Bacalar

Information

Bacalar is a town in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located about 35 km from Chetumal. It sits on the shore of the lake that shares its name, making it a popular destination for tourists. The town offers several services for visitors such as shops, restaurants, a fuel station and a range of hotels to suit different budgets.

It can be reached via Route 307, which connects it to Tulum in the north (there are 215 km between the two cities). It has a bus terminal where public transportation arrives from Cancún, Chetumal, Mérida, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and other destinations.

There are many attractions within the town. One of them is the Fort of San Felipe de Bacalar, built by the Spanish in the 18th century to defend against pirate attacks, mainly from the English and French. Today it can be visited and its facilities explored, which still preserve part of its history.

Another attraction, without a doubt, is the Laguna de Bacalar (Bacalar Lake) which appears as a crystal-clear body of water with a light sandy bottom. Along its shore there are public swimming areas and spots ideal for enjoying nature and discovering its different environments:
— Balneario municipal El Aserradero: free to access, with a fee only if parking a car. It has a long pier with a spectacular view of the water, perfect for taking photos. At times it can get quite crowded.
— Municipal boardwalk: a must-see when visiting Bacalar. It's a raised wooden walkway shaped like a square with a total length of about 800 meters that partly borders and partly extends into the lake. One section crosses through a mangrove, offering a glimpse of the ecosystem's biodiversity and the chance to spot some native birds of this aquatic environment.
— Balneario Ecológico: a protected area with a good stretch of shoreline along the lake, where vegetation provides shade in several spots.

Just outside the town, 4.5 km away is the Cenote Azul, a large open-type cenote that's perfect for swimming.