Laguna Bacalar, Mexico Is The Undisputed Winner and Best Escape From the Sargassum Season
Bacalar: A “Pueblo Mágico” with the Best Vibe & Beauty
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If you’re like me, you’re constantly looking for that next remarkable place in Mexico that combines natural beauty, vibrant local culture, and affordability. This summer, I found my ideal escape in Laguna Bacalar, as sargassum season locked up so much of the Yucatán Peninsula’s coast.
This beautiful village on the lake just north of the Belize border should be on your vacation list right now, and here’s why.
Why Focus on Sargassum when there’s Laguna Bacalar, Mexico?
Bacalar is one of those places that feels like a secret, but the Mexican government has formally declared it a “Pueblo Mágico.”
It is big enough to have everything you need, yet tiny enough to be inviting and walkable, home to about 40,000 people.
The enchantment here is not only a tourism label; it is part of the history of the town, the architecture, and the stunning Laguna Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors. (scroll down to the pics below to find out why!)
The Sargassum Solution is Laguna Bacalar: Why the Seven-Colors Lagoon is Glowing
Anyone who’s visited Mexico is familiar with Sargassum and how it impacts every beach in the entire Caribbean Ocean, from Florida down to South America.
Every single year starting in April or May, large piles of this brown seaweed land on the Caribbean beaches of the Yucatán, from Cancún to Tulum, converting what should be pure white sand and blue waves into a less-than-Instagrammable mess.
But the wonderful news is the beauty of Laguna Bacalar in Quintana Roo, Mexico: it is not attached to the sea. It’s a freshwater lake, so there’s no sargassum. Period.
If you want to swim, paddle, or just hang out in some wonderful blue water this season, Bacalar is your best choice by far. Take that from an Expert Travel Guide for Mexico!
How to Reach Laguna Bacalar Mexico: Easier than You Think
From Tulum, just drive three hours south to Laguna Bacalar, Mexico, for an effortless addition to your Yucatán itinerary.
If you’re on a budget or happy to travel by public transit, ADO buses run routinely from big cities like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum to Bacalar’s tidy small terminal.
The journey is affordable, comfy, and drops you off in town, saving you the steep expense of a cab.
This also gives you the opportunity to go around.
Best Value Hotels in Bacalar Mexico next to the Laguna – Hotel Maria Maria
During this trip, I stayed at the Hotel Maria Maria, and I can’t recommend it enough!
It is just a few blocks to the edge of the lagoon and close to all you might want: restaurants, cafes, the major square, and the old fort.
Rooms are basic but clean and pleasant.
Personnel are incredibly friendly. I enjoyed that I could walk everywhere, especially after a long morning of swimming or a late night of music in the plaza.
If you want an excellent location and value for money, this is the place.
Bacalar’s Centro Comes Alive on Fridays & Saturdays
If you’re wondering when to go, attempt to be in Bacalar on a Friday or Saturday night.
The main square is a bustling hub of activity in the busy town center (Centro), where vendors offer everything from handcrafted crafts and jewelry to steaming hot marquesitas (crispy crepe-like pastries folded around Nutella or cheese—trust me, eat one).
Live music flows out over the square as families, couples, and groups of friends all head out to wander, talk, and soak up the celebratory atmosphere.
My favorite part? The eateries here are not tourist traps with inflated prices.
Delicious tacos, fresh seafood, and even vegan food, all at pricing that makes it simple to linger and sample a little bit of everything.
If you want an excellent location and value for money, this is the place.
Bacalar’s history is as deep as its lagoon. In the heart of town stands the spectacular Fuerte de San Felipe, an immense stone castle built by the Spanish in the 18th century to repel pirates.
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Most visitors aren’t aware that this colonial fortress is situated on the remains of a Mayan temple, a striking reminder of Bacalar’s indigenous origins and centuries of cultural blending.
The fort is now a modest but captivating museum.
From the ramparts, you obtain some of the nicest views in town, with the blue of the lagoon extending away forever below.
Laguna Bacalar, Lake of the Seven Colors
The star of Bacalar is the lagoon, of course. Laguna Bacalar is called the “Lake of Seven Colors,” and it’s no exaggeration—the water can be any shade of blue and turquoise you can imagine, depending on the depth, the sun, and the limestone bottom.
The water is so clear that you can easily see the fish swimming around your ankle.
Paddling or kayaking is my favorite way to experience it, although there are many boat trips that will take you to private swimming locations and hidden cenotes.
What to do in Bacalar or near Laguna Bacalar?
Paddle or swim in the lagoon There are plenty of public access spots and waterfront clubs renting kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or just space for a swim.
Visit the fort and museum: learn about Bacalar’s pirate-infested past and climb the walls for panoramic views.
Stroll the pueblo of Bacalar: The waterfront promenade is bustling at night and perfect for people-watching.
Eat local: Bacalar foods are laid-back and economical, from street sellers to sit-down eateries right on top of the Laguna.
What struck me most about Bacalar is how tranquil and busy it can be at once, with a true local vibe that is becoming increasingly elusive in the more touristy cities of Yucatán.
What struck me most about Bacalar is how tranquil and busy it can be at once, with a true local vibe that is becoming increasingly elusive in the more touristy cities of Yucatán.
Whether you want to escape the sargassum, learn some history, or just float in Mexico’s cleanest, bluest water, Bacalar delivers.
It’s a place to take things easy, enjoy the moment, and experience a side of Quintana Roo that’s refreshingly real.
If you are intending to visit the Yucatán this season, don’t let sargassum crush your beachy dreams—simply head to Bacalar. I hope these photographs inspire you to leap into those seven colors of blue and experience the wonder for yourself!
If you have any questions regarding Bacalar or want more recommendations for visiting, just ask me in the comments!
And stay tuned next week when I’ll be discussing my favorite cenotes around Bacalar and how to see them like an expert. See you shortly.
