Bacalar
Bacalar is a small village, but it has much beauty to offer. The Lake of the 7 Colors (Laguna de los siete Colores) is the go-to place for a boat or sailing trip, renting a canoe/kayak or paddleboard. The name is definitely not a lie, because the different depths make the color difference beautifully visible. Bluer water you will not easily see during your visit to Yucatán!
Paddling next to Canal de Los Pirates
Visiting the Lake of the 7 Colors
There are more than enough opportunities to visit the Lake of the 7 Colors. Along the lake there are plenty of tour companies that are only too happy to offer you a sailing trip or boat ride on the lake. Often this is in combination with a small snack/drink on board and visit the adjacent cenotes: Cocalitos & Azul. Prices vary depending on the number of people.
You can also do a sunrise paddleboard tour (usually combined with a picnic). You will then get to places not accessible by boat and can also enjoy the sunrise over the beautiful lake.
Prefer to explore the lake at your own pace? Then rent yourself a canoe or paddleboard and cross the lake to head to Canal de los Pirates. On the street next to the lake there are several rental companies. Since the distance to the cenotes is too long to paddle you will have to visit them individually by car/taxi/scooter/bike.
Public piers
Around the Laguna de los siete Colores are mostly hotels and restaurants that can provide beautiful pictures for many an Instagram fanatic. For example, you can book a hotel stay at the Yak Lake House or grab a bite to eat at La Playita (a bit more expensive, though).
Fortunately, there are some public piers where you can enjoy sunrise or sunset at the lake. These public piers can be found on the waterfront at Calle 14, 16, 18 and 32. Note that at the public piers, you are often not the only one.
Good to know!
On Wednesdays, the lake is closed for boats (including boat tours) to give the wonderful nature a day's rest. You can, however, rent a paddleboard or take a rowboat out on the lake.
Laguna Bonanza
The water of Laguna Bonanza is extremely blue, which can be compared to the sea of magical Bora Bora. A true hidden gem! According to the locals, this place has not yet been discovered as much by the tourists, as they usually go to Los Rápidos Bacalar. You can also save on entrance fees by renting a Canoe at Laguna Bonanza and paddling to Los Rápidos from here. Win!
Los Rápidos Bacalar
Los Rápidos Bacalar has become a popular spot because of the possibility of drift snorkeling. When I first heard about this, I also had to switch gears for a while. During drift snorkeling you go in a natural current through a narrow channel. Be aware that the current can be quite strong at times. Nice when you have it with you, but a little less fun when you have to go back. There are ropes to give you a helping hand, though.
Because it is a popular destination in Bacalar, the place fills up quickly. So my tip is to get there as early as possible to enjoy this beautiful lake in peace and quiet. It also provided a nice picture with the drone. It is located a few KMs outside the village itself so it is accessible by cab or car.
Admission (May 2022) is 150 pesos and there is a beach club where you can order snacks and drinks. You can also relax and enjoy a drink on the waterfront beds. However, as with most beds belonging to a beachclub you'll have a minimum spend on food/drinks.
Tip: wear water shoes when visiting Los Rápidos. In fact, it is not always pleasant to walk on the (slippery) stones on your bare feet.
Cenote Cocalitos
Cenote Cocalitos is the ideal place to spend an afternoon relaxing while in Bacalar. The cenote is a beautiful place filled with lots of stromatolites and corals. There are swings and hammocks in the beautiful blue-colored water for relaxing.
Along the shore you can lay your towel on a large grassy area and order some food or drinks in the little restaurant. This cenote is a lot cheaper compared to Los Rápidos, for example. When I was there in May 2022, I paid 50 pesos.
Restaurant tips
If you want good waterfront dining you can go to La Playita. You do pay a little more there, partly because of its premium waterfront location. For the best burritos in town, Mi Burrito Bacalar is the place to be. The staff is super friendly and the chef prepares the delicious Burritos in a very small, cosy food truck. The menu may look a little small, but this also allowed me to sample almost all of their burritos while I was at Bacalar. Basically, you don't get spicy sauces with the burrito unless you specifically ask for them. The habanero salsa is really spicy though, so be careful with this one. An enthusiastic Brit had in fact taken a little too much sauce and then tasted nothing but the spicy sauce. What a shame!
Fancy tacos? Mr. Taco! Mr. Taco is always busy and you may have to wait in line. I thought the tacos were super tasty, but the burrito was a little less compared to Mi Burrito Bacalar.
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