Lake Bacalar
Lake Bacalar
5
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Top ways to experience Lake Bacalar
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Best nearby
Restaurants
210 within 5 kms
Attractions
12 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
2,782 reviews
Excellent
2,551
Very good
179
Average
31
Poor
12
Terrible
9
honey_badger1888
United Kingdom748 contributions
Feb 2022
This is a fabulous place to visit. The lake itself is about 30 miles long by 1 mile wide and it is full of gorgeous places to visit.
A boat tour here is simply a must. Even when it rained the lake was still beautiful, and when the sun shines it is a staggeringly beautiful place to be, with waters like The Maldives, but in a lake!
You can arrange a private boat with roof and its own captain for 750 pesos. This price is for the boat, not per person, and it can hold up to 12 people, although i think the price would vary for more people. We had 4 of us on the boat for the price we got. Its cheaper to get from a boat tour from an tour operator directly, as opposed to using your accommodation to book a tour. The prices can vary wildly when you start to use hotels to book your tour. It's simple and easy to book a tour down at the lake from one of the many tour operators that are there.
On the tour itself we visited Cenote Azul, Cocalitos, Pirates channel and more. Cocalitos and Pirates Channel are simply gorgeous and are a must see on a boat tour. There are other places to visit if you wish to do so.
Highly recommended, go for it!
A boat tour here is simply a must. Even when it rained the lake was still beautiful, and when the sun shines it is a staggeringly beautiful place to be, with waters like The Maldives, but in a lake!
You can arrange a private boat with roof and its own captain for 750 pesos. This price is for the boat, not per person, and it can hold up to 12 people, although i think the price would vary for more people. We had 4 of us on the boat for the price we got. Its cheaper to get from a boat tour from an tour operator directly, as opposed to using your accommodation to book a tour. The prices can vary wildly when you start to use hotels to book your tour. It's simple and easy to book a tour down at the lake from one of the many tour operators that are there.
On the tour itself we visited Cenote Azul, Cocalitos, Pirates channel and more. Cocalitos and Pirates Channel are simply gorgeous and are a must see on a boat tour. There are other places to visit if you wish to do so.
Highly recommended, go for it!
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olidobolli
Zagreb, Croatia7 contributions
Jan 2020
Yes the lake is nice, you can take a swim, chill & relax, and that is about all what you can do at Lake Bacalar. A tour taking you around all the cenotes makes you realize there is nothing special about the cenotes and there is no magical 7 colors. Another problem is that from the city of Bacalar all the beaches in walking distance are private property and you cannot enter. If its on your way stop for a swim, but I dont see a content that would keep me there longer. Other thing is that I find all accomodation options in Bacalar way overpriced for what they offer.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celestin
Mexico City, Mexico1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Solo
The lake could be beautiful if you had access to it. You simply don't! Very few free accesses to the laguna and all accesses are very small. The laguna is very shallow and muddy which makes swimming there not enjoyable. The town is expensive and people there are only rich people trying to get richer. Beautiful colors don't make a place nice to stay for a few days. And unless you are ready to spend 100 US $ daily it's not worth coming here.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerry Chichen Itza
Cancun, Mexico26 contributions
Oct 2019
“Pueblo Mágico” de Quintana Roo south of Cancun, is located next to a beautiful seven-color lagoon, offering the ideal space for swimming and snorkeling. The lagoon is a huge expanse of shallow water, with very soft white sand.
During the 17th century, Bacalar was constantly attacked by pirates who arrived through channels to disembark in the lagoon, since Bacalar was very prosperous at that time and exported mahogany, logwood, sugar, some fruits, and goats and pigs. Currently the fort of San Felipe which was built to fortify the city and protect itself from pirate attacks, today is an interesting museum that complements the visit to this beautiful region.
During the 17th century, Bacalar was constantly attacked by pirates who arrived through channels to disembark in the lagoon, since Bacalar was very prosperous at that time and exported mahogany, logwood, sugar, some fruits, and goats and pigs. Currently the fort of San Felipe which was built to fortify the city and protect itself from pirate attacks, today is an interesting museum that complements the visit to this beautiful region.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mjau
12 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
I was dreaming of the Bcalar water with neon turquoise color! What a dissapoitment was when I saw this disgusting brown muddy lake! Where? WHERE IS THAT COLORS?!
Toen itself is rediculous expensive! Dormitory in bungalow without ac and two toilets for everyone, including camping 350 Pesos! And this is the cheapest option at the lake! Even in covid rate it is 16$! I am just in shock, becouse in Playa del Carmen you can have proper hostel Dormitory for 5$. Also all access is blocked by hotels and beach clubs. It is like second Tulum, except in tulum it was only a sea weed and here it is a terrible water! And it is always after the rain. All locals are f***g silent about it, so you have to spend money on collectivo, which is also rediculous 180 pesos! All Quintana Roo sims like total scam!
Be sure that you are here in high season, which year to year is shorter and shorter and prices are higher and higher.
Toen itself is rediculous expensive! Dormitory in bungalow without ac and two toilets for everyone, including camping 350 Pesos! And this is the cheapest option at the lake! Even in covid rate it is 16$! I am just in shock, becouse in Playa del Carmen you can have proper hostel Dormitory for 5$. Also all access is blocked by hotels and beach clubs. It is like second Tulum, except in tulum it was only a sea weed and here it is a terrible water! And it is always after the rain. All locals are f***g silent about it, so you have to spend money on collectivo, which is also rediculous 180 pesos! All Quintana Roo sims like total scam!
Be sure that you are here in high season, which year to year is shorter and shorter and prices are higher and higher.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia R
Targu Mures, Romania192 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited lake Bacalar in February and it was amazing. It's a place right out the pages of a storybook and once cannot get enough of the stunning view. We booked a cruise and sailed for about three hours seeing the more wilde and touristy parts of the lake.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark P
8 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
It was over 2 hours to drive down from Tulum to sail. Lagoon was as gorgeous as advertised. Very windy so there were some tense moments. Lake Bacalar is a "dead lake" because the sulphur and calcium levels are so high. No fish. No plants. No birds. It's not polluted in any way, just nothing can live in it. Nothing really to see via snorkeling.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boabflower
Derby, Australia12 contributions
Jan 2020
There are public beaches where you can enjoy a drink and food. It's a pity though that restaurants and hotels are built right down to the water. You can't really walk along the edge of the Laguna, although they are trying to be environmentally conscious, it will eventually have an impact.
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
San Jose, CA2,111 contributions
Sept 2020
Lake Bacalars crystal clear, warm waters have to be experienced to be properly understood. It is truly a natural wonder. There are a number of piers all over Bacalar jetting into the lagoon from which one can gain access to the water. One thing, don't wear your sunscreen in the water as it kills the PH and the creatures living in the water.
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GillJezz
Aberystwyth, UK540 contributions
Mar 2020
Its a stunning lagoon and you really need to do a boat trip to appreciate it. They all seem to be regulated and provide life jackets etc. Its nice to see the cenotes and get out into the water. My only regret was that our boat only did a drive past the bird island some others had stopped (at a respectable distance) to get a better look at all the birdlife there. But you can't escape those beautiful colours!
Written April 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JulioMF687240
Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Mexico
Buen dia amigos,
¿Es seguro conducir durante tarde/noche desde Cancun a Bacalar?
Aproximadamente de 6pm a 11pm, nos da un poco de miedo por que es primera vez que conducimos este tramo y por el horario.
Written May 29, 2023
y ahora en 2022, ¿qué tan seguro es viajar por esa carretera hacia Bacalar desde Chetumal?
Written May 11, 2022
No he viajado para allá desde que inició este año, nosotros no tuvimos ningún problema en carretera, pero hace un mes más o menos subieron un vídeo en tik tok dónde comentaban que había problemas en la carretera al pasar limones, que estaban atacando a automovilistas pero no sé que tan cierto sea.
Written May 17, 2022
hola!! sabríais decirme que zonas son exactamente las que tienen esos 20cm? me gustaría buscar hospedaje cerca de un lugar así en Bacalar, ya que viajaremos en breve con un nene de 2 años... gracias!
Written December 18, 2021
Hola, voy con dos pequeños de 5 y 8 años.
Me hospedo a 30 min de la laguna.
Me recomiendas tomar algun tour o puedo ir yo sola en taxi y donde me recomiendas ir?
gracias
Written July 31, 2021
Existen varios lugares para tomar un tour a la laguna, (realmente vale la pena), te hacen un recorrido por la misma, y te permiten nadar por 30 minutos dentro de la laguna, que es muy agradable, para tus hijos ese momento va ser muy agradable.
Otro lugar que puedes visitar, para esto si tomas un taxi para que te lleven al centro de bacalar, es un pueblito muy agradable, y checa si esta abierto en Mahahual el parque acuatico de diversiones Maya, checa si ya lo abrieron
felices vacacione
Written August 1, 2021
Mau
Round Rock, Texas
Hola! Vale la pena ir? He leído muchos comentarios que por las inundaciones la laguna aun no recupera su color. Alguien tiene fotos de enero 2021 que pueda compartir? Cual es la recomendación? Tengo planeado ir la segunda semana de febrero. Gracias!
Written January 27, 2021
Buenas tardes, alguien que haya viajado a este hermoso lugar en este último mes de Octubre que me pueda ayudar sobre la situación actual de la laguna? Ya que dicen que esta en mal estado por las últimas tormentas y estoy indeciso sobre conocer bacalar el próximo mes de diciembre....ayuda por favor
Written November 4, 2020
Nosotros fuimos en época de lluvias y no pierde su belleza, es un sitio diferente, vale la pena visitarlo y nadar en la laguna o visitar los alrededores. Sólo recomiendo elegir bien el alojamiento, hay casas en renta y algunos hoteles ecoturísticos, pero también hay hoteles muy viejos y descuidados.
Written November 30, 2020
Hola, quisiera saber si es posible viajar de Cancun a la laguna Bacalar en auto rentado , llegar y contratar ahí mismo un Tour para pasear por la Laguna. Y si hay lugar donde estacionar seguro el auto. Gracias
Written February 24, 2020
Si se puede pero es mucha la distancia
Lo más indicado es volar a CHETUMAL en el aeropuerto PREVIA contratación hay coches de renta
Bacalar es inmenso y si hay lugar para estacionar
En el muelle público se contratan los tours aprox $250 a $300 pesos
No vueles a Cancún. Son más de 6 horas de carretera, de Chetumal Máximo 30 minutos
Written February 24, 2020
hola, muy pronto ire ahí a Bacalar con mi pequeña, a que zona me recomiendas llegar, donde ella pueda meterse sin correr riesgos, ya que yo tampoco se nadar!!! ojala me puedas ayudar, gracias
Written February 18, 2020
En el balneario, la laguna en la orilla es baja, allí pueden comer, tomar algo, precios accesibles, se pueden hospedar sin gastar mucho en un hostal que se llama kokay, tiene acceso a la laguna y los amaneceres se disfrutan desde la habitación, al igual que ver la una en las noches
Written February 26, 2020
Claire D
Ales, France
Bonjour je voudrais réserver pour demain samedi 01 février une sortie avec Steven nous somme à l’hôtel Vlandres à Bacalar et je n’arrive pas à vous trouver. Comment puis-je faire ?
Written January 31, 2020
Bon jour
Vous voulez faire quoi ?
La ballade en kayak voir les possibilités pour avoir qq qui vous fait traverser la lagune. Je ne me souviens plus du non indiqué dans mes commentaires
Bon voyage
Benoit
Written February 1, 2020
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