Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch worth booking?
Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch is a 5.5-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $149 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $149 per person
Join us on an amazing Costa Maya to Bacalar adventure, designed for cruise guests making the most of their day in port. Discover the Seven Color Lagoon, where shades of blue, cenotes and pirate stories come together in o
What you get
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Visit to Cenotes Esmeralda, La Bruja & Cocalitos
- Two swimming stops in Bacalar Lagoon
- Approximately 2-hour pontoon boat adventure on Bacalar Lagoon
- Mexican lunch by the lagoon with tacos, chips & salsa
About this experience
Join us on an amazing Costa Maya to Bacalar adventure, designed for cruise guests making the most of their day in port. Discover the Seven Color Lagoon, where shades of blue, cenotes and pirate stories come together in one unforgettable experience. Hop aboard your pontoon boat and cruise across the lagoon to discover Cenotes Esmeralda, La Bruja and Cocalitos. Cool off with two refreshing swim stops in Bacalar’s turquoise waters. Continue to Pirate’s Channel, the passage once used by pirates traveling between the Caribbean and Bacalar. Glide through the same waters while discovering stories of the pirates who sailed here. After your boat adventure, relax beside the lagoon with a delicious Mexican lunch and refreshing drinks before returning to Costa Maya. From cenotes and pirate history to swimming in the Seven Color Lagoon, it’s the kind of day that makes you forget you came to Costa Maya for just a few hours — and leaves you with amazing memories long after your cruise sails away.
What's included
Included
- Carbonated beverages
- Bottled water
- Visit to Cenotes Esmeralda, La Bruja & Cocalitos
- Two swimming stops in Bacalar Lagoon
- Approximately 2-hour pontoon boat adventure on Bacalar Lagoon
- Mexican lunch by the lagoon with tacos, chips & salsa
- Roundtrip transportation from Costa Maya in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Two alcoholic drinks for guests 21+ — choose from beer, Tequila Sunrise, Blue Lagoon or Sangria
- Refreshing drinks by the lagoon — iced tea, hibiscus tea & traditional horchata
- Visit to Pirate’s Channel
Not included
- Gratuities
- Additional food & premium beverages
What you'll see and do
Bacalar
Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Enjoy the 1-hour 15-minute drive to Bacalar, where the spectacular Seven Color Lagoon awaits. Board your boat for a 2-hour adventure across the lagoon, cruising through incredible shades of blue and discovering Cenote Esmeralda, Cenote La Bruja and Cocalitos. Continue toward Pirate’s Channel, once used as a passage between the Caribbean Sea and Bacalar and filled with stories of pirates who sailed these waters. Along the way, enjoy two swimming stops in the lagoon’s refreshing waters. After your boat adventure, relax at a lakefront club for 45 minutes and enjoy an included Mexican taco lunch with chips and salsa plus refreshing drinks. Guests 21 and older can also enjoy two alcoholic beverages. Then sit back and relax on the just over one-hour drive back to Costa Maya, with amazing memories of cenotes, pirate stories, swimming and an unforgettable day on Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon.
330 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Costa Maya
Our meeting point is at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside Costa Maya Port. Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Once your reservation is confirmed, we’ll email you easy-to-follow directions, meeting instructions and a map.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our meeting point is at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside Costa Maya Port. Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Once your reservation is confirmed, we’ll email you easy-to-follow directions, meeting instructions and a map.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Next Experience Travel
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour will depart one hour after your cruise arrives to port from Plaza Las Fuentes, conveniently located just a few steps away from the main access of Costa Maya Port.
- Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 15 minutes.
- Cruise guests arriving after 12 PM. Make the most of your limited time in port by booking our Ancient Mayan City of Chacchoben Tour
- No port, no pay! Guaranteed full refund if your cruise ship does not call port in Costa Maya at all
- IMPORTANT: Travelers coming by cruise ship must provide the full name of the ship and docking time
- This tour is designed for cruise ship guests. Your ship must remain in Costa Maya for at least 8 hours to allow enough time to enjoy the full experience.
- The tour includes two swimming stops. Life jackets are provided and mandatory during the boat ride. Guests who are not confident swimmers can still enjoy the lagoon’s gentle shallow areas.
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, change of clothes, hat and biodegradable sunscreen. We also recommend bringing some cash for additional purchases, as credit cards may not be accepted outside the port area.
- This tour operates rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately for the day’s weather.
- Swimming and boat activities may be restricted or modified by local authorities due to wind, lightning or other unsafe weather conditions.
- Water clarity, color and other lagoon conditions are natural and may vary depending on weather and environmental conditions.
- Alcoholic beverages are available only to guests 21 years and older. Please drink responsibly.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon request. Please provide any dietary requirements in advance so arrangements can be made.
- Wheelchairs: Transportation vehicles can accommodate foldable/collapsible wheelchairs only. Non-folding wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
- Guests must be able to get in and out of the vehicle and boat independently and without assistance.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable experience!
I went on this amazing Bacalar Boat Ride Tour during my cruise, and it was absolutely unforgettable! The Bacalar lagoon is stunning, with vibrant blue and green colors that took my breath away. The staff was so friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience feel special. The visit to the San Felipe Fort offered incredible views, and the boat ride was an adventure in itself. We explored the beautiful Cenote la Bruja, learned about pirates at Pirate’s Channel, and enjoyed a swim in the tranquil waters of Cocalitos. It was the perfect family day out – relaxing, fun, and filled with stunning natural beauty. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Costa Maya!
Response from the operator: Hi AdeOC, Thank you for choosing us during your cruise vacation onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' Harmony Of The Seas! We're so glad you had an unforgettable day exploring the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon and Fort. It’s amazing to hear you enjoyed the vibrant colors, friendly staff, and the adventure-filled boat ride. We hope your family made some lasting memories in this stunning part of the Mexican Caribbean! Feel free to share your amazing stories with us and tag us on Instagram and Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel – we'd love for other travelers to see this beautiful destination through your eyes! Hope to welcome you on another adventure soon! Tropical regards, The Next Experience Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
"Amazing Adventure with Stunning Views!"
The Bacalar Lagoon is absolutely breathtaking! The colors are so vibrant and stunning, it's like nothing you've ever seen before. The staff was amazingly friendly, making the entire experience even better! We started our adventure with a visit to the incredible San Felipe Fort, which offered breathtaking views of the lagoon. Then, we boarded a boat for an unforgettable ride! We also had the chance to cruise through some incredible spots like Cenote la Bruja, with its crystal-clear waters, and Pirate's Channel, where we heard some really cool pirate stories! The second cenote, Cocalitos, was just as stunning as the first! It had a white sandy bottom and turquoise water. It was the perfect way to spend a day with my wife, soaking in the natural beauty and enjoying the peaceful waters. This was the perfect way to spend our cruise day onboard the Scarlet Lady! I highly recommend this adventure to anyone looking for a relaxing and beautiful escape!
Response from the operator: Hi Daniel, Thank you so much for choosing us during your cruise vacation onboard Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady to spend your day at Costa Maya! We're thrilled to hear that you had such an unforgettable time exploring Bacalar Lagoon, San Felipe Fort, Cenote la Bruja, and Cocalitos. We're glad that our friendly staff made the experience even more special for you and your wife. We’d love to see your amazing stories and memories! Feel free to tag us on Instagram and Facebook @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can enjoy this beautiful destination as much as you did. Thanks again for your wonderful review and recommendation! Best regards, The Next Experience Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Beware of booking with The Native Choice & Next Experience Travel. Please read before booking.
To start, I'm not giving a poor rating to the tour itself as we didn't get to go on the tour. And this review has nothing to do with Viator. Viator is a fantastic company which I have used many times, and I have a number of activities booked in the future with Viator. My complaint is with the tour operator "Next Experience Travel" and especially the third party "The Native Choice" which runs the tour. I will state right now, if you ever see " The Native Choice" make the choice to find another company to deal with. Now I will share our experience with " The Native Choice" in Costa Maya. We arrived in Costa Maya on a Carnival ship along with a Royal Caribbean ship at 8:00am local time. We have the printed instructions that the tour operator emailed us that states in bold print the tour will leave "ONE HOUR AFTER YOUR CRUISE SHIP ARRIVES". The instructions further down on the page states again "PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE DEPART ONE HOUR AFTER YOUR CRUISE ARRIVES AT PORT". It's a 15-minute walk from the port to the Native Choice kiosk. When we arrived, we meet the manager of the Native Choice Eric. After we got checked in Eric told us they were waiting for people from the other ship. Eric also stated that we would be leaving in 20 minutes with or without them which would have been 9:00 the scheduled departure time. A little after 9:00 Eric sent someone over to us that we would be leaving an hour later. I went and found Eric and questioned him about the delay and he replied they were waiting for the other people. I explained to him that an hour delay would give us only about a 15-minute window to get back on the ship on time. Anyone who has been on a cruise before understands that if you are not back on the ship on time, they will leave without you. Eric then said to me they can send us now to where the Blue Lagoon boat ride departs from, but we would have to wait there for the other people to arrive before the boat could depart. I let Eric know that doesn't solve the problem about our time schedule. Eric then told me we could get a private boat, but it would cost us more money. I replied to him that this is his company's scheduling problem and that they should pay the extra charge. Eric said they wouldn't pay for the extra charge and walked away. I followed Eric and asked him if I write a bad review, do you think it could cost the company more than the extra charge for the private boat. Eric said he didn't care if I wrote a bad review and again walked away. At that point I knew we were not going on that tour and the day was ruined. We returned to the cruise ship and spent the day on board. In closing I don't know if anyone reads the reviews or if they do read them would they respond to it. We will be returning to Costa Maya 2 more times in November maybe someone will want to make this right and possibly I will be able to give a more positive review.
Response from the operator: Dear DAVID_I, Thank you for choosing Next Experience Travel for your shore excursion in Costa Maya and for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the delay and the inconvenience it caused during your visit. We strive to ensure all our guests experience seamless tours, especially those joining us from cruise ships, and we deeply regret falling short of this commitment on your tour day. We appreciate your punctuality and understand your frustration as we waited for other passengers. While we did offer an alternative private tour to accommodate the unique timing of your day, we regret that this solution did not meet your expectations and that our communication did not ease your concerns. Please rest assured that our team is dedicated to providing timely departures and returns, ensuring all our guests make it back well before their "All On Board" times. We value your input as it helps us improve our services and better align with our guests' expectations. For further follow-up or any questions you may have, please feel free to contact us at hello@nextexperiencetravel.com. We hope to have another opportunity to welcome you back to Costa Maya and demonstrate the high-quality experience we aim to provide. Thank you again for your feedback. Warm regards, The Next Experience Travel Team
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $149 to $159
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Costa Maya.
How much does Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch cost?
+
Prices start at $149 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Costa Maya usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch take?
+
Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Costa Maya is not rushed.
Is Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Costa Maya, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch?
+
Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Costa Maya can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Costa Maya and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Costa Maya within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Costa Maya?
+
On Outty we rank every Costa Maya experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Chacchoben & Bacalar Combo Excursion Costa Maya, Costa Maya Shore Excursion Chacchoben Day Trip, Bacalar – 7 Colors Lagoon Excursión Costa Maya. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Costa Maya?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Costa Maya?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Bacalar Lagoon Boat Tour: Cenotes, Pirate’s Channel & Lunch.
Pick your date
