15 Best Things to Do in Bacalar with Kids

Looking for the best things to do in Bacalar Mexico, with kids or without? You’ve come to the right place!

Bacalar Mexico is the lesser-known, southern neighbor of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum in Quintana Roo. It’s located right at the southern end of the Yucatan Peninsula, near Chetumal.

Because the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico flow at a slower pace than in the rest of Riviera Maya, it’s the perfect place for a family vacation. With our ultimate travel guide, you can ensure that your time is well spent.

Bacalar is often called the Maldives of Mexico because the water there is so beautiful. The lake is called the Lagoon of Seven Colors because its waters are so many vibrant shades of blue.

However, that’s really where the similarities end because you’ll never see anything anywhere else like the lagoon’s colors. Long wooden docks do stretch out into the water.

However, there are no overwater bungalows or overt signs of mega-tourism here. It’s still a very authentic travel destination.

Best Things to Do in Bacalar with Kids – In Centro

Several of the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico are right in Centro despite its smaller size. All of the Centro activities are within walking distance of each other. We spent a little bit of time over a couple of days doing a few of them.

Some we did more than once! Usually in the afternoon or evening, after we went out adventuring, we’d come back and hang out in Centro before dinner. Plus, most of the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico’s Centro area are free.

1. Fort San Felipe

La Fuerte de San Felipe was built in 1725 to defend its local Mayan people against the Dutch, French, and English pirates. Its walls are built out of volcanic and marine rocks in addition to limestone.

At the height of its defenses, the fort had 34 cannons, an armory, a chapel, troop barracks, and food storage. Usually, the fort’s open for tours. However, those have been canceled during the pandemic. Visitors can still wander around the fort’s outer areas.

2. Sunrise Kayaking on the Lagoon

This is a great family activity for those with kids who wake up early. Sunrise over the lagoon is the most peaceful and beautiful time of day in Bacalar.

While most tours leave from somewhere on the waterfront in Centro, you will go out into and across the lagoon.

👉 This tour offers a visit to the Pirate’s Channel, which isn’t accessible by car.

Because it requires a couple of hours of sitting still, I recommend this activity for families with kids ages four or older.

The younger ones who can’t paddle can just sit with an adult and enjoy the scenery. Little Man likes to splash us and relax in the front of the kayak.

3. Take Photos at the Bacalar Sign

The Bacalar town sign is next to Fort San Felipe. These colorful signs are found all over Riviera Maya, including Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. The sign is in a prime location for photographs because it’s on a small hill overlooking the lagoon.

Visitors can easily see both the vibrant blue shades in the lagoon as well as the quality craftsmanship of the fort. Kids will love climbing around on the sign for parents to get the best photos.

4. Wander the Zocalo

Every city and town in Mexico has a town square. These are called Zocalos.

Typically, they are a focal point for things to do in a town or city. In Bacalar, Mexico that is no exception. In the evenings, food carts come out serving all manner of tasty snacks.

Our favorite has become marquesitas. This dessert is a crispy crepe rolled and stuffed with Nutella and shredded Edam cheese.

Language Tip: Zocalo is pronounced, “zoh-kuh-loh.”

The Zocalo also has benches, a gazebo, a fountain, and a playground. It’s the perfect spot to spend time outdoors after the sun sets and the weather cools down (relatively speaking).

5. Swim in the Bacalar Lagoon

Called Laguna Bacalar de Siete Colores (Bacalar Lagoon of Seven Colors) by locals, much of the waterfront is privately owned. Thankfully, there is a city dock right in Centro.

This allows visitors to relax over the water and swim in the lagoon without having to pay a ‘beach club’ or restaurant in order to get water access.

Travel Tip: There aren’t any “best beaches in Bacalar,” or any beaches really. The water is accessible by docks that extend beyond the reeds and lily pads.

On Google Maps, the dock is called Parque Ecologico. It’s on Avenida 1 and Calle 18 (1st Avenue and 18th Street). There’s a small sign on the sidewalk noting the park’s location. However, if you aren’t looking for it you might miss it.

Take a towel and don’t be afraid to jump off the end of the dock. It’s shallow enough for adults to stand so I don’t recommend diving. There are also some stairs in the water to get out easier, which smaller kids might also enjoy playing on.

👉 We prefer these quick-dry towels. They’re soft but also don’t feel wet very long. Plus each family member can have their own color, which makes for easy packing!

6. Look at Street Art

Another commonality Bacalar has with other towns in Riviera Maya is the beautiful street art that graces its walls. Many buildings are made from large concrete bricks.

Mexicans have a tradition of Muralism that became famous in the 1920s after the Mexican Revolution. Mexico has embraced art on its walls ever since then, but in recent years the idea of street art has grown immensely in popularity.

Most walls in Centro are either painted with a bright color or with a mural. Little Man really liked the mural around the corner from our hotel because he was pretty obsessed with outer space at the time. I don’t see it but he said it reminds of him of space.

7. Try the Blue Beer at Cerveza Bacalar

Sitting around drinking beer doesn’t necessarily seem like a family-friendly activity at first glance. However, the brewery is also a restaurant on the waterfront.

The food isn’t necessarily the best in Bacalar but it’s pretty decent. The beer is brewed right in Bacalar and is truly unique. It really is blue!

The beer doesn’t have a very high alcohol content, so having one with lunch or dinner likely won’t impair your ability to drive. Thankfully, it’s not far from the Zocalo so you can walk back to your hotel if you need to.

Pro Tip: Order the beer flight, so you can try all the local microbrews available at the brewery.

Best Things to Do in Bacalar with Kids – Outside Centro

Not all the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico are in Centro. Some of it requires a drive, boat ride, or taxi out of town. It’s worth it, though!

The area around Bacalar is just as beautiful. In fact, some of the prettiest places in the lagoon are south of the Centro area.

8. Swim in Cenote Azul-Bacalar

Don’t confuse this with Cenote Azul in Playa del Carmen! Unlike Cenote Cocolitos and Cenote Bruja, this one is not connected directly to the Bacalar lagoon. There is a small mangrove river flowing between them, though.

☑️ Price: 50 pesos
☑️ Location: South of Bacalar Centro, on Highway 307
☑️ Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
☑️ Accepts Credit Cards: Yes, only in the restaurant
☑️ Amenities: Bathrooms, life jackets, restaurant

The cenote is so large that it seems impossible to swim across. Most people just hang out on the edge near the restaurant. However, you can cross it! There are a series of connected buoys through the middle. You can follow those to the other side.

We made it just over halfway before Little Man got too tired and we turned around. We saw another couple make it all the way, though. It’s a fun challenge!

9. Visit the Shipwreck Bacalar has at the Pirate Channel

The Pirate’s channel is only accessible by crossing the lagoon on a paddleboard, kayak, or boat. Many tours offer a stop at the channel, which got its name from all the pirates who used it to attack Bacalar.

It has several lovely shades of blue and is a popular stopping point for tourists to swim. There is also a giant cement boat at the entrance to the channel. The “shipwreck” was built with the intention of converting it into a restaurant.

However, the project approval was canceled after it posed a risk to Bacalar’s ecology. Nowadays, it’s just used as an Instagrammer’s selfie playground.

10. Drift Down Los Rapidos

Los Rapidos is actually a restaurant with a cool natural lazy river next to it. Many people raved about the experience here so we knew we had to try it. Unfortunately, the experience was just okay.

While David and Little Man really enjoyed it, our time here was my least favorite thing to do in Bacalar, Mexico.

☑️ Price: 100 pesos, kids aren’t discounted
☑️ Location: South of Bacalar Centro, on Highway 307
☑️ Hours: 10 am – 6 pm
☑️ Accepts Credit Cards: Yes, but the machine never works
☑️ Amenities: bathrooms, changing rooms, life jackets
☑️ Extra Cost Activities: Restaurant, kayaking

Note: Eat before you go. The food and drinks cost a lot and aren’t very good.

You walk up to the beginning of the river and then can float back down it. The current running into the river from the Bacalar lagoon is swift enough that you float forward like you’re in a lazy river.

Definitely bring water shoes for this experience. We saw some people navigating the river’s edge barefoot and it did not look comfortable. Some of the areas are a bit rocky.

11. Boat Tour of the Lagoon

A boat tour of the lagoon is the only way to see its vivid shades of blue. Most tours only go to Bird Island and the Pirate’s Channel after the cenotes.

👉 Our sailboat tour took us to Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Bruja, Bird Island, and even to the abandoned hotel!

The abandoned hotel is much further south in the lagoon, and we saw only one other tour boat. The hotel was owned by a crooked politician who was using the resort to launder money. He got caught a couple of decades ago and went to prison.

Now there are armed guards patrolling the hotel to ensure that no one tries to do anything dangerous or illegal on the empty grounds. Paying a little extra for a longer trip is worth it because some of the most beautiful blue shades are down south.

While Little Man enjoyed snorkeling in Bacalar lagoon, for us adults it wasn’t the best. The water is clear and beautiful but is mostly sand. There aren’t a lot of fish swimming about, nor are there corals like one sees in the ocean.

The experience is more focused on enjoying the scenery and swimming in the beautiful, clear water.

12. Relax at Balneario Ejidal Magico

This waterfront restaurant is so much more than just a place to eat! Balneario” loosely translates to a family-friendly water park.

☑️ Entry Price: 15 pesos (~$.75 USD)
☑️ Location: In Centro, at the end of Calle 28
☑️ Hours: 9 am – 7 pm
☑️ Accepts Credit Cards: Yes, in the restaurant
☑️ Amenities: Bathrooms, changing rooms, life jackets, water slides

In addition to tasty seafood and 35 pesos (~$1.50 USD) beer, it also has a small beach and a long pier! There are grassy areas for kids to play and the water stays shallow quite a ways out so even little ones can stay cool safely.

This place is one of the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico for families.

13. Swim at Cenote Cocalitos

This cenote is best known for its large stromatolites. These ancient life forms are basically microbial reefs that have been around for over three BILLION years.

Stromatolites are thought to have been essential in the original development of multicellular life on earth.

☑️ Entry Price: 50 pesos (~$2.50 USD)
☑️ Location: South of Centro, off Highway 307
☑️ Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
☑️ Accepts Credit Cards: No
☑️ Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, swings, hammocks

These organisms look like plain old rocks. However, stromatolites absorb sunlight they convert water into its primary elements (hydrogen and oxygen). It was so humbling to be able to see these sedimentary rock formations up close at Cocalitos.

Fun Fact: Humans wouldn’t have come to exist without the stromatolites!

To ensure the safety of the stromatolites, they are roped off in the water. So people can see them but not touch them. The water is also shallow and calm, which is perfect for kids.

Little Man loved playing on the swings and the hammocks that are out in the water for relaxation.

There’s also a small restaurant, which was undergoing a pretty major expansion and renovation during our stay, as well as restrooms and a changing area. For our family, this was one of the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico.

14. Visit some Mayan Ruins

There aren’t a ton of day trips from Bacalar but this one is worth the effort. This was one of my other favorite things to do in Bacalar, Mexico even though it was the furthest away!

👉 We recommend this company for a day trip to the Kohkunlich Mayan ruins!

We were practically the only people there besides a few rangers at the welcome station when we paid to enter, some archeologists doing restoration work, and two other small groups wandering around the forest with us.

Travel Tip: Compared to tourist meccas like Chichen Itza and Coba, Kohkunlich is absolutely serene.

We walked down a dirt path in the forest and it opened up to a large field with large structures. We could even climb to the top for a lovely view of the jungle. Little Man loved that!

While not as tall or expansive as Chichen Itza or Coba, this half-day trip was an enjoyable addition to our time in Bacalar. We even made it back in time to have lunch at Los Rapidos.

15. Go Ziplining

Tirolesa Bacalar offers an exciting opportunity to see Bacalar from a different perspective. You get to ride almost 1,500 meters over five ziplines through the forests of Bacalar.

One of the zip lines even runs near the Lagoon so you can see the water from an aerial viewpoint! After ziplining, you can enjoy some time in the lagoon or walking one of their interpretive trails.

Pro Tip: Bring your own snacks and water because they don’t serve any food on site. There are bathrooms available, though.

Getting to Bacalar with Kids

There are so many places to see here that you need to spend a little time in Bacalar. One of the best travel tips we’ve gotten was to spend more than two days in Bacalar. It truly is better to stay three nights here.

To make the most of your travel days, arrive around lunchtime and check out late too. If you aren’t traveling during the high season, most hotels will let you check in early if you tell them your estimated arrival time in advance.

Day Trip Guided Tour

If you’re on a tight schedule coming from elsewhere in Riviera Maya, you can see the essential best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico in a single day.

👉 There are day trip tours offered from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

These tours take you to the Fuerte de San Felippe, on a two-hour Bacalar Lagoon tour, feed you breakfast and lunch, and take care of all transportation. It’s a long day, though.

The full excursion will take 12 hours, possibly more for travelers from Cancun if traffic is bad. While easy, this option should be a last resort. After all, the day trip tours offered are just not enough to really enjoy all this lovely Mexico city has to offer.

Private Shuttle/Driver

The airport Bacalar is closest to is Chetumal. International flights to there tend to be pretty pricey because it’s a fairly small airport. In reality, only smaller domestic airlines and private planes tend to land here.

👉 There are shuttles available between Chetumal and Bacalar.

Most people visiting Riviera Maya fly into Cancun. From that airport, you can fly from Cancun to Chetumal which is really expensive.

👉 If you have a few extra hours to spare, hire a private driver to take you to Bacalar from the Cancun airport.

A driver will be a bit pricier but less stressful than driving yourself or navigating the bus system with your luggage.

Take the Bus

The ADO bus is the cheapest way to get around Riviera Maya. For 420 pesos (~$20 USD) you can take a bus from the Cancun airport to Bacalar. There are stops in Playa del Carmen and Tulum along the way.

Travel Tip: While this is significantly cheaper than other travel methods, it is important to note that the schedule is limited.

When you arrive in Bacalar you will still need to navigate to your hotel. The bus drops off right on the highway, which is a bit daunting if you’re traveling with young kids.

After crossing the highway, you’ll still need to walk 15-20 minutes to Centro where most hotels are located.

The walk will take longer for little legs, so you may want to call a taxi. There are no posted rates so everything is negotiable. Have small denominations of pesos available to pay, as not all taxi drivers can make change on the 500 peso notes ATMs provide.

Rent a Car

The best balance of time and money is renting a car. This allows you to follow your own timeline. We enjoy making stops along the way when we find something interesting or Little Man needs a restroom break.

👉 I recommend using Discover Cars for renting a car on your trip!

Driving in Mexico can be confusing. However, getting to Bacalar is very straightforward. We use the Waze app to get around. All you need is an international roaming plan or a local sim card.

You can also just take Highway 307 south until you see the signs for Bacalar. Another benefit to renting a car for your Bacalar adventure is the scheduling flexibility for daily excursions.

Want to stay longer in one place? No problem! Want to skip another place until tomorrow? That’s great! We did that several times on our trip, so I’m really glad we took the plunge.

Where to Stay in Bacalar with Kids

The two most popular areas to stay in Bacalar are Centro and on the edge of the Lagoon.

Centro is within walking distance of the Lagoon and has more restaurant options. However, getting a hotel overlooking the lagoon obviously has the better scenery.

Neither area is inherently better than the other. Just decide whether your priority is the view or easier access to restaurants. Because we didn’t want to make Little Man walk more at the end of some busy days on our way to dinner, we chose to stay in Centro.

Best Hotels in Bacalar to Stay with Kids

⭐️ Luxury Recommendation: Mia Bacalar Luxury Resort & Spa

This waterfront hotel is the highest-star rating resort in Bacalar. It offers private bungalow rooms and has free wifi, a pool, and a restaurant.

⭐️ Boutique Recommendation: Tierra Maya Hotel, Spa & Sanctuary

Located just two blocks each from the busy Centro restaurant area and from the lagoon, this family-friendly hotel has an outdoor pool surrounded by a beautiful garden. Breakfast is included in the rate and kids stay free!

⭐️ Waterfront Accommodation: Hotel Rancho Encantando

This waterfront hotel is just a few minutes’ drive north of Centro. They offer large rooms, a pool, a hot tub, a private pier with hammocks, and even free use of canoes and kayaks. A fresh, made-to-order breakfast is included with the room.

⭐️ Budget Recommendation: Posada Ixchel

With only three rooms, this hotel books quickly. Free wifi is available, and the hotel serves coffee and pastries in the morning. The real selling point is the on-site childcare (for an extra cost)! Laundry is available on site and there is a beautiful garden to relax in any time of day.

Where to Eat in Bacalar with Kids

For a small town, Bacalar has a lot of really creative restaurants. There’s even a small food truck scene! We discovered so many cool places to eat that I actually wrote an entirely separate post listing them all!

Pro Tip: Don’t keep going back to the first place you eat at on day one. You’ll miss out on some other fun restaurants.

There are plenty of places to eat in Bacalar, from fancy restaurants to casual spots. You won’t have trouble dining somewhere new for each meal during your stay.

When to Visit Bacalar

Bacalar can be visited all year round because of the pleasant temperatures. Bacalar does have a dry and rainy season, though. The best time to travel to Bacalar is between December and March (dry season) when the weather is most stable.

May is the hottest month. On average it can get as hot as 35℃ and as cool as 22℃ at night. December is the coolest month with average temperatures between 29℃ and 21℃.

Pro Tip: School breaks in both US and Europe during July and August means tourist attractions will be busier and prices may increase as a result.

We were in Bacalar in October and loved the weather. There were a couple of afternoon rain showers but they were brief. They also cooled off the temperature just in time for dinner!

The advantage of traveling in Mexico during the summer is that the days are the longest. However, the trade-off is that it’s a bit hotter.

Environmentally Friendly Travel Tips

While the blue hues are impressive, the lagoon’s high concentration of stromatolites is even cooler. These rare rock-like formations are among the earliest life forms on earth. Bacalar has experienced recent growth in tourism.

If not managed correctly, it poses a real threat to both the lagoon and the stromatolites. To help conserve Bacalar for its residents and future visitors, please make environmentally friendly choices while visiting.

Sustainable Travel Tips for Visiting Bacalar with Kids

👍 Wear rashguards and sunhats to cover your skin instead of sunscreen. Even reef-safe or organic sunscreen has chemicals that can harm wildlife.

👍 If you must use sunscreen, only use natural sunscreen when swimming in any naturally occurring body of water. This includes the lagoon, cenotes, and rivers.

👉 If you need to buy sunscreen before going to Mexico, we like this sunscreen.

👍 Avoid single-use plastics as much as possible. Bring refillable water bottles or water bladders.

👉 I love this water bladder day pack! I can pack daily essentials in it, too.

👍 Don’t touch or step on the stromatolites. These are living organisms, sort of like freshwater corrals, that can be damaged irreparably or even destroyed by a single footstep.

👍 Leave the sand and mud on the lagoon floor. A good tour company will tell you the same thing. We learned about this from our sailboat tour guides. There are no health benefits to rubbing it on your body or face.

It also causes tremendous damage to the local ecosystem when you put it back in the water after it’s combined with oils and dirt from your skin.

Conclusion: Best Things to Do in Bacalar with Kids

Based on our time there the best way to enjoy all the best things to do in Bacalar, Mexico is to spend at least three nights there. That way you can enjoy the town and its activities at a more leisurely pace.

Rushing around to fit in all the necessities has never been fun for us, but even more so now that we have a family. There are so many fun things to do in Bacalar with kids that it’s definitely worth it to spend the extra day!

👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!