Bacalar as it was meant to be: Lagoon • Rapidos • Ichkabal Ruins
Description
There are places that don't ask for your attention. They take it. Bacalar is one of them. Spend a full day exploring the best of Bacalar — cruising the Seven Colors Lagoon aboard a comfortable pontoon, then drifting through Los Rápidos, where a natural current carries you through crystal-clear channels while the jungle watches from both sides. For those who want to go deeper, Ichkabal awaits — one of Mexico's most recently discovered Maya cities, still untouched by crowds, where a pyramid taller than those of Chichén Itzá rises above an endless green horizon. You'll stand on top of it. You'll understand why the Maya chose this place. Small group. All entries included. No rushing. Just Bacalar, as it was meant to be.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travelers will walk through the ancient plazas of one of Mexico's most recently excavated Maya cities, guided by a professional local guide who brings the history to life. The highlight: climbing a massive pyramid that rises higher than those of Chichén Itzá, with panoramic views of uninterrupted jungle stretching to the horizon.
Travelers will cruise across the famous Seven Colors Lagoon aboard a comfortable shared pontoon, taking in the shifting shades of turquoise that give Bacalar its name. The boat stops in open water for swimming, and fresh tropical fruit is served on board while you enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace.
Travelers will enter a natural canal where a gentle underground current flows through crystal-clear water. Here they can swim and float carried by the current, surrounded by mangroves and jungle on both sides — one of Bacalar's most unique and memorable experiences.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The driver will arrive outside your hotel or Airbnb, please remember the pick up in Xulha, huay pix and sorounding areas of bacalar the pick up starts 1 hour before de departure time.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- In these zones, it is permitted to take a taxi if needed, except at the Ichkabal ruins.
- The visit to Los Rapidos is to see the canal and enjoy it, the restaurant and other facilities have usage surcharges that are not included in this ticket.
Reviews(5)
Tour guide picked us up at are choice of hotel in Bacalar, it was a nice drive to the ruins on newly paved highway, with good company from the tour guide. The excavation site has new facilities for sitting out of the sun, new clean washrooms and new walk ways. The ruins are definitely 10/10 being able to walk the steps, and the different levels of the pyramids really shows the shear size of the ancient city, are guide was very informative on Mayan culture and was able to answer are questions. Excellent tour guide and perfect English, this is a site I would definitely like to come back to as more of the city is excavated.
Hi, Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed the journey to Ichkabal, the comfort of the new facilities, and especially the opportunity to explore and climb the ruins — it truly is an impressive and growing archaeological site. It also means a lot to know that you appreciated the guiding and the insights into Mayan culture. We always aim to make the experience both informative and enjoyable. You’re absolutely right — Ichkabal still has so much to reveal, and we would love to welcome you back in the future as more of this incredible city is uncovered. Thank you again for choosing us and for your recommendation! Best regards, Gerardo
Raymundo, our guide, is very knowledgeable and up-to-date on current affairs in the Mayan archeological scene.
Thank you very much for your kind words. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience and that Raymundo’s knowledge and passion for Mayan archaeology made your visit even more meaningful. It was a pleasure to have you with us, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback
This trip was absolutely one of the highlights of our 3 week travels around Mexico. Armando was a fantastic guide and his knowledge and passion of the Mayan culture was unbeatable. The whole day was perfectly organised from our early morning pick so that we were able to enjoy Ichkabal alone with only the monkeys, toucans and other wildlife for company. Truly a magical experience. Then onto the Pontoon boat ride and of course a swim in Lake Bacalar. And finally Los Rapidos for fun in the river. Such a great day and perfect for those who are short on time and want to make the most of some of Bacalar’s highlights. Armando really made our day perfect and I would 100% recommend this guide and this trip to anyone.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. We are truly happy to hear that this experience was one of the highlights of your travels around Mexico. Armando will be delighted to know that his passion and knowledge of Mayan culture made such a positive impact on your day. Visiting Ichkabal early and enjoying it surrounded by wildlife is indeed something very special. We carefully design our tours to offer a complete and meaningful experience, and we always try to avoid sacrificing the quality of the experience in exchange for lower prices. Knowing that you were able to fully enjoy Ichkabal, the Bacalar Lagoon pontoon ride, and Los Rápidos in one day confirms that this approach makes a difference. Thank you very much for your recommendation—it truly means a lot to our team. We hope to welcome you again in the future. Warm regards, Gerardo
司机Raymundo非常棒很负责,rapido建议带泳衣去,水很清适合游泳漂流,餐饮需要自己解决。。
"Thank you for your visit and for highlighting Raymundo’s great service! 🌊🚤 We are glad you enjoyed the crystal-clear waters of the Rapids and the unique experience at Ichkabal. As you mentioned, bringing a swimsuit is essential to fully enjoy the natural 'drift' of the lagoon! Regarding the meals, we appreciate your feedback. We choose to give our guests the freedom to select their own lunch at the local stops to ensure everyone finds something they personally enjoy. We hope to see you again for another adventure in Bacalar! 非常感谢您的评价！ 我们很高兴您喜欢Raymundo的服务以及美丽的快艇和水上漂流体验。期待再次为您服务！ — The Team at ABCTours
Our full-day tour with Geraldo was absolutely incredible from start to finish! We explored the awe-inspiring Ichkabal ruins, took a breathtaking boat tour of the Bacalar Lagoon, and drifted through the stunning Los Rápidos. Every stop was amazing — but what made the experience truly unforgettable was Geraldo himself. His love and passion for his Mayan culture are infectious. You don’t just visit these places — you feel the history and connection through his stories and energy. By the end of the day, we were already talking about when we can come back… next time, snorkeling with sea turtles?! Yes, please! 🐢 One word of advice: don’t eat before the tour! Geraldo will introduce you to the best local taco stands for the perfect breakfast — I’m still drooling thinking about this morning’s tacos. 🌮 Thank you, Geraldo, for sharing your culture, your joy, and your incredible knowledge with us. We’ll be back!
Muchas gracias por compartir una experiencia tan especial. Nos alegra enormemente saber que disfrutaron Ichkabal, la laguna de Bacalar y Los Rápidos, y que Gerardo logró transmitir su pasión y amor por la cultura maya. Comentarios como el suyo nos inspiran a seguir creando experiencias auténticas. ¡Será un placer recibirlos nuevamente en su próxima aventura!
