My Lake Bacalar Experience: 3 Days of Beauty and Relaxation
After an amazing trip to Belize with a friend, I found myself with a few solo days before heading back to Cancun for my flight to London. I hadn’t heard of Lake Bacalar before, but during our bus journey to Belize, I noticed a few people getting off here. Curious, I Googled it and was blown away by the stunning photos of the lagoon’s turquoise waters. It seemed like the perfect spot to end my holiday.
Located about 2.5 hours from Tulum and 5 hours from Cancun, Lake Bacalar is a hidden gem in southern Mexico that offers a peaceful and picturesque escape.
How to Get to Lake Bacalar, Mexico: Transportation Tips
How to get to Lake Bacalar, Mexico from Caye Caulker, Belize by Ferry and Bus
Caye Caulker → San Pedro - water taxi/ferry
San Pedro → Corozal - water taxi/ferry
Corozal → Belize/Mexico border - taxi
Belize/Mexico border → Chetumal - taxi
Chetumal →Lake Bacalar - ADO bus
When traveling to Lake Bacalar, I came from Belize, which is actually much closer than many of Mexico’s major destinations. To get there from Caye Caulker, I first took a 45-minute water taxi to San Pedro. From San Pedro, I boarded another ferry to Corozal, which cost around 80 BZD (40 USD) and took about 1.5 hours. Once I arrived in Corozal, I found taxis waiting, and one driver offered to take me all the way to Chetumal, just across the Mexican border. From Chetumal, I caught an ADO bus to the Lake Bacalar stop, followed by a short taxi ride to my hotel. The whole journey took around 6 hours.
I did a full blog post on how to cross the Mexico/Belize border HERE
How to get to Lake Bacalar from Tulum, Mexico by Bus
From Tulum you can get a direct ADO bus and it takes around 2.5 hours. Bacalar bus station there are plenty of taxis that you can take to your hotel. he journey costs around £17/$21.
How to book the bus: ADO Bus Timetable
How to get to Lake Bacalar from Cancun, Mexico by Bus
From Cancun you can get a direct ADO bus and it takes around 6 hours. Bacalar bus station there are plenty of taxis that you can take to your hotel. he journey costs around £23/$29.
How to book the bus: ADO Bus Timetable
Unwinding at MBH Maya Boutique Hotel in Bacalar: The Perfect Lakeside Escape
I booked a two-night stay at MBH Maya Boutique Hotel with the goal of pure relaxation. After two weeks of traveling with friends, doing activities, and spending quite a bit, I thought Lake Bacalar would be the perfect place to unwind before heading back to reality. At £123 / 150 USD per night, I found the cost to be well worth it for the experience.
The best part of the hotel is its beautiful setting. Situated right on Lake Bacalar, the bright green and blue hues of the water create an incredibly tranquil atmosphere. Though the lake looks like the sea, it’s actually fresh water, which makes for a refreshing swim that’s much cooler than the ocean. The hotel also boasts a private decking area, ideal for reading or sunbathing—my favourite way to spend the day.
The hotel is a bit isolated, so I’d recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks if you plan to relax in your room. The nearest shop is a small campsite about a 5-minute walk away. The hotel has one restaurant, and room service is available as well. While the food was good, I did find that several items on the menu weren’t available, which was a bit frustrating at times.
Comments