How We Ended Up in Bacalar (By Accident)

We mistakenly found Bacalar on a map while looking for a route down to Belize, which was our next planned stop. It seemed convenient—it followed the coastline and looked like a chill spot. So, we decided to stay for 3 days and we would say you could probably stay for 2 as there isn’t much to see but definitely worth a short stop to explore.

First Impressions: “The Maldives of Mexico”?

Bacalar is south of Tulum and known for its bays and cenotes. People call it the “Maldives of Mexico” because of its bright, crystal-clear waters. The lagoon is full of minerals, which makes the water shift in colour, earning it the nickname Rainbow Lagoon.

Did we see rainbow colours? Not quite. But the shades of blue were stunning. In some areas, we found shallow sandbanks where we got out of our kayaks to splash around in the sunshine. It was peaceful, and the water was ridiculously clear.

No Fish, But a Boat Tour Worth Taking

We thought there might be snorkelling here, but we didn’t see any tropical fish. Instead, we jumped on a boat tour around the lagoon—and I’m so glad we did. It turned out to be a highlight of the trip.

We went on a slightly windy day. Top Tip - check the weather before you book, ideally you want a calm sunny day 🌞

We met travellers from all over the world and got to see Bacalar from a totally different perspective. I wasn’t feeling too fresh though—some sort of mystery bug had followed me from Mexico (we joked and called it "Denge," but honestly, no idea what it really was). So yeah, imagine trying not to throw up on a boat while trying to enjoy the views. Great times. 😂

Despite that, the tour was lovely. We stopped off at an abandoned pirate ship and a few scenic spots around the lagoon. Our guide spoke great English and was super informative. If you’re coming to Bacalar, definitely do a boat tour - cost around £22.50 each (watch the YouTube video at the bottom of this page for a full insight).

A Hidden Gem: Casa China

When we got back from the tour, we found a bar called Casa China—and it was such a vibe. The staff were amazing, and the whole place had a laid-back beach feel: music, food, drinks, hammocks, and deck chairs. You could even use their kayaks for free, and they had a little lighthouse that gave you the best view over the lagoon.

Joe having a Boogey in Casa China- living his best life 😂

Chilling at Casa China (look at that view 👀)

The Crocodile Surprise 🐊

And then… things got wild. Bacalar was the first place we saw a wild crocodile in the water.

We were at Casa China, just relaxing, when someone spotted it. The staff reassured us that it was super rare—and thank god for that, because it was swimming right next to the jetty where Tilly and I had been literally just swimming.

We were totally in shock. It was surreal watching it glide through the water. That moment kicked off a bit of an obsession with spotting wildlife on the rest of our trip—we were hooked from then on.

Getting Around: Bikes Are Your Best Friend

One last tip—hire a bike from a local shop in town. Bacalar is flat, the roads are easy, and cycling around made everything super accessible. We rented three and just cruised around the whole time. It was perfect.

Final Thoughts

Bacalar may have started as an unplanned detour, but it turned out to be full of surprises—from rainbow-coloured waters (sort of), to chill bars, new friends, and a crocodile sighting we’ll never forget.

Would I go back? Maybe not in a rush—but I’m definitely glad we stopped. Sometimes the best memories come from the places you didn’t plan to be.

Bacalar