This Lesser-known Destination Has the 'Lagoon of 7 Colors'—With 26 Miles of Coast, Cenotes, and Gorgeous Snorkeling

Quintana Roo is far from a travel secret. The Mexican state has developed into a buzzing tourist hub, with perennial resort favorites like Cancun and Tulum attracting millions of visitors every year. Still, there are a few hidden gems across the region—you just have to know where to look.

If you head south along the Yucatán Peninsula, a little over 130 miles from Tulum, you'll reach one of these lesser-known destinations: Bacalar.

While the town, located near the Belize border, isn't directly on the Mexican Caribbean coast, don't let that discourage you from packing your bathing suit and sun-protective clothing. Here in Bacalar, tourism revolves around the Bacalar Lagoon, otherwise known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors.

The freshwater lagoon is over 26 miles long, and, as its name suggests, it's known for its vivid, technicolor hues that vary depending on "different depths of the water and the clarity of the white limestone bottom," according to Mexican Caribbean . Often referred to as the "crown jewel of Bacalar," the lagoon is a calm, relaxing place, one where floating, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing, and snorkeling are all popular pastimes.

When you're in Bacalar, you'll also want to check out a few cenotes in and around the Lagoon of Seven Colors. Cenote Azul is reportedly one of the deepest parts of the lagoon system and the area with the "most intense" colors. Cenote Negro, which is supposedly frequented by experienced divers , also features deep areas. Cenote Esmeralda is one of the lagoon's most well-known cenotes, as it's quite large and relatively easy to access, and Cenote Cocalitos is where you'll find the lagoon's stromatolites—layered, sedimentary rock structures—that are said to date back 3.5 billion years .

While you may be tempted to slather on your sunscreen ahead of hopping in the lagoon or one of the cenotes, it's best to read the ingredients (reef-safe sunscreen is better) or skip that step altogether. Instead of bringing any chemicals, which can disturb the delicate ecosystem, into the water, opt for a sun shirt and a hat to keep you safe from the sun's harmful rays.

Now for the basics of planning your trip to Bacalar. If you're starting in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Cancun, you can take the Tren Maya directly to Bacalar. Alternatively, you can fly into Chetumal International Airport (CTM) and hop in a taxi for the final 36-mile leg of the journey. Bacalar may not have the bumping resorts of its neighbors to the north, but it does have a few restful retreats to choose from, including Our Habitas Bacalar and Boca de Agua .

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