Bacalar Rapids tour on pontoon: Swim the gentle current

Swim the Rapids of Bacalar and drift past cenotes in one afternoon

A collective pontoon tour of Bacalar's Lake of Seven Colors, departing with hotel pickup and a live guide in English or Spanish. You'll navigate to seven stops (black cenotes, emerald lagoons, the pirate canal and bird sanctuary), and spend time swimming at the Rapids, where a gentle current carries you between mangroves and ancient stromatolites. Five hours, five kilometers of water, fruit and snacks included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bacalar Lake and Rapids

• Observe deepest cenote and mangroves
• Admire emerald green cenote and hotel
• View smallest cenote and stromatolites
• Swim near Cocalitos spa
• Swim and float at Rapids of Bacalar
• Visit pirate canal and swim
• Stop at island to see migratory birds

The experience

You board a pontoon at your hotel and head out onto the lagoon with a professional captain and a small group. The boat stops first at Cenote Azul, the deepest cenote on the lake, where black water and mangrove walls frame the view from the deck. Next is Laguna Esmeralda, the largest cenote, its emerald green so vivid it marks the spot where Bacalar's first hotel was built. You stay aboard to take it in. A third cenote, shallow and narrow, holds a sanctuary of stromatolites, those layered rock formations that rank among the oldest life forms on Earth.

The real swim happens at the Rapids of Bacalar, a natural channel connecting two lagoons where crystal-clear water flows steadily between rock formations and mangroves. You float on your back and let the current move you, watching the water shift through shades of blue and green. The captain knows the spot where the water runs gentle enough to relax into. Before that, you'll swim in front of the Cocalitos spa, and after, the boat takes you to the Pirate Canal at the lagoon's entrance: the 1600s route where raiders slipped in, now a place to spot catfish and a rock formation shaped like a ship. The last stop is an island sanctuary where herons, pelicans and gulls nest. Pink spatulas sometimes appear, their color close to flamingo.

The tour runs five hours. You get a life jacket, bottled water, fruit and snacks. Two beers are included, and a tequila shot is optional. The captain speaks English or Spanish and stays attentive to the group's pace and interests. Pickup from your hotel is part of the booking, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• a professional captain speaking English or Spanish.
• a life jacket.
• five hours on the pontoon visiting seven stops across the lagoon.
• fruit and snacks.
• bottled water.
• two beers.
• and optional tequila shot.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Wednesday

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bacalareando Tours Bacalar

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in Bacalar without a car: hotel pickup gets you straight to the pontoon, and the five-hour duration fits a free afternoon with an evening return.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Pirate Canal and why is it a stop on this tour?

The Pirate Canal is the entrance to the lagoon where 17th-century pirates entered the territory. The boat stops there to swim and tour the area, and you may spot catfish and a rock formation shaped like a pirate ship.

Can I swim at every stop, or only at certain ones?

You swim at two main points: in front of the Cocalitos spa and at the Rapids of Bacalar, where the gentle current carries you between mangroves and stromatolites. Other stops (the cenotes and the bird sanctuary) are boat stops for viewing only.

What are stromatolites and where do I see them on this tour?

Stromatolites are layered rock formations considered one of the oldest life forms on the planet. You'll see them at a shallow cenote stop and again at the Rapids of Bacalar, where they rise from the water between the rock channels.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, pickup is included in the booking. The captain will collect you from your hotel and return you there after the five-hour tour ends.

What's included to eat and drink during the tour?

The tour includes fruit, snacks, bottled water and two beers. A tequila shot is available as an optional add-on.