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Mexican Caribbean
Bacalar

Bacalar

Float - Relax - Repeat

Bacalar

Bacalar's natural hues shine vibrantly.

The Seven Colors Lagoon runs for twenty-five miles in front of a Pueblo Mágico of quiet streets. The water is fresh, warm and so clear you can see the bottom from the surface.

Around it there are cenotes, mangrove canals, trails for birdwatching and the 18th-century Fort of San Felipe. An hour away or less, the most imposing archaeological sites in the south.

Right now
26°Clear
Best for
Sailing, swimming and switching off
Best season
Seven colors, November to March

Getting here

Airport

Facade of Chetumal International Airport, with its coloured lattice screen

Airport

Chetumal International Airport

Chetumal International Airport is the closest airport, allowing you to make the most of your time in this Magical Town. Located in the state capital, just 38 km (23 miles) from the lagoon.

Please note that after landing in Chetumal, you will need to take an intercity transfer of approximately 40 minutes to reach Bacalar. Some transportation options include:

  • Private Shuttle Services You can book an exclusive vehicle to pick you up at the arrivals gate and drop you at your accommodation.
  • Highway Connection For a more budget-friendly route, you must first head to the Chetumal shuttle hub to board frequent northbound passenger vans.
  • Car Rentals An excellent alternative for those who want total freedom to explore the area between the capital and the Magic Town.

Maya Train

The Maya Train's Bacalar station, its name above the latticework facade

Maya Train

Bacalar station

The modern gateway to Southern Quintana Roo, perfect for those seeking comfort and scenic jungle views. This is the most efficient option if you're coming from other destinations.

  • Station Location Situated on the outskirts of town, approximately 15 minutes from the lagoon area.
  • Reaching the Heart of Bacalar Upon arrival, a ground transfer is required. You will find official transport units and shuttle services synchronized with train arrivals to take you directly to the hotel zone or San Felipe Fort.

Bus

ADO and regional coaches at the platforms of the Bacalar bus terminal

Bus

Bacalar bus terminal

The most popular alternative for travelers traversing the Mexican Caribbean from end to end. The main passenger terminal is located on the federal highway, serving as the destination's central connectivity hub. However, to access the lagoon area, you have the following options:

  • On Foot From the drop-off point, the historic center is a 10 to 12-minute walk, ideal if you are traveling with light luggage.
  • Local Transport At the deboarding area, community transport units are always available for the short trip (less than 5 minutes) to the water's edge.

Bacalar in motion

The lagoon

Seven blues in the same water

Get out early, while the lagoon is still and the color shifts with every cloud. By kayak, by sailboat or from a wooden dock: Bacalar makes sense from the water.

Wooden swings over the Seven Colors Lagoon in Bacalar

Cenotes and canals

The fresh water that surrounds the town

Cenote Azul, the Pirates' Canal and the cenotes along the lagoon form a system unlike any other in the region. Its shores are home to stromatolites, among the oldest life forms on the planet.

Turquoise canal between mangroves in Bacalar

Maya heritage

Stone cities under the jungle

Chacchoben, Ichkabal, Dzibanché and Kohunlich are an hour away or less. Archaeological sites wrapped in jungle, with pyramids that rise above the canopy.

Aerial view of a Maya archaeological site surrounded by jungle

Eating and staying

Open-air tables and cabins by the water

Bacalar cooks the food of southern Quintana Roo, served at open-air tables along the lagoon. To stay, waterfront cabins and small hotels with a handful of rooms.

Plate of contemporary cooking served at a restaurant in Bacalar
Aerial view of Cenote Azul beside the Bacalar lagoon
Discover the south

Discover the south

Discover experiences, accommodations, local cuisine, transportation, and everything you need to plan your journey through the southern Mexican Caribbean.

Explore the South

Bacalar gallery

Couple paddleboarding on the Seven Colors Lagoon
Bacalar's monumental letters facing the lagoon
Couple in a hammock set in the lagoon water
Historic cannon at the Fort of San Felipe in Bacalar
Palapas over the lagoon seen through the palms
Woman reading on a wooden dock facing the lagoon
Boat on the shore of the Seven Colors Lagoon
Wall and cannon of the Fort of San Felipe with the lagoon behind

More about Bacalar

Aerial view of Laguna Bacalar in the southern Mexican Caribbean

June 16, 2026

Discover the Magic of the Southern Mexican Caribbean

Bacalar, Chetumal and Mahahual: a guide to the southern Mexican Caribbean, from the Lagoon of Seven Colors to the Mesoamerican Reef and Banco Chinchorro.

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Bacalar

September 29, 2024

Bacalar: A Fusion of Flavors Beyond the Lagoon

Discover the flavors and culinary scene of Bacalar: international fusion, modern seafood, artisanal bakeries and Yucatecan roots by the lagoon.

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Bacalar

September 29, 2024

The Lagoon of Seven Colors: Bacalar's Magical Jewel

Discover Bacalar's Lagoon of Seven Colors: crystal-clear water in every shade of blue, cenotes, the Pirates' Channel, kayaking and a slower pace.

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Bacalar

26°Clear
98%0 km/h
Best time to visit
  • Sat33°25°

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