7 Exceptional Waterfront Hotels in Bacalar, Mexico

There are dozens of hotels on the water in Bacalar, Mexico, each with their own pros and cons! Some are situated right in the heart of town by the water, while others are 20 minutes away, immersed in tranquil jungle landscapes.

I’ve stayed in several hotels in Bacalar, both in the town and on the water, and let me tell you—staying on the water is a must! You’ll get exclusive access to the lagoon, with a private dock for lounging, and all of the waterfront hotels on this list also include complimentary kayak and paddle board rentals!

Drawing on my own personal experience and extensive research from visiting this beautiful part of Mexico so many times, I’m sharing my top recommendations for waterfront hotels in Bacalar! I share my honest opinions of each place, with pros and cons, plus details about each hotel’s location.

Also read: The Ultimate Bacalar Itinerary: 1-7 Days

Lounging beside the lagoon at Our Habitas Bacalar on my first trip to Bacalar; images of Puerta del Cielo Hotel Origen via TripAdvisor; aerial shot of Hotel Amainah Bacalar between two cenotes via TripAdvisor

👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛

Quick Guide – Top Waterfront Hotels in Bacalar, Mexico

• My Favorite Bacalar Waterfront Hotel (Eco-Resort): Our Habitas Bacalar
• Highest-Rated Waterfront Hotel in Bacalar: Puerta del Cielo Hotel Origen
• Best Budget-Friendly Waterfront Property (Best Location, Too!): The Yak Lake House

7 Best Bacalar Hotels on the Water

My goal with this article is to help you narrow down your options to one perfect waterfront hotel in Bacalar. Some of these hotels have pools, others have free yoga, and others have excellent onsite restaurants.

The one perk that they all share is being right on Bacalar’s gorgeous lagoon of seven colors—and all the hotels have complimentary kayaks and/or paddle boards!

Scenes from Our Habitas Bacalar, drone shot via TripAdvisor; photo of me on my first trip to Bacalar; cabin shot via TripAdvisor.

1. Our Habitas Bacalar (Adults Only)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.2/10 on Booking.com | 9.6/10 on Expedia | $250+/night | Check current nightly rates

Habitas is Bacalar’s most luxurious eco-resort, twenty minutes south of town on a quiet part of the lagoon. We stayed here on our first trip to Bacalar and had an exceptional time!

In place of regular hotel rooms, Habitas has standalone cabins with palm-thatched roofs, open-air showers, and a luxuriously comfy bed. Some of the cabins are nestled beside the lagoon, and others are immersed in the jungle.

But the best part of staying at Habitas is having access to the spacious lounge area by the turquoise lagoon with bar service (and food!) Habitas also has an excellent restaurant, daily complimentary yoga classes, clear kayaks and paddle boards for exploring the pristine lagoon.

There isn’t another building in sight and only an occasional boat that jets by. But since it’s so separated from downtown Bacalar, plan to take a taxi into town a few times during your stay to experience the charm of one of my favorite towns in Mexico!

👍🏼 Pros: Secluded quiet location, excellent food and service, spacious property, feels very luxurious.

❌ Cons: No pool, and it’s one of the furthest hotels from downtown.

Scenes from Puerta del Cielo Hotel Origen via TripAdvisor

2. Puerta del Cielo Hotel Origen (Adults Only)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.6/10 on Booking.com | 9.6/10 on Expedia | $200+/night | Check current nightly rates

Puerta del Cielo Hotel Origen is another lovely waterfront hotel on Bacalar lagoon. It’s just a few minutes from downtown, but it feels worlds away secluded between the lagoon and jungle.

There are a variety of rooms and suites to choose from, my recommendation is the waterfront suites with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Regardless of which room you book, the highlight of your stay will probably be swimming in (or lounging beside) the stunning infinity pool while gazing out at the lagoon of seven colors!

The hotel also offers complimentary paddle boards and kayaks to explore the lagoon up close. The onsite restaurant serves plenty of delicious food, and you’re close Bacalar’s best restaurants downtown as well!

👍🏼 Pros: Close to downtown but still far enough away that it’s quiet and a beautiful swimming pool.

❌ Cons: None that I can think of!

The Yak Lake House image via TripAdvisor. Can you believe this is a hostel?

3. The Yak Lake House

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.2/10 on HostelWorld | $20+/night | Check current nightly rates

If you’re looking for an affordable place to stay on the water in Bacalar, check out the Yak Lake House! It’s the most affordable and walkable place on this list, only a few blocks from the heart of downtown Bacalar.

The Yak Lake House is a hostel, but they do offer private rooms with lake views, plus dorm beds. I know that a hostel is not the right choice for a lot of travelers, so if you’re not interested, move onto the next waterfront Bacalar hotel!

It’s a more social atmosphere with vagabonds around the world, with free activities like live music, game nights, and themed parties. Plus, you get access to a dock on the beautiful lagoon and free kayaks and paddle boards.

👍🏼 Pros: More affordable, downtown and close to Bacalar’s best restaurants, social atmosphere, free activities.

❌ Cons: It’s a hostel, so it will be a bit more rowdy. Don’t expect the same experience you’d get at one of Bacalar’s luxurious eco-hotels!

Also Read: 5 BEST Bacalar Boat Tours (Sailing, SUP + More)

Hotel Amainah Bacalar nestled between two cenotes! Images via TripAdvisor 

4. Hotel Amainah Bacalar (Adults Only)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 8.9/10 on Booking.com | 9.8/10 on Expedia | $220+/night | Check current nightly rates

This boutique waterfront Bacalar hotel has an exceptional location nestled between two of Bacalar’s gorgeous cenotes and a short distance from town. And since there is currently no public access to Cenote Cocalito, staying right on the cenote is quite a perk!

You get views of turquoise Cenote Cocalitos from the private terraces attached to every single room. Inside, the rooms are bright and airy, accented with locally crafted boho pieces. Some of the rooms feature bathtubs and others feature private pools overlooking the lagoon.

The hotel has a small but beautiful pool, a long dock extending out into Cenote Cocalito, and an onsite restaurant. Plus, it’s a 20-minute walk to to downtown Bacalar, or a short taxi ride.

👍🏼 Pros: All rooms have a water view, access to Cenote Cocalitos and walking distance from Cenote Azul, close to downtown without being in the city.

❌ Cons: Slightly lower ratings compared to other Bacalar hotels on this list, some say the restaurant isn’t that good.

A villa and private lagoon access at Hotel Rancho Encantado via TripAdvisor 

5. Hotel Rancho Encantado Eco Resort & Spa

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 8.9/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $210+/night | Check current nightly rates

Ten minutes north of Bacalar town, Hotel Rancho Encantado features a variety of rooms, suites, and bungalows, designed to immerse you in the natural surroundings. My favorite is their villas with private docks and/or beaches on the lagoon, plus gorgeous soaking tubs.

There are also larger villas with several bedrooms for families and groups! No matter which room you end up in, you’ll have access to the hotel’s large dock with a palapa and hammocks for relaxing.

The property also has an excellent restaurant called Los Hechizos. Plus there’s an onsite spa where you can get a massage by the water, and complimentary kayaks to enjoy the lagoon!

👍🏼 Pros: A variety of lodgings to choose from for every budget, one of the only places you can stay in a villa with its own private dock or beach.

❌ Cons: Slightly lower ratings compared to other Bacalar hotels on this list, a bit far from downtown.

Shots of Hotel Carolina Bacalar via the hotel

6. Hotel Carolina Bacalar

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 8.8/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $300+/night | Check current nightly rates

Just south of downtown Bacalar near stunning Cenote Negro, Hotel Carolina Bacalar is a charming waterfront hotel with a relaxed, rustic vibe.

The hotel features 16 thoughtfully-designed rooms adorned with wooden accents and thatched roofs. Each room has a private balcony, and some have a view of the lagoon!

The property also has a small pool and a private dock extending out onto the lagoon, plus an open-air restaurant with a focus on Mexican and Caribbean flavors. The best part is, the hotel is walking distance from downtown Bacalar so you can explore anytime you feel like it!

👍🏼 Pros: Boutique hotel with intimate feel, walkable to downtown.

❌ Cons: Most rooms do not have a view of the lagoon.

Also Read: How to Ethically Visit Los Rapidos Bacalar