13 Tours in Bacalar Worth Booking

1.Sailing Tour through the Laguna de los Siete Colores

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,521 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40Our pick

Spend about three hours sailing Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon with a maximum of eight people. Your captain may be Irving, Carmen, Leo, Zazil, Cami, or another member of the Wild Wave team. Expect Cenote Negro, Pirate Canal, Bird Island, two swims, seasonal fruit, beer, and a calm pace shaped by the wind.

“We took this boat trip on a nicely windy day. A good amount of wind means that the boat moves nicely without the need for the motor. On the positive side our crew was exceedingly focused on making sure we were safe and looked after. My wife and daughter had never been sailing before and at no point did they feel anything but super safe, even when the boat was tipped to its maximum. They prepared some fruit for us which was very nice, and we stopped twice for some swimming time which was really appreciated on a hot day. Perhaps the only minor criticism was that there was not…”

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2.3 Hour Boat Trip with Swimming & Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,240 reviews · 3 hours · from $33

Cruise Bacalar Lagoon with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide such as Diego, Angelo, Jonathan, or Sebastian. You will pass Cenote Esmeralda, Cocalitos, and Cenote Negro, swim at Pirate Canal and Bird Island, and enjoy fruit, water, natural drinks, and three beers per adult. Kayak access may follow the boat trip.

“Angelo was such an excellent guide! Such beautiful sites.”

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3.Sailing Tour through the Lagoon of the 7 Colors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,161 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $37

Sail Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon with a small group of up to 16 people. Your bilingual crew takes you to three cenotes, Bird Island, and the Pirate Canal, with swimming stops, fruit drinks, beer for adults, snacks, and stories about the lagoon. Guides such as David, Abraham, Angelo, and Hugo are often praised for their care and sailing skill.

“we were actually sailing, which was awesome :) Abraham and David were very helpful and informative during the trip”

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4.Bacalar Boat Tour and Visit to Cenotes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,152 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $25Best value

Spend about three hours on Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon with a bilingual guide, visiting stromatolites, Bird Island, Pirates Channel, and Cenote de la Bruja. You’ll have swimming stops, fruit, hibiscus drinks, snacks, and three beers per adult. Guides such as Jonathan, Diego, Hugo, and Daniel are known for lively explanations and a relaxed pace.

“This was a great tour! Jonathan did such an amazing job, it was great to learn more about the history of the lagoon and the cenotes. The tour included snacks and drinks (alcoholic options for adults). We got to swim near la Isla de los Pájaros and got to explore near el Canal de los Piratas.”

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5.Bacalar Lagoon Sightseeing Boat Tour with Open Bar and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,100 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $56

Spend four hours on Bacalar Lagoon with guides such as Miguel, Romel, Sam, or Belle, stopping at Pirates Channel, Black Cenote, Emerald Cenote, Cocalitos, and Bird Island. Swim in shallow water, learn about stromatolites, eat seasonal fruit, and enjoy beer, tequila drinks, soft drinks, juice, and water from the open bar.

“I had a great time on the boat. We had a small fun group of 7 and Roman was awesome! Learned a lot about the lagoon but had a lot of fun. Arrived solo, but met some wonderful people.”

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6.Bacalar 101- Private Tour of the Lagoon of the 7 Colors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $103

Spend about three hours on a private Bacalar lagoon boat with an English-speaking bilingual guide. Visit Pirate Channel, cenotes, stromatolites, and Bird Island, swim in clear shallows, enjoy fruit, juices, snacks, and three beers per adult, then continue by kayak toward sunset.

“Ten day vacation., toured 7 Colors. Guide was amazing. Would highly recommend this tour. My boyfriend and I will definitely be back!”

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7.Group Sailing Trip with Swimming and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 585 reviews · 3 hours · from $40

Sail Bacalar Lagoon from Casa China with a guide such as Hugo, Angelo, or Nami. You’ll pass Cenote Esmeralda, Pirate Canal, Cenote Negro, and Bird Island, with time to swim, take photos, and enjoy fruit drinks and three beers. Groups are limited to 10, and an early 8 a.m. departure can feel almost private.

“A family friend recommended visiting Bacalar, and we found this place where they offer a tour in a sailboat. Thinking it was a great way to get familiar with place, we took the ride and it was a fantastic little adventure. The tour took us around the place making stops for us to jump into the water. The guides provided good narrative about teh place and its history. I can definitely recommend it to any travler adventurers.”

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8.Private Sailboat + Captain for a Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 582 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Take a private sailboat and bilingual crew around Bacalar Lagoon for about three hours. Choose a sailing lesson or a relaxed ride, with stops near Cocalitos, Cenote de la Bruja, and other scenic areas for swimming, kayaking, birdwatching, and learning about stromatolites. Fruit, drinks, safety gear, and kayaks are included.

“We had a great day on the beautiful lagoon. As it was a private sailboat we could choose where we want to go and skip the crowded places. They provided us with beer, fresh juice and snacks. Special thanks to our captain Mau! He was super fun and has a lot of knowledge about sailing, the area and the stromatolites.”

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9.Pirate’s Channel & 3 Lagoons Kayak or SUP/Paddle Tour +Meditation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 564 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Start at 5:00 am with a bilingual guide such as Jorge for a beginner-friendly kayak or SUP trip across Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon. Paddle through Pirate’s Channel, Mariscal Lagoon, and the Mangrove Sanctuary, stop for fruit, coffee, and Nutella toast, then rest on your board for meditation. GoPro photos are included.

“Amazing experience Jorge was very helpful provided lots of tips and tricks, and even giving you space to manage at your own pace it was a great first time trying SUP and now I love it!”

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10.Sunrise Paddle Quest: Embrace the Dawn on Bacalar’s Waters

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 542 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $38

Meet David, Vicky, or another What SUP Bacalar guide at The Yak Lake House at 6:20 a.m. Learn SUP basics over coffee, then paddle to the Black Cenote and Pirates Canal. The three-hour outing suits beginners, includes fruit, photos, boards, lifejackets, and hands-on instruction for groups of up to 16.

“A must in Bacalar. Although we couldn’t see the sunrise due to the cloudy sky, it was still a wonderful experience. The tour was well-balanced between the required physical strength during the paddling and the moment of tranquility when relaxing in the beautiful and peaceful lagoon. Our guides are friendly, knowledgeable and patient. Vicky was amazing, and she paid attention to everyone of us and provided instructions and tips on how to better manage the motion of navigating the SUPs. Highly recommend.”

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11.Private sailing tour of Bacalar Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 403 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Sail Bacalar Lagoon privately for about three hours with an English-speaking captain and crew. The route includes Cenote Negro, Pirate Canal, and Bird Island, with time to swim and a snack of seasonal fruit, beer, and water. Captains such as Flor, Leandro, Leo, and their crews are known for attentive guiding and flexible pacing.

“The whole experience was wonderful and well worth it. I highly recommend taking the experience. The staff is very attentive and friendly. We had Flor as our captain and Carla as the first mate and I give them both the highest rating . I just have one recommendation, be aware that sunscreen is discouraged to use due to the effects on the environment. Had I known this I would have been better prepared.”

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12.Sunrise by Paddle or Kayak with Floating Picnic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $29

Start at 6:30 a.m. at Casa China Bacalar for a three-hour guided paddleboard or kayak trip. You’ll watch sunrise at Cenote Esmeralda, swim in a clear lagoon setting, visit the bird sanctuary, and eat fruit and healthy snacks from a floating picnic. Guides such as Adrián and Angelo also share local nature tips.

“El tour para ver el amanecer en la laguna mientras ves el sol salir y los reflejos en el agua es una experiencia única e inolvidable que recomiendo a todo el mundo que pueda hacerla. Quiero agradecer personalmente a Ángel nuestro instructor ya que desde el primer momento tuvimos una conexión especial con el. Es una persona muy amable y simpática que hace que el tour merezca más la pena aún si cabe nos explicó en todo momento la historia sobre la laguna y nos llevó a sitios únicos todo ello acompañado de una charla sobre naturaleza y medioambiente increíble. Recomiendo si lo hacéis poder hacerlo con el ya que…”

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13.Pontoon Tour – Visit the Pirate Channel, Cenotes and Islands.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 329 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Meet at Casa Sirena Pier for a 2.5-hour pontoon ride across Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon. Your captain, possibly Sylvia, Luis, Raul, or Rich, takes you past Black, Emerald, and Cocalitos cenotes, the Pirate Channel, and Bird Island. Expect swimming stops, local nature and Maya culture, fresh fruit, water, and an iced beer.

“Great tour, relaxing and love the swimming spots. Captain was great and amazing jumping in the water to secure and retrieve the anchor.”

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