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5 Reasons Why This Gorgeous Town South Of Cancun Is The Perfect Winter Getaway

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Tourists seeking to escape from the winter blues and find an exotic winter vacation getaway are selecting the Magical Town of Bacalar for their adventure for the peak fall and winter holiday travel season.

In fact, many regard the Mexican Caribbean in the far south of Quintana Roo near the border of Belize as the true hidden gem of the entire region.

Natural Beauty

Bacalar - aerial view

Bacalar is the best of both worlds for travelers seeking to get away from the big tourist destinations of Cancun and surrounding areas to connect more with nature and authentic Mexican culture and history.

The main attraction of the natural beauty in the area has to be the Bacalar Lagoon. Here travelers can be amazed by the spectacle of the multi-colored lake known better as the Lagoon of Seven Colors.

Practically every shade of blue can be seen in the mesmerizing waters – from the richest blue to the most tropical turquoise waters.

beach lagoon in Bacalar with walkway to the ocean

The secret of the many colors is the minerals in the water along with the lagoon’s range of depth.

Visitors also can explore the natural beauty of Bacalar by visiting the secret cenote. However, travelers will need to find a friendly local to share how to get to the unique cenote. After all, it’s a secret!

Authentic History

Pirate cannon in Bacalar

The history of Bacalar is closely connected to its pirate heritage. Yes, those kind of pirates with a parrot on their shoulder hunting down chests of gold and stolen booty.

While travelers are not likely to find any hidden chests on their vacation getaway, they will get to enjoy the rich heritage of authentic history, which is the real modern treasure of Bacalar.

There are three fantastic historical places to visit on a vacation getaway to Bacalar. Travelers should not miss the Fort of San Felipe, the Piracy Museum, and of course the Temple of San Joaquin.

Structure at the Ichkabal Ruins Archeological Site in Bacalar, Mexico

Traditional Culinary Adventures

As if a tourist needed five more reasons to take the journey south to Bacalar for a winter vacation getaway, the food is unlike anything else in the Mexican Caribbean.

A complete mash up of Mayan, Mexican and Belizean flavors are on the menu for adventurous travelers in Bacalar.

Lagoon view in Bacalar

If the traditional rice and beans or a unique delicious soup are a little too traditional for a foodie traveler, they can explore three other more exotic dishes such as Xpelón Tamales, Tamales Sotobichay or even Chocolomo.

Visitors to Bacalar can definitely enjoy the fusion of Mexican Caribbean flavors with a vacation getaway or even a quick day trip to the amazing southern Quintana Roo town.

Tips for Travelers

a view of bacalar with its overwater bungalows and blue waters

Bacalar used to be a remote location for travelers located in the far south of the Mexican Caribbean, not far from the Belize border. To drive to the area takes more than four hours. Five hours if a traveler visits the area by bus.

However, a new transportation option will make the Magical Town of Bacalar much more accessible to travelers to the Mexican Caribbean.

The Maya Train starts service in Cancun and surrounding areas in December. While the train may not reach Bacalar until potentially February, it will definitely make the area more accessible.

Workers building the Maya Train

Especially considering that the train is expected to run about 160 kilometers/hour or nearly 100 miles an hour.

Even before the Maya Train becomes an option for visitors to the Magical Town of Bacalar, it is definitely worth a quick couple of day winter vacation getaway to explore what is truly considered by many to be the real hidden gem for tourists in the Mexican Caribbean.

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