Bacalar is a year-round travel destination with consistently warm weather. Because it is a freshwater lagoon rather than the open ocean, it is completely free from sargassum (seaweed), offering calm, crystal-clear, and bath-warm waters throughout the year.
When planning a trip, booking between Thursday and Sunday is recommended. The lagoon is entirely closed to motorised boats every Wednesday for environmental conservation, meaning standard boat tours do not operate. Additionally, the town’s local evening activity and live music peak on Friday and Saturday nights.
Day One: Canal de los Piratas
A sustainable sailing tour allows your clients to visit the Pirates’ Channel (Canal de los Piratas) and pass by the mangrove-lined Isla de los Pájaros. In the evening, the central square (Zócalo) offers local street food like Marquesitas, while La Catrina provides live music and Salsa dancing.
Day Two: Cenote Azul & La Playita
Today begins with an early visit to Cenote Azul, an open, 90-metre-deep cenote surrounded by jungle. For lunch or afternoon relaxation, La Playita offers a lakefront setting with fresh seafood, followed by contemporary Mexican dining at Macario in the evening.
Day Three: Los Rápidos de Bacalar
This service provides access to a narrow mangrove channel with a gentle, natural current where visitors can float downstream or rent kayaks.
Where to Stay
Your client’s choice of accommodation depends on their travel style. For central access and walkability to restaurants, Diosa del Agua provides boutique rooms in the heart of town. Travellers looking for direct water access and water sports can opt for Aimanah, an adults-only property located near Cenote Azul. For wellness and mindfulness, Alkalki operates as a dedicated eco-friendly yoga retreat on the lagoon.
Getting to Bacalar
From Cancún Airport, the air-conditioned ADO coach network connects to Bacalar in approximately 5.5 hours for £25–£35.
Alternatively, travellers can fly to Chetumal Airport via a connection in Mexico City, leaving a 40-minute taxi ride to Bacalar.
Local transport consists of white taxis; fares should be agreed upon before entering the vehicle, and payment is cash-only (Mexican Pesos) as rideshare apps are unavailable.
Janina’s Personal Recommendation from her Recent Visit
I loved the tranquillity of the Alkalki Resort, my ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Staying at one of the superior waterfront cabins on stilts, I felt part of the calm lagoon flowing with its every move. So much privacy with direct access to the lagoon for a wake up swim in the morning, the beautiful sunrise and a daily yoga session or meditating at the resort’s own temple are only a few examples of your own personal wellness moment.
Native Trails handles private and group tour bookings, designs tailored self-drive itineraries, and coordinates guaranteed departures.
And when are you going to visit Bacalar?
If you are interested in hearing more about Bacalar or any experiences with Native Trails, please contact millie@americas.co.uk
