Bacalar – A bad Start
Even though it was three days since our crazy party in Tulum I was still feeling fragile. But swayed by the fact Bacalar was only few hours away and the tranquil lagoon looked like heaven we pack our things and move onto our last stop in Mexico.
Unfortunately our arrival in Bacalar was not the tranquil experience we had hoped for. Knowing there are only a few low cost options in the area we had booked a hostel online. Getting off the bus on a main road we jump in the nearest taxi to take us there. I was surprised at the cost and the fact he seems to be driving away from the signs for the other hotels.
After a 10 min drive we are dropped off down a deserted road. I spot a sign for our hostel. We arrive but there are no signs of life apart from a 5 year old by who speaks no English. Blaming ourselves for still not being able to grasp any Spanish we have no idea what to do. The place is beautiful and looks out to the coral green lagoon. But I can only see two cabins which don’t give me much hope.
We are starving and there are no signs of anywhere to buy food or water. I suggest we head back to the main road and try to get a taxi back to town. This fails and we end up in the blistering heat getting ate by mosquitos trying to hitch hike a ride back to town. Defeated, we head back to our so called hostel. Thankfully a guy with a car turns up. I try to explain that we can’t stay here and our saviour offers to take us to another hostel he owns in town.
The one he takes us to may not be the luxurious 5 star resort that I had been dreaming of, but it’s a lot better than the remote, mosquito infested cabin by the lake.
Writing this all in retrospect is fine but at the time I did not handle the situation too well. And it may have ended up with me having a slight breakdown.
What I have learnt from this experience is that the combination of heat, hunger and mosquitos does not make me a happy person.
Laguna Bacalar Boat Tour
Despite being a haven for mosquitoes Laguana Bacalar is beautiful, we take a boat tour out in to the lake to experience all it has to offer. The first thing that strikes you is the colour, the lake is the lightest form of turquoise and the water is clear.
Around the lake there are 3 cenotes, basically a big hole in the ground filled with water. It’s easy to spot these as they take on a dark navy blue shade which contrasts with the lighter colours of the shallow waters. We are told the ancient Maya through human sacrifices in the cenotes but that no one has ever been to the bottom to confirm this. Not surprising as the first cenote is a 150m drop to the bottom.
All along one side of the lake there are hotels ranging from super luxurious to simple hostels. Our hostels not even good enough to be situated anywhere near the waters edge!
Next we head to the pirates canal, where hundreds of years ago pirates used to wait. The boat is anchored here and we get into the Laguna.
Leanne tries out the snorkel, returns and realises she can swim, but still maintains that without a snorkel she still can’t swim.
The mud here smells of sulphur, you can rub it in your skin and it’s said to have a healing effect. Half an hour of sitting in the mud and we head back to end the trip. Leanne claims to have rejuvenated skin, I claim to smell like an egg!
Fort of San Felipe
Our last day in Bacalar is spent swimming in the lake and exploring the fort which overlooks the lagoon.
Constructed in the 18th century to defend the citizens from pirates of the Caribbean, the fort now holds a small museum and provides an excellent platform for viewing the lake.
We enjoy what is now our last full day in Mexico getting ourselves prepared for heading south into Central America.
