Why Bacalar is the New Tulum: Exploring Mexico’s Secret Lagoon of Seven Colors (2026)

Why Bacalar is the New Tulum

Bacalar is emerging as the new Tulum because Bacalar offers everything travelers loved about Tulum ten years ago—pristine turquoise water, authentic Mexican culture, affordable prices, and uncrowded natural beauty—without Tulum’s current problems of overdevelopment, inflated costs, traffic chaos, and Instagram-driven crowds. The Bacalar Lagoon, known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors, stretches 42 kilometers with freshwater so clear and vivid it rivals the Maldives, displaying shades from pale sky blue to deep navy created by varying depths and limestone beds. While Tulum has transformed into an expensive, chaotic beach destination where budget travelers struggle to find value and even mid-range visitors face constant tourist markups, Bacalar remains walkable, welcoming, and genuinely affordable, with Bacalar accommodation, Bacalar cenotes, Bacalar boat tours, and Bacalar restaurants delivering exceptional experiences at a fraction of Tulum costs. For travelers planning Mexico trips in 2026, understanding why Bacalar is the new Tulum means recognizing that Bacalar represents what Tulum used to be—Mexico’s best-kept secret—before mass tourism transformed it beyond recognition, making Bacalar the essential alternative for authentic Yucatan experiences.

Bacalar vs Tulum: The essential comparison

Aerial view of Bacalar Lagoon of Seven Colors with turquoise waters, surrounding mangroves, and village 

Bacalar is the new Tulum specifically because Bacalar delivers the authentic, affordable, uncrowded Mexican Caribbean experience that drew travelers to Tulum originally, before Tulum became synonymous with overpriced beach clubs, Instagram posing, and tourist saturation. “Bacalar is smaller, more relaxed, and has a more local feel. You won’t find the same crowds or curated tours here. In fact, we were the only Americans I ran into during our trip. And that’s what makes it charming,” explains one travel blogger comparing Bacalar directly to Tulum. While Tulum has exploded into a destination where “taxis are notoriously overpriced” and “even mid-range options can feel overpriced these days,” Bacalar maintains reasonable pricing where “taxis are cheap, activities don’t come with tourist markups,” and travelers find “a mix of local and tourist restaurants” rather than exclusively expensive, Instagram-aesthetic venues.

The physical differences reinforce why Bacalar is the new Tulum for travelers seeking what Tulum has lost. Bacalar is incredibly walkable, whereas Tulum sprawls along highways requiring expensive taxis for every movement. Bacalar centers on the Lagoon of Seven Colors—a massive freshwater lagoon with calm, crystal-clear water perfect for swimming, kayaking, and floating—while Tulum’s ocean beaches, though beautiful, come with strong currents, seaweed issues, and increasingly privatized access requiring beach club fees. “Bacalar is tidier than Tulum: the latter’s potholes and overflowing garbage don’t exist here, and the limited number of tourists helps keep it that way,” notes Travel Off Path, adding that “all year, low or high season, there are fewer visitors around and you can enjoy a greater sense of exclusivity and quietness” in Bacalar.

Cost comparisons cement Bacalar’s position as the new Tulum for budget and mid-range travelers. “Between hotels, transportation, and activities, Bacalar is the better choice for travelers looking to do more without spending more,” summarizes Kendyl Travels after detailed price comparison. Bacalar accommodation ranges from $30-50 per night for decent hotels to budget hostel dorms, while comparable Tulum accommodation now costs $80-150+. Bacalar cenotes charge entry fees as low as $2.50, Bacalar kayak rentals cost $4.75-7.50 per hour, and Bacalar boat tours start around $15 per person—all significantly cheaper than equivalent Tulum activities with their luxury markups. Food costs remain similar in both destinations, but Bacalar offers far more genuinely local, affordable options outside the tourist center, whereas Tulum increasingly prices locals out entirely.

The Lagoon of Seven Colors: Bacalar’s natural wonder

The Bacalar Lagoon, called the Lagoon of Seven Colors or Laguna de los Siete Colores, is Bacalar’s defining feature and the primary reason Bacalar is the new Tulum for travelers prioritizing natural beauty over beach club scenes. This 42-kilometer freshwater lagoon displays “stunning spectrum of blue hues, ranging from deep sapphire to brilliant turquoise” created by “different depths of the water and the clarity of the white limestone bottom, which reflects sunlight in an array of stunning blues”. Often referred to as the “Maldives of Mexico,” the Bacalar Lagoon’s vivid color palette includes “light turquoise, aquamarine, teal, cobalt, and deep navy, as well as green and black” depending on depth and light refraction.

What makes the Bacalar Lagoon superior to Tulum’s beaches for many travelers is accessibility and swimmability. “You’ll swim off docks, float in cenotes, and maybe even take a sailboat ride at sunrise. It’s peaceful, swimmable, and perfect for lazy days on the water. And in a lot of ways better than the ocean—especially since many hotels give you access,” explains one blogger comparing Bacalar favorably to Tulum’s increasingly restricted beach access. Most Bacalar hotels and hostels located on the lagoon provide direct water access via private docks, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards included free or for minimal rental fees, creating effortless, affordable contact with the water impossible to replicate at Tulum’s beach clubs charging $50+ minimum consumption.

The Bacalar Lagoon also contains several cenotes—natural sinkholes integrated into the lagoon—that add unique geography and swimming opportunities. Cenote Esmeralda features “stunning emerald-green waters that blend into Bacalar’s famous Lagoon of Seven Colors” offering “a vast, open space for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding” accessible only from the lagoon itself. Cenote Cocalitos provides shallow, stromatolite-rich waters perfect for families and weaker swimmers. Cenote Negro, the deepest point in the lagoon, creates dramatic dark blue color contrasts. This integration of cenotes within the swimmable lagoon gives Bacalar unique natural diversity that Tulum lacks, reinforcing why Bacalar is the new Tulum for nature-focused travelers.

Bacalar cenotes: swimming in ancient sinkholes

Aerial view of Bacalar Lagoon with turquoise waters, surrounding islands, and dense greenery 

Bacalar cenotes represent one key reason Bacalar is the new Tulum for travelers seeking authentic Yucatan natural experiences, because these Bacalar cenotes combine the region’s famous cenote swimming with the Lagoon of Seven Colors accessibility and affordability. There are four unique cenotes in Bacalar: Cenote Azul, Cenote Negro, Cenote Esmeralda, and Cenote Cocalitos, each offering distinct characteristics and swimming experiences.

CENOTE AZUL is Bacalar’s most famous standalone cenote, a massive 90-meter-deep sinkhole with brilliant blue water surrounded by jungle vegetation. Unlike lagoon-integrated cenotes, Cenote Azul sits separate from the Lagoon of Seven Colors and functions as independent swimming spot with restaurant, changing facilities, and direct road access. Entry costs 50 pesos for tourists (approximately $2.50), making Cenote Azul one of Mexico’s most affordable cenote experiences. “Since there is no boat traffic, Cenote Azul is probably the best cenote for swimming in Bacalar, but it’s also the deepest cenote on the Yucatan so you’ll want to be a somewhat strong swimmer or wear a life jacket,” notes travel blogger Your Friend The Nomad. Cenote Azul provides the quintessential deep-blue cenote photo opportunity that defines Yucatan travel aesthetics, but at budget prices and without Tulum’s crowds.

CENOTE ESMERALDA offers a completely different experience as a lagoon-integrated cenote accessible only by kayak, boat, or swimming from the Lagoon of Seven Colors. “Cenote Esmeralda lives up to its name with its stunning emerald-green waters that blend into Bacalar’s famous Lagoon of Seven Colors. Unlike more isolated cenotes, Esmeralda feels like an extension of the lagoon itself, offering a vast, open space for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding,” describes The Mexico Edit. Depths reach up to 70 meters, and the cenote’s unique “eye”—a natural conduit where cenote waters merge with lagoon waters—creates “an enchanting mix of fresh and brackish waters that is a delight for snorkelers”. Cenote Esmeralda’s integration into the lagoon means most visitors access it during Bacalar boat tours rather than as standalone destination, making it both convenient and affordable as part of broader lagoon exploration.

CENOTE COCALITOS is Bacalar’s shallowest, most family-friendly cenote, famous for living stromatolites—ancient bacterial formations among Earth’s oldest life forms. Located within the lagoon, Cenote Cocalitos features calm, warm, turquoise water perfect for children and non-swimmers, with designated swimming areas that protect fragile stromatolite colonies. The cenote recently reopened after temporary closure for ecological protection, with improved facilities including “clean bathrooms and showers” according to recent TripAdvisor reviews. Most Bacalar boat tours include Cenote Cocalitos stops for swimming and stromatolite education, making this one of Bacalar’s most-visited lagoon spots despite minimal entry fees.

CENOTE NEGRO, the lagoon’s deepest point at 90+ meters, creates the darkest blue-black color in the Lagoon of Seven Colors spectrum. While technically swimmable, Cenote Negro sees less swimming activity due to boat traffic and depth, functioning more as scenic viewpoint during Bacalar boat tours. The dramatic color contrast between Cenote Negro’s deep navy and surrounding turquoise shallows creates striking photographs that epitomize the “seven colors” phenomenon.​

Bacalar boat tours: exploring the lagoon

Bacalar boat tours are essential Bacalar experiences and key reasons why Bacalar is the new Tulum, because these Bacalar boat tours provide affordable, comprehensive lagoon exploration including cenote swimming, pirate channel history, and multi-hour nature immersion at prices far below comparable Tulum excursions. Most Bacalar boat tours follow similar routes: swimming at Cenote Cocalitos, visiting Cenote Esmeralda, floating at the Pirate Channel (Canal de los Piratas), and cruising the Lagoon of Seven Colors to witness dramatic color transitions.

Typical Bacalar boat tour costs range from $15-25 per person for group tours, significantly cheaper than Tulum boat excursions which often exceed $60-80 per person for similar durations. “Boat tours start from $15 per person,” notes Mexico Travel Blog in their Bacalar cost breakdown. These budget-friendly Bacalar boat tours typically last 3-4 hours, include stops at 3-5 swimming locations, provide fruit and beverages, and accommodate 6-15 passengers in pontoon boats or sailboats. GetYourGuide and Viator list numerous Bacalar boat tour operators with prices from $192 per group up to 4 people, working out to $48 per person for private experiences—still cheaper than standard Tulum group tours.

The Pirate Channel included in most Bacalar boat tours adds historical context to natural beauty. This narrow channel through the lagoon was historically used by pirates smuggling precious wood, and its shallow, protected waters create unique swimming opportunities with calm current perfect for floating. The combination of history, ecology (stromatolites at Cocalitos), diverse cenote swimming, and color-changing lagoon scenery makes Bacalar boat tours remarkably comprehensive value compared to single-focus Tulum excursions.

For independent travelers avoiding group tours, Bacalar kayak rentals provide DIY lagoon exploration at even lower costs. “Most hotels offer rentals or free use of kayaks and SUP. Our hotel charged 150 MXN (US$7.50)/hour for a kayak rental. Alternatively, Magic Bacalar rents out kayaks for 95 MXN ($4.75)/hour,” reports Mexico Travel Blog. Renting kayaks for a full day costs approximately $30-40, allowing self-guided visits to accessible cenotes and lagoon areas at pace and budget impossible with organized tours. This flexibility epitomizes why Bacalar is the new Tulum—the infrastructure supports both budget-conscious DIY exploration and curated experiences, whereas Tulum increasingly forces visitors into expensive packaged options.​

Bacalar accommodation: where to stay on the lagoon

Bacalar accommodation ranges from budget hostels starting around $15-20 per night to mid-range lakefront hotels at $40-70 and boutique luxury properties at $150-250+, providing options for every budget while maintaining proximity to the Lagoon of Seven Colors that defines why Bacalar is the new Tulum. Unlike Tulum where beachfront location commands massive premiums and budget travelers stay far from water, Bacalar’s compact geography and numerous lagoon-access properties allow budget Bacalar accommodation with direct water access at prices unimaginable in Tulum.

BUDGET BACALAR ACCOMMODATION ($15-40 per night) centers on hostels and basic guesthouses, many offering lagoon frontage despite low prices. The Yak Lake House consistently ranks as Bacalar’s best budget option, offering “dorm beds as well as private rooms” in a “stylish and well-designed” lakefront property. Though adults-only, Yak Lake House demonstrates how budget Bacalar accommodation can deliver location and aesthetics that would cost $100+ nightly in Tulum. TripAdvisor’s cheap Bacalar hotels list includes Rancho Encantado, Hotel & Suites Oasis Bacalar, and Casa Hormiga, with reviewer comments highlighting “good and cheap” nearby food options and “very spacious and clean” rooms at affordable rates. Budget travelers report spending “$30-50/night on a hotel room” when staying in town rather than directly on lagoon, though even town accommodations sit just 10-20 minute walk from water access.

MID-RANGE BACALAR ACCOMMODATION ($50-150 per night) includes lakeside guesthouses and boutique hotels with private docks, kayak access, and design-forward aesthetics. Casita Maya Bacalar, where travel blogger Mexico Travel Blog stayed, sits “on the northern coast of the lagoon” offering “basic” rooms but “unbeatable” lake views from private dock, located “10-minute drive to town center”. At this price point, Bacalar accommodation typically includes complimentary kayak and SUP use, direct swimming access, hammocks and lakefront lounging areas, and breakfast—amenities that would cost $200-300+ nightly at comparable Tulum beachfront properties.

BoaBoa Bacalar Hotel exemplifies mid-range Bacalar accommodation quality: this “boutique lagoon-front hotel” features “stylish design, personalised service, and peaceful atmosphere” with “floating dock, in-room breakfasts, and attention to detail from staff, such as arranging massages or transport”. BoaBoa “blends minimalistic aesthetics with comfortable and clean rooms, garden spaces, and a peaceful setting close to downtown Bacalar” while organizing “kayak rentals and wellness sessions that align with the eco-conscious spirit of the area”. This level of thoughtful design and service at mid-range prices reinforces why Bacalar is the new Tulum—travelers access boutique experiences without luxury budgets.​

LUXURY BACALAR ACCOMMODATION ($150-400+ per night) exists for travelers wanting premium comfort, though even Bacalar’s luxury tier prices well below equivalent Tulum properties. XO Bacalar Lakefront charges approximately $44 including breakfast for “lovely place” with “platform where you can sit right in front of the lake and enjoy the sunrise as well as swings and a ladder to go swimming”. While positioned as mid-range, this pricing demonstrates how Bacalar’s entire accommodation market runs 30-50% cheaper than Tulum across all categories, making Bacalar accessible to budget travelers while offering luxury seekers excellent value.​

Getting to Bacalar from Tulum, Cancun, and beyond

Getting to Bacalar from Tulum takes 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours by bus, costs $10-35 depending on service class, and runs via ADO Bus company with departures every 4 hours from Tulum’s bus terminal. This convenient Tulum to Bacalar connection makes Bacalar an easy add-on to Tulum itineraries, allowing travelers to experience both destinations and understand firsthand why Bacalar is the new Tulum by comparing them directly. Rome2Rio lists five ways to get from Tulum to Bacalar: bus (cheapest and most popular), shuttle, train via new Tren Maya system, car rental, or bus via Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

The ADO Bus from Tulum to Bacalar represents the budget traveler’s best option, with tickets costing approximately $11-16 for standard service or $30-33 for premium Turismo Alianza buses with air conditioning and more comfort. Buses depart from Terminal de Autobuses ADO Tulum and arrive at Bacalar’s compact bus terminal within walking distance of town center accommodations. The journey takes approximately 3 hours covering 211 kilometers, with buses typically running at 8am, 12pm, 4pm, and 8pm daily. Advance booking via ADO website or Ahorrobus recommended during high season (December-April), though same-day tickets usually available during shoulder months.

Getting to Bacalar from Cancun takes approximately 5 hours by direct ADO Bus costing around $41, or travelers can fly to Chetumal (1 hour) then take 30-minute bus/taxi to Bacalar. The Cancun to Bacalar bus route is well-serviced with multiple daily departures, making Bacalar accessible as day-trip from Cancun or multi-day extension to Cancun-Tulum-Bacalar circuits popular with first-time Yucatan visitors. From Cancun Airport specifically, travelers must first take ADO Bus to Cancun Downtown terminal, then transfer to Bacalar-bound bus, adding approximately 30-45 minutes to total journey.​

The new Tren Maya (Mayan Train) now connects Tulum to Bacalar via modern rail service, taking approximately 4 hours and costing $28-93 depending on class. Trains depart from Estación Tren Maya Tulum and arrive at Estación Tren Maya Bacalar, offering more comfortable alternative to buses with larger seats, onboard bathrooms, and scenic windows, though at premium prices. For travelers prioritizing comfort over budget, the Tren Maya represents excellent middle ground between cheap buses and expensive private transfers.​

Car rental from Tulum to Bacalar costs approximately $30-50 per day for basic vehicle, with 211-kilometer drive taking 3 hours via Highway 307. Driving allows flexibility for stops at Muyil ruins, Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and roadside cenotes, plus provides wheels for exploring Bacalar’s surroundings once arrived. However, Mexico car rental includes insurance requirements ($15-30 daily) and fuel costs ($22-32 for round-trip according to Rome2Rio), making car rental economical only for groups of 3-4 splitting costs or travelers planning extensive regional exploration.​

What to do in Bacalar beyond the lagoon

What to do in Bacalar centers primarily on lagoon activities—Bacalar boat tours, Bacalar kayaking, cenote swimming, and waterfront relaxation—but supplementary attractions add depth to multi-day Bacalar visits and reinforce why Bacalar is the new Tulum for travelers seeking authentic experiences beyond water sports. Fort San Felipe (Fuerte de San Felipe Bacalar), an 18th-century Spanish fort overlooking the lagoon, provides historical context for piracy and colonial trade that shaped Bacalar, with small museum displaying cannons, artifacts, and lagoon views. Entry costs approximately $3-5 (50-80 pesos), making this budget-friendly cultural addition to water-focused itineraries.

Bacalar town center itself warrants exploration, with colorful buildings, local markets, street food stands, and central plaza where Mexican families gather evenings creating authentic atmosphere absent in Tulum’s tourist-saturated downtown. “Most activities here revolve around the water: sunrise sails, paddleboarding, swimming, or just floating lazily near a dock. It’s less about curated experiences and more about slowing down and enjoying the natural setting,” explains Kendyl Travels, capturing Bacalar’s appeal for travelers escaping Tulum’s hyperactivity.

Bacalar food scene combines affordable local taquerías with increasingly sophisticated restaurants catering to growing tourism, though prices remain far below Tulum’s inflated costs. “If you stay in town (not on the water), expect to spend around US$30-50/night on a hotel room and $5-10 for a meal,” notes Mexico Travel Blog. Standout Bacalar restaurants include waterfront venues with lagoon sunset views, traditional Yucatecan cuisine spots serving cochinita pibil and poc chuc, and breakfast cafés with fresh fruit and strong coffee at prices ($3-7 per meal) that feel like time-travel compared to Tulum’s $15-25 minimums.

Nearby day trips from Bacalar include Chetumal (45 minutes south) for urban exploration and Museo de la Cultura Maya, Kohunlich and Dzibanche Mayan ruins (1-2 hours), and various eco-parks and additional cenotes scattered throughout southern Quintana Roo. These excursions expand Bacalar from single-focus lagoon destination to base for broader regional exploration, similar to how Tulum functions as gateway to Coba ruins, Sian Ka’an, and coastal cenotes—but again, at significantly lower costs and with fewer crowds.​

When to visit Bacalar: seasons and timing

When to visit Bacalar depends on balancing weather, crowds, and prices, with November through April representing Bacalar’s dry season and peak tourism period, while May through October brings occasional rain, fewer visitors, and lower accommodation costs. “The best times to visit Bacalar Mexico 2026 include December to April for dry weather and calm waters, or September to November for fewer crowds and better rates,” advises Marysol Travel in their comprehensive Bacalar 2026 guide.​

December through April delivers optimal Bacalar weather with minimal rainfall, temperatures 24-28°C (75-82°F), and calm lagoon conditions perfect for swimming, kayaking, and boat tours. However, this dry season coincides with peak North American and European winter escape travel, bringing increased Bacalar crowds (though still far fewer than Tulum) and 20-40% higher accommodation costs compared to low season. Budget travelers visiting Bacalar during peak season should book Bacalar accommodation 2-4 weeks ahead and expect to pay $50-70 for mid-range lagoon hotels versus $40-60 in shoulder months.​

May through October brings Bacalar’s rainy season, though “rainy season” in this context means occasional afternoon thunderstorms rather than day-long downpours, with mornings typically clear and afternoons featuring 1-2 hour rain bursts that cool temperatures and clear by evening. This wet season dramatically reduces Bacalar tourism, creating empty lagoon, available last-minute Bacalar accommodation, and prices dropping 30-50% across hotels and tours. For budget travelers and those prioritizing uncrowded experiences over guaranteed perfect weather, Bacalar in September-November represents exceptional value and most closely replicates the “undiscovered” atmosphere that originally defined Tulum decades ago.​

Hurricane season (June-November) poses theoretical risk to Bacalar, though the lagoon’s inland location provides more protection than Tulum’s exposed Caribbean coast, and actual hurricane strikes remain rare. Travelers booking Bacalar wet season trips should purchase travel insurance covering weather-related cancellations and maintain flexible itineraries allowing weather-driven activity adjustments.​

Why Bacalar is the new Tulum: the final verdict

Bacalar is the new Tulum because Bacalar delivers the authentic Mexican Caribbean experience, affordable prices, natural beauty, and uncrowded tranquility that attracted travelers to Tulum originally, before Tulum’s transformation into expensive, chaotic, Instagram-driven destination disconnected from local culture. The Bacalar Lagoon of Seven Colors provides water experiences surpassing Tulum’s beaches for many travelers—swimmable, accessible, varied, and affordable rather than crowded, privatized, and expensive. Bacalar cenotes offer genuine Yucatan sinkhole swimming at $2.50 entry versus Tulum cenotes charging $10-30. Bacalar boat tours deliver comprehensive lagoon exploration for $15-25 while Tulum boat trips cost $60-80+. Bacalar accommodation ranges from $15 hostels to $150 boutique hotels, all maintaining lagoon proximity, while equivalent Tulum properties cost 2-3x more.

Beyond pricing, Bacalar is the new Tulum because Bacalar maintains the authenticity, walkability, and Mexican character that Tulum has sacrificed to mass tourism. “Bacalar is tidier than Tulum: the latter’s potholes and overflowing garbage don’t exist here, and the limited number of tourists helps keep it that way” while providing “greater sense of exclusivity and quietness” year-round. For travelers seeking what Tulum promised but no longer delivers—affordable paradise, genuine culture, natural beauty without exploitation—Bacalar in 2026 represents that rare discovery: Mexico’s last accessible secret before tourism inevitably transforms it too. Visit Bacalar now, before Bacalar becomes the next Tulum, rather than remaining the new Tulum alternative.