Last Full Day in Bacalar, 26th Dec. '24

It's almost time to leave Bacalar, and about time to reflect on my time here.
Bacalar's a pleasant town, quite pretty in parts. For a few blocks around the main square next to 'Fuerte de San Filipe (the fort) it's a nice place to wander around. Unfortunately, some days this is just about all there is to do in Balcalar.
The lagoon is the primary reason people visit Bacalar. It's the main tourist draw and it's a sensational thing in itself; unique in my experience and very beautiful. I did one of the recommended,ended boat trips and it was interesting and really good fun. Lately, I very nearly booked on another to fill a day. Someone also recommended visiting a place south of the town called Los Rapidos - a part of the lagoon system where the current feeding it is a little stronger - so I looked into it. I would have had to walk to the main bus terminus, get a 'colectivo' (public bus) to the area, then walk the rest of the way to the entrance to Los Rapidos. Unfortunately, there would have then been an admission charge (often double for tourists) for everything whilst there: snorkelling, sunbathing and food/drinks of course. It would probably entail a taxi back. I decided not to bother going.
My point is partly that Bacalar feeds off tourism, so that almost everything entails a charge: toilets, getting near the lagoon, the ecological garden, the few stone walls of the fuerte, and so on.
This is disappointing if understandable. Anyone on a budget (me) is caught either doing similar things repeatedly or shelling out lots of pesos for 'distractions'.
On the positive side of things, the town is relaxed, the people are friendly and the weather is mostly warm and dry.
You might notice that my photos are drying up a bit. I seem to have got to a point where I feel that experiencing Bacalar via a lens is unsatisfactory. I know the saying goes "take only photographs, leave only footprints" or some such, but the memories will have to suffice.
It's been a lovely few days, and now it's almost time to head north to Tulum.Read more