Bacalar Lagoon: 7 Colors Day Trip & Cenotes from Costa Maya

Summary

Swim cenotes taste local pineapple cruise Pirate Channel in Bacalar

You’ll feel Bacalar’s 7 Colors Lagoon shift beneath you as you swim cenotes, float through Pirate Channel, snack on juicy honey pineapple, and share laughs with your guide over lunch. This day trip from Costa Maya includes round-trip pickup, drinks (beer or soda), time at a private beach club, plus stories that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t even the water—it was the way our guide, Luisa, grinned when we rounded the last bend before Bacalar Lagoon. She just pointed and said, “Wait till you see it up close.” And yeah, I’d seen pictures of the 7 Colors Lagoon before, but nothing really prepares you for how those blues actually look in real life. It’s not one color. It’s like someone spilled seven different shades of paint and let them swirl together under the sun. The air was warm but not sticky, and there was this faint earthy scent coming off the shore—kind of sweet, kind of mineral.

We started at Cenote Esmeralda. The water felt cooler than I expected—my toes tingled when I dipped in—and Luisa explained why it’s called “Esmeralda.” She laughed when I tried to say “cenote” properly (I definitely didn’t). Next stop was Cenote Cocalitos. There were these odd-looking stones everywhere—stromatolites, apparently ancient as anything alive on earth. I touched one; it felt rough and a little slimy, but in a good way? Not sure how else to describe it. Some local kids were splashing nearby and shouting jokes in Spanish—I only caught every third word but still found myself smiling.

Black Cenote is deeper than it looks from above. You can’t see the bottom at all, which made me weirdly nervous for a second (I’m not usually spooked by water). The boat drifted quietly for a while here—just wind and a couple birds calling from somewhere out in the mangroves. Then we headed to the Pirate Channel. Luisa told us about old pirates sneaking through here to steal wood centuries ago. The channel itself is narrow and shallow, with sand so white it almost hurts your eyes if you stare too long. We stopped for a swim and an ice-cold beer—nothing ever tasted better after floating under that sky.

I still think about that honey pineapple Luisa cut up on the beach club dock—sticky sweet juice running down my wrist while everyone just lounged around half-damp and happy. Lunch was simple: grilled chicken with lime and some tortillas that tasted smoky from the fire. On the drive back to Costa Maya, everyone got quiet for a bit—I guess we were all replaying those colors in our heads or maybe just sun-tired in that good way you only get after swimming all day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Bacalar Lagoon and local beach club

• View lagoon from hill
• Visit Cenote Esmeralda
• Explore Cenote Cocalitos stromatolites
• Swim at Black Cenote
• See Pirate Channel and lagoon colors
• Relax at private beach club
• Navigate lagoon on pontoon
• Stop at sandy beach
• Enjoy honey pineapple snack
• Have authentic Mexican lunch
• Return to ship

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Costa Maya to Bacalar Lagoon?

The excursion lasts a full day including round-trip transportation between Costa Maya and Bacalar.

Is lunch included on the Bacalar 7 Colors Lagoon tour?

Yes, lunch with authentic Mexican food is included during your visit at Bacalar.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

You get bottled water, soda or pop, alcoholic beverages like beer are also included.

What cenotes do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Cocalitos (with stromatolites), and Black Cenote.

Is hotel or port pickup included?

Yes, round-trip transportation between Costa Maya port and Bacalar is provided.

Can infants or small children join this excursion?

Yes; prams/strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s special about Pirate Channel in Bacalar?

Pirate Channel is where pirates once entered Bacalar to steal precious wood; now it’s great for swimming and history stories.

Is there time to swim during this day trip?

Yes; there are several stops for swimming at cenotes and sandy beaches along Bacalar Lagoon.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transportation from Costa Maya port to Bacalar Lagoon with insurance coverage throughout; entry to three unique cenotes plus time at a private beach club; bottled water, sodas or beer along the way; fresh snacks including juicy honey pineapple prepared by your guide; an authentic Mexican lunch; plus plenty of time to swim or just float under those shifting blue skies before heading back in time for your ship’s departure.