Exploring the Bacalar Lagoon, Mexico

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.