Excursion to Magical town of Bacalar and its Colorful Lagoon

Cancun, Mexico
Duration17h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish
Group sizeUp to 49 travelers
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below

Overview

Travel to Bacalar for a full-day shared experience built around freshwater beauty, relaxed town charm, local flavor, and scenic lagoon views. This tour is ideal for travelers who want to discover a quieter side of Quintana Roo, far from the busy beach areas and closer to the calm landscapes that make Bacalar so special.

The day begins with shared pickup by bus or minibus and a box lunch during the morning route before arriving in Bacalar. Once in town, travelers will enjoy breakfast with local-style options such as Mexican eggs, chicken chilaquiles, eggs with chaya, hotcakes, a fresh fruit bowl, or other available dishes.

From there, the experience moves through Bacalar’s most representative highlights: swimming at Cenote Azul, relaxing at Balneario Mármol, enjoying a pontoon ride across the famous Lagoon of the Seven Colors, seeing ancient stromatolites, visiting San Felipe Fort, and stopping at the colorful Bacalar letters before returning to Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

What's included

  • Lunch with one dish of your choice from the available options: deviled fish fillet, fish fillet with garlic mojo, grilled fish fillet, or breaded chicken fillet
  • Visit to the Bacalar letters photo spot
  • Travel in panoramic buses or minibuses with air conditioning
  • Bottled water
  • Shared pickup transportation service
  • Visit to San Felipe Fort in Bacalar
  • Breakfast with one dish of your choice from the available options: chicken chilaquiles, beef chilaquiles, Mexican style eggs, eggs with chaya, eggs with ham, hot cakes, or fruit bowl
  • Swimming time at Cenote Azul
  • Certified guides with knowledge of Bacalar’s culture and history
  • Boat ride through Bacalar Lagoon
  • Visit to Balneario Marmol
  • Drinks at restaurants
  • Entrances taxes and services fee (765 MXN per person)

What to expect

  1. Cancun
    3h
    The day starts with shared pickup from Cancun and the Riviera Maya in a bus or minibus. During the morning route, travelers will receive a box lunch before the journey continues south toward Bacalar.

    This first transfer marks the shift from the busy Caribbean resort areas to a quieter side of Quintana Roo, where freshwater landscapes, lagoon views, local food, and small-town history shape the experience.
  2. Bacalar
    2h
    Once the group arrives in Bacalar, the visit begins with breakfast. Travelers may choose from available local-style options such as Mexican eggs, chicken chilaquiles, eggs with chaya, hotcakes, a fresh fruit bowl, or other dishes offered that day.

    This meal stop gives guests time to recharge and ease into the relaxed rhythm of Bacalar before the water activities and sightseeing begin.
  3. Cenote Azul
    1h
    The first natural stop is Cenote Azul, one of Bacalar’s most representative freshwater locations. Known for its deep blue tones and refreshing water, this cenote offers time to swim, relax, and enjoy a peaceful natural setting.

    It is a calm introduction to Bacalar’s aquatic side, giving travelers a moment to cool off before continuing toward the lagoon area.
  4. Bacalar
    2h
    The route then continues to Balneario Marmol, a scenic freshwater area connected to the lagoon landscape of Bacalar. Here, guests can enjoy clear water, take photos, admire the blue tones of the surroundings, and spend time in a slower, more peaceful environment.

    This stop highlights the calm personality of Bacalar, offering a different atmosphere from the busier beach destinations of the Mexican Caribbean.
  5. Lago Bacalar (Lake of the Seven Colors)
    3h
    One of the main moments of the day is the pontoon ride across Bacalar Lagoon, also known as the Lake of the Seven Colors. From the boat, travelers can enjoy wide freshwater views, soft blue shades, and the quiet beauty that makes this destination so distinctive.

    During the ride, guests will also see ancient stromatolites, natural formations that add ecological and visual importance to the lagoon scenery.
  6. Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar
    2h
    The experience also includes a visit to San Felipe Fort, one of Bacalar’s most important historical landmarks. This fortress is connected to the town’s past and its defense against pirate attacks, adding a cultural layer to the day.

    This stop helps connect Bacalar’s peaceful lagoon setting with the stories and history that shaped the town.
  7. Bacalar
    1h
    Before leaving town, travelers will stop at the colorful Bacalar letters, one of the classic photo spots of the destination. This is a simple and cheerful moment to capture a memory of the visit with the town’s name as the background.

    It adds a final local touch before the return journey begins.
  8. Cancun
    3h
    At the end of the tour, travelers will board the bus or minibus for the return to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. After a full day of breakfast, cenote swimming, lagoon scenery, a pontoon ride, historical landmarks, photo stops, and Bacalar’s relaxed atmosphere, the experience concludes with drop-off at the corresponding hotel or meeting point.

Meeting and pickup

Pickup details

We offer roundtrip transportation (from hotel or meeting point, as applicable) for all travelers who book this tour.

Areas to which the transportation service applies:

CANCUN:
• Downtown Cancun
• Hotel zone
• Puerto Juarez
• Playa Mujeres
• Costa Mujeres
• Puerto Cancun

PUERTO MORELOS:
• Bus stop at Chedraui Puerto Morelos supermarket

PLAYA DEL CARMEN:
• Downtown Playa del Carmen (for hotels on the coast, due to the narrow streets, the closest meeting point applies)
• Hotel zone
• Playacar
• Dorado Royale
• Playa Paraiso
• Punta Maroma
• El Caracol
• Paa Mul

RIVIERA MAYA:
• Puerto Aventuras
• Xpu Ha
• Akumal
• Chemuyil

TULUM:
• Downtown Tulum, hotel zone and metropolitan area: Only one meeting point applies within the city, Super Akí Tulum supermarket.
• Tulsayab
• Jacinto Pat
• Xcacel

NOTE:
Some hotels or hotel complexes on the list do not allow access to the facilities, so pick-up at the closest possible access or entrance applies.

NOTE 2:
Some hotels or lodging centers are located in areas with difficult access (very narrow streets, alleys, streets in poor condition, blockages, or for security reasons), so pick-up at the closest possible point applies.

NOTE 3:
The exact pick-up time varies by hotel. Some estimated times are:
Cancun: 6:05 AM / 7:00 AM
Puerto Morelos: 6:45 AM / 8:00 AM
Playa del Carmen: 7:00 AM / 9:00 AM
Riviera Maya: 7:30 AM / 10:30 AM
Tulum: 7:00 AM / 8:00 AM

The time that appears on your ticket (7:00 AM) is the general pick-up time in Cancun, where our buses depart and pick up.

*** If your hotel is not listed, please ask us if we can pick you up there, or what would be the closest possible meeting point. ***

*** You will receive a final confirmation message (one day before the scheduled date of your excursion) with the exact pick-up time and point, to your contact information. ***

Additional information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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$65.00 per person
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  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
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