Lake Bacalar is a unique lake of very long and narrow shape. It is located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Many people call it “Lake of seven colors”. It affects clear water and a variety of blue hues shimmering in the sun. The underwater rivers are the main source of lake water. Their pools are the natural limestone pits called senotes.
Lake characteristics
- Length: about 26 miles (42 km) — a long, narrow ribbon of water
- Maximum width: about 1.4 miles (2 km)
- Depth: mostly shallow and sandy, but the Cenote Azul sinkhole drops to roughly 295 ft (90 m)
- Type: a freshwater lagoon in Quintana Roo near sea level — which means no salt and no sargassum, ever
| Also called | The Lagoon of Seven Colors (Laguna de los Siete Colores) |
| Where it is | Bacalar, Quintana Roo — about 40 km (25 mi) north of Chetumal, ~3.5–4.5 hours south of Cancun |
| What it is | A large freshwater lagoon — no salt, and crucially no sargassum |
| Size | About 26 miles (42 km) long and up to 1.4 miles (2 km) wide |
| Famous for | Seven shades of blue, living stromatolites, cenotes and the Pirates’ Canal |
| Status | Pueblo Mágico since 2006 |
| Don’t miss | A boat tour, Los Rápidos, Cenote Azul and Fort San Felipe |
Why they call it the Lagoon of Seven Colors
The “seven colors” are no marketing invention — they are a trick of light, depth and a pale limestone floor. Where the water is shallow and the bottom is white sand, the lagoon glows an almost electric turquoise; as the floor drops away into channels and cenotes, the same water deepens through jade, teal and sapphire to a near-black indigo over the sinkholes. Drift across it on a calm morning and the palette shifts under the boat from one minute to the next. Because Bacalar is fed by underground rivers and springs rather than the sea, the water is astonishingly clear and, unlike the Caribbean coast an hour away, it never collects a scrap of sargassum.
Is it safe to swim in Bacalar? (and the sunscreen rule)
Yes — swimming is the whole point, and the water is shallow, warm and clean enough for small children and nervous swimmers alike. There is one rule everybody has to respect, though: no ordinary sunscreen or insect repellent in the water. The chemicals poison the stromatolites, which is why local guides ask you to use a reef-safe, biodegradable product applied at least an hour before you get in — or to simply cover up with a rash guard and hat. Never stand on, touch or break the stromatolite mounds; punch a hole in one and it dies, and it will not grow back in your lifetime. Where there is a current, at spots like Los Rápidos, life vests are handed out and you float gently downstream rather than fight it. Follow those simple courtesies and Bacalar is one of the safest, gentlest swims in Mexico.
The best things to do in Bacalar
- Take a boat or sailing tour — the classic three-hour trip glides out to Cenote Negro and Cenote Esmeralda, past Bird Island, and into the famous Canal de los Piratas (Pirates’ Canal), a sandy turquoise channel where buccaneers once lay in wait. Shared tours run around US $50–$60 per person.
- Float Los Rápidos, a natural lazy-river current that carries you over and around living stromatolites — magical, and the easiest way to see them up close without harm.
- Swim in Cenote Azul, a near-perfect circular sinkhole roughly 90 m (295 ft) deep right beside the highway, ringed by a wooden deck and a restaurant.
- Climb Fort San Felipe, the star-shaped stone fortress raised against pirate raids, now home to a small but absorbing piracy museum — and the best lagoon view in town.
- Paddle at sunrise by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, when the lagoon is glassy and the colors are at their richest.
- Wander the town — the painted lanes around the main plaza and Calle 22, and the free public jetty (balneario) where locals swim. The pink shallows of Las Coloradas further up the peninsula make a striking contrast if you are touring the region.
Getting to Bacalar — and the new Maya Train
Bacalar sits in the far south of Quintana Roo, which long kept it gloriously quiet. The nearest city and airport is Chetumal, about 40 minutes away; from Tulum it is roughly a 2.5-hour drive, and from Cancun about 4.5 hours straight down Highway 307. Comfortable ADO buses link all of these towns several times a day. The big change is the Maya Train (Tren Maya): Bacalar’s own station opened in October 2024, putting the lagoon within an easy rail journey of Tulum, Cancun and the rest of the peninsula for the first time.
The best time to visit Bacalar
Because there is no sargassum to worry about, Bacalar is a year-round destination. The dry season from November to May brings the clearest skies and the most vivid colors and is the most popular window. The summer and early autumn (June to October) are greener and warmer, with short afternoon downpours that usually clear by evening; come then and you will share the lagoon with far fewer people. Whenever you arrive, plan your boat trip for early morning, when the water is calm and the seven colors are at their most unforgettable.
History of the lake Bacalar
The Bacalar has an interesting and difficult history. For many centuries the Mayan tribes lived here, which gave the lake exactly this name. The word Bacalar means “surrounded by reeds.”
The city of Bacalar was completely restored only by the beginning of the 20th century.
In the middle of the 16th century, the territory of the lake was captured by a Spanish colonist. And in the 17th century, the city was defeated by pirates and restored almost 80 years later. After the destruction of the city, San Felipe Bacalar was erected, which became a reliable defense of the territory.
Now a huge number of migrants from the United States, Canada, and European countries live here. And of course, now Bacalar is the choice of the majority of local and foreign tourists.
Wild nature on Lake Bacalar
The beauty and purity of the waters are not all that this lake is wonderful for. By the way, The Bacalar ranks second after Lake Chapala in the waters of Mexico in terms of its size.
Despite the fact that lake Bacalar is replete with a variety of shades of water from emerald to black, the flora and fauna here are not rich. Stromatolites mainly grow here. These are among the oldest life forms on Earth: rocky, reef-like mounds built up layer by layer by colonies of microbes (cyanobacteria), not plants at all. Bacalar shelters one of the largest living stromatolite formations in the world, which is precisely why the lagoon’s rules are so strict.
Weekend and holiday on the lake
First, you just have to see The Bacalar. Come, open your eyes and stand still in amazement. Have a picnic, or just relax on the beach and enjoy the magical atmosphere.
The best way to see everything well here is to rent a boat or kayaks. There are a lot of great deals on the beach. You can go on a small trip on the pontoon boats. Mainly for this 2-hour trip groups of tourists are recruited. The cost of such an excursion is 15 US dollars per person.
And the most important thing is to swim and swim again! You cannot imagine how here is a paradise for swimming.
Parks near the lake
The Natural protected area is the National Park of Mexico. You can relax on the lawn, swim in the lake and just walk around the park. Entrance to the park is open from 9 am to 18 pm and costs 16 cents. You can also visit the cozy restaurant and enjoy delicious dishes, considering views around. In general, this is a great place to take a break from the bustle of the city.
Beautiful places around
Of course, the city Bacalar is an amazingly beautiful place on the west coast with a population of 11 000 people.
The main square is located in the center, which is typical of many cities in Mexico.
Here you can walk, sit in a cafe with a great view. Then it is worth visiting Calle 22. It is replete with painted buildings and shops. You can also visit the small Parroquia San Joaquin temple located at the end of the street.
Pay special attention to Fort San Felipe. From here one of the best views of the lake opens. The fort was built in the 18th century as the main defense of the city from pirates. This is a very exciting place for hiking. There are a historical museum and a museum of artifacts on the territory of Fort San Felipe. The entrance to the museums will cost about 3 US dollars.
And not far from the city of Bacalar are the ancient Mayan ruins. This is a famous place Dzibanche. To get to the ruins you need to take a taxi and spend a little more than an hour on the road. Here you can walk along the steps of the ancient pyramids, as well as look at the wild jungle from the sides.
A heavenly place for life
Friendly campgrounds and hotels are waiting for you right on Lake Bacalar. Here there are all options, ranging from democratic and ending with expensive ones. Open any popular rental site and you will find something you enjoy.
In childhood, we all dreamed of living like a fairy tale. Beautiful palace, magnificent nature, wonderful climate. So why not bring it to life?
The lake is a truly fabulous place. Every day, enjoy the gentle breeze and be alone with nature. What else is needed for a happy life!
Here such a wonderful cozy house can become yours. The price of such a house with a patio and the entrance to the lake is 300,000 US dollars.
The best way to get to Lake Bacalar
From Playa Del Carmen
The most convenient and practical route to Lake Bacalar begins in Playa del Carmen.
More than 12 buses depart daily in different directions from the bus station ADO Tourist Terminal Playa Del Carmen. A ticket costs about 16 US dollars. Travel time ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Schedules see on the website, which is listed at the end of the article.
For foreigners
The closest airport to Playa del Carmen is Cozumel Airport, just 12 miles from the city center. Keep in mind that Cozumel is an island 11 miles to Playa del Carmen. You can reach it by ferry. Adult ticket cost 12 US dollars. The schedule can be found on the ferry company website listed in the “Helpful information” section of the article. All information about buses is presented in detail at the information desk at the airport.
In any case, you have an alternative. You can fly to Cancun International airport, and then get by bus. The schedule and prices are presented in the information department of the airport.
Helpful information
- Tickets and prices for buses – http://www.ticketbus.com.mx/
- ADO Tourist Terminal Playa Del Carmen –http://www.ado.com.mx/
- Cozumel International Airport –http://cozumel-airport.com/
- Cancun International Airport –https://www.cancunairport.com/
- Passenger Ferry company – https://www.ultramarferry.com
Frequently asked questions about Bacalar
Why is Bacalar called the Lagoon of Seven Colors?
The shifting blues come from the water’s changing depth over a pale limestone and sand floor: bright turquoise in the shallows, deepening to jade, teal and near-black over the cenotes and channels.
Is it safe to swim in Bacalar?
Yes. The lagoon is shallow, warm and clean, and suitable for all ages. Just use reef-safe sunscreen (or none) and never touch or stand on the stromatolites.
Can you wear sunscreen in Bacalar?
Only reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen, and it should be applied at least an hour before entering the water. Ordinary chemical sunscreen and repellent are banned because they harm the stromatolites.
What are the stromatolites in Bacalar?
They are living rock built up over thousands of years by colonies of microbes (cyanobacteria) — among the oldest life forms on Earth. Bacalar protects one of the largest formations in the world, and they are extremely fragile.
Does Bacalar have sargassum?
No. Bacalar is a freshwater lagoon, not the sea, so it never gets the sargassum seaweed that affects the Caribbean beaches of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. You can visit at any time of year.
How do you get to Bacalar?
It is about 40 minutes from Chetumal, 2.5 hours from Tulum and 4.5 hours from Cancun by car or ADO bus. A Maya Train station opened in Bacalar in October 2024, adding a rail option from across the peninsula.
What is there to do in Bacalar?
Take a boat tour through the Pirates’ Canal and the cenotes, float the Los Rápidos lazy river past the stromatolites, swim in Cenote Azul, visit Fort San Felipe and its piracy museum, and kayak or paddleboard at sunrise.
When is the best time to visit Bacalar?
The dry season from November to May has the clearest skies and most vivid colors; the rainy summer months are quieter and greener with brief afternoon showers. The lagoon is enjoyable year-round.
Explore more in our complete guide to the lakes of Mexico — the biggest lakes, the regions, and the best ones to visit.
