2 days around the lagoon of seven blues in Bacalar

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   Morning

   Fort of San Felipe

   A small stone fort on a rise above the lagoon, built by the Spanish in the 1700s to guard the town against pirates who raided along this coast. Its walls and cannons look out over the water, and rooms inside now hold a small museum. Check ahead on when it is open.

   Go when Morning, before the heat, when the light is soft on the stone.

   Local tip Walk the walls and look out over the water to see why the fort sits here. Check ahead on the opening, and take a hat, since the courtyard has little shade.

   About 12 min by car or transit3.8 km
2. 2
   Morning

   Cenote Azul

   A deep, round cenote, a sinkhole filled with clear water, that opens off the south end of the lakefront. The water looks a dark blue in the middle and turns pale green at the edges, because the bottom drops away so steeply. Swim gently and follow the rules posted at the entrance.

   Go when Morning, when the water is calm and the light reaches deep.

   Local tip Do not dive in off the edges, because it is very deep. Use mineral sun cream or none, and keep to the roped areas.

   

3. Lunch

   Ceviche and chips

   Ceviche is raw fish cured in lime juice, with onion, tomato and coriander, served with tortilla chips or fried tortillas, a cool lunch for a hot day.

   Local tip Order the freshest fish on the day, and go easy on the lime if your stomach is sensitive.

   About 12 min by car or transit3.9 km
4. 3
   Afternoon

   Cocalitos and the stromatolites

   A quiet shore of the lagoon where stromatolites live in the shallows: hard, rounded mounds built by microbes, one of the oldest forms of life on Earth. They grow very slowly and are easily harmed. Look from a boat or a walkway, never touch them, never stand on them and never put sun cream in the water. Check local rules before you go.

   Go when Late morning or afternoon, from a boat or walkway.

   Local tip Never touch a stromatolite, never stand on one and never put sun cream or soap in the water here. They grow a tiny amount each year and break easily. Check local rules first.

   About 18 min by car or transit6.9 km
5. 4
   Afternoon

   Costera

   The lakefront road south of the fort, lined with small wooden jetties, hammocks and open air places to sit. The water changes colour with the depth of the bottom, from milky white and pale green to a deep blue, which gives the lagoon its name of the seven colours. Little shade, so keep a hat on.

   Go when Late afternoon, for the light on the water (about 6:54 PM).

   Local tip Walk it slowly and stop at a jetty. Rinse off before you swim, wear only mineral sun cream and leave nothing in the water. There is little shade, so carry water.

6. Dinner

   Grilled fish by the water

   Fresh grilled fish with rice and salad, eaten at a table at the water's edge as the light goes, the simplest supper on the lakefront.

   Local tip Ask what came in that day, and sit facing west if you can.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from CosteraAbout 2 h 31 min by car176.7 km

   Where Day 1 ended.
2. 1
   Midday

   Muyil Archaeological Site

   A Maya site in the jungle on the edge of the Sian Ka'an reserve, one of the oldest on this coast. Shaded paths lead past a tall temple, and a trail runs on to the lagoon. It is a quiet place, so arrive early and carry water and insect repellent. Check ahead on when it is open.

   Go when Morning, before the jungle heats up.

   Local tip Wear closed shoes and use insect repellent, since the paths are shaded and damp. Climb only where it is allowed. Check ahead that the site is open.

   

   About 10 min by car or transit2.6 km
3. 2
   Afternoon

   Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

   A vast reserve of jungle, wetlands, lagoons and reef on the coast, a World Heritage site and home to many birds and animals. Near Muyil a footpath leads to a lagoon, joined by an old canal that the Maya dug and that you can float along. Go only with a licensed local guide, follow their rules and check ahead on what is open.

   Go when Morning, as early as you can manage.

   Local tip Go with a licensed local guide, follow their rules and check ahead on what is open and what is allowed. Take water, a hat and no sun cream in the lagoon.

   

4. Lunch

   Fried fish and rice

   Fried or grilled fish, rice and salad at a simple table near the reserve, eaten in the shade after the walk.

   Local tip Eat after the paths, not before, and drink plenty of water.

5. Dinner

   Sopa de lima

   Sopa de lima is a warm chicken broth with lime, crisp tortilla strips and herbs, a Yucatecan soup for the evening back in town.

   Local tip Squeeze in the lime at the last moment.