Outdoors
Bacalar Lagoon Paddle
From the Bacalar waterfront you paddle across the shallow, blue Laguna de Bacalar to the Canal de los Piratas, the old channel towards the Río Hondo, with white sand shallows and stromatolites along the way. Isla de los Pájaros, a nesting island for birds, is nearby.
- Where
- Quintana Roo, Mexico
The route
Kayak or paddleboard from Bacalar town across the lagoon to the Canal de los Piratas.
Hire a kayak in Bacalar town or join a guided kayak or paddleboard tour; sailing boats and motor launches also run to the canal.
Permits and fees
No permit is needed on the open lagoon, but under the municipality's 'miércoles sin navegación' scheme boats do not go out on Wednesdays; ask your rental whether kayaks can.
Before you go
- Do not stand on or touch the stromatolites; they look like rock but are living, slow-growing structures.
- Keep your distance from Isla de los Pájaros; signs around the island limit how close boats may go, to protect nesting birds.
- Early morning is the best time to see birds around Isla de los Pájaros.
- Follow your operator's rules on sunscreen; long sleeves and a hat are the lower-impact option.
What to bring
- A buoyancy aid, worn rather than stowed
- A dry bag for your phone and keys
- Water and snacks
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A warm layer, even on a hot day
Getting ready for it
Paddling works your back, shoulders and core more than your arms.
A few weeks of rows, pull-ups or pulldowns and some rotational core work will make a full day far more comfortable.
Staying safe
- There is little shelter from the sun on the water, so cover up.
- Check the wind and water forecast before launching.
- Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against mexicodesconocido.com.mx, gettingstamped.com, noticias.canal10.tv, wildbacalaradventures.com.mx, poresto.com and mayacomunicacion.com.mx. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
