Are there crocodiles in Bacalar Lagoon?

^{Don’t worry, I actually took this photo in Chiapa de Corzo, not Bacalar}

🐊 There definitely are crocodiles on the Yucatán Peninsula, we shouldn’t pretend there aren’t. Crocodiles sometimes show up in cenotes and on the beaches in both Yucatán and Quintana Roo. I’ve swum in a cenote that was known to be home to a crocodile (please don’t ask why I did that). So while there aren’t common sightings of crocodiles and there haven’t been any reports of crocodile attacks, we can’t say with 100% certainty that they aren’t around. 

🐊 While back in Bacalar in 2026, I asked a number of locals about the crocodile situation and every single person gave me more or less the same response: “yes, we think there are crocodiles here but they have never, ever gone near humans”. I then asked everyone the same, “what, why not, humans are soft and delicious?” question (I assume we are), and the answer, again was always the same: “because we don’t feed them so they see us as big and not as a possible prey”.

🐊 Around the Ecoparque Bacalar muelle (walkway), there are signs warning of crocodile sightings and asking people to report if they do see any. The signs also remind people to NOT feed the crocodiles – who, for the love of all the gods, needs reminding??? To be clear, locals swim here so they are very sure the crocodiles aren’t interested in people.

🐊 Most importantly, use your common sense, ask in the hotels and the bars, ask locals and swim where the locals swim, and never, ever smile at a crocodile. 

Other Laguna specific questions

Can you swim in the Laguna de Bacalar? 

🏊🏾 So, now we’ve answered the crocodile question, let’s consider swimming. Yes, the lake is great for swimming. There’s very little that’s more incredible than a swim in this beautiful lake of so many gorgeous colours. Not only is it stunningly beautiful but it’s also perfect for families as the shore areas offer shallow waters that are safe for kids.

Is Bacalar a lagoon, a lake or a beach?

💧 In Spanish, it is referred to as a “laguna”, a lagoon. It’s also regularly referred to as “La laguna de 7 Colores”, “the Lagoon of 7 Colors” but it’s actually a lake, not a lagoon or a beach. 

Bacalar is a fresh-water lake fed by underground rivers and cenotes. There are very few lakes on the Yucatan Peninsula so the Laguna de Bacalar is special both for its incredible colours and for its very existence. The peninsula is made of limestone  and that is why there are cenotes and why this lake has a white limestone bottom, which accounts for the striking bright blue clear water.

If you look at a map you’ll see that actually, there are a series of interlinked lakes that eventually lead to the sea. It’s fascinating, check it! The primary lake, Laguna de Bacalar, is approximately 42 km long and about 2 km wide.

Bacalar, as well as being this magnificent lake, is actually the name of the pueblo magico, that sits at the shore of the Laguna de 7 Colores. A pueblo magico (magic town) is so named by the Mexican government as a small town that’s attractive to visitors. 

Is Bacalar salt-water or fresh-water?

💧 OK so it’s a lake, we know this now. The lake is fed by cenotes and underground rivers so it is a freshwater lake – apparently it’s the second largest freshwater lake in Mexico after Lake Chapala in Jalisco.

Why is it called the Laguna de 7 Colores?

🌈 The lake called the Laguna de 7 Colores because there are so many shades of blue in the water depending on how deep or shallow the water is. There are four cenotes in the Bacalar area, which also add to the startling colour differentiations. 

→ Read the full MexicoCassie guide to visiting Bacalar with kids

Do animals live in the Bacalar lake?

🐠 Yes, absolutely. There are fish and stromatolites in the lake and of course, there are plenty of birds all around the area. You may also see or hear howler monkeys in the jungle areas.

Can we swim with the stromatolites?

It’s possible to swim around the stromatolites at Los Rapidos, the most narrow point of the Laguna de 7 Colores where the water actually flows like rapids. It’s absolutely vital that you never touch them though.

So how can we hang out on this lake/laguna?

What other water activities are there in Bacalar?

You can rent kayaks, paddle boards, and more all along the shore.

➡️ Take a guided paddle board sunrise tour with floating picnic for incredible morning views over the laguna (this tour is one of the best tour experiences I’ve ever had in Mexico)

How many cenotes are there and can we visit them? 

There are four cenotes around the laguna; three form part of the laguna and one is a little removed. All four of these are fully open, mature cenotes and are a lot of fun for swimming and diving. 

Cenote Bruja  (also known as Cenote Negro) – 130m across and about 100m deep

Cenote Esmeralda – 70 m deep

Cenote Azul – 90m deep just off the main lake

Cenote Cocalitos – This is where you swim around the stromatolites – see Cocalitos Beach Club for more information

How can I be a super respectful visitor to Bacalar?

Thanks for asking this question. It’s really important that we all play our part in preserving this gorgeous place and being aware that our presence, as tourists has an impact. Here are 4 very easy ways you can be a responsible & respectful visitor:

Bacalar town questions

What does the name Bacalar mean?

The name Bacalar comes from the name of the original Maya city, Siyan Ka’an Bakjalal, which means, “Place surrounded by reeds where the sky is born” (remember, of course, there is a Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve up by Tulum, too). Isn’t that beautiful?

Do cruise ships stop in Bacalar?

🚢 Cruise Ships do not visit Bacalar but it is possible to pick up a tour to Bacalar if you’re cruising in the area and have a stop scheduled along the Costa Maya.

How long do you need in Bacalar?

I’d say three days is the minimum time to relax and see Bacalar but longer will work nicely too! 

When is the Best Time to Visit Bacalar?

🔆 Nov – May is considered the best time to visit Bacalar.

🌦 June – October are the hottest months as well as officially being rainy season and hurricane season. This generally means an hour or so of rain a day if this is the only time you can come, it’ll be ok but while hurricanes are extremely rare, tropical storms do hit between August – October and tropical storms, as we’ve already seen, can change the water from gorgeous blues to murky browns. Hardly what you’re visiting for. 

Are there archaeological sites near Bacalar?

🔎 Ichkabal, the nearest ruin to Bacalar, has recently re-opened. You can also take a tour to Dzibanche and Kohunlich Ruins from Bacalar.

Can I pretend to be a pirate at San Felipe fort?

🏴‍☠️ Yes, of course you can, we did. The fort was built in 1729 to defend the area against pirates (ooooh, imagine my shock when I realised that the pirates were the British! That was an eye-opener I can tell you). There is a good museum in the fort about the region’s history. Be sure to go in. 

Are there ATMs in Bacalar?

🏧 There are a few around the plaza. However, as is of the way in small places that haven’t yet grown into tourist demand, there are not many and they are not always guaranteed to have money in them. Take cash, plenty of it and make sure it’s Mexican pesos.

Can I get married in Bacalar? 

💍 You can get married in Bacalar as long as you have some one to marry. You can’t just show up and expect someone to marry you.  

If you fancy a Bacalar wedding you’re not alone…

But seriously, yes, there are oodles of people out there just dying to help you get married in Bacalar but I’m not one of them. I don’t know much about weddings or the legal requirements for getting married in Quintana Roo except that queer marriage has been legal there since 2012 (queer marriage is legal across the whole of Mexico now, by the way, which is wonderful).

Are there really sunflower fields near Bacalar?

🌻 I have not seen them, but apparently there are now fields of sunflowers not too far from Bacalar. The field is just at km 22.5 on the Reforma –  Bacalar Highway on a ranch called Perssa. You’re right to be a little surprised. Sunflowers are not native to Mexico but here we are, living in an Instagram World and yes, there are sunflowers. Just as there are outside Mérida too.