Bacalar Tour + Cenote Azul (Every Saturday)

This Saturday day trip takes you from Mérida to Bacalar, the lagoon known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and adds a swim at Cenote Azul, described as Mexico's deepest cenote. It is a long day: the itinerary starts with a 4:00 AM pickup and gets you back to Mérida in the evening, with a good part of the hours spent on the road.

The drive south is broken up by a short stop at a store to buy water and snacks, then a breakfast break at the market in José María Morelos, where you can try food from several stalls and use the restrooms. Note that Quintana Roo is one hour ahead of Mérida, so the times in the itinerary shift once you cross the state line. Alcohol and coffee are not allowed on board; only bottled drinks are permitted.

The heart of the trip is the boat tour on Bacalar Lagoon, listed from 11:15 AM to 1:15 PM on a boat for 14 people. It stops at Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote Negro, Cenote Cocalitos, Bird Island and the Pirate Channel, and offers panoramic views of the Fort of San Felipe. You can swim in the shallow parts of the lagoon, and there are restrooms at the dock. The guide may change the order of the visits or swap a cenote to avoid crowds.

Afterwards you transfer to La Playita Restaurant, on the edge of the lagoon, for a relaxed lunch with views. Food is not included. The spot has swings, a dock, restrooms and showers, and there is time to swim. The last stop is Cenote Azul, with entry included: the itinerary mentions a viewpoint and restrooms, and life jackets are optional and not provided. Then comes the long ride back to Mérida.

This tour suits travelers who enjoy swimming and do not mind a very early start and hours in a van. The source says it is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or for pregnant travelers.

For planning, bring a swimsuit, a separate towel, comfortable clothes, water and cash. The source is contradictory about sunscreen: one note recommends bringing it and another says it is not permitted at the sites, so confirm with the operator when you book. It also contradicts itself on pickup: the itinerary describes hotel pickup within Mérida, yet another note says there is no hotel pickup, so check this too. A minimum of 4 people is needed for the tour to depart, and if you do not show up or cancel the same day it cannot be rescheduled.