The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking on Lake Bacalar

Kayaking on Lake Bacalar

Kayaking on Lake Bacalar on the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico is undoubtedly the best way to explore the most beautiful areas of the lake. Lake Bacalar, known as the Laguna de los Siete de Colores (Lagoon of Seven Colors), is named for the seven shades of blue that can be seen in the water.

Many people go on motorized or sailing boats to explore the lake’s natural beauty. However, the peaceful tranquility of the multicolored lake begs to be explored more slowly. Therefore, I will share the many amazing areas of the lake I have explored by kayak to give you good ideas of where to find exquisite natural delights.

Related post -> Outdoor Adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula

Posts may contain links to products and services I love. I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog.

Where is Bacalar?

Bacalar is nestled in the southeast corner of the state of Quintana Roo, quite near Belize. The long, narrow, freshwater lagoon is a destination for travelers in search of natural beauty and tranquility.

Bacalar is a sleepy town that is still authentically Mexican a few blocks from the main square. Therefore, it’s been designated a Pueblo Magico, a tag given for historically and culturally unique towns in Mexico. You can still buy fruits and vegetables from the stands and get your bike fixed at the bike repair shop. Authentic Mexican restaurants are scattered among the vegan cafés frequented by tourists. Bacalar lacks the overhyped vibe of Tulum. At least not yet.

Logistics of Kayaking on Lake Bacalar

Getting to Bacalar is fairly straightforward. It is a 5-hour drive from Cancun, 2.5 hours from Tulum, and 4.5 hours from Merida. Driving in Mexico is safe and easy. I use Discover Cars to find the best price on a rental car in Mexico, Discover Cars works with reputable local companies to get a fair deal. Be mindful that most US auto insurance does not cover you in Mexico. Also, you need to buy mandatory supplemental liability insurance in Mexico at the car rental company. So, even if the initial daily cost of the car looks very cheap, you will be adding insurance to make it comparable to US rental prices.

Take the Bus

The bus system in Mexico is efficient and comfortable. Because of this, I’m always happy to ride the ADO bus on long drives in Mexico. It’s cheap and clean, and they show quirky movies in Spanish so you can practice your language skills.

I took the bus from Merida to Bacalar for 33 USD. It’s a similar price from Cancun. You can book the ticket on Busbud. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is.

Once you get to Bacalar, it’s easy to get around by taxi, walking, or bicycle if you come by bus.

Accommodations in Bacalar

You will find less expensive accommodations in the town of Bacalar. However, I believe it is essential to stay on the lake in order to get the full Bacalar experience. There’s nothing like waking up every morning and seeing the varying pastels of blue paint the lake.

Little Paradise Bacalar Airbnb

I stayed in an Airbnb property right on the lake. If you want to live out your tiny house dreams, this is the place to do it. The rustic cabin situated on a palm tree-lined property directly on the lakeshore is called Little Paradise Bacalar.

The 14 x 14 square-foot cabin is indeed a little paradise. It is beautifully decorated and has screens on three sides to let in the cool Caribbean breezes. A refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a fan are valued amenities. The squeaky clean bathroom is outside a few steps away from the cabin. It is shared by guests of another small cabin rental on the property. A kitchen under a spacious palapa is where you can fix simple meals.

There are three easy-to-paddle kayaks to explore the lagoon included in the rental. In addition, I used one of the old beach bikes they had to get around. The location of the Airbnb is perfect to make kayak trips to two cenotes on the lake and to Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island).

Gloria, the host of the Airbnb rental, is a real sweetheart. She would text me every day to see how I was doing. For a solo woman traveler, her concern for my well-being was much appreciated.

Gloria’s daughter lives in a small house on the property and is responsible for renting out the other cabin. I totally enjoyed having other people around during the day or chatting with them over a shared meal. I met a sweet young Danish couple. We shared meals and experiences from our home countries and travels.

Of course, the best part of the stay was hanging out on the dock to marvel at the colors of Lake Bacalar.

Other Accommodations for Kayaking in Bacalar

If Gloria’s delightful paradise isn’t available, I recommend these places. They had the best vibe for an outdoor adventurer wanting to kayak on Lake Bacalar.

Hotel Aldea 19 Bacalar was close to my cabin and, from the water, looked like a place I’d like to stay. They have great waterfront amenities and their breakfast is excellent.

Villas Ecotucan. The kayaking company I paddled with, Active Nature, operates out of this charming eco-resort in the jungle. The electricity that powers the cute little cabanas comes from solar panels. It’s about a 10-minute drive from town so a car can be useful. Conversely, just spend your time at the resort absorbing the natural tranquillity of the lake and jungle and forget about driving.

Kayaking Trips on Lake Bacalar

Kayaking with Active Nature in Bacalar

If you want to understand the natural wonders of Lake Bacalar, you need to go on an Active Nature trip.

The company is run by a German couple who landed in Bacalar when their van broke down. They stopped their continent-wide travels and started a kayak and nature company. Gunner leads the water-based outings, while Jacqueline leads the jungle and bird walks. They operate out of Villas Ecotucan, a nifty eco-lodge located north of Bacalar.

The kayak trips they run include sunrise and sunset paddles, as well as full-day kayak trips. They also offer overnight kayak camping trips with all the kayaking gear needed.

The use of wooden kayaks sets Active Nature apart from other kayaking companies. Gunnar has meticulously crafted a fleet of handmade kayaks. These wooden beauties not only look good, they also weigh less than plastic boats so are easy to paddle. Gunnar has built over 10 different wooden kayaks, including a triple kayak for families or expeditions needing lots of your storage. You are paddling outdoor artwork when you go on an Active Nature trip.

Kayaking Trip on Lake Bacalar

I went on their 6-hour trip that promised to visit secret spots on the lake. After basic introductions to the boats and paddling, we set off on a misty morning to find a secret paradise.

At first, we traveled near the shore and learned about the lake. While it is called the Laguna de Siete Colores, it’s actually a freshwater lake, not a lagoon. A lagoon technically has a connection to the ocean and has salt or brackish water.

Gunnar has extensive knowledge of the Lake Bacalar ecosystem. The whole day was enhanced by his fascinating interpretation of the nature we saw on the trip. His interesting stories about the connections between different organisms were fascinating. For example, he showed up the egg sacks of snails on the leaves and explained how this chivita snail plays a role in the lake’s purity. The snails also provide food for migrating birds, primarily, the snail kite that soars over the water.

We paddled across the lake after the eerie mist of the morning cleared. The brilliant colors emerged as the sun came out. As the tour is on a more quiet section of the lake, we didn’t see any tour boats. We landed on a tiny beach for a stretch, a swim, and a snack. Gunnar spread out a pick-me-up snack of sweet bananas, oranges, and muffins on the kayak deck.

Kayaking in the Mangroves of Lake Bacalar

After the break, we headed through a channel to the hidden lagoon on the far side of the lake. The remoteness of the channel and the hidden waters was incredible. We entered a zone of mangroves extending their finger-like roots in a woven maze. Gunnar explained how vital mangroves are in the protection of the land from hurricanes. Developers cut the mangroves back, leaving the land susceptible to damage during storms. His passion for the protection of mangrove forests was infectious.

After the hidden lagoon magic, we popped back into the lake for lunch. Sand beaches are scarce on Lake Bacalar. However, Gunnar led us to a gorgeous ribbon of sand for our lunch break. As we swam in the perfect temperature water, he spread out an impressive lunch spread of chicken salad and tropical fruits. It was a lovely repast after a morning of paddling.

Next, we crossed the quiet lake again and paddled along the shoreline enjoying all the birds and plants we had learned about on the trip. If you are a nature lover, you will come away from this trip with so much understanding of the precious ecosystem of Lake Bacalar. I found that I remembered bits of information I learned from Gunnar as I explored other outdoor adventures of the Yucatan peninsula during my two-week trip.

Avid kayakers will enjoy paddling the unique wooden kayaks, and beginning kayakers will do fine on this casually paced trip. Active Nature operates out of Villas Ecotucan, located 3 miles north of Bacalar. If you want to escape the sections of Lake Bacalar crawling with tour boats to kayak in a quiet paradise, then go with Active Nature.

Disclaimer: I was a guest of Active Nature. I was not compensated or asked to write a positive review. All opinions are honestly based on my experience.

Kayak Los Rapidos on Lake Bacalar

Los Rapidos is a swift water part of the lake that is an excellent spot to kayak. It’s like a natural lazy river. The lake is constricted at Los Rapidos, therefore, you can float or boat down the fast water channel in the sun. The bright turquoise stream flows by stromatolites, unique formations representing some of the oldest life on Earth.

Stromatolites of Lake Bacalar

Stromatolites are layered structures of sedimentary rock lurking right below the waterline in the lake. Cyanobacteria, the earliest form of life on the planet, plays a critical role in the very slow process that cements layer upon layer to form various shaped stromatolites. Stromatolites are very rare with Lake Bacalar hosting the largest concentration of the unique living freshwater organisms in the world. It’s essential to avoid stepping on them or kayaking over them.

Los Rapidos Laguna Club is the center of enjoying the blue swift water canal. Rent a kayak here and paddle it up the current to the water lake. Turn around and float back down on the current. The scenery is astounding with mangroves lining the impossibly blue water. Bring or rent snorkel gear here to explore the crystal-clear water. The entry fee to use the facility is 150 MXD ($7.50). You can lounge out on stream-side chairs between trips down the canal. The lounge chairs and hammocks require a 300 MXD ($15) minimum food/drink tab at the restaurant.

For budget travelers, you can sit and leave your towel and clothes on the restaurant chairs for free. Locker rental is $50 MXD ($2.50). Kayaks rent for 200 MXD ($10) for a single. Doubles are 400 MXD ($20). The rental period is one hour. 

Los Rapidos is about 6 miles south of Bacalar. I rode there on my trusty beach bike. However, a 200 MXD ($10) cab ride will get you there.

Kayaking to Isla de los Pajaros in Bacalar

Even if you are not a bird watcher, I highly recommend an early morning kayak trip to Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island). It’s about a half-mile paddle from the shore. Isla de los Pajaros is a nature preserve that is encircled by ropes to protect the stromatolites and the nesting birds. The nesting season is winter through spring. The lake is calm in the morning, and the birds are more active plus, if you start at sunrise, you’ll get an extra bonus of a golden or a sky lighting up the day. 

When I kayaked out to the island, I saw roseate spoonbills and wood storks roosting on the trees. Egrets, great, blue, herons, and black vultures flew over. Of course, the omnipotent great-tailed grackles and mangrove swallows also cavorted back and forth. Near shore, the snail kite hovered over looking for a meal of snails floating in the water.

Bring a good pair of binoculars to get a perfect view of the birds. I use Celestron binoculars and find them excellent for birdwatching as they have good clarity and are waterproof.

Don’t miss out on a sunrise paddle to Bird Island to enjoy the quiet lagoon with just the sound of birds in the air.

Related post -> Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an

Kayaking to Cenotes on Lake Bacalar

Cenote de la Bruja is one of the four cenotes located in Bacalar. The cenote is a huge circle of blue/black water contrasting with the turquoise of the Laguna de los Siete Colores. It is named according to the legend of a Mayan witch who lived on the cenote and cursed it when she was forced to leave. It is also called Cenote Negro (Black Cenote), but I like the traditional name.

Lake Bacalar formed when the limestone understory of the land collapsed and freshwater from the cenotes filled the lake. The crystal purity of the water is due to replenishment by the cenotes. The cenotes of Bacalar are open cenotes, different from the cave, or semi-open cenotes found along the Riviera Maya.

I kayaked to Cenote de la Bruja early one morning. Try kayaking there in the early morning or evening as it’s a popular tour boat stop during the day. You can enjoy the remarkable colors and stop for a swim in the refreshing water. There is even a diving platform on the side of the cenote.

Cenote Esmeralda is located on the lake south of town. It is another great kayaking destination. Again the huge disc of dark blue water framed against the turquoise water of the lake is amazing. I kayaked over there and landed to enjoy a cocktail at one of the restaurants on the rim of the cenote. It’s a beautiful view across the lake from this vantage point.

Related Post -> Best Natural Areas for Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

Protection of Lake Bacalar

The people of Bacalar are trying hard to preserve the purity of Lake Bacalar. The comprehensive education campaign instructs tourists on how to do their part in the sustainability of the lake and its flora and fauna. Use of sunscreen while swimming in the lake is not recommended, even if it’s biodegradable. Sunscreen introduces chemicals that speed up the eutrophication or “aging“ of the lake. Instead, long sleeve swimming shirts or rash guards are recommended.

The lake has unique geological features called stromatolites. Many of the areas with stromatolites are roped off. It is critical not to paddle into these areas as they protect the birds and the stromatolites.

Mangroves, which are the lake’s largest biofilter, and protect the lake shore during hurricanes, also need protection. It is important not to anchor to them, or to destroy them. In addition, you should avoid navigating swimming or walking in the reeds. Birds make their nests in the reeds, and the chavita snail lays its eggs. These snails are a critical food source for the snail kite, often seen soaring above the water.

Other Leave No Trace rules apply to Lake Bacalar as well. Do not litter, smoke, or use the lake as a toilet.

Finally, avoid using the lake’s “clay” to exfoliate, a common tourist practice, as it disturbs the sediment of the lake bottom.   

Kayaking Gear for a Day Trip

My recommended essential gear for a warm weather kayaking day trip with links to where to buy it.

Clothes

Wide brim hat or baseball cap

Long-sleeved synthetic shirt or rash guard for sun protection

Quick dry shorts

Teva or Chaco sandals

Gear

Waterproof phone case

Dry bags

Reef safe sunscreen

Water bottle

Sunglasses with floating retainer

Related post -> 25 Best Kayaking Day Trips in the US

Wrap Up of Kayaking in Lake Bacalar

Whether you explore Lake Bacalar by kayaking on your own or joining a tour, or going with the only professional kayaking company on the lake, Active Nature, you are sure to see the colors and wildlife of the lake up close. Kayaking is slow travel that helps you align with the tranquility of this magical body of water.

Kayak rentals (as well as bike rentals) are everywhere in Bacalar. Many hotels at the lake will either rent or provide kayaks and paddleboards for free. There are some fabulous combination paddleboard/kayak tours that take place at sunrise. Local guides take you to choice sights on the lake, many of the ones mentioned here.

Paddling in the calm water in the morning or at sunset makes the most sense. The wind picks up midday on the lake making kayaking more challenging. If you paddle in the dark, make sure to have a headlamp to guide your way.

I can’t stress the fragility of this delicate ecosystem enough. Please do your part in its preservation.

Remember that you can paddle to many of the popular attractions of Lake Bacalar, therefore, make time to get out in a kayak to marvel at the incredible colors constantly surrounding you.

Pin it!

Related post -> Kayaking Three Sisters Swamp on the Black River