Widespread Blackouts Affecting Hotels In This Popular Destination South Of Cancun

The quaint destination of Bacalar in southern Quintana Roo is currently being affected by widespread blackouts, forcing many travelers to cancel their bookings in favor of other hotspots. 

Situated around four hours south of Cancun, Bacalar has achieved a unique status as one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers thanks to its colorful lagoons and unparalleled selection of overwater bungalows. 

However, the area’s dilapidated infrastructure and maintenance issues are causing a growing number of interruptions to Bacalar’s excellent hotels & resorts.

And with just several months to go until the peak of the busy summer season, hoteliers are calling for authorities to fix the issue. 

With that in mind, here’s what travelers should know about the recent wave of blackouts plaguing hotels in Bacalar.

Quintana Roo’s Prominent Eco-Tourist Hotspot Suffers From Massive Blackouts 

This week, hotels in Bacalar began reporting widespread blackouts, leaving countless travelers in the dark due to a lack of electrical power. 

While power cuts have affected Bacalar for years already, they rarely last longer than a few hours. Unlike in previous years, hotels and other accommodations in the eco-retreat are now experiencing prolonged power outages, causing frustration among travelers.

According to María Jesús Rodríguez, the head of Bacalar’s hotel and restaurant association, occupancy rates have fallen drastically due to ongoing issues with power supply.

As of late April, only around 35% of all hotel rooms in the Magical Town are sold out, making the otherwise popular destination one of the emptiest in the region. 

Mrs. Rodríguez added that despite calls from local hotels to fix the issue, officials have been reluctant to invest in upgrading Bacalar’s aging infrastructure, which is under pressure from skyrocketing travel numbers. 

Fortunately, larger properties as well as most high-end accommodations have backup plans in case of blackouts. Even so, they are not a substitute for a consistent power supply, and in many cases, only provide electricity for critical components like WiFi & plumbing systems. 

The Mexican Caribbean state of Quintana Roo is currently in the midst of the shoulder season, a period of lower arrival figures ahead of the busy summer season. 

The low season should give officials enough time to make improvements to the region’s power grid, especially amid projections showing that the upcoming high season could be the busiest ever.

The launching of the Maya Train railway system this summer could bring thousands of daily visitors to Bacalar, further straining the destination’s infrastructure. 

Other rural hotspots in the Mexican Caribbean have also suffered from growing power issues, including places like Holbox, Cozumel, and even Isla Mujeres. 

In some instances, authorities have had to deploy generators and other means to power essential services while the power grid undergoes maintenance. But with occupancy rates barely reaching 20%, it is unlikely officials will provide a quick fix to Bacalar’s power issues before the start of the summer high season.

Intensified tropical storms over the course of the summer could further exacerbate the region’s delicate power grid amid forecasts indicating the Mexican Caribbean could see over 20 storm fronts during the hurricane season.

Known for having some of the most stunning natural scenery in all of the Mexican Caribbean, Bacalar has seen its popularity grow ever since it achieved the highly sought-after Magical Town status. 

Nowadays, the remote yet easily accessible destination is full of small boutique hotels, Airbnbs, and gorgeous overwater bungalows.

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