The Bacalar lagoon, an unforgettable tourist experience

If you like travel and you are fascinated by the Mexican territory due to the tourist surprises that it always offers, then you have an essential appointment to meet with the Magical Town of Bacalar.

This site hosts one of the most attractive natural sites in the Mexican Caribbean: the Laguna de Los Siete Colores. However, this incomparable body of water is just one of the many attractions that Bacalar offers us for vacation purposes.

In the following lines we will mention some of them and why visiting the Bacalar lagoon is presented as a truly unforgettable tourist experience.

How do I get to the Bacalar lagoon?

Bacalar is located about 40 kilometers from Chetumal, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. This is sixty minutes by car. From the Cancun air terminal, it is a 333 kilometers car trip.

Therefore, for those who plan to vacation in this part of the Mexican Caribbean, it is advisable to arrive by plane to the city of Chetumal and from there board some transport that takes you in a short time to the Magical Town of Bacalar.

Another route widely used by tourists who are on the coast of Quintana Roo is to hire a one-day tour from Playa del Carmen or Cancun, although in this case you must be aware that you will have to travel longer.

What does the Bacalar lagoon offers in terms of tourism

It should be noted that the Laguna de Los Siete Colores serves as a habitat for various species of plants and animals particular to the Mexican Caribbean.

It is also the area where some of the oldest organisms on Earth are concentrated: the stromatolites, whose scientific study could give researchers the key to understanding the origin of life on the planet.

Touring the Bacalar lagoon by sailboat is also fascinating to learn more about the raids of the European pirates who devastated these waters a few centuries ago.

The Bacalar lagoon, an ecotourism wonder

The paradisiacal panoramic views that the Bacalar lagoon offers are a delight for visitors, the view that the crystal-clear water offers under the radiant rays of the Caribbean sun refract the luminosity giving shape to different shades, from the purest turquoise to the deepest blue.

This famous body of water connects with the Xul Há lagoon via a shallow aquifer extension. The latter is six meters wide and about three hundred meters long. It is also known as The Bacalar Rapids.

The ecological value of the Bacalar lagoon

In certain areas of the Laguna de Los Siete Colores, the oldest known living fossils are concentrated, the aforementioned stromatolites. These are carbonated conformations made up of bacteria, which, through photosynthesis, release oxygen.

Tourists will find in this body of water in Bacalar several cenotes with crystal-clear waters very pleasant to admire.

Vacation experiences to enjoy in the Bacalar lagoon

Travel by sailboat or kayak through the most beautiful corners of the lagoon.

Taking a catamaran ride through the southern part of this body of water, or exploring the Pirates’ Canal are some of the experiences that a visit to the Magical Town of Bacalar and its charming lagoon offers.

It is also essential to savor typical Caribbean dishes while resting and admiring the romantic landscapes of the lagoon.

Impossible to miss the opportunity to learn about the main historical background of Bacalar in the Historical Museum that is based in the Fort of San Felipe.

The panoramic view from the hill crowned by the aforementioned fortification presents us with an unbeatable view of the Main Square. Located in the very center of this Magical Town, its main ornament is a kiosk and beautiful gardens around it.

It is also very pleasant to rest under the shade of the trees or take long walks in the surroundings while enjoying a delicious ice cream.

Nautical activities to do in the Laguna de Los Siete Colores

It is worth venturing aboard a sailboat or a kayak through the area of the rapids of the lagoon. There are several ecotourism wonders that we can discover while strolling through the Bacalar lagoon.

One of them is the Cenote Azul, a pool of crystal-clear waters protected by dense vegetation and an authentic sanctuary for snorkeling and diving. It is no less interesting to visit the archaeological site of Chacchoben, about 37 km from Bacalar.

It is worth delving into its pre-Columbian vestiges, among legends and fascinating historical anecdotes.

Finally, we advise you to visit the Mayan communities near Bacalar and the coastal resort of Mahahual, about seventy kilometers away and endowed with wonderful beaches.