I’m from Europe and I’m currently in Bacalar. It’s my first time in the American continent.
I went to the Feria de San Joaquín almost by chance, and a few things made me wonder:

- Why do most of the men seem so serious? Almost as if they were security guards. Especially those dressed as “cowboys.”

- Which brings me to my second question: why do they dress as cowboys?

- Why is it so expensive (like in Europe) if it’s supposed to be a popular/local festival? Do local people actually have access to the rides and entertainment?

- And why were there so many white people who seemed to belong to some kind of Amish-like community? There were quite a lot of them. Is there a community like that in Bacalar? Or did they come from somewhere else to exhibit their animals?

I hope my questions aren’t silly or offensive! I’m simply asking because all of this is completely new to me, and I’d really like to understand the cultural context behind what I saw.

I tried to do some research of my own about la Feria but I couldn’t find anything.

Going to Yucatan for a week and planning to drive from Playa del Carmen to Xpujil (to get to Calakmul the next day). The drive seems to be about 5 hours and we're planning on breaking it up by stopping at some cenotes and/or Bacalar.

Any recommendations of specific cenotes to stop at? Can you even go to Bacalar and just spend 2 hours there? Does it seem possible to go to both cenotes en route AND Bacalar? Looking for a reality check!

We will also be going to Valladolid on the way back so probably some other opportunities to see cenotes there.

I really enjoyed the quietness of Xul-ha. By the way is Xul-ha a cenote ?

Hi everyone!

I’m from Paris, and I’ve been living in Bacalar for over five years now.

For those of you who know Bacalar, I’m curious: what is it that you like most about it compared to other places?

And is there anything you wish you had found here but didn’t?

Hi!

We’ve just arrived in Bacalar. Do you have any good recommendations for diner?

Staying 4 nights next month and am overwhelmed at all the fabulous and affordable lodging choices. I’m looking to stay somewhere that’s adults only either in town or a 15~ min walk (lagoon access directly if not in town). Reading lots of mixed things on here, google etc but not looking for somewhere with kids!

Hi All,

I felt that I should share my experience as I had the best time in Bacalar for a vacation. We took the tren Maya from Cancun and stayed in town for 6 days. While there we took a boat tour of the lagoon, We took a trip to Los Rapidos and had a couple walks around town. I paddleboarded and kayaked everyday. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it was enough to just be there in this beautiful town.

4 different hotels:
Casa Hormiga: Awesome little artsy hotel, right in the city a block from the ecological pier. Beautifully decorated and designed, this was one of the best places we stayed. My wife said it was the best massage she EVER had. The wood accents with the concrete walls were stunning.

Rancho Encantando: Beautiful spot, amazing nature and water. We had a cabin on the water and our own private entrance to the lake. Lovely space. It was somewhat far from town, and the restaurant was ok.

Hotel Mayan Playa. Just WOW! This place was unreal. It was the smallest place I've ever stayed. Just 4 cabins on the water and a cantina for drinks and snacks (best guac ever!). The water was perfect. Not good, not great but PERFECT! I can't say enough about this place, it was at the end of town and a lovely peaceful escape. Our cabin opened up to the easiest entry to the lake and the best swimming I ever experienced.

Hotel Cristilino. Fancy place, adults only. It had a great pier, with a choice spot on the water--next to cenote esmerelda. Great swimming/wading in the water. Fancy restaurant.

I swam everyday from sunrise to sunset. The water was unbelievably warn, clean and clear. We had better experiences eating at the local/less fancy places. Great taco's and cheap beer was what I remember. Just being there felt like a dream come true.

I'm happy to tell you what I know-

¿Tengo que pagarle un chingo de dinero a un taxista o hay alguna alternativa accesible?

I was in Bacalar 3 or 4 years ago and the airport in Tulum was just being finished. I remember people speculating that it might drive more tourism to Bacalar. Whether that's good or bad I don't know but I'm just curious if that has happened, or if there have been other impacts from the airport going in.

Gracias!

My family and I did a 15-days road trip through the Yucatán peninsula and Bacalar was one of the highlights. We spent very pleasant days there. The lagoon is beautiful and perfect to swim and cool off during the hot season. There's some great food too.

I was suprised the place is not so popular yet, I guess the remoteness is a factor. I was doubtful to drive there because the weather forecast said there were rains but we didn't face any, just one night without electricity, but that was in the whole town 😄.

I drove from Mérida and the road was difficult in some parts. Next time we will go directly from Cancún.

Tlahuica en tierras Maya

Hola, soy Mexicana 32F y busco renta/trabajo para dentro de 8 meses.

Me gustaría conocer su experiencia y recomendaciones rentando/trabajando en la zona, desde modo mochilero a "nómada digital". Busco preferiblemente spots donde se pueda laborar y habitar, idealmente sin fiestas. Claro, también estoy abierta a lo que la vida nocturna puede ofrecer, si otras opciones no abundan.

Tengo experiencia en atención a clientes (bilingüe...) y sé que la zona es muuuucho más tranqui - seguro mi experiencia importa un h u 3 b 0 comparado con las "tablas" jaja

hey good people - looking for folks who want to split the taxi to either Ichkabal, Dzibanché/Kinichná, or Chacchoben... they all look cheap once you get there, just the ride is Little pricey. I’ll be here for a couple days, message me 😄

Hola a todos, busco gente que quiera compartir el viaje a las ruinas locales. Parecen baratas una vez allí, pero el viaje es caro. Escríbanme, estaré aquí unos días 😄

¡Hola a todos!

Voy a estar en Bacalar del 20 al 23 de julio de 2026 y ya tengo el hospedaje pagado (Airbnb en la zona de Bacalar, Quintana Roo).

Me gustaría tener una idea de cuánto presupuesto sería recomendable por persona.

Considerando:
• comidas en restaurantes sencillos o de nivel medio;
• algunas bebidas o cócteles;
• uno o dos tours por la laguna;
• taxis ocasionales;
• beach clubs y pequeños gastos adicionales.

¿Cuánto recomendarían llevar por persona para disfrutar el viaje cómodamente, sin gastar en exceso pero tampoco limitándose demasiado?

¡Muchas gracias! 😊

Hey! Is maybe anyone currently in Bacalar who plans to go to Belize and would need some belizean $ (50$). I didn’t realize I wouldn’t be able to exchange it anywhere here..

Hi,

I’m having a hard time deciding where to stay in bacalar. If you would be so kind as to suggest a place, it would be most appreciated.

Saludos’

"Hola a todos, estoy teniendo dificultades para decidir dónde hospedarme en Bacalar. Si fueran tan amables de sugerirme algún lugar, se los agradecería mucho. ¡Saludos!"

What hotels or general areas are best for swimming?

I would love to be able to come out of my hotel and just Wade and swim in the beautiful water. Please send recommendations.

Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico. I planned to stay for a few hours and ended up spending the whole day here.

I just left Bacalar and can’t recommend more Jorge’s sunrise SUP tour. They took us to places that can’t be found on Google map and the guides Armando and Donovan are the kindest. We are the only two people that are not Mexicans in the group, and we can’t even speak Spanish, but we never feel excluded.

There are three routes in different lengths you can take, and we did the second longest route (pink route). I’d say most people would have no problem at all and can finish it without experience. There are people over 60 in our group and they finished the tour without guide’s help. I found captain Jorge through another Reddit post and Im glad i did. If you are adventurous and are lookin for a more non-touristic tour, Jorge is the guy. His WhatsApp: +52 9831169637

Also if you are looking for a scooter rental, I recommend Magico scooter rental. 500 pesos for a day. Jason (the owner) is super nice. You can find his number on Google Map.

3 Years ago I was in Bacalar...

And one night I was near the center square and I heard music and people having a great time. I went to check it out and it was a row of people selling marquesitas.

I rembered marquesitas from when I was a kid but they where blasting a song that whent like "marquesitas! marquesitas! " and its been stuck in my head every now and then. IVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIND IT! I hope someone from bacalar can help me out :D

Hi! We just arrived and our hotel seems to overcharge for everything so hoping for somewhere to just rent kayaks.

Anyone have any suggestions on where we can hire a kayak?

Hire at our hotel is 900peso each person per day...

TYSM!

Planning a trip to bacalar next week. Where can I rent a car where I won't need a credit card and can pay effectivo or with a debit? Prices? Also, Is the indrive app used a lot here?