Beautiful turquoise waters, significant Mayan archeological ruins, and laid-back vibes.
Sound familiar?
Believe it or not, I’m not talking about Tulum but the lesser-known and more affordable town of Bacalar.
Bacalar is most well-known for its stunning seven-color lagoon, but it is also home to incredible cultural attractions and an abundance of water sports.
Here’s why Bacalar is a great alternative to Tulum for your 2025 Mexican vacation.
Impressive Cultural Attractions
One of the main reasons to visit Bacalar right now is to see the newly-opened Ichkabal archeological zone.
This site opened its doors for the first time on January 11 and features impressive structures that are actually larger than those in Chichen Itza and Uxmal.
Some of its buildings are more than 45 meters high.
This site was only discovered in 1995, and its structures are remarkably well preserved.
You can visit the site between 8am and 5pm, with last admission at 4.30pm.
Admission is free, making it an appealing choice for budget travelers. For comparison, the Chichen Itza entrance fee has been increased for 2025 and now costs MXN $648 ($31.33) per person.
It’s worth noting that although Bacalar is the nearest town to the Ichkabal archeological zone, it will actually take a 1 hour and 20-minute drive to get there.
You can either do this independently, or you can book a local tour.
Ichkabal isn’t the only cultural attraction that Bacalar has to offer.
Within the town itself, you can visit Fort San Felipe and see the San Joaquin Parish Church. Fort San Felipe is right in the center of the town and was constructed in the 18th century.
This is both a national historic monument a museum containing important Mayan artefacts.
As an added bonus, the Fort provides incredible views of the lagoon. The entrance fee is 110 pesos ($5.30) per person.
The Spectacular Seven Color Lagoon
The most iconic attraction in Bacalar, and the main reason that people choose to visit the town, is to see the spectacular seven-color lagoon.
The bright turquoise of the water here is so beautiful that it almost looks unnatural, like it was AI-generated!
But the lagoon gets its name because of the many hues it assumes depending on the angle and time of day you look at it. This ever-changing color is an attraction in its own right.
The lagoon is fed by many cenotes, which are popular for swimming, and you can also swim in the lagoon itself.
It’s so big that you can’t see from one side to the other, giving the feeling that you’re swimming in the Caribbean Sea.
The lagoon is a popular spot for water sports enthusiasts.
Because it is the second-largest freshwater lake in Mexico, it’s a great spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, or taking out a rowboat. You can even try your hand at fishing here!
If you want to see as much of the lagoon as possible, then take a tour. Bacalar Lagoon Tours offers both boat tours and fishing tours of the lagoon with all-inclusive package prices starting from 2,300 MXN ($110) per adult.
Despite this abundance of activity, Bacalar is a calm and quiet destination, perfect if you want a tranquil getaway.
Incredible Nature
If you’re a nature lover then that is another reason to visit this underrated town.
The lagoon is a mecca for wildlife, and you’ll find animals such as rare birds, fish, turtles, and crocodiles calling the area home.
This lake is huge, and parts of it are surrounded by jungle mangroves, which are fascinating to explore. You’ll also find fossil formations here that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
I’ve written before that my favorite part of my own time in Mexico was swimming in the incredible cenotes. Cenote Negro and Cenote Azul are two of the best and most popular in Bacalar and are well worth exploring.
The Cenote Negro is a jet-black cenote where you can take your kayak and experience riding on the unusual and unsettling dark water.
Meanwhile, the Cenote Azul is a more traditional cenote with a vibrant blue color where you can swim, dive, and snorkel. The cost of admission here is just 25 MXN ($1.20).
Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path's latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.