Los Rapidos Bacalar: Discover This Dreamy River of Paradise (2025)

Visiting Los Rapidos Bacalar is the cherry on top of any trip to Bacalar, the lush and enchanting Mexico pueblo magico that’s famous for its shimmering, hyper-blue lagoon. 

These days, you’ll hear everyone and their mother touting Bacalar as an unmissable, Mexico hidden gem. While a quick Google search dispels the idea that Bacalar remains as off-the-beaten-path of tourism as it was just a few years ago, there’s no arguing that this laid-back, tropical town near the border of Belize in Quintana Roo is a spectacular jewel bursting with mesmerizing, natural beauty that you don’t want to miss. 

And Los Rapidos Bacalar – along with a plethora of other natural wonders in this southern Mexico sanctuary –  is a major reason why. 

At its southern end, Bacalar’s crystalline lagoon, also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors (La Laguna de Siete Colores), narrows into a sleepy turquoise tail where it transforms into Los Rapidos, a long-ish lazy river that flows into another postcard-perfect lagoon, Xul-Ha. This cerulean channel is populated with ancient fossils and silvery schools of little fish, and its surrounded by endless fields of protected mangroves housing tropical wildlife.

Los Rapidos is open to the public 7 days a week, which means you can spend the day floating and kayaking along the blissful lullaby of its gentle current. And trust me — you must. Experiencing this magical water world is absolutely one of the best things to do in Bacalar.

Read on for everything (and then some!) you need to know about how to spend the most incredible day at Los Rapidos Bacalar.

THE VIBE

What makes Los Rapidos Bacalar so special

The last time I was in Bacalar, I went to Los Rapidos twice. It’s seriously that amazing.

Visiting Bacalar is about unwinding from the madness of modern life, and instead connecting with the town’s phenomenal natural wonders. Drifting along the water for a day at Los Rapidos encapsulates this spirit.

Besides grabbing a bite to eat or sipping a cocktail, there is almost nothing to do here but have obscene amounts of fun floating and kayaking along this buoyant water womb of Mother Nature. 

While you’re at it, you’ll spot beautiful birds like snowy-colored egrets, and blazing yellow Great Kisadees. You’ll smile at their dreamy birdsong as they flit about the mesmerizing shapes of never-ending mangroves. You’ll marvel at the age and girth of the river’s billowy stromatolites (more on these below). Then you’ll timeout with a sunny nap in a hammock that’s nesting on the water. And if you stay late enough at Los Rapidos, you’re guaranteed to catch one of southern Mexico’s most unforgettable sunsets.

Who should visit Los Rapidos Bacalar

Los Rapidos Bacalar is a super fun and unique place that everyone can enjoy. It’s an exceptional day out for couples and grandparents just as much as it is for groups of friends, or families with small kids. 

The water’s current is very gentle, so it’s great for anyone looking for some lowkey splish-splashing and chill water therapy, or who might not be a strong swimmer. It can get a little more vigorous in some areas, so if you’re not a seasoned swimmer I recommend sticking close to whoever it is you came with.

All visitors have access to life vests. It’s not mandatory to wear them, but they do make for a floatier float. Instead of wearing mine, I just held onto it and used it like more of a big floatie so I could have more control over the current. 

You do have to climb stairs to get in and out of the river, which can be slippery with algae. Some of the rocks you have to traverse next to the stairs can be sharp and slippery as well. If you have mobility issues, take this into consideration. 

The vibe and layout

The vibe at Los Rapidos is insanely fun and chillaxed.

But I’d say this has a lot to do with the time of day you arrive. Anytime before 11 am will be blissful, since you’ll have the place mostly to yourself. You’ll be able to have a tranquil swim, rent kayaks without a wait and take flawless photos ‘til your heart’s content.

Los Rapidos starts filling up with lots more people from about 11 am onward, when there’s an influx of tourists arriving on giant tour buses. You can still have plenty of fun, just don’t expect it to be so peaceful. 

The layout is pretty straightforward. There’s a large unpaved parking lot out front before you reach the ticket booth. Once you buy wristband tickets, you enter into a large outdoor space where tables, chairs and people are scattered in all directions. You’re essentially on the west bank of the river, which is well-kept and inviting. On the opposite bank you’ll see a large set of letters spelling out Los Rapidos. It’s flanked by red signs forbidding visitors to mess with the stromatolites (more on these below). In fact, you’ll spot these signs everywhere along the canal so heed the warning!

From the entrance you can go left to reach the locker area. Further on is where you rent kayaks. There’s also a 2-story palapa and a deck for chilling out, as well as a few hammocks swinging over the water.

To the right of the entrance is a large restaurant that’s covered with a palapa, but open on all sides. Next to this is another palapa with a swing set. Walk through here and down the short staircase. This is where things get pretty breathtaking. You’ll come to a winding, narrow deck that unfolds along an endless sea of mangroves and the vast length of the turquoise river.  

I suggest walking all the way out to the end of the deck before you get into the river, since the current will carry you back in the direction from where you just came. 

STAFF & AMENITIES

Details about the staff and amenities

The staff is a bit of a mixed bag. Our food server, who we had both days we visited, was very quick to take our order and friendly with a smile. However, lots of online reviews call the staff out for being slow and rude. We ran into this a bit with the guy in charge of renting kayaks. He was incredibly slow to show up and gave us zero instruction about what to do. I’d never paddled a kayak before in my life, so if it wasn’t for my husband’s guidance I’d probably still be adrift on the water. 

You’ll also encounter staff hanging around not working and BS-ing with each other. This is not only irritating if you’re waiting on help or food, but it can also get a little roadhouse with them yelling and swearing at each other. Brace yourself if you’ve got little ones.

Overall, the restaurant and riverbank lounge areas are clean and inviting. The amenities, however, are pretty rustic with lots of room for improvement.

🔑  Lockers — Lockers are available to rent for $100 pesos (cash only). $50 pesos goes toward the cost of rental, and the other $50 pesos is a deposit you get back when after returning the key. The lockers are very rusty and tattered. So much that I worried my son would scrape himself on a piece of jagged metal and get tetanus. 

👗  Changing rooms — The changing rooms are located behind the restaurant which, inconveniently, is nowhere in the vicinity of the lockers. And when I say changing rooms I mean only one for men, and only one for women. This is ridiculous considering a few hundred people a day tromp through here during high season. 

When I was there, the changing rooms smelled overwhelmingly like gas station bathroom disinfectant. Which isn’t all bad since it means someone’s cleaning them, but not all good because have you smelled the stuff? The changing room doors only go up about ¾ of the way to the ceiling, so anyone can peek over the top. Also, the doors are meant to close with a hook and eye latch, but the women’s was broken when I was there. 

🚾  Bathrooms — Bathrooms are located outside of the main entrance. When I was there they were pretty clean, although some online reviewers have found them in a less than desirable state. There are sinks with decent water pressure in a common area just outside of the toilets. 

😋  Restaurant — You can read all about the restaurant below.

☀️  Lounge areas — There’s a two-story palapa with a few lounge chairs and a sun deck at the north end of the river. There’s also a wooden structure over the water where you’ll find hammocks swaying in the breeze. I spotted some extra hooks, so if you have your own hammock it’s worth bringing.

🦺  Life vests — There are plenty of these, but most have seen better days.

The food and bev sitch at Los Rapidos Bacalar

If you’re feeling peckish during your visit to Los Rapidos, they have a large, open and airy restaurant serving regional Mexican food where you can grab some eats and drinks. You can eat at a table inside the restaurant, or order your food and drinks at any of the tables scattered along the river bank. 

If you eat inside the restaurant, there’s a minimum $300 pesos spend requirement ($15 USD). You’ll find lots of unhappy reviews online complaining about this, as well as the menu prices being high (dishes run between $100 – $300 pesos). I live in Mexico and eat everything from street food to fine dining. I concur that the prices are way out of line for a pretty mediocre restaurant.

There are several meat and seafood options, but plant-based diners can still manage to eke out a few things.

My husband and I shared guacamole and our son went for the margarita pizza. The guacamole was fine, nothing special. The pizza was the same. I would’ve loved to have ordered the nachos, but I spotted them at a table next to us and they were drenched in that awful orange cheese whiz sauce.

Hard pass. 

There’s also a cash-only food cart onsite that serves crepes and marquesitas for $100 pesos ($5 USD) a pop. Marquesitas are a traditional street food that you’ll find all over the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s like a rolled up crepe, but crunchy. You can fill it with all kinds of stuff like strawberries or sugar, but the most common fillings are Nutella and cheese.  

I had a cheese crepe. Again, just okay.

There’s definitely better food to be had in Bacalar than you’ll find at Los Rapidos. But you’re not here for the food anyway. You’re here to delight in the magic of the lazy river. So temper your foodie expectations and remember that everything goes down better with a cocktail or beer. 

BEST THINGS TO DO

The 8 best things to do at Los Rapidos Bacalar

💦 Float, float and float some more

🛶 Kayak out to Xul-Ha

☀️ Lounge around in hammocks under the sun

🤿 Snorkel (don’t forget your GoPro!)

🍹 Relax at the restaurant with some food and drinks

🌅 Catch the beautiful sunset

🦩 Birdwatch in the mangroves

📷 Los Rapidos is an Instagram dream, so get your selfie on 

Renting kayaks at Los Rapidos Bacalar

Renting a kayak at Los Rapidos costs $200 pesos per hour for a single, and $400 pesos per hour for a tandem.   

Kayaking is the highlight of any trip to Los Rapidos. It’s the best way to explore further afield than you can just floating along in your life vest. 

Depending on how much time you rent your kayak for, you can paddle all the way out to Laguna Xul-Ha, a bluer-than-blue paradise filled with an impressive amount of stromatolites that’s just past where Los Rapidos terminates. I’d say you need a few hours for this.

My husband and I rowed a tandem kayak close to Xul-Ha to watch the sunset. The magic of the fading light, perfect silence and still, glassy water still fills me as I type this.  

Kayaking is also a great chance to discover where else along the channel you’d like to visit, since you’ll spot a few other balnearios, or river bank “beach clubs,” on the way to Xul-Ha.

If it’s super busy the day you visit Los Rapidos, the kayaks will most likely be rented out. I suggest asking about availability as soon as you arrive so you can hop on a waiting list.

I’ve also heard that Los Rapidos offers stand up paddleboarding. While you can definitely paddleboard on Bacalar Lagoon, I’ve never seen any paddle boards available to rent at Los Rapidos.

VISITING SUSTAINABLY

Everything to know about the stromatolites

The fluffy, beige rock-like formations you see lining the perimeter of Los Rapidos, as well as Bacalar’s main lagoon, are living organisms called stromatolites. You’ll only find stromatolites in a handful of places on Earth like Cuatro Ciénegas, a lake in the Mexico state of Chihuahua, and on the opposite side of the world in Lake Thetis, located in Western Australia. 

Stromatolites are 3.5 billion years old, making these amorphous structures literally the oldest evidence of life we have on Earth.

Here’s a moment of silence to process that.

Stromatolites, which means “layered rock,” grow up when bacteria layer over the sediment that lines the limestone bottom of Bacalar’s waterways. (Bacalar Lagoon is fed from an underground river on the Yucatan Peninsula, known to be the world’s longest). These precious fossils are far more than just pretty stones. They are living, breathing organisms vital to the function and ecosystem of the lagoon by helping to recycle the elements. Stromatolites absorb carbon from the air, which they then deposit in the lagoon’s limestone floor as carbon dioxide.

If you step on stromatolites or upset them in any way, you risk puncturing them and they’ll die. This is why it’s so important to avoid getting anywhere near these billowy beauties when you visit Bacalar. 

If you’d like to learn more, you can read this excellent BBC article all about the stromatolites in Bacalar, and how crucial it is to protect them against overtourism.

Respecting the fragile environment at Los Rapidos Bacalar

It’s a bit of a shame that the people running Los Rapidos aren’t doing more to protect its fragile ecosystem. 

I’ve never encountered staff giving out verbal warnings to avoid the stromatolites, or chiding anyone who blatantly happens to be. It would be great if they had staff stationed along the river to enforce this along with other rules, like not to apply sunscreen, not to pee in the water (we all know it happens, people) and not to leave trash behind. 

Sure, glaring red signs all along the river implore visitors to avoid bothering the stromatolites. But even so, there are simply too many tourists traipsing through Los Rapidos at once to expect flimsy signage to have any meaningful control over the environment.

So it’s really up to us to care for this beautiful place. Here are some tips on how to do just that:

🚫 Never touch, step or sit on the stromatolites. Don’t anchor yourself between them with your feet to slow down your floating. Avoid hitting them with your kayak. Remember – they are ancient living things!

🚫 Don’t wear sunscreen into the river, even if it’s labeled biodegradable or reef safe. Instead, wear a cap or rashguard and be sure to grab a seat in the shade. Don’t wear makeup either.

🚫 Don’t leave trash scattered about. If you found it clean, leave it clean.

🚫 Please use the bathrooms and don’t pee in the water!

🚫 Don’t touch any wildlife you might come across, particularly the chivita snail. You’ll see their eggs attached to the docks and various rocks along the canal. Do not remove or step on the eggs, and don’t remove or touch the snails. Their existence is crucial to filtering Bacalar’s lagoon water.

🚫 Don’t run along the docks. Not only are these slippery and you can fall, but you can dislodge wildlife that cling to it

🚫 Avoid anchoring yourself or disturbing the mangroves. These curious tropical bushes are a protected environment for several bird and animal species.   

FAQ’s & LOGISTICS

What’s the best time to visit Los Rapidos Bacalar?

The best time of year to visit Los Rapidos Bacalar 

Quintana Roo is at its most splendiferous between mid-November to mid-April, so you should plan to visit Bacalar during these months. This is the relatively dry season, when tropical storms are rarely a threat, and humidity is at its lowest.

December and January are Bacalar’s busiest months. If you don’t love crowds I’d avoid these months.

The only caveat would be if there have been any heavy storms in November, since it’s the tail end of hurricane season. This will affect the quality of the water in Bacalar. Heavy rains stir up sediment on the bottom of the lagoon that taints the water a sad brownish. Before you travel to Bacalar, be sure to check the local weather. 

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TRAVEL TIP: I always try to plan my Quintana Roo travel for either the last week of November going into the first few weeks of December, or anytime during the month of February. The weather is glorious, tourism is minimal and rates for accommodations are some of the best you’ll find.

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The best time of day to visit Los Rapidos Bacalar

I’m going against the conventional wisdom and advising you NOT to visit Los Rapidos in the morning unless you only plan to spend at most 1 – 2 hours. 

If you hang beyond this, here’s what will happen.

You’ll arrive at an empty paradise to be shared only with the handful of awestruck early birders who accompanied you inside. Around 11, once you’re completely enveloped in bliss, hordes of tourists heaved in on supersized buses will start to overrun the place.

Just. No.

Please avoid these kinds of awful mega tours. They are soul-crushing to see in a pristine, fragile and biodiverse sanctuary like Bacalar. 

Here’s the better plan.

If you can stand a little bit of a lot of tourists, plan to get here between 1 – 2 and grab some food and bev for about an hour. The behemoth tour groups generally clear out by 3, which gives you a much more chill Los Rapidos experience until it closes at 6. The remaining crowd will be much smaller, you’ll have more peace/ space/ fun in the river, and more kayaks should be available to rent.

Plus, late afternoons here are spectacular. By 5 pm there’s hardly anyone swimming in the river and the number of kayaks is minimal. The sun is warm and glowy, and the water is so smooth and lucid that you see your reflection as clearly as in a looking glass.

How long to spend at Los Rapidos Bacalar

At minimum I’d plan for at least 2 -3 hours. Between swimming, kayaking, having a bite to eat, and lazing in the sun with a few drinks, you can easily spend half a day or more here. 

How much does Los Rapidos cost per person

$200 pesos for adults ($10) | $150 pesos for children ($7.50) between the ages of 2 – 10 | Children under 2 are free.

You don’t need to buy tickets (wristbands) in advance. You can just show up and purchase them onsite. 

However, if you’re arriving with a large group and would like to reserve tables at the restaurant or arrange kayaks in advance, I would suggest contacting them first.

Everything in Mexico runs on WhatsApp, and Los Rapidos is no exception. You can contact Los Rapidos via WhatsApp Chat at +52 983 112 1268. 

What are the opening hours at Los Rapidos Bacalar

Los Rapidos is open Monday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. 

Also cool to know – Los Rapidos is open on Christmas and New Year’s Day! 

How to get to Los Rapidos Bacalar

Bacalar isn’t the easiest destination to reach in the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s about 2 hours south of Tulum (which is already 2 hours south of Cancun), and close to Mexico’s border with Belize. The nearest big city to Bacalar is Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo. Chetumal is about a 45 – 60 minute drive away. 

It’s possible to fly into Chetumal and rent a car or take a bus to Bacalar from there. However, Chetumal isn’t the most picturesque or exciting Mexico destination, plus most international visitors to the region fly into Cancun or Tulum. 

So for most people it makes sense to tack Bacalar onto a trip to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. 

Driving to Los Rapidos Bacalar

My advice is to rent a car once you’re in Mexico and drive to Bacalar. Here are some drive times to help you schedule your trip

🚘 Cancun to Bacalar                        4 hrs 33 minutes

🚘 Playa del Carmen to Bacalar          3 hrs 37 minutes

🚘 Tulum to Bacalar                          2 hrs 45 minutes

🚘 Valladolid to Bacalar                    3 hrs 45 minutes

🚘 Merida to Bacalar                        4 hrs 39 minutes

Keep in mind that if you’re driving from Merida or Valladolid, which are in Yucatan, there’s a 1-hour forward time difference once you cross into Quintana Roo. 

Make sure you have a full tank of gas before leaving your destination. Gas stations are few and far between once you’re outside of Tulum, Valladolid and Merida.

Once you arrive in Bacalar, you can easily drive to Los Rapidos. It’s roughly 12 minutes south of downtown Bacalar off the main highway 307 Chetumal-Cancun. Once you reach the entrance along the highway, you have to drive another 5 minutes or so down a few stretches of unpaved roads that take you to Los Rapidos. Beware of the potholes. There’s ample parking once you arrive. 

Taking a bus to Los Rapidos Bacalar

The national bus line in Mexico is called Ado. They’re known to have safe, clean, reliable, air-conditioned buses that (generally) run on time. Because I live in Merida and have a car, I’ve never taken an Ado bus so I can’t vouch for the overall experience. But I know several people who rely on Ado who have never had a bad experience, so I feel comfortable recommending it as an option.

Here is a link to the Ado website. If you go by bus, it takes longer to reach Bacalar.

🚌 Cancun to Bacalar                       5 hrs 40 minutes

🚌 Playa del Carmen to Bacalar         4 hrs 10 minutes

🚌 Tulum to Bacalar                          2 hrs 50 minutes

🚌 Valladolid to Bacalar                    4 hrs 45 minutes

🚌 Merida to Bacalar                        6 hrs 30 minutes

Once you’re in Bacalar, you can either hop a taxi to Los Rapidos, or take a colectivo. 

A colectivo is a van you’ll share with other passengers that makes various stops around the local area. In Bacalar, it will drop you off along the highway entrance to Los Rapidos. From there, it’s roughly a 20 – 30 minutes along an unpaved road to reach Los Rapidos. 

Taking a taxi from downtown Bacalar to Los Rapidos runs about $10. Bacalar is a tiny, developing town so don’t expect its taxis to be the most modern. Bacalar has no rideshares like Uber or Didi.

Do I need a tour guide to experience Los Rapidos

Nope. Nothing about Los Rapidos requires more guidance or explanation than you’ll find in this article or onsite.

What to bring to Los Rapidos Bacalar

👟 Water shoes

👙 Swimsuit

🧣 Towel

😎 Sunglasses

🧢 A cap or sunhat

💰 Cash (to rent lockers and buy crepes/marquesitas)

📲 Waterproof pouch for your phone

📷 Go-pro

🤿 Snorkeling equipment

THE WRAP

Los Rapidos Bacalar makes for an amazing day out! I assure you that visiting will go down as a serious highlight of your Bacalar trip, if not your whole Mexico vacay.  

Unfortunately, some of the amenities leave a lot to be desired. Regardless, stunning natural beauty and a terrific time await. So even with room for improvement, you’ll still have a blast. 

Before heading to Bacalar, check out my other articles to help you design a trip to this pristine pocket of Quintana Roo. My Unrivaled Guide to Bacalar is filled with travel tips and absolutely everything you need to know to plan an incredible visit, including 30 incredible things to do in Bacalar.

For a super stylish boutique hotel option in Bacalar, read my review of the chic and lovely Casa Hormiga. To discover every mouthwatering restaurant in town that caters to the plant-based set, check out 17 Super Delish Restaurants in Bacalar Vegans and Vegetarians Will Love. And here’s a rundown of the 17 best beach clubs in Bacalar.

Inspired travels Amiga! 💜 

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