Bacalar Lagoon: Sailing Catamaran Tour with Cenote Swims & Drinks

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/9

Duration3h

GroupUp to 16

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail Bacalar’s seven colors lagoon with cenote stops and local stories

You’ll sail across Bacalar’s famous lagoon on a catamaran with a small group and local crew, stopping for swims in cenotes like Cenote Negro and Canal de los Piratas. Enjoy fresh fruit and cold drinks as your guide shares stories about the lagoon’s history and ecosystem. Expect laughter, new friends, and moments that linger long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Bacalar lagoon

Board sailing catamaran
Visit Cenote Negro
Visit Cenote Cocalitos
Visit Cenote Esmeralda
Explore Isla de los Pajaros
Explore Canal de los Piras
Stop to swim and relax
Learn about lagoon preservation
Return to departure point

The Experience

We were already drifting when I realized just how quiet Bacalar’s lagoon can be — no motors, just the soft slap of water against the catamaran. Our guide, Diego, was handing out life jackets and laughing about his first time steering here (apparently he nearly crashed into Isla de los Pájaros — “don’t tell my boss,” he grinned). The sky kept shifting between pale blue and that heavy gray you get before rain, but nobody seemed to mind. There’s something about being out there that makes you forget what time it is.

I’d never seen water like this: seven shades of turquoise and jade all bleeding together. We stopped near Cenote Negro first — Diego pointed at the dark patch in the water where it drops off deep. He told us a bit about how these cenotes feed the whole lagoon, and then we jumped in. The water was colder than I expected, almost sharp at first, but after a minute I didn’t want to get out. Someone passed me a slice of pineapple from the fruit platter (sticky fingers, sweet juice) while we floated around. It’s funny how quickly strangers start talking when you’re bobbing side by side like that.

Next stop was Canal de los Piratas — Diego said pirates used to hide here centuries ago. He kept telling us little stories between sips from his bottle of agua fresca (I tried saying “gracias” with my mouth full; pretty sure I sounded ridiculous). At one point, a couple of us tried to spot birds on Isla de los Pájaros but mostly ended up squinting at sunlight bouncing off feathers. The drinks were cold thanks to the cooler packed with ice — small detail but honestly so good after swimming.

By the time we sailed back toward shore, my skin felt salty and warm under my shirt. I caught myself thinking how rare it is to feel this relaxed with people you just met — maybe it’s something about Bacalar or maybe just being on the water for three hours does that to you. Either way, I still think about those colors sometimes when I close my eyes at home.

What’s included

Your day includes a bilingual captain and deckhand guiding your group across Bacalar Lagoon by sailing catamaran for three hours.
two drinks per person plus fresh fruit served onboard.
all necessary safety gear including life jackets.
insurance coverage throughout.
and plenty of chances to swim in cenotes or relax under open skies before returning to shore together.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Adventure Lab