Bacalar

The "Lake of Seven Colors" town, where a freshwater lagoon shows seven shades of blue: kayaks, sailboats and lakeside hammocks at a pace far slower than Cancún, with Maya ruins and the Caribbean coast nearby.

Bacalar is in the south of Quintana Roo, Mexico, about 340 km from Cancún and about 40 km from the state capital Chetumal, close to the Belize border. The town sits on the west shore of the 42-km-long Bacalar freshwater lagoon, where white calcareous sand on the lake bottom and cenotes of varying depth give the water its "seven colors," from clear and pale green to deep blue. The lake also preserves stromatolites, one of the oldest life forms on Earth. Named a Pueblo Mágico ("Magical Town") in 2006, Bacalar moves at a much slower pace than Cancún or Tulum. The climate is hot and humid: Nov–Apr is the dry season, with mostly sunny days and the best lake colors; May–Oct is the rainy season, when the water turns cloudy after rain, and there is a hurricane risk Aug–Oct. Sightseeing falls into three parts: on the lake (sailing or paddleboarding past the Canal de los Piratas, Cenote Negro and Isla de los Pájaros) and along its shore (Cenote Azul, Cocalitos, Los Rápidos, the public beach, and Xul-Ha Lagoon); the town (the Fort of San Felipe pirate museum and the central plaza); and day trips (the Caribbean coast at Mahahual to the east, with Banco Chinchorro diving; the Chacchoben ruins to the north; the Kohunlich and Dzibanché ruins to the west; and the Museum of Maya Culture in the state capital Chetumal to the south). Getting there: the Tren Maya has a station in Bacalar, ADO buses run direct from Cancún and Tulum, and Chetumal airport is about 40 minutes from town. Public transport to nearby sights is limited, so renting a car is recommended. To protect the stromatolites, do not step on the lake bottom and use only eco-friendly sunscreen. We suggest 3–4 days.

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