Kayaking Bacalar Lagoon from Tulum: Cenote swim & lunch

Paddle through the lagoon with a guide, then float in an open cenote

This 12-hour kayak tour from Tulum takes you to Bacalar Lagoon, where you swim at Cenote Azul, paddle the lagoon with a guide, and eat breakfast and lunch at local spots. Round transportation leaves from Super Aki Market in Tulum City, and a life jacket is provided for the kayak portion. The guide speaks English or Spanish.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bacalar lagoon swim and kayak tour

• Swim at Cenote Azul
• Enjoy breakfast
• Relax and swim at lagoon
• Kayak tour with guide
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Photo stop at Bacalar City Sign

The Experience

The day starts with a drive from Tulum to Bacalar City, about an hour away. Once there, you'll swim first at Cenote Azul, an open cenote where you float without walls around you—the kind of place where the water is clear enough to see straight through. After that comes breakfast at a local spot, then free time to swim and relax at the lagoon itself before the kayaking begins.

The kayak portion is guided: your guide takes you out on the water to see the lagoon and the nature around it. You wear a life jacket the whole time. Bacalar Lagoon is filled with local fish and bird species, and the water sits above stromatolites—rock formations that feed the ecosystem. The lagoon is shallow enough in most places that you're never far from the bottom, and the guide controls the pace and the route.

After kayaking, you'll head to a local restaurant for an authentic Mexican lunch. Before heading back to Tulum, there's a quick stop at the Bacalar City Sign for photos. The whole trip is 12 hours from pickup to drop-off. Bring a towel, bathing suit, change of clothes and biodegradable sunscreen; the life jacket and all water access are included.

What’s included

• Round transportation from Super Aki Market in Tulum City.
• breakfast (one dish of your choice).
• lunch (one dish of your choice).
• entrance to Cenote Azul.
• kayak ride with life jacket.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Altustours

Is this one for you?The 12-hour commitment means you'll leave Tulum early and return in the late afternoon, which rules out a second activity that day but gives you time to swim, eat and paddle without rushing any of it. If your schedule is tight, a shorter half-day option would be better; if you have the full day and want to move slowly through the water and the local food, this one fills it completely.

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Top questions

What exactly is Cenote Azul and why is it part of this tour?

Cenote Azul is an open cenote—a natural sinkhole filled with fresh water—near Bacalar where you swim and float as the first activity of the day. It's included because it's a calm, clear place to get in the water before the kayaking, and it's one of the main attractions in the area.

Will I be paddling the whole time, or does the guide do most of the work?

You paddle the kayak yourself with the guide leading the way. The guide controls the route and pace through the lagoon, so you're not navigating on your own, but you're operating the kayak the entire time you're on the water.

What's included in the breakfast and lunch?

Breakfast is one dish of your choice served at a local spot before the lagoon time. Lunch is one dish of your choice at a local restaurant after kayaking. Drinks at the restaurant are not included.

How long is the drive from Tulum to Bacalar, and when do we get back?

The drive is roughly an hour each way. The whole tour is 12 hours from the time you're picked up at Super Aki Market in Tulum City until you're dropped back there, so you'll return in the late afternoon.

Is there a life jacket, and do I need to know how to swim?

A life jacket is mandatory and provided for the kayak portion. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, and pregnant travelers should check with a doctor first.

What should I bring, and what happens if I'm traveling with young children?

Bring a towel, bathing suit, change of clothes and biodegradable sunscreen. Infants must sit on an adult's lap during the drive, and children must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the tour.