How To Visit Los Rapidos - Bacalar - The Complete Guide [2022] (2023)

FAQs

How many days should I spend in Bacalar? ›

I'm going to make things easy for you: you should spend at least two full days in Bacalar. One should be spent on a boat trip on the lake and one should be spent at Los Rapidos. Done and done.

Discover the Bacalar lagoon by a boat trip

One of the best ways to see the Bacalar lagoon is by taking a boat trip. You can arrange a tour through your hotel or at one of the many tour companies in the town. The boat will take you out onto the lagoon where you can enjoy the stunning views and crystal clear water.

We only later learned, that crocodiles do in fact live in the Bacalar Lagoon. In fact, you can find many reviews from people on the Internet who have spotted these crocodiles in various places.

Best stops along Cancun to Bacalar drive. The top stops along the way from Cancun to Bacalar (with short detours) are Xcaret Park, Tulum Archaeological Zone, and Quinta Avenida. Other popular stops include Zona arqueológica de Coba, Mr Sanchos Beach Club, and Playa Delfines.

While it doesn't have the same nightlife or party scene as other Mexican beach towns, Bacalar is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Other than the main attraction Bacalar Lagoon, there are Mayan ruins, historical landmarks, and cenotes.

BRING CASH TO BACALAR!

There are only two ATMs in the small town of Bacalar and they're always out of cash. You do need some cash to pay for boat trips and street food so make sure you bring cash with you.

The warmest sea water temperatures in Lake Bacalar are found in September when they peak at 29° and lowest in February when they dip to 26°. The sea is excellent for swimming all year round as the water temperature is very warm and ideal for relaxing and swimming for the whole day.

The water of the Bacalar Lagoon, on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, is as pure as glacial ice. It contains scant organic material: some of its oldest inhabitants are oligotrophic microorganisms, so called for their minimal diet. As a result, the lagoon puts on a spectacular display in the sunlight.

The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors to prevent bites. The risk for mosquito activity is high. Consider an EPA-registered repellent to deter mosquito bites.

Since these pirates could not access the sea – due to the fact that it is a lagoon —they did it by the Rio Hondo and its marshes in order to arrive where it was that they wanted to take. You can visit this place of historical richness by boat, sailing boat or catamaran.

What animals live in Lake Bacalar? ›

Remember you can't drink the water in Bacalar as it's one of the top ways to get sick in Mexico. Now, just because Bacalar is considered safe, both for visitors and those living in Bacalar, doesn't mean you should travel there and assume your safety is a guarantee.

For this reason, your Cancun to Bacalar taxi cost might be $350+USD — the same as you'd pay for a private transfer.

Bacalar is a town near the Belize border, two and a half hours south of Tulum and a four-hour drive from Cancun. I enjoyed Bacalar so much that I will start with the reasons you may not want to go. It is a town on an enormous lake, but there is no ocean or beach. It is a small city, so it does not have nightlife.

Tulum to Bacalar by Taxi

The taxi ride from Tulum to Bacalar takes 2.5 hours and costs around 3,500 MXN ($170).

Taking an ADO Bus from Cancun to Bacalar is the cheapest way to travel between the two destinations. The price for a one-way bus fare to Bacalar from Cancun is 41 USD, and it takes around 5 hours and 50 minutes to get to Bacalar. All ADO buses have air conditioning, reclinable seats, a bathroom, and TVs on board.

Tulum to Bacalar by bus

ADO busses leave from Tulum Bus station downtown every hour and it takes around 3 hours to get there.

There are 2 operators that run from Tulum to Bacalar, with 2 departures per day. If you decide to take a bus, you can take the Economy and First Class options.

The best way to get pesos in Mexico for your trip is to use your debit card at an ATM. We recommend exchanging enough pesos from your home country before your trip to make it through your first day. Afterward, simply get cash from a local ATM to get the best exchange rate possible.

As for money, travelers can enter and leave Mexico with a maximum of 10 thousand dollars or its equivalent in another currency. This amount is valid in cash, national or foreign checks, documents to collect, payment orders, or a combination of any of these.

Is there an ATM in Bacalar? ›

There are also ATM machines located on the town square. There is no bank or money exchanger (“Cambio”) in Bacalar.

The lake of Bacalar is one of the most stunning spots in the Riviera Maya – and there are seven reasons why. The lengthy, narrow lake is comprised of no less than seven different shades of blue. With its white limestone bottom, the water is famously clear, and is an excellent place for diving, snorkeling and swimming.

Often considered sacred by the Maya, there are somewhere in the region of 6,000 individual cenotes literally dotted about the Yucatan, with four cenotes near Bacalar itself.

Strangely, there are very few fish in the lake.

Cost of Living in Bacalar

Compared to the nearby Caribbean, the costs are far less. And the cost of living is a fraction of what it takes to live anywhere in North America making retirement in Bacalar, and all of Mexico, an attractive option.

The nearest airport to Bacalar is Chetumal (CTM) Airport which is 21.3 km away. Other nearby airports include San Pedro (SPR) (95.9 km), Caye Caulker (CUK) (111.6 km), Belize City Goldson Intl Apt (BZE) (127.3 km) and Belize City Municipal (TZA) (130.9 km).

If you are bitten, you can purchase Andotol gel from local pharmacies in Mexico which is an effective after-bite treatment; ask the pharmacist about other after-bite products they have in stock; some use bicarbonate of soda as the active ingredient.

However, cruise ships have thorough procedures to protect themselves from pirates, particularly in areas known for high rates of attacks. There were only six reports of pirates attempting to attack cruise ships over the last 10 years. – in fact there has never been a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship.

Ship's fire hoses or special Anti-piracy fire hoses are often used to fight pirates trying to board the ships. These high-pressure water hoses are extremely powerful and effective to fight pirates. Special anti-piracy fire hoses also come with semi-automatic and remote control system.

What was the most common cause of death for pirates? ›

However, swords, guns and cannonballs were not what sent most pirates to Davy Jones' locker (meaning, to their death). Instead, a pirate's greatest enemy was disease: food poisoning, malnutrition, infection.

The ruins of the Mayan City of Kohunlich are about an hour away from Bacalar, but it's worth taking the time to visit and immerse yourself in the lush jungle with the howler monkeys who have now made it their home. You'll see moss blanketing the land and temples which once stood proudly on it.

Residents in Mexico may brush their teeth with tap water, but they'll rinse and spit, careful not to swallow. As a tourist, you may be better off taking the precaution of using bottled water to brush your teeth, and do try to remember to keep your mouth shut when you shower.

Yes. It's safe. Almost all the resorts have a desalinization plant. Some of the AI resorts seem to encourage you to use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Water delivered to homes in Mexico is suitable for showering and washing-up the dishes, but most people don't use unfiltered tap water for personal consumption.

Taxis tend to be more expensive than Uber. Within the hotel zone, however, it can be as little as around $1–2 for a short ride. Twenty Mexican Pesos (MXN) are around $1, so expect to pay 20–40 pesos for a short ride within the hotel zone.

Taxis will have a consistent fare, but they are more expensive overall and require pesos. If you're trying to travel around the city, Uber is usually the cheaper option.

The best way to get from Mexico City to Bacalar is to fly which takes 3h 50m and costs $850 - $3900. Alternatively, you can bus via Villahermosa, which costs $700 - $950 and takes 17h 32m.

The top stops along the way from Tulum to Bacalar (with short detours) are Tulum Archaeological Zone, Zona arqueológica de Coba, and Paradise Beach. Other popular stops include Reserva de la Biósfera Sian Ka'an, Maya Chan Beach, and Grand Cenote.

How long is the Bacalar Lagoon? ›

Bacalar Lagoon (Laguna de Bacalar) is a 42 km (26 mi) long freshwater lake that is located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico near the border of Belize. The lake is fairly narrow being less than 2 km (1.2 mi) at its widest point. It is the largest lake in the Yucatan Peninsula and one of the largest in Mexico.

Discover the Bacalar lagoon by a boat trip

One of the best ways to see the Bacalar lagoon is by taking a boat trip. You can arrange a tour through your hotel or at one of the many tour companies in the town. The boat will take you out onto the lagoon where you can enjoy the stunning views and crystal clear water.

Shuttle Bus Drivers

These individuals are generally very helpful while getting you to your final destination. The suggested tip is about 50 pesos, or $2.50.

Tipping a Taxi driver in Mexico

Did he/she give you extra information to make the most of your stay? If so, a tip of $10-$15 pesos would be appropriate.

We suggest spending three nights in Bacalar to see the highlights and have some time to enjoy the peaceful natural beauty of Bacalar. We have visited Bacalar every year since 2018 and have stayed at many places around the lagoon. Below are our top picks with stunning views of the lake, good value, and great locations.

Nightlife at Laguna Bacalar

Laguna Bacalar is a pretty quiet town, so don't expect Cancun or Playa del Carmen level parties.

One week simply isn't enough to cover this beautiful country. But, that doesn't mean a week won't be amazing. A lot of those Iceland must-sees lie within a reasonable distance, making 7 days perfect to see waterfalls, glaciers, turf houses, lava fields, black beaches, and have some experiences you'll never forget.

While a lot can be seen in just a day or even in 36 hours in Tulum, I recommend a minimum of at least three days. These three days should be ideal for experiencing Tulum's vibrant culture, upscale nightlife, and most of the famous cenotes, ruins, and beaches. Once here, you're not going to want to leave – trust me.

The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors to prevent bites. The risk for mosquito activity is high. Consider an EPA-registered repellent to deter mosquito bites.

The warmest sea water temperatures in Lake Bacalar are found in September when they peak at 29° and lowest in February when they dip to 26°. The sea is excellent for swimming all year round as the water temperature is very warm and ideal for relaxing and swimming for the whole day.

How much is a taxi from Cancun to Bacalar? ›

For this reason, your Cancun to Bacalar taxi cost might be $350+USD — the same as you'd pay for a private transfer.

The lake of Bacalar is one of the most stunning spots in the Riviera Maya – and there are seven reasons why. The lengthy, narrow lake is comprised of no less than seven different shades of blue. With its white limestone bottom, the water is famously clear, and is an excellent place for diving, snorkeling and swimming.

Note: There's no Uber in Bacalar, and no Uber in Quintana Roo Mexico.

The water of the Bacalar Lagoon, on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, is as pure as glacial ice. It contains scant organic material: some of its oldest inhabitants are oligotrophic microorganisms, so called for their minimal diet. As a result, the lagoon puts on a spectacular display in the sunlight.

Yes, you can wear jeans in Iceland. The summer and shoulder seasons are especially good times to travel in your most comfortable pair. If you plan to go on an adventurous excursion, we recommend wearing the appropriate, activewear clothing.

What is this? An average trip to Iceland cost for travellers that want to vacation in Iceland is approximately $100-195 per person per day. This means that the cost of 7 days in Iceland is around $700 to $1365.

The summer months — July and August — are Iceland's warmest, and have long been the most popular time to visit. And June, with its 24 hours of daylight, sees just about as many tourists as the peak of summer.

Tulum is a very trendy and chic destination. Jean shorts and a tee are proper attire during the day. But, the fashionistas come out at night with their dresses paired with a straw bag or clutch. If you're like me and don't have a passion for fashion, stick to your personal style, and you'll be fine.

Use the Local Currency

The local currency in Tulum is Mexican pesos. Tourists often use US dollars to avoid the hassle of currency exchange and calculations. However, this can eventually add up to a lot of money.

How much money will you need for your trip to Tulum? You should plan to spend around M$1,621 ($81) per day on your vacation in Tulum, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, M$457 ($23) on meals for one day and M$374 ($19) on local transportation.