Lake Bacalar – your budget version of the Maledives

Lake Bacalar somehow didn’t cross the path of my travel research when I was home. So, I only learned about this gorgeous light blue lake when another traveler showed me pictures. I couldn’t believe that that was a fresh water lake and not an ocean with such colors! I knew I had to adjust my schedule and also make a stop at Lake Bacalar.

Your arrival at Lake Bacalar

As usually on the Yucatan penninsula it’s an advantage to have a car to drive around the lake area. Enough ADO buses go to Lake Bacalar but the terminal is along the main road and you have to walk about 20 minutes to get to the lake.

What to do at Lake Bacalar

Enjoy the view of the seven colored Lagoon
There is a small fort from which you probably have an amazing view over all the different hues of the lagoon but you also have a nice view from any spot directly along the water.

Take a bath in the laguna

There is one public beach a little to the left of the fort and otherwise it’s restaurants or beach clubs. We found our gem at 25 pesos on the lake side close to the cenote (convenient if you have a car or bycicle, otherwise probably too far too walk). I think it was called Cocalitos. I know that Yaxche Campground has a beach club as well to which you have access for free.

Rent a kajak

It looks great when the colored kajaks glide across the blue water and it’s great to be able to go a little further out on the lake and see it from a different angle.

Take a boat tour

If you don’t like to paddle yourself you could do one of the many advertised tours. That was my initial plan but we were so satisfied with our beachclub that I didn’t do one in the end.

Don’t go to the cenote at Lake Bacalar

The cenote is just a big green creek that you probably can find enough of in your own country as well. It would be a waste of time you could better spend in and on special Lake Bacalar.

Where to stay in Bacalar

I didn’t spend the night in this town although I had planned on doing so. The weather wasn’t that nice and I didn’t like the town atmosphere at all. Therefore, I just spent the day in Bacalar and then took a bus to Valladolid which is one hour behind the costal time. However, if you want to stay in Bacalar, there are a few cute campgrounds (everybody I talked to stayed at Yaxche). It was possible to hang up your hammock for 100 pesos but they also had fully equipped tents and dorms.

What is the most beautiful lake you have ever been to?