The small town of Bacalar sits on the shores of the Lagoon of Seven Colors in the south of Quintana Roo. It’s the second-largest natural body of fresh water in the country, and it’s well worth a visit. There are different ways to see the lake itself, depending on your appetite for physical activity.
If you want a workout, take out a kayak and get around the lake under your own steam. It’s definitely doable if you are reasonably fit, but you’ll have to be prepared for a long day under the beating sun. Make sure you wear sunscreen!
The more relaxed option is to go on one of the many boat tours offered by operators in town. Most hotels and hostels will have information about the tours, which vary in price depending on the duration of the trip. Many of the full-day tours also come with drinks and a picnic included, and things can get pretty raucous.
Besides the drinking, there are cenotes to explore, an island with a disused restaurant and strange life-forms called stromatolites. They are living rocks that “respire” and the ones at Bacalar are one of few examples of freshwater stromatolites in the world.
Whether you decide to take a kayak or a boat trip, Bacalar is incredibly beautiful and worth at least two nights to explore.
Read This Next
New Wildlife Adventure Awaits in Costa Rica
Destinations / Latin America
Oct 30, 2026#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedNorth America
Nov 2, 2026Embrace a Winter Escape at This Hotel in the Colorado Rockies
As one of North America's premier ski-in, ski-out sanctuaries, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch welcomes guests to embrace this winter season with hands-on culinary tastings, restorative wellness rituals and premiere slopes in the Rocky Mountains.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Destinations / North America
Nov 2, 2026An Introvert’s Guide to Wine Country
Say goodbye to packed tasting rooms, a jam-packed itinerary and the rush to fit in as many vineyards in a trip as possible. For travelers seeking a quieter, away-from-the-crowds wine experience, Sonoma County, California, offers wineries and vineyards where you can slow down, savor your surroundings and enjoy your Cabernet with a side of solitude.
Destinations / North America
Nov 2, 2026Plan Now for 2027 JXN Food & Wine Festival
It may seem like a long way away, but go ahead and begin planning now for the 2027 JXN Food & Wine Festival, March 11–13, 2027, in Jackson, Mississippi. The fourth annual festival, co-hosted by Chef Chair Hunter Evans and Chef Aarón Sánchez, opened its ticket sales in late October.
Sponsored Content
A New Rhythm of Work in Seoul
SEOUL REDEFINES THE FUTURE OF WORKATION by seamlessly integrating business, leisure and culture across the city. From the established MICE hub of Magok to the creative energy and scenic lifestyle along the Han River, it offers a dynamic ecosystem where productivity and relaxation naturally coexist — positioning Seoul as a global destination for a new way of working and living.
Destinations / North America
Oct 30, 2026Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Reservations Open
California Science Center recently announced advance reservations for Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, the permanent home of space shuttle Endeavour, are now available ahead of the new Air and Space Center’s public opening on Nov. 13.
ShareThis