The Bacalar Lagoon on the southern finish of Quintana Roo state in Mexico has lengthy been an “within the know” vacation spot for laid-back vacationers avoiding the large Riviera Maya developments. Low-key and with no large social gathering scene or big resorts, it has appealed to a a lot totally different crowd than these headed to Cancun or Tulum. Till not too long ago although, discovering the Bacalar finest resorts for luxurious vacationers was a tricky train as a result of there simply wasn’t a lot that will attraction to them.
Fortunately a few of the new developments which have popped up beside the colourful lake are stylish sufficient and have excessive sufficient requirements for service and delicacies that we’ve now acquired three luxurious Bacalar resorts we’ve stayed in that we will advocate. Two are immediately on the water, whereas one is in on the town and strolling distance to the lagoon and eating places.
Simply in time too: in late 2024, the Maya Prepare lastly reached its finish level in Bacalar, a 50-peso taxi journey from city. It shortens the journey south a very good bit, taking lower than 5 hours from the Cancun Airport station or lower than 4 hours from Playa del Carmen. The ticket price ranges from US$46 in common class from Playa del Carmen to round $80 within the (barely nicer) Premier Class from the airport.
Listed below are our decisions for the perfect locations to remain in Bacalar in the event you’re a luxurious traveler keen to spend extra for a greater expertise. Every hyperlinks to a extra detailed evaluate with extra pictures.
Boca de Agua Bacalar
That includes a set of elevated luxurious cabins set within the tree foliage and elevated delicacies within the restaurant, this relaxed place to remain in a secluded jungle location virtually dares you to nonetheless maintain onto your stress. Positive, there’s satellite tv for pc web in the event you should and an open-air film screening space, however in a spot like this the place you’re so near nature, it looks as if a disgrace to spend a lot time observing a display screen.
You possibly can go for a stroll within the woods or saunter down the plank walkway to get to the lagoon, in a southern stretch of it that’s effectively away from the motorboats creating noise on the town 19 kilometers away.
As you observe the bridge previous the pool, by the tunnel of leafy bushes, hearken to the magic of the forest round you. Colourful toucans land within the bushes, coatis root for his or her subsequent meal, and if you’re fortunate, a spider monkey could cross over the bridge in entrance of you.
The T-shaped dock has 12 plush rectangular bean bag chairs that envelop you, making it virtually not possible to flee. However why trouble? Apart from your luxurious treehouse, that is the place you’ll seemingly spend most of your time.
See our detailed evaluate of Boca de Agua Bacalar Lodge.
Amainah Bacalar
Nearer to the motion, about 4km from the city heart, 16-room Amainah is shut sufficient to different eating places for some selection, however eliminated sufficient that it quiets down at evening. Positioned between the Cenote Azul and the lagoon, dealing with the water, it’s an adults-only boutique lodge with nice views of the altering water colours.
Snag one of many rooms with with a balcony to get up to to a water view, ideally the Lagoon View Non-public Pool King Suite with its personal plunge pool. Then benefit from the pool, lounge chairs, and dock extending into the water throughout the day. There’s a bar within the pool space mixing up fascinating cocktails and you may order meals there or within the lodge restaurant.
Between its lagoon-front location, the comfy locations to lounge, and the restaurant and bar, there isn’t a cause to depart the Amainah except you wish to discover extra of Bacalar. Take out the free paddleboards and kayaks to cruise across the lagoon at your leisure. Or they may also help you set up excursions proper from their dock.
See our full evaluate of Amianah dealing with Laguna de Bacalar.
Casa Hormiga
If being strolling distance to a number of bars and eating places, together with ones like La Playita on the water simply down the hill, then beautiful Casa Hormiga is the perfect lodge in Bacalar to have luxurious lodging in a central location. You’ll really feel cocooned as soon as inside it although, with excessive partitions throughout it topped by thatch roofs over some areas and an open area within the center over the pool.
That pool is massive and enjoyable, with dappled daylight coming by the jacaranda bushes. The restaurant right here is great, together with with the included breakfast, after which enormous polished slab wooden tables anchor a studying and sport room stuffed with high-end espresso desk books.
The bar is an honor one, so you’ll be able to combine a cocktail, seize a beer, or pour your self a glass of wine everytime you’d like, simply jotting it right down to settle up later. For more healthy pursuits, stairs lead as much as The Nest loft above, an enormous carpeted space rimmed with pillows internet hosting yoga courses, workshops, and the occasional cinema evening. It will get pure mild from above within the daytime and has string lights casting a glow within the evenings.
See our detailed evaluate of Casa Hormiga and a few extra pictures of the gorgeously designed inside areas. Or take a look at a Casa Hormiga video tour right here.
If the dreaded flood of vacationers many locals fear about materializes due to the benefit of getting right here on a prepare, we may even see extra luxurious Bacalar resorts popping up sooner or later. For now although, take a look at these three and see which one matches your trip character the perfect.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxurious Latin America and has been protecting the area as a journey journalist for the reason that mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of occasions and is predicated in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact info right here.
