Lake Bacalar

Close to Chetumal, the state capital of Quintana Roo and the youngest of all the capitals in Mexico, Bacalar is a beautiful city which offers a unique contact with nature. Surrounded by protected natural areas, marvelous landscapes, and unusual architecture, this city is offers an atmosphere of calm and lavish hospitality. Here you can plan an excursion deep into the jungle, where you can enjoy the intense color of the flora and admire the fauna in its entire splendor. There are also archaeological sites, concealed in thick forests, of outstanding beauty and historical importance, as well as amazing natural lagoons and lakes, like the Lake Bacalar.

Lake Bacalar, also known as the Lagoon of the Seven Colors for the different tones that its water takes, offers an unrivaled landscape. The salt water and fresh water currents mix and together with the capricious sun, generate multiple variations of blue to intense green. The white sandy bottom turns the crystalline water pale turquoise in shallow areas, morphing to vivid turquoise and through a spectrum to deep indigo in the deeper center. Colors shift with the passing of the day, making a mesmerizing backdrop. To add even more attraction to this picture, the striking lagoon is flanked by mangroves.

Deemed as Mexico's second-largest lake, Bacalar is in fact a lagoon, with a series of waterways leading ultimately to the ocean. Fed not by surface overflow but by underground cenotes, it is almost 50km long. Visitors will glimpse the turquoise water long before they reach the town of Bacalar, about two-thirds of the way down, where they must go for swimming or kayaking. This peaceful place is ideal for water sports, mainly diving, since there are many sub-aquatic caves to be explored. Diving around the paradise of Lake Bacalar guarantees an unforgettable experience for those interested in this amazing activity. The extraordinary topography, plant and aquatic life offer a stimulating dive for the beginner as well as the more advanced diver.

This lagoon is, without a doubt, a retirement paradise. With a length of some 50 miles from North to South it seems like a wide crystal-clear river flowing through the jungle. Its majestic waters are enhanced by the deep green tone of the mangroves and reed beds. Besides, this is one of the most interesting places for investing in Mexico. Water front lots and condos are still affordable. Safe and serene, this magnificent lagoon is now becoming the preferred retirement option for American and Canadian senior citizens. Furthermore, young investors are now buying property foreseeing a fast future growth in the whole region.

Located in Chetumal, this is the second largest sweet water lake in Mexico and still the best kept secret. Although its spectacular scenery is still little known by international tourism, this will soon change since developers, retired or semiretired citizens, tourism and local authorities are now realizing the enormous potential of this extraordinarily beautiful area. The scenery guarantees a peaceful stay and therefore some relaxing and memorable vacations. Visit Lake Bacalar in Chetumal and found it out yourself!

V.T.