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➢ Bacalar, Mexico | Off-the-Beaten Path

Bacalar, Quintana Roo

Pueblo Mágico Bacalar, Quintana Roo

➢ Bacalar, Quintana Roo

If you in arriving Pueblo Magico (Magic Town) Bacalar, you get the feeling that you are seeing an optical illusion caused by countless flashes blue water generated is from the deepest shade of blue to turquoise and Krista ll. However, it is not an illusion, but a reality: it is in fact the Laguna de los Siete Colores (Lagoon of the Seven Colors) that invites you to discover Bacalar. In addition , it is only 40 minutes from Chetumal , the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. Please think about including Chetumal in your stay.

We owe this gift of nature to seven cenotes (deep natural wells or sinkholes) spread along the 43 km long coast of the Bacalar lagoon. Depending on the time of day, sunlight illuminates the entrances to the underground caves so travelers can appreciate the color palette and its varying depths . The cenotes offer a variety of activities such as kayaking , snorkeling, and diving that can be used to explore these water mazes .

➢ Another possibility ??

Another way to enjoy nature around this Caribbean Pueblo Mágico is to stay in one of the lagoon hotels in Bacalar. Las Almas Tour & Travel works with hotels with various hotels up to the luxury class . Most of them are ideal for a romantic weekend getaway or to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. Its main features are the hammocks and swings that hang over the lagoon. They can't tell you visited Bacalar until you walk downtown. Here you will find Fort San Felipe, which protected the Mayan community from pirate invasions in ancient times.

Visit the museum and walk along the remains of 11 cannons. Here you have access to unique views of the Pueblo Mágico of Bacalar to immortalize yourself in pictures. Make the most of your time here by cycling the streets and having a cold beer with fresh seafood tacos .

➢ Adventure?
Jungle adventure?

If you want to "fly " in the middle of the jungle , we recommend visiting the Kan Kin ziplines , which are only 12 kilometers from downtown Bacalar. Feel the adrenaline rush through your body as you cycle through the five circuits, which have a total length of 1.5 kilometers. Stroll deep into the jungle trails and discover the diverse flora and fauna of the region. You can also go cross-country skiing.

While in Bacalar, you must also add Parque Biomaya to your visits. It not only has zip lines, which are above about a half kilometer stretch, but also a race track you via the jungle canopy , where you spider monkey can see jumping around. Plus , you can go deep into the lagoon's channels on an inflatable floatie ride.

➢ Hypnotic sunrise

Bacalar's hypnotic sunrise is always included in adventure trips . The sky is usually colored in various shades of orange and pink that contrast with and complement the myriad of blue tones of the lagoon . Grab a paddleboard and admire the flight of birds while keeping your balance on the water to enjoy the nature-led show. A side benefit of this activity is that it includes snorkeling in a cenote.
Another option is abseiling on the outskirts of Bacalar on the way to Mahahual, a fishing village and another beautiful spot on the Costa Maya . Rappel down a stone wall 213 feet before cooling off in the clear waters of Cenote Cocodrilo .

➢ Pirate channel

This is the most popular spot for most travelers as this is where the Bacalar Lagoon merges into the Hondo River . In addition, it is considered a natural border between Mexico and Belize. The most popular way to get there is by kayak or by boat included in this excursion. You will be amazed by the water level: in some places it is barely enough to cover your feet. The Pirate Channel is the only place to find these shades of blue, on top of mineral-rich sand that travelers often rub on their bodies. Additionally there is a huge cement boat built as a restaurant at the entrance to the canal. Fortunately, the project was never approved as it posed a risk to the area's ecology. It is now used as a makeshift kit to take amazing selfies.

➢ Xul-Há Lagoon and the Bacalar Lagoon

Once you are comfortable with kayaking, you can visit the Bacalar Rapids : natural hot springs in the channel between the Xul-Há Lagoon and the Bacalar Lagoon, where the water flows at different speeds depending on the time of year. However, the speed of the water is usually moderate, which makes it easy to navigate the kayak or even float down. Yes, with the help of a life jacket you can float on the water and hang your feet so the current can guide you.

➢Tip:

There's no need to get to Bacalar Rapids by car or public transport, or to pay for an excursion. It is much better to rent a bike in the city center and cycle about 8 miles until you get to the thermal springs. This is the best way to marvel at the jungle and get some exercise.

➢ Cenotes

Bacalar is made up of seven cenotes , some of which are used for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. One of them is the Cenote Azul (Blue Cenote), which is visible from the road as if on the surface. It is 656 feet in diameter and nearly 300 feet deep. Life jackets can be rented in case you want to feel safe while swimming. During your swim you will be accompanied by thousands of colorful fish. Keep in mind that there is a restaurant on the premises that offers a wide variety of seafood .
We have put together some and other possible activities for you.

➢ Cenote Negro (Black Cenote)

The Cenote Negro (Black Cenote), also known as the Cenote de la Bruja (Witches Cenote), has a natural cliff 300 feet high. Unless you are a very experienced swimmer, leave the amazing experience of exploring the deep dark nooks and crannies to professional divers. You don't need to feel disappointed, however, as boat trips are available to tour the cenote and watch the water change from turquoise to dark blue . .

On this trip, be sure to visit Cocalitos: a hot spring with "beds" of petrified stone known as stromatolites. This natural treasure is extremely important in studying the evolution of life on the planet. The stones are estimated to be 350 million years old. In fact, they are believed to be the ancestors of corals.

➢ Xul-Ha lagoon

You can get there by boat or kayak . Las Almas Tour & Travel offers you this tour with traditional fishermen at the pier. You can also swim and enjoy the calm waters and the beauty of the turquoise blue tones . The Balneario Buenavista (Buenavista Spa). If you prefer to exercise, the best option is to rent a bike and explore the lagoon . Xul-Ha means “where the water ends” in Maya. Here you will find excellent accommodation options, whether you want to stay for a day or a week. You will find all the amenities necessary to make your stay comfortable and memorable.

Las Almas Tour & Travel will be happy to provide you with other suitable accommodations according to your wishes.

➢ San Felipe Fort in Bacalar

The story of Bacalar's Fort San Felipe begins in 1975 when it was declared a National Historic Heritage Site. Nowadays, due to its history and its privileged location next to the Lagoon of the Seven Colors, it is one of the main attractions of this Pueblo Magico. The fort was used to protect the Mayan community of Bacalar from constant attacks by English, French and Dutch pirates. For this purpose, the walls of marine and volcanic rock and limestone were built.

The Italian architect Juan Podio was responsible for the design. It was he who designed it as a four-point star, protecting the bulwarks of Santa Ana, San Arturo, Santa Maria, and San Joaquin .

The uppermost part of the fortress, which can now be visited, was used to store gunpowder and had a chapel, an armory, a storage room for food and a barracks for the troops. In addition, the fort had 34 cannons, of which only 11 remain. Over the years, Fort San Felipe has been equipped with a drawbridge and watchtowers That the survey Bacalar Lagoon.

In the 1980s the fort was converted into a museum. Since then, it has been home to a collection of Mayan and colonial-era archaeological artifacts, including ammunition, weapons, blueprints, and maps. It also has seven large screens projecting replicas of pirate attacks , as well as the story of how Bacalar was founded. It is often used to host cultural events in the evening .

➢ A tour of the Pueblo Magico of Bacalar

The heartbeat of Pueblo Mágico, known as Bacalar, is right in front of Fort San Felipe, where the path to the town square begins. You can still see old wooden houses with gable roofs and pastel colored facades, protected by the humble Parroquia de San Juan (Parish of San Juan), named after the city's patron saint. Every year the residents of Bacalar pay tribute to the patron saint of bakers and carpenters with a nine-day festival during which his image moves through the lagoon.

Another fantastic feature of this city is that its streets are adorned with urban art, organized by the non-governmental organization Una luz para mi país (A light for my country). National and international artists have painted 100 murals in the city center so that travelers can learn about the history and natural wealth of Bacalar from an artistic point of view. The so-called Ruta de los Murales (wall street) can be explored either on foot or by bike . Visit the La Casa Internacional del Escritor (International Writers' House), which consists of five bungalows, in which writers, poets and domestic and foreign artists

who are interested in expanding their work to various cultural disciplines. Here you can take part in book clubs or writing workshops . Bacalar is committed to the natural environment, which is why the town square is peaceful and no nightclubs play loud music. Instead, visitors will find small pizzerias, organic restaurants, cafes where they can play a game of dominoes, and small bars where they can spend a relaxing evening. There are also craft shops selling folk art from around the world.

➢ Bird island

One of the places not to be missed when visiting Bacalar is Bird Island (Isla de los Pájaros), an extension of the land in the lagoon system, where various species of endemic birds can be seen. Travel to the island early in the day to see the spectacle of birds such as the hawk, heron , parrots, Dominican Hill, and Calandrias, among others . As if this weren't enough, photo enthusiasts can find areas where they can get excellent shots of stromatolites and ancient rocks.

➢ El Aserradero

If you are traveling to Bacalar with your family, we recommend visiting El Aserradero Municipal Spa. There you can enjoy an incomparable view of the lagoon and cool off in its waters. Located on the coastal road, the resort offers boat tours, picnics, and even camping under the stars .

Entry to the spa is from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It opens every day of the year.