Bacalar is bringing in the masses

Summer is in full swing, and Mexico is ensconced in yet another record-breaking travel season. According to Mexico News Daily, the Institute of National Statistics and Geography shows that foreign tourist arrivals jumped 9.3 percent in May, to 3.3 million people, which is more than 276,000 more than May 2022.

Of the many popular tourist destinations in Mexico, Quintana Roo is leading the pack with an expected 2 million visitors during the entire 2023 travel period. State tourism secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra told Riviera Maya News that projections are showing 1.8 million tourists will bring $1.7 billion in income for the state.

All parts of Quintana Roo are feeling the growth, but none more so than the small lakefront village of Bacalar, which is expecting growth of almost 20 percent for this summer. While traditional favorites like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum will always bring in the lion’s share of tourists, it’s this massive leap in growth for Quintana Roo’s other destinations that illustrates the demand to travel deeper into Mexico.

Bacalar, one of Quintana Roo’s Magical Towns, has always been a top travel destination for national tourism. Visitors are drawn to the beautiful freshwater lake, the sleepy village, the ecofriendly hotels and resorts and the overall laid-back vibe. You won’t find all-inclusive resorts or late-night bars. Instead, it’s about a low carbon footprint and keeping things locally owned.

Of course, that sounds incredibly enticing to travelers who want to venture off the beaten path. But with a 20 percent increase in tourism, Bacalar is anything but under the radar these days, and the increased interest has not gone unnoticed. Locally owned may have been how it started, but it’s likely not where it’s going to stay.

New developments in Bacalar

Banyan Tree, for example, will be bringing its sixth resort to Bacalar in 2025. Part of the company’s Veya brand, which emphasizes wellness, the $28 million resort will feature 35 villas, a restaurant suspended over the lake and a whole host of wellness and nature activities. 

Attractions in Bacalar are also expanding. Right now, visitors have the entire 26-mile lake to use as their playground. Natural and wellness activities abound in this area that kisses the Belize border. As for Mayan ruins, visitors to Bacalar have been able to enjoy Kohunlich, Dzibanche, and Kinichna for years, and soon a new archaeological site will be available.

The site is called Ichkabal, which began to be seriously explored in 2009 when a large part of its buildings were uncovered. This city is said to predate Chichen Itza and Uxmal and is thought to have been a major political center for the Mayan people. The city has three main structures and a scattering of smaller ones, including a large open plaza and a building that is more than 130 feet tall. The archaeological site is expected to open to the public in the spring.

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