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 Laguna Bacalar on the Costa Maya is Heaven on Earth!
Bacalar is a small community about 3 hours south of Playa del Carmen and just under an hour from the Belizean border and is perched on the shores of Laguna Bacalar. Laguna Bacalar is an inner waterway that is linked to Chetumal Bay, which is a part of the Caribbean Sea, by the Rio Hondo and the Chaac Canal. Laguna Bacalar, known as the lake of 7 colors, is a fresh water lagoon that runs over 65 kilometers (40 miles) north to south, and is the same crystal blue as the Caribbean Sea, and is the second largest fresh water lagoon in Mexico.
In recent years the federal government has been investing substantial amounts of time and money into the development of Bacalar. The town itself has recently been granted an additional 15 million pesos from the federal government to finish beautifying the streets and sidewalks. In the center of town is a classic zocalo, or town square, and local shops and markets surround the square, which overlooks the beautiful waters of the lagoon.
The history of Bacalar dates back to the colonial times when it was thought that Bacalar was a prominent crossroad between settlements to the north, south, and west. First built in 1545 by a Spaniard named Gaspar Pacheco, the town was originally named San Felipe de Bacalar. Over time San Felipe de Bacalar was shortened to Bacalar; thought to have been derived from the Mayan word b'ak halal meaning "surrounded by reeds". In the 17th century the town was raided by pirates, so by 1729 the Fort San Felipe Bacalar was erected to defend the town against further marauders and pirates. The fort still stands today overlooking the lagoon where a small museum has been established for visitors to learn about the local history of the area. During the Caste war in 1848 Bacalar was once again conquered by a rebel named Chan Santa Cruz Maya. It wasn't until 1902 that it was re-taken by the Mexicans, and since then it has remained relatively the same only doubling its population from 5,000 to 10,000 year round residents.
Just south of the center of town is Cenote Azul, a freshwater sink hole that is thought to be the deepest cenote in the entire Yucatan Peninsula with a depth of 200 meters (roughly 600 feet). The cenote offers the opportunity to swim in its cool refreshing water, slip on a snorkeling mask to look into the depths below, or dive deep into the belly of the cenote with dive gear and a guide. Cenote Azul also has a restaurant that is on the edge of the water where you can enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch or frosty cold beverage while taking in the beauty of the area.
Keep your eyes open for wild ducks, and countless other species of wildlife including egrets and toucans, spider monkeys, and ocelots, whether you are on the shores of the cenote or overlooking the lagoon the area is teeming with unique wildlife that is a real treat to see and enjoy.
The town of Bacalar and the lagoon are an amazing duet bringing traditional Mexico to the shores of one of the most breathtaking lagoons you will ever see. The area is a win on all fronts offering a rare opportunity to duty free shop in Belize, go diving on the Caribbean Barrier Reef, enjoy traditional Mexican restaurants, take pleasure in bird watching on the shores of the lagoon, dive into the deepest cenote in the area at Cenote Azul, immerse yourself in local history at a Mayan ruin site, go boating, canoeing, or kayaking, all of this and more is waiting for you in Bacalar.
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