Bacalar, the new Tulum?

When you hear about Tulum, before it got popular, there are many comparisons to Bacalar today in Mexico. Bacalar is a town near the Belize border, two and a half hours south of Tulum and a four-hour drive from Cancun.

I enjoyed Bacalar so much that I will start with the reasons you may not want to go. It is a town on an enormous lake, but there is no ocean or beach. It is a small city, so it does not have nightlife. It is hard to get to, which means it's less populated and not built for tourists as of now. The language barrier would be difficult without at least one person fluent in Spanish.

Now for the reasons you want to go:

It is cheap once you get there. The house we stayed in could sleep fourteen and was under 500 a night TOTAL, which blew my mind. It was a fantastic mansion with beautiful decor, excessive outdoor space, and a rooftop grill and pool. It also has a private dock complete with loungers in the water, a swing, paddleboards, and kayaks. The house is in the jungle but on the lake, which allowed us to experience both. At night you could hear the monkeys, see the coatis, and wake up hearing the birds. This place would be perfect for a family reunion, bachelor or bachelorette party, or just a group of friends wanting to get off the grid for a while.

Every activity we did was fantastic and cheaper than anywhere I have been. We had masseuses come to the house and give us the best massages outside. We also were able to hire a private chef and rent a boat for the day.

The lake that Bacalar surrounds is called the Lagoon of Seven Colors and is thirty-one miles long and one mile wide. You will honestly experience seven shades of blue to green as you explore it. It is crystal clear, no pollution, warm and gorgeous.

If you are into scuba or snorkeling, this is your paradise, beautiful coral reefs full of fish, cenotes, mangroves, turtles, and the list goes on. It is the perfect place for diving, snorkeling, swimming, boat rides, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

The restaurants were phenomenal. The food was fresh, healthy, and delicious. The restaurants we tried were exquisite.

Macario is in a garden paradise full of lush vegetation. The ambiance is romantic and intimate. Try the sashimi and the Lobster Risotto.

Nixtamal is a larger, trendier establishment that encompasses indoor and outdoor seating. Think Mayan design, outdoor lights, natural elements tied into everything. It is known for its grilled Lobster, steak, and seafood options. The craft cocktails are to die for; try the one with expresso. I had a steak, and it was one of the best that I have ever tried.

La Placita is a restaurant on the lake. It is perfect for day cocktails and light snacks.

I can't wait to go back. This little treasure is sure to explode. It is refreshing, beautiful, cheap, safe, and feels like going back to twenty years ago Mexico.

If you go, please don't use spray sunscreen. It destroys the reefs. Happy Traveling!