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A three-night stay leaves two full days between arrival and departure: one for the lagoon and another to choose between a day trip and more time at the house.
With two nights, you have a full day. With four, you can squeeze in an outing without sacrificing the peace and quiet of your stay.
From Azul Nomeolvides, you can enjoy the lakeshore, visit the town, or explore the surrounding area. You don't have to pack every day with activities.
Afterward, the trip can continue on to Campeche, with a stop in Calakmul, and then on to the city of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, continue along the coast toward Valladolid, making a few stops along the Riviera Maya or visiting a Mayan city such as Tihosuco or Cobá. The trip itself deserves its own section in the itinerary.
The first afternoon may slip by before she even unpacks her suitcase completely. She walks down to the water, returns to the terrace, and realizes that the light has already changed. The next day, the plans that seemed so essential back home are up against something much simpler: staying a little longer.
To decide how many days to spend in Bacalar, it’s best to count the nights and full days. Arriving in the afternoon and leaving early two days later leaves you with only one full day. Three nights allow you to better divide your time between the lagoon, an outing, and the cabin. This is a good starting point for planning your stay; you can extend it depending on what you want to see.
The first full day: exploring the lagoon
Set aside part of the day for the water and part for returning to the house. From the dock at the house, you’ll set out in a kayak at sunrise, when the water is calm; the kayaks are included in the reservation. Later, you can explore the lagoon by sailboat (no motor) to its cenotes, or by motorboat to the Canal de los Piratas. Ask about your options before planning your outing: not all activities have the same pace or take the same amount of time.
Stromatolites, among the oldest life forms on Earth, grow along the shore. They are fragile: look at them, but don't touch or step on them.
Stromatolites on the shore of the lagoon. · Photo: Bernardo Buendia
You can also get to know the lagoon by simply staying in one place. Taking a swim, reading on the terrace, and then looking out at the water again later allow you to notice how it changes. That’s why it’s a good idea to set aside an afternoon without any excursions, even on a short stay.
The floating platform, in front of the house. · Photo: Bernardo Buendía
The second: a deliberate choice
If you have two full days, the second one gives you a chance to change scenery. One option is to visit nearby towns: the San Felipe Fort, about 15 minutes away; the Ecological Pier; and the Blue Cenote, less than 20 minutes away. Another option is to spend the day at a Mayan city in the south: Ichkabal, about 40 km away, which will be open to the public starting in January 2025, or Chacchoben, about 38 km away. Leave early, because the archaeological sites close in the mid-afternoon. Choose based on how much time you want to spend away and arrange transportation before you leave.
Ichkabal, one of the Mayan cities in the south. · Photo: Bernardo Buendia
There’s no need to combine both options. Those who come to relax can set aside the morning for an outing and then return to the cabin; those who want to explore the region more deeply can spend the whole day doing so. Theguide to Bacalar and its surroundingsoffers a variety of options to choose from, without presenting them as a mandatory list.
If you add a fourth night, that extra day can be left open. It allows you to change the order of an outing, rest after an excursion, or spend another morning by the water. It also gives you time to visit Kohunlich and Dzibanché, the Museum of Maya Culture in Chetumal on a rainy day, or spend a day at the beach in Mahahual, which is just over an hour and a half away.
The cabin is also an option
At Azul Nomeolvides, there are six A-frame cabins nestled among the trees. Each offers a different view of the surroundings: facing the lagoon, with a partial view, or overlooking the garden. It’s a good idea to look at the photos and choose the one that best fits the stay you have in mind.
The house is powered by solar energy and offers an experience that brings you closer to nature. Wi-Fi is available in the common dining room. Knowing this before you arrive will also help you plan your reading time, conversations, and the times when you need to go online.
The interior of a cabin, opening onto the lagoon. · Photo: Bernardo Buendía
Arrive and choose your dates
The trip varies depending on your departure point and arrival time. Before booking, checkwhere Bacalar is located and how to get there. If you’re considering taking the train, compare the current schedule and the transfer from the station with your other options; ourarticle on the Maya Trainoutlines the factors you should keep in mind.
To choose the best time tovisit, you can read"When to Visit Bacalar." Leave some flexibility so you can plan your activities once you know the weather conditions during your stay.
After Bacalar: Onward to the Walled City
If you’d like to continue on to another destination along the route, Campeche offers a change of scenery and a different way to experience it. From the lagoon and the jungle, you’ll move on to the streets of a walled city, with its plazas and courtyards.
There,Casonas MXbrings together nine 18th-century mansions within the city walls: seven are reserved as whole properties, and two house the four Narrativ Lofts, all offering hotel services and managed by the same local team. Your stay allows you to go for a walk and return to a home that is also part of the city’s history.
Casa Japa, in Campeche. · Photo: Jasson Rodriguez
It’s about 430 km, roughly six and a quarter hours of driving without stops: set aside a full day for the trip. Before that, if you’d like, Calakmul is about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Bacalar. The guide forthe stretch between Campeche and Bacalar describes the route toward the lagoon; if you’re traveling toward Campeche, adjust the order of your visits and their schedules accordingly. Becán can add interest to the journey. Including Calakmul requires extending the trip and arranging an overnight stop along the way—don’t just add a brief stop on the same day.
If you continue from Bacalar toward Campeche, set your clock back one hour as you cross from Quintana Roo into Campeche. The driving time does not change; it is the local arrival time that changes.
From Bacalar to Campeche: about 430 km through the jungle, with a stop in Becán along the way or an extra day for Calakmul. Approximate route. · Photo: Las Casas de la Península
Continue along the coast or end the trip
You can also continue north along the coast of Quintana Roo, or depart from the airport that best fits your itinerary. These are different options from connecting to another home in the interior. It’s about 325 km to the Cancún airport—a little over four hours; along the way, you can stop in Muyil, within Sian Ka’an, or in Cobá, depending on your flight time. Chetumal Airport is about 45 minutes away. The guide toarriving in and departing from Cancúnhelps you plan that connection; for other options, check our guide on how to get there and transportation availability for your dates.
If you want to combine Bacalar with Holbox andCasa Cat Ba, be sure to set aside specific time for the drive to Chiquilá and the ferry ride. Swapping the lagoon for an island is worth a separate trip. It’s not the kind of day trip where you leave in the morning and return to Azul that same afternoon.
To continue through Campeche, Seyé, and Espita before arriving in Holbox, see "Plan Your Trip." You can choose just one leg of the journey. If you already have your flights, plan your itinerary around your actual arrival and departure times.
A door-to-door route
Azul Nomeolvides is part of Las Casas de la Península, which connects five independent projects in Holbox, Espita, Seyé, Campeche, and Bacalar: an island, a village, cenotes, a walled city, and a lagoon. Each retains its own identity, team, and reservation system. Together, they offer different ways to discover the Yucatán Peninsula. You can choose a single house or combine several, in the order and at the pace that best suits your trip. Each house is a destination. Together, they create the journey.
Discover the route and its five houses·What is Las Casas de la Península?
FOR THIS TRIP
Choose where you want to stay
Start by envisioning your stay: how much time you’d like to spend by the water, what you’d like to explore in the surrounding area, and what kind of view you’d like from the cabin. Explore the options at Azul Nomeolvides and check availability for your dates. The rest of your trip can begin to take shape from there.
Choose Your Cabin·Check Availability
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should you stay in Bacalar?
Three nights leave you with two full days between arrival and departure: one for the lagoon and another for an excursion or to continue relaxing at the house—that’s the minimum we like to recommend. Two nights allow for a shorter stay; a fourth night adds flexibility. Choose based on your interests and the duration of your transfers.
Are two nights enough?
We don't recommend this. Two days leave you with only one full day to enjoy, in addition to the time you'll have upon arrival and departure. You can spend that day at the lagoon and the house. If you want to take your time exploring the lagoon, consider staying at least three nights. If you want to explore Mayan archaeological sites away from the crowds or see the surrounding area, add one more night.
Do we have to go out every day?
No. Part of the appeal of Azul Nomeolvides is relaxing by the lagoon and enjoying the cabin. You can combine that time with an outing of your choice in the surrounding area.
Do all the cabins face the lagoon?
No. There are options facing the water, with a partial view, and facing the garden. Check the features and photos of each cabin before making your choice.
What to do after Bacalar?
You can continue on to Calakmul and head to the city of Campeche (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)—we recommend staying at Casonas MX—or continue along the Riviera Maya coast. If you want to go to Holbox, be sure to factor in the road trip and ferry ride, as well as your stay on the island.
How long does it take to get from Bacalar to Campeche?
About 430 km, roughly six and a quarter hours of driving without stops—or with a strategic stop in Calakmul to explore one of Mexico’s most impressive ancient Mayan cities. Upon entering the state of Campeche, the clock is set back one hour; Calakmul is already in Campeche.
How long does it take to get from Bacalar to the Cancún airport?
About 325 km, a little over four hours. Chetumal Airport is about 45 minutes away.
Can you combine a visit to Bacalar with Calakmul and Campeche?
Yes, by setting aside time for the trip and extending the journey to Calakmul, with a separate overnight stop arranged along the way. Check theCampeche → Bacalar sectionof *Las Casas de la Península* and adjust the order of the visits to match your travel route.