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Los Rapidos Bacalar [Unique Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar]

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Everything you need to know about exploring Los Rapidos Bacalar: A truly unique treasure, and the perfect place to day trip from Tulum or Bacalar.

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Los Rapidos Bacalar, has to be one of the most stunning and unique waterways I’ve ever witnessed. It is a lazy river lined with stromatolites, mangroves and timber boardwalks. The contrast in colors and the clarity and turquoise color of the water is breathtaking.

Los Rapidos Bacalar offers a very unique experience, and something different to the many cenotes you will likely be visiting while you’re in Tulum or Bacalar.

Los Rapidos Bacalar aerial shot [Unique Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar]
The Savvy Tourist

In my opinion, this hidden gem is a must-visit day trip for travelers seeking a something unique, relaxing, and to witness the stunning natural surroundings. Let’s dive into what makes Los Rapidos Bacalar a such a special place and why it deserves to be one of your day trips from Bacalar or Tulum.

View of Los Rapidos Bacalar from the boardwalk [Unique Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar]
The Savvy Tourist

Los Rapidos – Day Trip from Tulum:

Los Rapidos is located around a 3 hour drive from Tulum. For this reason, the easiest and cheapest way to visit Los Rapidos is to hire a car. Great thing about this is you can also visit Bacalar Lagoon and other sites along the way!

TIP: We always hire a car through a 3rd party website like CarRentals.com, they compare all the rental companies ensuring you always get the best available rate.

Staying in Tulum?

Check out where we stayed in these traditional Mexican Yurts! They were such an incredible experience.

Stay in a Mexican Yurt Tulum Accommodation
Stay in a Mexican Yurt Tulum Accommodation
Stay in a Mexican Yurt Tulum Accommodation

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Read reviews and see Travelers photos on Tripadvisor

Los Rapidos – Day Trip from Bacalar

Los Rapidos Bacalar is located a short 20-minute drive from the town center of Bacalar.

Options to get there include local buses, taxis or hiring a car.

Checkout our Our 2-week Mexico itinerary, from Cancun to Bacalar.

You can expect loads of FUN, SUN, MARAGRITAS and plenty of exciting stops along the way!

2 Week Mexico Itinerary Cancun to Bacalar

Extend your time in Bacalar

Bacalar is a destination that deserves at least a 2-3 days to completely explore. It is a popular tourist town, mostly known for its ‘Lagoon of 7 Colors’ and is often compared and called the Maldives of Mexico!

Bacalar Lagood

Staying in Bacalar?

Check out where we stayed. We wanted to stay in the center of town and be near to the lagoon and main street. Hotel Sur Bacalar was a great base to explore the region.

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See visitors photos and reviews on Tripadvisor

If you want to be right on the Lagoon with Lagoon access, then check out these 2 alternative options:

  1. Bluebayou Bacalar It’s situated directly on the lagoon and offers free use of kayaks and SUP boards for guests. The property also features its own private pier and is just 10 km from the center of Bacalar.
  2. Khaban Bacalar Hotel Boutique Located right on the lagoon, the property features stunning suites, an outdoor swimming pool, a jetty, and a private beach area.

Opening Hours and Costs:

Opening hours: 10-6pm

NOTE: It’s advisable to check the current opening hours closer to your visit, as they may vary seasonally. We visited in Summer and the opening times were 10am – 6pm.

The entrance fee is reasonable and comparable to the entry fees to the Cenotes.

ENTRY Fee: 300 pesos

Additional fees and / or minimum spends applied for premium tables and seats. As well as for hiring kayaks or paddle boards.

EQUIPMENT RENTALS: You can rent kayaks for 200 pesos for a single or 400 pesos for a double.

Premium Table (minimum spend): 300 pesos

FOOD / Drink Prices:

Restauant price list at Los Rapidos Bacalar a Unique Day Trip idea from Tulum or Bacalar
The Menu and Prices at the Onsite Restaurant

Things to Do at Los Rapidos Bacalar:

  1. Lazy River Rafting: The main attraction at Los Rapidos Bacalar is the lazy river, where you drift down the gentle rapids of the stunning Huay Pix River.
  2. Swimming and snorkeling: The waters of the Los Rapidos are crystal-clear and although there is no coral, the marine life is definitely worth a snorkel.
Snorkeling and swimming at Los Rapidos Bacalar Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar
  1. Kayak, Paddleboards, Lifejackets: Hire Kayaks, paddle boards or use a lifejacket to further enjoy your time in the river.
  2. Lunch & Drinks: At the onsite restaurant.
  3. Nature Walks along the boardwalk & birdwatching: Surrounding the river are long boardwalks, lush mangroves and forests teeming with wildlife and birds.
  4. Photos: Capture Los Rapido’s beauty on camera. Why not have a professional capture some epic drone videos and photos for you:

7. Relax in a Hammock: There are designated areas with hammocks ideal for relaxing.

Relaxing in a hammock at Los Rapidos Bacalar

Important Facts:

Preserving the Stromatolites: At Los Rápidos Bacalar, one of the most fascinating natural features are the stromatolites. These ancient formations, date back millions of years, and are formed by layers of cyanobacteria and sediment, contributing to the region’s ecological significance.

To ensure the preservation of these delicate structures, visitors are encouraged to practice responsible tourism. This includes:

  • Refraining from touching, sitting or standing on the stromatolites.
  • Follow designated paths.
  • Avoid running into them with Kayaks or Paddleboards.
aerial shot of Los Rapidos Bacalar a Unique Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar

Tips for Los Rapidos Bacalar:

  • Try to arrive at opening time. This is what we did, and we had the place to ourselves for a while which was LOVELY!
  • Don’t bring your own food or drinks, you will not be allowed to take them in, NOR eat or drink them.
  • Avoid wearing sunscreen, it kills the natural environment and the stromatolites
  • Stay connected whilst travelling by using a ESim. The thing I like most about using an Esim is you dont have to change out Sim Cards. We use Airalo, they have great rates for Mexico
aerial shot of Los Rapidos Bacalar a Unique Day Trip from Tulum or Bacalar

Los Rapidos Bacalar is a natural wonder that is definitely worth adding to your Quintana Roo Mexican Bucket list and a day trip from Tulum or Bacalar.

Discover more ‘off the beaten track’ things to do in Mexico:

Where to next?

Philippines
Vietnam
Japan
Mexico
Egypt
Greece