Bacalar Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-Day Breakdown

Bacalar Itinerary (3 Days): Complete Day-by-Day Breakdown

Bacalar, often called the “Lagoon of Seven Colours,” is my favourite place in the whole of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. And that’s no mean feat!

With its extraordinary turquoise waters, chilled small-town vibes, and fascinating history, Bacalar is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy nature at its finest.

In this 3-day Bacalar itinerary, I’ll walk you through the best things to do, where to eat, and how to make the most of your time here.

Bacalar Itinerary in Short

• Day 1: Arrival, Fuerte de San Felipe, Balneario Municipal
• Day 2: Sunrise SUP and Sunset Boat Cruise
• Day 3: Los Rapidos and Cenote Azul

How to use this Bacalar Itinerary: This itinerary compiles what I think is the best 3 days in Bacalar for first-timers and backpackers. The days and activities can easily be shuffled around to suit your needs.

Bacalar Itinerary in Full

How Many Days Do You Need in Bacalar?

Most people whizz through Bacalar, often spending 2 full days (3 nights) here on the way south towards Belize. Whilst you can see pretty much all of what Bacalar has to offer in this time, I strongly recommend staying here a bit longer to get the full experience (i.e. relaxing).

3 full days in Bacalar was the perfect amount of time for me to both unwind and also feel like I’d seen the area.

4 days or more in Bacalar purely gives you more relaxation time. But that could be handy, especially if you spend some time figuring out the best way to reach your next stop! How to get to Belize cheaply is a common cause for conversation in Bacalar!

When to visit Bacalar?

The best time to visit Bacalar is between November and April, when the weather is dry and pleasant, with fewer crowds.

I visited in January, and despite rainy weather forecasts, the sun came out every day and I didn’t see a drop of rain!

How to get to Bacalar?

Bacalar is located in the southwest of the Yucatan Peninsula, not far from the border with Belize. It has good connections with several other destinations in Yucatan, though may require changes in Merida, Tulum or Chetumal.

• ADO bus is a popular option, with simple connections linking most cities. These buses are reliable and comfortable (one of the few I can sleep on)! The ADO station in Bacalar is on the edge of town so requires a walk/taxi on arrival. Check out schedules on the ADO website or book using Busbud or Bookaway. I found Busbud was usually cheaper, but it’s worth checking both to ensure you get the best price.
• Rental cars give you the freedom to travel the region to your heart’s content! Parking is relatively easy in Bacalar and having a car means you can travel whenever you want and avoid waiting for taxis.
• Private transport such as taxis or shuttles is a quick and pain-free way of travelling, though you’ll pay more for it. If budget isn’t an issue, I would consider this option since Bacalar is a few hours further south than most other tourist stops in Mexico.

Day 1: Explore the Town and Swim in the Lagoon

Morning: Arrival and Settling In

After checking in to your accommodation, take a leisurely walk along the lakefront to get your bearings. You’ll have semi-regular glimpses of the lagoon since it’s not completely open access (more about that later).

Stop by the iconic Fuerte de San Felipe, a historic fortress that offers panoramic views over the lagoon and an insight into Bacalar’s pirate-filled past. It costs the equivalent of $2 USD to enter and takes around 30 minutes to explore. You can purchase your ticket from the ticket office outside.

I’ll be honest, I came to Bacalar for its crystal-clear waters! I had no idea about its history, but it’s actually very interesting!

Lunch Recommendation: Mango y Chile – a delightful, vegan-friendly restaurant. Whilst it’s more expensive than other spots in Bacalar, it’s right beside the fort, plus has views of the lagoon. I had one of their burgers which was amazing! I love authentic Mexican food, but this made a pleasant change from everything I’d eaten elsewhere.

Afternoon: First Dip in the Lagoon

No visit to Bacalar is complete without immersing yourself in its famous lagoon. And after your travel in the morning, you probably deserve a dip!

Head to Balneario Municipal, one of the only FREE public access points to the lagoon. Alternatively, the Yak Lake House has a pier which you can access for free.

Here you can take a swim, relax by the wooden docks, and take in the lagoon’s varying shades of blue!

Alternatively, you could opt for the more scenic Cocalitos, known for its giant stromatolites (ancient living rocks). Located slightly further along the lagoon, it’s 100MXN for entry here.

Evening: Explore Bacalar Town

Spend your evening exploring the main town of Bacalar. The square is lively at night, with street vendors offering everything from tacos to marquesitas (a crispy Yucatecan dessert).

Dinner Recommendation: Nixtamal – offers authentic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist.

Nightlife: While Bacalar is more about relaxation than partying, check out local bars like Bote de Leche for live music and cocktails.

Day 2: Sunrise SUP and Sunset Boat Cruise

Morning: Sunrise SUP or Kayak

Given that all the infrastructure in Bacalar is on the west side of the lagoon (facing east), sunrises are more accessible than sunsets. Therefore, rent a paddleboard or take a tour to enjoy a quiet sunrise from the lagoon.

I paddled down to Cenote Negro and watched the sunrise from there. It was so peaceful, and the perfect way to start the day.

Once you’ve returned to dry land, relax by the lagoon. Sunbathe; read your book; or write in your journal – whatever you decide, it’s nice to have some downtime in such a beautiful location.

Lunch Recommendation: Perhaps grab lunch at Picaflor Bacalar located near the lagoon-front. I particularly enjoyed their chicken chilaquiles.

Afternoon: Sunset Cruise

What better way to see the lagoon than via boat? Whilst, tours run throughout the day, I recommend ending your day with a relaxing sunset boat tour.

These usually depart mid-afternoon and return shortly after sunset. I was on a sailing boat tour which left at 15:00 and returned at around 18:00. Boat tours with a motor tend to be slightly shorter (and cheaper), but are otherwise the same.

Boat tours vary in their destinations, but usually cover at least three stops from:

• Canal de los Piratas (Pirate’s Channel): A historic route used by pirates, now a popular swimming and mud-bathing spot.
• Bird Island: Perfect for spotting local wildlife.
• Cenote Cocalitos: A deep blue cenote known for its stromatolites.
• Cenote Negro: Another cenote connected directly to the Lagoon where you can see the drop-off into the deep abyss!

Wherever they take you, there are plenty of opportunities to swim and admire the lagoon. You will finish the tour on the opposite side of the lagoon to enjoy the sunset, perhaps with a drink in hand.

NOTE: Bring eco-friendly sunscreen and apply it a long time before you enter the water to minimize your environmental impact.

Duration: ~3 hours
Price: 500-750MXN (25-35 USD) depending on boat type and tour company

Dinner Spot: Mr Taco – home of the super cheap, super tasty tacos. This is a popular backpackers spot and you’ll see why!

Nightlife: The Yak Lake House Party. Every Wednesday night the hostel is transformed into a lagoon-side rave with techno or house DJs. It usually kicks off around 9pm, and finishes at 2am when the party moves elsewhere!

If you’ve timed your stay right, you’ll catch the party! But if it’s not your scene, perhaps don’t stay at this hostel on a Wednesday night!

Day 3: Los Rapidos and Cenotes

Morning: Los Rapidos Adventure

On your final day, head to Los Rapidos, a unique section of the lagoon with faster-moving currents, perfect for a natural lazy river experience. Rent a kayak and paddle there, or simply float downstream with the gentle current.

It’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds and experience the tranquility of the area. They offer lifejackets, so I particularly enjoyed drifting along watching the birds overhead and spotting unique aquatic plants!

You can stay all day if you want (provided you don’t leave). But after floating down three or four times and spending some time relaxing, I decided to head off to continue this Bacalar itinerary.

Times: Every day, 10am-6pm
Duration: 1-3 hours
Price: 200MXN (~$7 USD)

Lunch Recommendation: Unless you’re planning on staying here all day, I wouldn’t recommend eating at Los Rapidos. The restaurant is overpriced in my opinion.

Instead, go into town and have lunch there. Enamora is a cozy cafe with great coffee and brunch options. Or go directly to Cenote Azul and have the ceviche at their restaurant (Cenote Azul Restaurant), though slightly expensive.

Afternoon: Cenote Azul and Relaxation

After a chilled out morning at Los Rapidos, visit Cenote Azul, one of the deepest cenotes in the region (90 metres). Its dark blue waters offer a perfect contrast to Bacalar’s lagoon.

It’s an open cenote, so is similar to a lake but its refreshing waters surrounded by vegetation offer a nice change from the lagoon. Lifejackets are mandatory and cost 50MXN to use for the day.

Times: Every day, 10am-6pm
Duration: 1-3 hours
Price: 50MXN (~$2.50 USD)

Evening: Departure

Before you leave, take some time to explore Bacalar’s cultural side. Visit local art galleries, pick up souvenirs from artisan shops, and enjoy a final lakeside meal.

Dinner Spot: La Playita – a waterfront restaurant with delicious seafood and great cocktails.

Most buses to Cancun or Tulum and even Chetumal depart in the evening, making it easy to continue your travels.

Bacalar Itinerary Map

Where to stay in Bacalar

Bacalar isn’t exactly brimming with accommodation options but there are still enough to choose from.

In terms of hostels, two of the best-rated (and most popular) are the Yak Lake House and Che Hostel. These so-called ‘party hostels’ offer partying, but unlike other party-hostels drinking is still relatively easy to avoid. The Yak Hostel is the only one with direct lagoon access, but you certainly pay a premium for that. Having stayed there myself, it was worth it!

Here are my top picks:

• Budget: The Yak Lake House (social atmosphere, and right on the lagoon)
• Mid-range: Agam Hotel (stylish boutique stay with lagoon views)
• Luxury: Casa Bakal (lakeside cabins with direct lagoon access)

Tips for exploring Bacalar

Maybe I should’ve known better, but I wasn’t expecting much of a town before I arrived in Bacalar, I’d only seen photos of the lagoon… But there is a lovely little square with a few restaurants and street stalls scattered around. So that shows how much I knew…

So here are a few tips to avoid any more unpleasant surprises:

• Lagoon Access: Most accommodations don’t have access to the lagoon. If you don’t, you can use other access points such as Balneario Municipal, Cocalitos or the Yak Lake House.
• Getting Around: Bacalar is very walkable, but renting a bike or scooter can make exploring nearby cenotes and Los Rapidos easier. Walking, biking, and taxis are the main options for getting around Bacalar. Many attractions are within walking distance, but renting a bike can be a fun and convenient way to explore
• Currency: Mexican Pesos (MXN) – most places accept cards, but carrying some cash is handy for small purchases. Some places accept USD but exchange rates vary. I struggled with a couple of the cash points here, so perhaps try to withdraw in a city before you arrive.
• Language: A few Spanish phrases will go a long way, use them wherever possible!
• Street stalls: There are some great food stands in the main square, though most of them only appear in the evenings! Go back each day to see if there’s anything new! Street food here felt slightly pricier than other places I’ve visited though.
• Safety: I felt very safe in Bacalar. I spent most of my time in the centre, walking around both alone and also at night. Make sure to not dive head-first into shallow water!
• Packing essentials:
  • Eco-friendly sunscreen
  • Insect repellent (especially for evenings)
  • Waterproof phone case

What to Do If You Have More Time in Bacalar

Bacalar is the kind of place where you can lose track of time. Here are a few extra things to do in Bacalar if you want to extend your stay:

• Visit Mahahual: A quiet beach town about 2 hours away.
• Explore Chetumal: The capital of Quintana Roo, Chetumal has several museums and Mayan ruins to visit.
• Chacchoben Mayan Ruins: Located just on the north of the lagoon, you could rent a scooter and head here for the day. You might even spot some monkeys!
• Kohunlich Mayan Ruins: A genuine off-the-beaten-path archaeological site.
• Extend your activities: Instead of packing your days together, why not do one activity per day. Make the most of any free hostel activities too. I played games, learnt how to make Margaritas, did karaoke and more.

Where to go after Bacalar

For backpackers, most people visiting Bacalar are following the southbound trail towards Belize. Caye Caulker is a popular first destination, to get your Caribbean fix.

However, there are plenty more places in the Yucatan to explore! You can head back up the east coast to Tulum, Cancun or Isla Mujeres for more beaches. Or head further inland; it’s a 6-hour journey to the capital of the Yucatan – Merida.

If you’re staying in Mexico for longer, you could head west to explore an amazing mix of nature and Mayan ruins. Palenque followed by San Cristobal are a long way from Bacalar, but they’re worth it for beautiful nature like Agua Azul or the epic Sumidero Canyon.

Before you go

Thank you for reading my 3-day Bacalar itinerary. If guides and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.

If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.

Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.

Happy travelling!