Bacalar – A Stunning Surprise in Mexico

Is Bacalar worth visiting in Mexico? This was a question I had seen that was asked many times online as we were discussing which places to include in our 12-day trip around Mexico. Having been there and back, I would say that it is!

We spent two nights in Bacalar, after visiting Mexico City, Oaxaca and Valladolid. As I reminisce about our time in Mexico, my favourite spots and best experiences keep changing! And as I write this article today, Bacalar is my current favourite stop! Partial, I know!

Bacalar Lagoon
Holm Cafe Zamalek

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How to get to Bacalar, Mexico

We travelled to Bacalar from Valladolid in our rental car in a little under four hours. The journey, like the previous road trips we made in the country, was pleasant and without incident. Several bus services, including ADO, also ply the same route. Tickets can be bought on the day of travel or preferably online through Busbud.

The Best time to visit Bacalar

The months of December through March are considered the best times to visit. Travellers can expect more pleasant weather conditions and less rainfall during these months.

I’ve read that the rainy and hurricane seasons start around May and last through November, with June being the rainiest month and August to October being the months with the biggest hurricanes.

We visited towards the end of May and I don’t recall the weather being too hot and humid. It did rain quite heavily during our commute from Valladolid but we had beautiful sunny weather the next day.

The Best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico

After travelling for a few weeks already in the US and Mexico, we spent our time in Bacalar quite leisurely and with no pressure to do anything. I’ll list what we did get up to below but if you’re interested, here are some tours available on Viator that will be worth booking.

On our first day, which was a Wednesday, there was a restriction on boats on the Lagoon. We learned that every Wednesday, this restriction is in place as a preservation initiative. It is not a rule that is enforced but all operators adhere to this restriction anyway.

As a result, we spent our downtime hanging out at the hotel, taking walks around the town, before heading out to La Playita for lunch and a swim in the Lagoon.

Dining at La Playita and Swimming in the Bacalar Lagoon

We dined in a few places in the town but La Playita was my favourite. This lagoon-facing restaurant was wonderful and I enjoyed our meals there and the service.

But what I loved most about our experience was the dips in the beautiful Lagoon. Swimming here reminded me of my time in Watamu, which I also absolutely adored! The water was warm and shallow, with beautiful shades of blue. I had a wonderful time here for sure!

Sunrise Stand-Up Paddleboarding

The next morning, before our drive to Tulum, we went stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). This was my first time trying it out and it was great fun!

Sunrise kayaking tours are also available but if you haven’t tried out SUP yet, I recommend giving it a go. It is fun and quite easy to do. Some hotels have kayaks and paddleboards which you can use on your own but tours like these are also available.

Where to stay in Bacalar – Hotel Aires

Bacalar has a range of accommodation options for every traveller. After a bit of research, we opted to stay at Hotel Aires Bacalar, a quaint boutique hotel located within a walking distance from the Lagoon.

This is a beautiful hotel with kind and friendly staff, therefore, I can recommend it for your stay as well.

How many days do you need in Bacalar?

Finally, I will recommend spending at least two days here. There’s not much to do in the town as it is quiet and sleepy, so if that’s not what you’re looking for, then it’s best to head somewhere else, like Tulum or Cancun.

In two days, you can fit in a day trip to Los Rapidos (be sure to read about it before you go), a sunrise or sunset SUP or a kayak experience and you will have enough time to simply relax and enjoy your holiday! Be aware of the Lagoon preservation exercise and plan your trip accordingly.

Sunrise-Paddle-Boarding-in-Bacalar-Lagoon

So, tell me. Have you been to Bacalar? Did you think it was worth visiting? If you haven’t, will you be including it in your Mexico itinerary?

4 comments

  1. Mexico is just the gift that keeps on giving. I had never heard of Bacalar before reading this, and I love me a quiet sleepy town. Planning another Mexico trip for next year and will definitely consider this spot. Thank you for sharing your words and photos with us!! Your emails are favorited in my inbox and I’m always excited to stack up a few posts and read.

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Tiese! Mexico surpassed my expectations! I would love to see more of the country through your eyes next year, so I’ll be following your adventures eagerly!

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Guess where! 👀
Guess where! 👀
18 hours ago
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1/9
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
2 days ago
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2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
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3/9
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
4 days ago
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4/9
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
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6/9
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
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7/9
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
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