Bacalar Guide: Discover Mexico’s Hidden Gem

By Janis MVK

If you’re searching for a tropical escape packed with thrilling adventures, rich culture and peaceful relaxation, paradise awaits you in the south region of the Mexican Caribbean. Bacalar, a small village located south of Tulum, near the Mexico-Belize border, is not only filled with natural beauty, but is vibrant with traditions, folklore, cuisine and artisanal work. 

Often referred to as The Maldives of Mexico for its clear waters, Bacalar is home to the Lagoon of Seven Colors, a freshwater lake named for its seven distinct shades of blue. With a white limestone bottom, the waters are clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling paired with the most magical of sunsets and the freshest of seafood. 

The best part? Bacalar is off the beaten Mexican Caribbean path, so picture less crowds—even during its peak tourism months, making it a true hidden gem.

The wellness experience in this town invites you to feel part of nature, offering rustic yet incredibly charming spas, some of them are overwater bungalows, which are the perfect setting for having a spa treatment or Mayan ritual with medicinal plants and local ingredients such as honey, coconut, cocoa, among others.

Many of the spas located in boutique hotels offer the Janzu experience, which is an aquatic energizing treatment that takes place in the lagoon, where you let yourself be guided by a practitioner who stretches and massages your body activating new energy and providing you a profound relaxation.

The wellness experience goes hand in hand with water activities such as sup yoga at sunrise, where the first rays of the sun, the birds chirping and the blue tones of the Bacalar Lagoon serve as the perfect setting for travelers to connect body, mind and soul.

Bacalar is home to four deep cenotes. Enjoy all of them and the uniqueness each one has. Cenote Azul is one of the deepest in Grand Costa Maya with a depth of almost 300 feet. Although not completely isolated from the restaurants and conveniences of modern-day living, Cenote Azul is surrounded by vegetation and right next to the lagoon to hit two places in one. Cenote Cocalitos is the spot for the perfect family getaway. Not only are there lush green areas and access to the lagoon, you’ll also find stromatolites, a camping site, and so many water activities like kayaking, boating and swimming. Cenote Esmeralda gets its name from its deep blue waters. There’s a narrow gap from which the cenote water meets the lagoon. Lastly, Cenote Negro, also known as the “The Witch’s Cenote,” gets its name from a local legend that a resident Mayan witch lives upon its shores. This cenote is the darkest of blues the lagoon has.

The most interesting spot, rich with history, is the Canal de los Piratas. A small, narrow duct between the Lagoon of Seven Colors and the Chac estuary. “The Pirates’ Channel” was once a major trading channel with the Mayan empire, however, these days tourists and locals alike come to enjoy wading through the waters.

Take in the culture and do like the locals do. Get to know the charm and character of this small village with artisanal shopping from handmade wovens and decor to woodcarvings and more. Looking for a little nightlife? At the Main Square you’ll find a relaxing vibe with live bands and tourists and locals alike dancing the night away. As for late-night bites, downtown Bacalar is filled with food vendors.