boat to see a few different cenotes and then went to an area where we could get in the water. We were given drinks (coke, beer, tequila!) and fresh fruit (pineapple and mango). After, we went to a restaurant that was very good and then back to the port. I recommend
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Lisa_G, Apr 2026
AMAZING. The lagoon is BE A UTIFUL. Very impressive. I wanted to stay the entire day but my cruise left early that day so we couldn’t spend a long time.
Caro, our tour guide which is originally from Germany, was great. She’s Mexican already with all her culture knowledge
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Jennifer_B, Mar 2026
Our excursion to Bacalar was the highlight of our stop in Costa Maya. Despite our ship, Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas, being delayed by over an hour, the tour company handled everything perfectly. Their communication via WhatsApp was excellent, which really lowered our stress levels while waiting to dock.
Once we got off, they met us at the designated location with a clear sign and walked us directly to our transport. We were a small, comfortable group of eight people from our ship.
The Journey & Staff:
Our driver, Moses, and our guide, Francesco, were both fantastic and fully bilingual. The AC van was a welcome relief from the heat for the 1 hour and 10-minute drive. On the way, Francesco even stopped at a street vendor to pick up fresh local pineapple and mango for us to enjoy later—a really thoughtful touch!
The Experience:
• The Lagoon: We boarded a pontoon boat and saw two stunning cenotes. We spent about an hour swimming in the crystal-clear fresh water of the lagoon. It was incredibly refreshing!
• Amenities: There was a clean changing area and bathrooms available before we got on the boat. While on the water, the crew provided the fresh fruit, and there were plenty of complimentary drinks and beer available.
• Lunch: We placed our orders during the drive so the food was ready when we arrived at the restaurant. I had the beef tacos and horchata, which were delicious. If you are a seafood lover, there were plentiful fish options on the menu as well.
• Atmosphere: The restaurant had great service, was very clean, and even featured live music, which made for a great ending to the day.
Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to escape the crowded port area and see the "Lagoon of Seven Colors." Just a heads up—it is a bit of a drive, but Moses and Francesco made it easy and enjoyable!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Stephanie_M, Mar 2026
The water is beautiful. It’s hard to believe it was fresh water. It is an hour drive from the port to get to the destination but it is worth seeing.. Juan corona was a fantastic tour guide.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Carolyn_A, Mar 2026
This was an amazing experience from start to finish. Communication with Tino was great. The vans and boat for Bacalar were wonderful. Francisco and Leo made this the most memorable day. Francisco got us everywhere safely. Leo was a fantastic guide and so knowledgeable. Bacalar was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and I am well traveled. This is an experience you wont’t forget!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Elizabeth_T, Mar 2026
This is our second time on this excursion. We booked it again because we loved it so much the first time. We got lucky and John was our guide both times! We learned so much about the local culture and Mayans. We loved the boat ride and swimming time. The lagoon is absolutely beautiful and worth the ride to get there. Juan kept us happy with snacks, sodas, water, beer, and Tequila. My sons (5 & 8) loved it as much as we did. We also enjoyed the lunch!! Highly recommend and will go again with this company anytime we are back in this port!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Heather_H, Mar 2026
Exceeded expectations! Guides were friendly and helpful. Even though water was cold, we still enjoyed it! The water was the most beautiful shades of blues I've ever seen in the Caribbean. Felt safe the entire time. Lovely small sized group.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Megan_S, Mar 2026
The guide was amazing! We had such a good time! They made sure we made it back in time. The food was delicious!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
From $135.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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