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  • Writer's pictureKatrina Julia

One Day in Bacalar, Mexico: Itinerary to Transform and Travel

Bacalar, Mexico may not be on your or others radar yet. That is likely to change very soon. This hidden gem, the Lagoon of Seven Colors, is said to possibly be the next Tulum.


Many around the world have named Bacalar, Mexico the Maldives of Mexico due to the multi colors of Bacalar Lagoon. If you didn't know, the colors change due to sunlight, depth, and color of the sand at the bottom.


Bacalar Lagoon, aka Lake or Lagoon of Seven Colors, turns up the notch when it comes to pristine perfection when it comes to nature. Bacalar means surrounded by reeds.


Paradise, and the adventures that you will find in and near Bacalar, Mexico, attract many from all

7 Continents. While the town has a population of about 11,000; In 2019, over 200,000 people visited Bacalar. Im comparison, over 2 million tourists visited the Tulum Ruins alone in 2019.


That's one of the reasons why I decided to spend not just One Day in Bacalar, Mexico but about two weeks! If you are curious about my creating and adventuring, check out my second month in Tulum, Mexico.


If you don't know where to start with your time at and near Bacalar, Mexico, I am here to help you #createit! Traveling helps you transform in more ways than one when you travel globally.


While there is plenty to experience one day all around Bacalar to transform and travel whether you come solo, with family, or with a group, you will definitely want to consider staying longer.


Follow this One Day in Bacalar Mexico: Itinerary to Transform and Travel. It will help you make your travels transformational even it's a short trip. These are my recommendations for the top experiences for your one day in and around Bacalar, Mexico.


My recommendations for a day include sunrise at the pier and/or Stand Up Paddle Boarding, visiting the Fort and Bacalar sign, Cenote Cocalitos, Sailing at Sunset, and my favorite foodie spots in Bacalar!



Bacalar, Mexico at Cenote Cocalitos


One Day in Bacalar, Mexico

Getting to Bacalar, Mexico

You may find flights to Cancun Airport, the closest airport to Bacalar, from most Southern states in the USA directly. I flew to Cancun from Guatemala via Volaris Airlines in May 2021. There are plans underway for an airport in Tulum, which would be closer, as well as a train in the Yucatan Peninsula.


Bacalar, Mexico is about 5 hours south of Cancun, Mexico or 3 hours south of Tulum, Mexico making it easy to get to from the airport.


For a short trip, you may decide to rent a car. It is easy to take an Ado Bus to either Playa Del Carmen or Tulum and transferring via another bus to Bacalar.


In 2019, I visited Mexico with a hosted Airbnb Adventure visiting Cancun, Holbox, and Valladolid. At the time, Uber operated fully from Cancun Airport.


As of July 2021, there is no Uber at Cancun Airport. You may get one from within Cancun. I found the Taxi being 3 to 4x more than Ubers.







Picaflor in Bacalar, Mexico


My Experiences with Bacalar, Mexico

This is my first time in and near Bacalar, Mexico. While I have visited Mexico over 4 times before, this is my first time in Bacalar, Mexico. Thanks to my experiences in Bacalar, Mexico, it will likely not be my last.


There is so much to experience in and near Bacalar in Mexico including the nature, adventures, and food! Bacalar is divided into what seems like the center of Pueblo Magico, or Magical Town, hotel zones on one side on the freeway about 3-5 miles from town, and the coast.


In the center, you will find Fort, Bacalar Sign, What SUP Bacalar in YAK Lake House, Bacalar Cafe, Mango y Chile, and nearby Picaflor, To the right of Picaflor, you will find some hotels near the lagoon, and the public pier at Calle or Street 36. The opposite direction from YAK Lake House, you will find Cenote Cocalitos, Cenote Azul, and further Bacalar Rapids.


Although I stayed in Bacalar for about two weeks, I love to create adventure days to share for myself and others whether you are somewhere short or long-term and want to create adventure days too. That's why I created One Day Travel guides. In my Top 10 Things to Do, you will find even more reasons to experience the cities and countries I share on my travels to 7 Continents.




Bacalar Lagoon Sailing at Sunset


My travels and experiences in and near Bacalar, Mexico included nature, adventures, community, and food! Travel fills me up. New people, adventures, and experiences are something I love.


My story includes being conceived in Bulgaria, born in Poland, and in 4 countries by the time I was 2 (including a refugee camp in Italy.).


I am in awe of the transformation from the inside out of my life in every area including health, wealth, business and travel.



Bacalar, Mexico Stays

For my first visit to Bacalar, Mexico, for my first five days from July 26-30, I stayed at an efficiency apartment via a press trip and digital marketing project I did with Picaflor via WorkAway. I loved sharing the apartment with Jenn, my roommate!