Things to do in Bacalar
The unmissables
Most booked
Bacalar: Sailboat Lagoon Tour & Cenote Swimming★ 4.96 (1,663) · 3h
Top rated
Bacalar Lagoon: Boat Tour & Cenotes with Fruit & Beers★ 4.93 (1,314) · 3h
Best value
Bacalar: Lagoon Sailing & 7 Colors Cenotes with Kayak★ 4.92 (1,258) · 3h
Recommended (7)
Bacalar Lagoon: Boat Tour, 5 Cenotes & Open Bar★ 4.90 (1,170) · 4hUS$ 57View ›
Bacalar Lagoon Private Tour: 7 Colors, Cenotes & Sunset Kayak★ 4.96 (1,122) · 3hUS$ 108View ›
Bacalar Lagoon Kayak or SUP Tour: Pirate's Channel & 3 Lagoons★ 4.99 (686) · 3hUS$ 57View ›
Bacalar: Sunrise SUP Tour, Black Cenote & Pirates Canal★ 4.93 (641) · 3hUS$ 39View ›
Private Sailboat in Bacalar Lagoon: Captain for a Day★ 4.97 (612) · 3hUS$ 240View ›
Private Sailing Tour of Bacalar Lagoon: 7 Colors & Cenotes★ 4.97 (493) · 3hUS$ 240View ›
Bacalar kayak tour with floating picnic at Cenote Esmeralda★ 4.98 (423) · 3hUS$ 30View ›Top rated (10)
Bacalar: Private Sunrise Paddle Tour & Cenote SwimYou’ll start before dawn in Bacalar with a private paddle tour across glassy waters, gliding over Cenote Esmeralda as sunrise colors spill across the lagoon. Swim off Bird Island while birds call overhead, then finish with fresh fruit and coffee back on shore. It’s quiet, honest adventure—just you, your guide, and that wild blue water.
Bacalar Lagoon: Sailing Catamaran Tour with Cenote Swims & DrinksYou’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.
Bacalar seven-color lagoon sailboat tour: Swim at cenotesA sailboat tour across Bacalar's seven-color lagoon in Mexico's Riviera Maya, where you sail and swim at four named stops: the Pirate's Channel, a bird sanctuary, the Black Cenote (also called Witch's Cenote) and the Emerald Cenote. The guide speaks English or Spanish and shares stories unique to Bacalar while you move through the water under sail. Lifevests, seasonal fruit, water and two beers per adult are included; the tour runs three hours.Is it for me?The three-hour window and sailboat format mean you spend most of the time in or near the water at four distinct stops rather than traveling between distant sites. If you want to swim at multiple cenotes and hear the local stories without a full-day commitment, this tour holds the day together around the lagoon itself.
Bacalar Boat Cruise with On-Board BBQ and SwimmingA private boat cruise in Bacalar where you swim at the Pirate Canal and Cenote de la Bruja, then eat a barbecue cooked on board while floating in the lagoon. The 4.5-hour activity includes six beers per adult, skewers with vegetarian options, natural fruit beverages, snorkeling gear and a bilingual guide; departure is from the DayTour Bacalar dock at Casa China Bacalar hotel.Is it for me?This is a private boat, so you set the pace and the crew cooks while you float—ideal if you want to eat and drink without returning to land or dealing with a shared schedule. The barbecue happens on board, which means no restaurant stop and no time lost to getting back ashore.
Bacalar: Janzu Aquatic Massage & Floating TherapyYou float supported in warm water while a trained therapist guides your body through slow, continuous movements—stretches, gentle massage, immersion techniques—all designed to release tension and calm your nervous system. The session includes mat, blanket, and ear plugs. No experience or flexibility required; the water does the work.Is it for me?Book this if you want deep relaxation without the pressure of a traditional massage—the water removes gravity, which is what allows your nervous system to actually slow down instead of just being worked on.
Kayak Bacalar Sunrise Tour: Bird Island & Black CenoteYou paddle out at sunrise on Bacalar Lagoon, float past the bird island while herons wake up, explore a ninety-meter cenote, and eat fresh fruit and coffee on the water. Your guide provides the board or kayak, lifevest, lesson, and GoPro photos. The whole experience takes a few hours and finishes before the day gets hot.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Bacalar Lagoon at its quietest and most colorful, without arranging your own equipment or timing — the early start is what keeps the water calm and the birds active.
Bacalar: Private Catamaran Sailing & Bird Island SwimmingYou sail a motorless catamaran through Bacalar Lagoon with your group only, stopping to swim in cenote water near stromatolites and at Bird Island, where you watch local and migratory birds and catch the sunset. Bottled water and seasonal fruit are provided, and Captain Sara handles navigation and timing so you just show up at Bertilla Lagoon and step aboard.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Bacalar Lagoon's bird life and remote cenotes without a motor or a crowd—the private catamaran and no-engine approach are what make the quiet and the wildlife possible in a place that can feel crowded elsewhere.
Sunrise paddleboarding in Bacalar lagoon with breakfastA 3-hour sunrise paddleboarding activity on the Bacalar lagoon where you paddle to Bird Island and the Black Cenote, with a live guide in English or Spanish and breakfast served on the water. Children from age 10 are welcome. The route covers the lagoon's famous 7-color zones at the hour when the water changes color and the birds are loudest.Is it for me?Book this if you're an early riser who wants to paddle before 9am and prefer a small group—you'll start while the lagoon is still quiet, with time to float and have coffee on the water.
Bacalar Lake of Seven Colors Pontoon Tour: Swim in crystal-clear watersA pontoon boat tour of Bacalar's Lake of Seven Colors visits the Pirate Channel, Island of Birds, Black Cenote, Emerald Cenote, and Cocalitos Cenote over 2.5 hours, with swimming in shallow waters, seasonal fruit, water and ice included. A guide in English or Spanish narrates the lagoon's history and points out stromatolites at two of the cenotes. The boat is wheelchair accessible and the pace is set by the operator, so you move through five stops without building an itinerary yourself.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see all five cenotes and swim at the clearest ones without spending the morning figuring out which ones are reachable by car or foot—the boat moves through them in order and the guide handles the navigation and the stories.
Bacalar: Private Catamaran & Seven Colors Lagoon SwimmingYou board a private catamaran at Casa China and sail through Bacalar's seven-color lagoon, swimming at the Pirate Canal and three cenotes while learning about stromatolites and local myths from a bilingual crew. Tropical fruit, fresh juices and guacamole are served throughout, with a final stop at Isla de los Pájaros before returning to the pier. The route can be customized, and a premium food plan is available for an additional charge.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Bacalar's lagoon without renting a boat yourself or navigating the cenotes alone — the crew handles the sailing and knows which stops matter, which is what turns a boat ride into a half-day that stays with you.
Lowest price (10)
Bacalar: Full Day Kayak Rental & Lagoon ExplorationYou rent a kayak for the full day and explore Bacalar's lagoon on your own terms, swimming where you choose and paddling at your own rhythm. The marina's central location means the best spots are close, and the lifejacket is included. Plan for a full day out — that's what lets you cover the water without rushing.Is it for me?Right for independent paddlers who want to explore Bacalar without a guide or a schedule. You'll be out on the water for the full day — that's what makes reaching the quieter corners of the lagoon possible without a motorboat crowd.
Paddle at Dawn in Bacalar: Cenotes and IslandsA 3-hour paddle boarding or kayaking activity in Bacalar that starts before sunrise at Cenote Esmeralda, the largest cenote in the area. You swim at a natural pool while watching the first light paint the sky, then paddle to a bird sanctuary for a floating picnic with healthy snacks and fruit drinks. A bilingual guide leads the whole morning, and all safety equipment is provided; children are welcome from age 8.Is it for me?Most sunrise paddles in Bacalar stop at one cenote or one island; this one strings together Cenote Esmeralda, a swimming point timed to the sunrise, and a bird sanctuary with a floating picnic, so the morning builds instead of repeating the same view.
Bacalar Pontoon Tour: Pirates Canal, cenotes & kayaks includedA 3-hour pontoon boat tour of Bacalar's Lagoon of the 7 Colors explores Pirates Canal, three cenotes and Bird Island in a shaded boat with a bilingual guide. The tour includes 3 beers and natural fruit beverages per adult, safety equipment, healthy snacks, and beach club access afterward with complimentary kayaks to continue exploring on your own terms.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in Bacalar with a free morning and want the lagoon's main sights without arranging transport or a guide yourself—the boat, the stops and the timing are set, so you show up and spend three hours on the water instead of planning it.
Bacalar Lagoon Pontoon Tour: Cenotes, Pirate Channel & IslandsA pontoon boat tour of Bacalar lagoon that departs from Casa Arabe pier and visits three cenotes (Negro, Esmeralda, Cocalitos), the Pirate Channel for swimming, and Bird Island for birdwatching. The 2.5-hour tour includes a certified guide in English or Spanish, seasonal fruit, bottled water and a complimentary beer for adults; the captain provides safety instructions before departure and waits on board with refreshments.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so choose the language that lets you follow the captain's commentary about each cenote and the birds at Island. Small children ride on a lap, and the boat pace suits all fitness levels, so this works for mixed-age groups or anyone new to boat tours.
Bacalar: Sunrise Paddleboard Tour with Breakfast & GoPro PhotosYou’ll start before sunrise on Bacalar’s famous lagoon, learning to paddleboard with a local guide as dawn colors spread across calm water. Swim in clear shallows among mangroves while your guide prepares fresh fruit and coffee for breakfast. GoPro photos capture those sleepy smiles and bright colors so you can relive them later—there’s something quietly joyful about starting your day this way.
Kayaking in Bacalar: Sunrise paddle with breakfastKayak the Lagoon of 7 Colors in Bacalar at sunrise, paddling toward the Pirate Canal through mangroves as dawn breaks across the water. The experience includes a bilingual guide, safety instruction, light breakfast with local coffee and fruit, GoPro photos and videos, and a stop in a protected natural zone where the guide shares the lagoon's history and ecology. Minimum age is 10 years; infants sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are welcome, and you can bring a pet to join you on the water.Is it for me?Three hours on the water means you're back by mid-morning with the rest of your day open—ideal if you want the sunrise without sacrificing the beach or other plans. The minimum age is 10 years, and infants can sit on an adult's lap, so families with younger children can join if an adult paddles with the child aboard.
Bacalar Lagoon: 3-Hour Catamaran Sailing & SwimmingYou sail a comfortable catamaran for three hours across the Bacalar Lagoon's seven shades of blue, stopping to swim in warm, clear water. The tour includes fruit drinks, snacks, and three beers per person, plus a guide who shares the history and ecology of the lagoon. You're back by early afternoon, having seen the place without arranging transport or timing it yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the calmest part of the Caribbean without renting a boat or arranging your own transport — the fixed schedule and included drinks mean you show up and the rest is handled.
Bacalar: Ichkabal Ruins & Los Rapidos Day Trip with PickupYou’ll walk among ancient Mayan pyramids at Ichkabal near Bacalar, taste fresh fruit and local coffee for breakfast, then float or swim in the turquoise waters of Los Rapidos—all with hotel pickup and entry fees sorted for you. Expect small surprises—a fox sighting or new flavors—and moments of real calm as you drift along the lagoon’s gentle current.
Bacalar Sunset Sailing Tour: 5-Hour Lagoon Cruise with BarA five-hour sailing tour of Bacalar's 7 Colors Lagoon that stops at Pirate Canal, Emerald Cenote and Bird Island for swimming and snorkeling. The boat carries bilingual guides, an open bar with beer and tequila, and a picnic of tacos, guacamole and fresh fruit prepared on board. The pace is slow and the focus is on connection—whether you come solo or with friends, the tour is built around time to relax, swim and watch the sunset without rushing.Is it for me?The five-hour pace means you're on the water for the full arc of the day—three swimming stops, a meal, and the sunset sail—without feeling rushed. The open bar and music keep the mood relaxed rather than structured, which works well if you're traveling solo and want to meet people, or with friends and want the day to stay loose and social.
Drone Photography in Bacalar: Aerial Photos & Video EditA two-hour photography and filming session in Bacalar where you work with a guide to capture drone and camera footage around Lake Bacalar and the city, then receive an edited collection of photos and videos. The guide speaks English, Spanish, or Persian. Service animals are welcome, and the session suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want professional aerial footage of Bacalar without learning to fly a drone yourself—the guide shoots while you decide what matters, and you leave with finished photos and video ready to use.
