Kayaking at Bacalar Lagoon: Clear kayak through Seven Colors

Paddle through glass-still water and see straight to the bottom

Kayak a two-person clear kayak through Bacalar Lagoon, a freshwater eco-park in the Riviera Maya known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors, for approximately 75 minutes of paddling through mangrove-lined channels. The activity includes full safety equipment, a refreshing swim in the lagoon, and a Mexican lunch of three traditional dishes. Children from age 8 can participate. A moderate fitness level is needed.

The experience

You arrive at Bacalar Lagoon and climb into a clear kayak built for two, which means you see straight through the hull to the bottom of the water. The lagoon itself is protected on all sides by thick mangrove forest, and because motorized boats are banned here, the surface stays smooth as glass. As you paddle, the water shifts through every shade of blue and green: the reason locals call it the Lagoon of Seven Colors. The paddle takes roughly 75 minutes, moving at the pace you set, and the serenity comes from silence: no engines, no jet skis, just the sound of your paddle and the birds overhead.

Wildlife is constant. Water birds work the shallows and mangrove edges, and the clarity of the kayak means you can watch fish and other creatures moving beneath you. You'll stop partway through to swim in the lagoon itself, which is refreshing and clear enough to photograph. After the paddle, you have free time to explore on your own before lunch arrives: one panucho, one salbute, and one empanada per person, all traditional Yucatan dishes.

What’s included

• Full safety equipment including life jacket.
• a two-person clear kayak.
• Mexican lunch with one panucho, one salbute, and one empanada per guest.
• a swim stop in the lagoon.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tourlanders

Is this one for you?At two and a half hours total, this fits a free afternoon or a morning slot before other plans, leaving the rest of your day open. Children from age 8 can go, making it workable for families, though a moderate fitness level and comfort in water are needed.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

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.

Can I kayak at Bacalar Lagoon if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The kayak is stable and built for two people, and you set the pace yourself. The lagoon is protected by mangroves and has no motorized traffic, so the water stays calm. A moderate fitness level is needed, and the operator provides all safety equipment.

What is the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and why does the water change color?

Bacalar Lagoon is Mexico's second-largest natural freshwater body, and the water shifts through multiple shades of blue and green depending on depth, light and the mineral composition of the bottom. The color changes are real and visible as you paddle through different zones of the lagoon.

How long does the kayaking part actually take?

The paddle itself is approximately 75 minutes. The full activity runs about two and a half hours, which includes time to get into the kayak, the paddle, a swim stop, and lunch afterward.

Is the kayak really clear, or is it just tinted?

The kayak is full-clear, meaning the hull is transparent so you can see the bottom of the lagoon and the wildlife moving beneath you. This is the defining feature of the experience and what sets it apart from a standard kayak.

What happens if I'm not comfortable swimming in the lagoon?

The swim stop is part of the activity, but you're not required to enter the water. You can stay in or near the kayak and take photos or rest while others swim. The water is calm and shallow in most areas.