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 massive Riviera Maya developments. Low-key and and not using a huge celebration scene or large resorts, it has appealed to a a lot totally different crowd than these headed to Cancun or Tulum. Till lately although, discovering the Bacalar finest inns for luxurious vacationers was a tricky train as a result of there simply wasn’t a lot that may enchantment 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 bought three luxurious Bacalar inns we’ve stayed in that we are able to suggest. Two are instantly 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 experience from city. It shortens the journey south a great 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 here are our decisions for the very best locations to remain in Bacalar if you happen to’re a luxurious traveler prepared to spend extra for a greater expertise. Every hyperlinks to a extra detailed overview with extra images.
Boca de Agua Bacalar
That includes a group 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 if you happen to should and an open-air film screening space, however in a spot like this the place you’re so near nature, it looks like a disgrace to spend a lot time looking at a display screen.
You may 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 way of the tunnel of leafy timber, hearken to the magic of the forest round you. Colourful toucans land within the timber, coatis root for his or her subsequent meal, and in case you are 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 unattainable to flee. However why hassle? In addition to your luxurious treehouse, that is the place you’ll possible spend most of your time.
See our detailed overview 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 night time. Positioned between the Cenote Azul and the lagoon, going through 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 Personal Pool King Suite with its personal plunge pool. Then benefit from the pool, lounge chairs, and dock extending into the water through the day. There’s a bar within the pool space mixing up attention-grabbing cocktails and you may order meals there or within the lodge restaurant.
Between its lagoon-front location, the comfortable locations to lounge, and the restaurant and bar, there isn’t a purpose to go away the Amainah until you wish to discover extra of Bacalar. Take out the free paddleboards and kayaks to cruise across the lagoon at your leisure. Or they can assist you manage excursions proper from their dock.
See our full overview of Amianah going through 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 attractive Casa Hormiga is the very best 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 house within the center over the pool.
That pool is massive and enjoyable, with dappled daylight coming by way of the jacaranda timber. The restaurant right here is superb, together with with the included breakfast, after which enormous polished slab wooden tables anchor a studying and recreation room full of high-end espresso desk books.
The bar is an honor one, so you possibly can combine a cocktail, seize a beer, or pour your self a glass of wine everytime you’d like, simply jotting it all the way 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 night time. It will get pure mild from above within the daytime and has string lights casting a glow within the evenings.
See our detailed overview of Casa Hormiga and a few extra images of the gorgeously designed inside areas. Or take a look at a Casa Hormiga video tour right here.
If the scary 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 inns popping up sooner or later. For now although, take a look at these three and see which one suits your trip persona the very best.
Article by Timothy
Timothy Scott is the founder and editor of Luxurious Latin America and has been overlaying the area as a journey journalist because the mid-2000s. He has visited every nation we cowl a number of occasions and relies in a UNESCO World Heritage metropolis in central Mexico, the place he owns a house. See contact info right here.