Located in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico, Bacalar is a dream location with its 7-colour lagoon and cenotes. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the area, making it an interesting and almost unmissable stop-off on a road trip to the region. But where to stay in Bacalar?
In this guide, we’ll tell you all you need to know about Bacalar to help you choose your accommodation. We’ll share the best areas to stay, as well as our selection of places to stay. For each area, we’ll look at its general atmosphere, its strengths, its location and the types of accommodation available.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Bacalar, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Bacalar:
- $ Inexpensive accommodation in a good location,
- $$ This hotel, offers private access to the lagoon,
- $$$ This luxury establishment, is ideally located and boasts a wide range of facilities.
Map of different areas to stay in Bacalar
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Bacalar
Areas where to stay in Bacalar
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Bacalar.
Lodging in the centre, close to the must-sees
This is one of the most popular places to stay in Bacalar. You're close to everything you need to see, and the lively atmosphere is the best.
In terms of must-sees, you're close to the 7-colour lagoon , where you can enjoy turquoise hues. Staying in the centre gives you access to the various bridges and overhangs on the clear water. They can be reached in less than fifteen minutes on foot from the opposite end of this historic district.
What's more, one of the city's most important monuments is located here, facing the lagoon. It's Fort San Felipe. From the fortress, you can admire a beautiful view of the transparent waters.
This is also where the atmosphere is liveliest. There are plenty of bars and restaurants serving everything from tacos and seafood to pizzerias.
To get around, you can walk the few streets that mark the heart of the city. The opposite points are less than 20 minutes' walk away. Bicycles are available for hire, but if you want to explore the surrounding area further, your car will come in handy. It will give you access to other parts of the lagoon.
As for where to stay, there's plenty of accommodation in this area. In fact, you won't find as many establishments in more remote areas. There are small, comfortable hotels to suit all budgets, and the prices are generally low.
Our choice of places to stay
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Inexpensive place to stay in Bacalar. The rooms are spacious and colourful. Free parking is available. Bonus: swimming pool and jacuzzi.
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With its cosy chic decor, it has a small swimming pool in front of its colourful façade. It has a wellness area and is located in the heart of the city, a stone's throw from the main square.
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A privileged setting for this prestigious establishment. An outdoor swimming pool, modern, designer decor, spacious, comfortable rooms and a great location... A great place to stay in Bacalar.
Staying near the centre of Bacalar
It is also possible to move away from the city centre and live on the edge of it. In this case, to the north and south of the area. You'll enjoy more peace and quiet, and at lower accommodation prices.
On the other hand, if you choose to stay here, you'll be missing out on the lively atmosphere of the historic quarter. There are fewer restaurants and bars. And to get to the centre, you'll have to walk for around fifteen minutes, depending on where you stay.
The main attraction is the lagoon, which stretches out to the north and south. Heading down this way, you can also enjoy some interesting cenotes on the edge of the land, such as Cenote Negro.
Last but not least, staying here gives you access to a wide range of reasonably priced accommodation. In fact, prices here are lower than in the historic district. In terms of variety, there are as many small independent hotels as there are flats to rent. Most have a view over the clear waters of the lagoon.
Our accommodation addresses
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A welcoming decor and a location just a stone's throw from the Cenote Negro. Suggested excursion to the Mayan site of Calakmul. The roof terrace is very pleasant in the evening.
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An idyllic setting for this north-facing establishment offering comfortable cabanas. There are hammocks, a beautiful garden and, above all, access to the lagoon via a private pontoon.
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Hotel in the heart of nature, facing the lake. It offers discovery activities. A spa and restaurant are also available. A great place to stay in Bacalar.
Staying by the lagoon, for more nature
The last option for accommodation in Bacalar is on the canal, by the lagoon. You'll definitely be in the peace and quiet, away from the tourist crowds.
Here, the establishments line the Pirates' Canal to the north. To the south, you can discover a number of interesting cenotes, including Esmeralda, Azul and Cocalitos. The little excitement you'll find will be in the hotels, as you'll be surrounded by nature.
Here you'll find more villas and beautiful hotels. More secluded and quiet, they offer more services such as quality restaurants, grocery shops, gyms, etc... As well as being of a higher quality, these hotels are generally more expensivethan those in the previous two sectors.
Note, however, that you are a long way from the city centre and its bustle. There are no restaurants or bars apart from those directly on the premises. Your car will therefore be essential here.
Our recommendations
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This boutique hotel is charming: its waterfront views and cosy, modern architecture make it a place of serenity. A pontoon gives access to the lagoon. Kayaks and paddles are available.
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Top location between two cenotes. Most suites have water views. The gym, free parking and restaurant are great features. Water sports available.
Summary
To get the most out of Bacalar, we recommend staying in the city centre. You’ll benefit from the liveliness of the city centre and the proximity of the points of interest to be found here. Staying near the lagoon , on the other hand, will guarantee you more peace and quiet, as well as a different experience beside the transparent waters.