Lake Bacalar
Bacalar, Mexico
You’d be hard-pressed to find a body of water more heavenly than Lake Bacalar, also called Lake of Seven Colors. The marvel of natural beauty and nature conservation efforts is in the far reaches of Mexico near the Quintana Roo-Belize border. The lake, sometimes called a lagoon, has shimmering crystal-clear waters and a storybook white-sand floor.
The basics
Bacalar, the lake and town of the same name that lies next to it, are sleepy compared to Tulum and Cancun to the north. However, Bacalar attracts busloads of tourists from the Riviera Maya who journey for its idyllic waters and opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in unusually deep cenotes. If you have time, take a boat tour that cruises—or sails—across the lagoon for a half-day or longer.
Things to know before you go
Local hotels can organize boat trips and kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals.
There are few public beaches along the lagoon—for a beachlike experience, visit the Cocalitos Cenote.
Avoid using tanning oils or sunscreen if you plan to enter the water, as they can harm the fragile ecosystem.
In this part of Mexico, bringing cash to pay for food and equipment rentals is a good idea.
How to get there
Lake Bacalar lies next to the town of Bacalar. By car, it's roughly 45 minutes north of Chetumal and the Belize border and three hours south of Tulum. Rental cars can make exploring this part of Mexico easy, and travelers without their own wheels can take ADO buses from Tulum, Cancun, and elsewhere along the Riviera Maya.
When to get there
The lake doesn’t keep hours of operation and is free to visit for the public—though you may want to arrive in the morning to avoid large groups. Bacalar is a year-round destination, with a high season roughly from January to March and a rainy season from September through November.
Bacalar’s stromatolites
Among geologists and curious travelers, Lake Bacalar is known for its stromatolites, flat reef-like formations visible from the surface of the water. Ancient bacteria form these pancake-like mounds, which can be billions of years old. Bacalar is one of a handful of places where you can find them.
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