Bacalar: Mexico’s Hidden Oasis

Life Lovers, there is a magical tropical oasis you have to see to believe! From the lo-fi ancient town of Buenavista to the Mayan ruins deep in the tropical jungle to the more popular downtown of Bacalar and surroundings, this is your special personal guide. I’ll tell you all you need to know about the beautiful Laguna de los Siete Colores in Bacalar, and why you need to add it to your bucket list now.

By Jennifer Dyer

@solymargoddess

Bacalar is a town located in the southeastern part of Mexico, a little north of the Belizean border. Bacalar was designated a Pueblo Magico, or “Magical Town”, in 2006, signifying Bacalar’s utmost importance by the Mexican government. Bacalar is one of Mexico’s most enchanting towns with ancient Mayan culture, natural beauty, architecture, history and overall charm. Bacalar is only a 2.5-hour car ride south of the Tulum Airport and a 4-hour car ride from the Cancun Airport! It’s very easy to get to; just follow the 307 all the way south until you hit Bacalar. Like I stated in my December article about Holbox, Mexico, I am a US citizen and Mexican resident living in Tulum. When I need a break from the hustle and bustle of the high season of Tulum, Bacalar is one of my top destinations to retreat, rest, and reconnect. There is so much open space in the lagoon and surrounding jungle, the perfect place for inward connection and solitude. 

Because I like to be inclusive and accommodate to all my Life Lovers readers, I will mention all kinds of venues, restaurants and activities: for the international backpackers who want more of a glamping, cabin, or even spiritual getaway, to family fun activities, to the perfect girls weekend or romantic getaway! 

I want to first mention that Bacalar isn’t nearly as well-known as local industrial cities like Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Bacalar Lagoon gives off small-town feels, being more rustic. It feels similar to a sleeping Tulum: very casual and relaxing with a Caribbean, bohemian vibe. You might find a party or two at a local bar or restaurant in the downtown area, but this is not a club or rave scene. If that’s what you want, you should consider looking elsewhere. Bacalar is the perfect retreat for those who want weak Wi-Fi, relaxation, delicious cuisines, and nature bathing. And not to mention the low light pollution! This makes for the absolute best stargazing. A very beautiful setting for a romantic evening. 

Water Sports 

There are a plethora of water sports in Bacalar! From local Jet Ski rentals to paddleboard, kayak, windsurfing, catamaran and pontoon rentals. Or if you want to book some kind of boat tour with lunch and services included, check out Bacalar’s Airbnb Experiences or Tripadvisor Things to Do to get started. I would recommend looking into the company Bacalar Sailing (@bacalarsailing) or DayTour Bacalar (@daytourbacalar) for incredible, well-put-together boat tours. Both companies have an assortment of tours and boats, so you can choose what’s best for you upon your visit. 

You also have to visit Los Rapidos, at the far southern tip of the Lagoon. Los Rapidos is similar to a lazy river at a theme park, but this lazy river is naturally occurring. You get in with a floatie and relax your way slowly down the beautiful winding channel. Grab a bite to eat at Los Rapidos de Bacalar Restaurante, with some tasty guacamole and a mojito to quench your thirst, after a fun-filled morning of floating! 

Side note: I would recommend packing some wet shoes for your Bacalar adventures, As well as Mexican currency, as some restaurants only accept cash. Also, bring your dogs! Bacalar is super pet-friendly and accommodating to your furry friends. I personally always bring my dogs when I travel there. 

Sacred Mayan Melipona Bees

The Melipona bee is a stingless bee species that has been very sacred to the Mayan people for hundreds of years. The Mayans have cultivated this bee and honor its sacred healing properties. In pre-Columbian times, the Mayans would hold around six ceremonies honoring the god of the bees and honey, whose name is Ah-Muzen-Cab, also known as “the descending god.” Statues of the descending god can be seen at multiple Mayan temples scattered around Quintana Roo and Yucatán, such as at the Tulum ruins, Coba ruins, and Chichen Itza ruins. Bees produce more than just honey; they produce bee pollen, beeswax, and propolis, as well as being an incredible pollinator to the flowers around them! 

Fun Fact: Did you know the Melipona bee is endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula? Mexico is the only place in the world where you can find the Melipona bee.

Immerse yourself in the ancient Mayan culture and book a Melipona honey tour. Go on the Meet the Mayan Bees with Hydromel Tasting in Xul-Ha, found on Airbnb Experiences. 

Don’t forget to buy some local honey and take it back home to your loved ones. Bruno is a local beekeeper who owns a shop called LOL HA Miel. You can look him up on Facebook or email him at lolhabruno@gmail.com. He sells his own organic honey from his Melipona bees. Besides the delicious taste of honey, there are countless healing benefits, like being an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial agent. You can use honey as a home remedy to treat coughs, burns, and scrapes. 

Bees’ buzzing frequency can actually heal our bodies. From an article by Jen Fitschen: “The vibrational frequency of bees holds a mesmerizing potential when it comes to healing human tissue. Research in the field of vibrational medicine has shown that exposure to these healing frequencies can stimulate the regeneration and repair of human cells and tissues. When our cells are exposed to the gentle vibrations emitted by bees, they tend to resonate in harmony with these frequencies, promoting an environment conducive to tissue healing. This resonance is thought to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself.” Not only are honey and the byproduct of bees are mega healers, but so is the bee itself! 

Buenavista 

The small town of Buenavista is a 15-minute car ride from downtown Bacalar. Why visit or stay in Buenavista, you may ask? Buenavista is a very small town of only around 800 residents. This is a more quiet, laid-back option away from the busier downtown of Bacalar. 

Due to fewer inhabitants and boats to stir up the lagoon, this is one of the few spots you can really truly admire the seven colors of the lagoon. It’s named Laguna de los Siete Colores because of the seven distinct shades of blue in the water, from deep indigo turquoise to violet. Buenavista is also the best place to sail in the lagoon, due to the way the wind naturally blows on this stretch of water. 

There are options for hotels, glamping experiences and Airbnbs in Buenavista. For hotel accommodations, I would recommend Hotel Buenavista Bacalar (@buenavistabacalar). 

If you’re looking for a fun-filled glamping experience, check out Elvira Bacalar (@elvirabacalar). I know the owner personally and love the venue. A great place to relax, enjoy local cuisine at their restaurant, read by the pool and have some fun in the sun. They have paddleboards and kayaks to offer so you can enjoy the lagoon at your own leisure. Elvira also has bikes for you to use and enjoy. I would recommend biking to the ruins of Chacchoben, which is only a 20-minute bike ride or a 10-minute drive. Just grab your water bottle, sunscreen and pesos to get into the entrance of the archaeological site, and the day is yours. You also have a high probability of seeing spider and howler monkeys! Elvira also hosts spiritual retreats and gatherings. If you are into this type of experience, make sure to private message them via Instagram or email them at aldea.elvira.reservations@gmail.com. 

Lastly, you can book an Airbnb, but because this town is small, I would opt for the adventurous resort glamping experience, as it’s more community-based and will give you a better overall experience!

Top 10 Restaurant Recommendations 

1. El Manati Bacalar (@elmanatibacalar) is a local art gallery and cafe. The perfect place for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
2. Jaguara Cocina (@jaguara.mx) features contemporary Mexican cuisine, right on the lagoon.
3. Kinal Bacalar (@kinalbacalar) is located inside of the hotel Khaban Bacalar, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner on the lagoon.
4. Savora Bakhalal (@savorabakhalaloficial) features delicious handcrafted cuisines, including incredible pizza, pasta and salads. Lovely cocktail selection. 
5. Bertilla Lagoon & Beach Club Bacalar (@bertilla.lagoon.beachclub) is a delicious Italian restaurant on the lagoon. Enjoy a homemade sangria and handmade pizza. They also have adorable on-water bungalows for rent!
6. Ixchel Bacalar (@ixchel.bacalar) is a top-rated breakfast restaurant in Bacalar. A must on your list! 
7. Rosa Cafe (@rosacafemx) features bubble teas and gourmet coffees. A delicious spot to refuel before your next venture!
8. La Playita (@laplayitabacalar) is a restaurant and social club located directly on the lagoon. 
9. Baraka Bacalar (@baraka_bacalar) is a delicious lunch spot with savory fresh ceviche, tostadas and cocktails. 
10. Mr. Taco (@mr.taco_bacalar) is the most delicious, cheapest and quickest taco you’ll ever have!

Downtown Bacalar

There is a lot to do in the downtown area! First, you should definitely go to Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar. This is a local museum which details the history of pirates in the local surrounding areas. The fort was built to protect the town, and there is a narrow channel called Pirates Channel through which ships could enter the lagoon. 

Make sure to stop at local restaurants and shops in town; there are so many cute boutiques and venues. Food trucks and live music light up the night, so make sure to head down to central at least one of your nights in Bacalar! 

Something unique about Bacalar: there are stromatolites in the lagoon. Stromatolites are a grouping of cells in colonies that create sedimentary rock. These cells appeared on earth roughly 2.5 to 1 billion years ago. As said in miabacalar.com: “These rock beings were the ones that produced oxygen in a massive way, their presence caused the atmosphere to change to the conditions we know today, thanks to them life on the planet was possible. They have a rocky nature composed of calcium carbonate that grow vertically after a long process and produce structures of various shapes. They were the first living things that formed the reefs. They are very important in the ecosystem as they release oxygen into the atmosphere and keep the lagoon healthy. There are few places in the world where they can be observed.” Bacalar is one of the few places in the world where they are found. 

Side note: make sure to check out Bacalar’s cenotes, or naturally occurring sinkholes. There is Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda and Cenote Azul. All beautifully different and found in and around the lagoon itself. This is how the freshwater comes into the lagoon; it bubbles through the cenote, creating brackish water mixing with the salt water of the lagoon.

Accommodations

Lastly, I will name a few beautiful accommodations you may enjoy while staying in Bacalar. Here are my top 7:

1. Casa Hormiga (@casahormigabacalar)
2. Aurea Bacalar (@aurea_bacalar)
3. Boa Boa Bacalar (@boaboabacalar)
4. Casa Kuuts Ja’ (@casakuutsjabacalar) 
5. Amaca Bacalar (@amaca.bacalar)
6. Carolina Bacalar (@hotelcarolinabacalar)
7. Mia Bacalar (@miabacalar) 

Make 2024 your most memorable year yet by jet-setting on your next adventure to Bacalar! It’s such a diverse place, unlike anywhere I have ever been. I promise you will absolutely fall in love with Bacalar, just as I have. 

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