Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico

Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters

Outty Ranking 62 4.9 · 10 traveler reviews12 hoursFrom $499
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters worth booking?

Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters is a 12-hour experience in Tulum, Mexico, from $499 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (10)
Duration
12 hours
From
$499 per person

Bacalar is an idyllic town set on an enchanting inland lagoon, immersed in nature, with a presence of colonial history & pirates. We embark upon a sailing boat to navigate our way across the mesmerizing waters of 7 different shades of blue. The contrasting tones make a fabulous location for exploring the waterways, the hidden history & exuberant nature of Bacalar. This place will make you feel happy & relaxed immediately, and in traveling by sail boat, a wonderfully natural alternative to noisy motorboats, you will feel integrated into this wonderful environment. An absolute must for those interested in beautiful landscapes, nature photography, sailing & water sports. Great for a family day out or simply to get away from the Riviera Maya for something more laid back. The lagoon is a virtually unknown alternative to the beach, with the clearest of water you are ever likely to see.

What you get

    About this experience

    Bacalar is an idyllic town set on an enchanting inland lagoon, immersed in nature, with a presence of colonial history & pirates. We embark upon a sailing boat to navigate our way across the mesmerizing waters of 7 different shades of blue. The contrasting tones make a fabulous location for exploring the waterways, the hidden history & exuberant nature of Bacalar. This place will make you feel happy & relaxed immediately, and in traveling by sail boat, a wonderfully natural alternative to noisy motorboats, you will feel integrated into this wonderful environment. An absolute must for those interested in beautiful landscapes, nature photography, sailing & water sports. Great for a family day out or simply to get away from the Riviera Maya for something more laid back. The lagoon is a virtually unknown alternative to the beach, with the clearest of water you are ever likely to see.

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Professional guide
    • Snacks
    • Lunch
    • Use of snorkeling equipment
    • The use of life vest is mandatory in all boat tours (provided by Mexico Kan Tours)
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tulum (revise confirmation email for pick up time)
    • Rent of sailboat

    Not included

    • Extra Transportation Fees (North of Tulum).
    • +$10USD per person extra for pick-ups between Conrad Tulum by Hilton and Puerto Aventuras.
    • +$20USD per person extra for pick-ups between Puerto Aventuras and Paradisus Playa del Carmen.
    • +$30USD per person extra for pick-ups between Sandos Caracol PDC and Iberostar Gran Paraíso.
    • +$40USD per person extra for pick-ups between Playa Maroma (Vidanta) and Cancun Airport Area.
    • +$45USD per person extra for pick-ups between Cancun Airport Area and Cancun Downtown.
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Discover the incredible lagoon of 7 colors. 3.5 hours sailing the lagoon. Swimming, snorkeling & sightseeing. Bacalar fort, pirate's channel, bird island, lake fossils, secret spots. No motor, no noise, 100% eco-friendly Getaway from the beach to explore this laid back paradise

      360 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Tulum

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, it, fr, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Mexico Kan Tours

    Know before you go

    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Necessary COVID-19 prevention measures implemented during the tour (50% capacity, Antibactial gel available and facemasks compulsory, for everyone, sanitization of vehicles and equipment, safe distance between all participants, groups from 2 to 6 people maximum, private tour possible)
    • If you present any of the following symptoms (fever, dry cough, tiredness, headaches, aches and pains), please refrain from joining the tour, contact us as soon as possible and look for medical assistance

    Photos

    Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 2Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 3Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 4Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 5Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 6Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters in Tulum, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    5 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    4 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    10 verified traveler reviews for Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    9
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    omnibody · August 2025

    A truly beautiful experience in Bacalar

    Pablo was an excellent tour guide - charming, thoughtful and made the trip to the beautiful Bacalar perfect. We traveled from Tulum for the day, and thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I highly recommend Mexico Kan Tours, and Pablo!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that Pablo’s charm and thoughtfulness made your day trip from Tulum to Bacalar such a perfect experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you back in Tulum soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    180hilariar · June 2025

    My feeling of colors in bacalar

    I loved the Lagoon and the whole organization of the excursion. Paloma Roni was our guide, although from Tulum it is three hours by bus, thanks to Arturo, the trip became very bearable. I advise this excursion. The colors of the water are amazing.

    Response from the operator: ¡Muchísimas gracias por tu comentario! Nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutaste de la laguna y que toda la experiencia estuvo bien organizada. Paloma y Roni son guías fantásticas, y Arturo siempre se asegura de que el viaje sea cómodo y seguro, ¡aunque el trayecto sea largo! Gracias por recomendar la excursión.

    via Tripadvisor (translated)

    923katid · January 2024

    Unique and gorgeous area worth the drive

    This Bacalar tour was amazing! We are Mexico - and especially Yucatan - junkies, but Tulum had been the furthest south we had gotten. We only learned about Bacalar through visiting Mexico Kan Tours' website, as we're repeat customers. (We took a cenote + snorkeling tour back in 2019, which we loved.) Seeing and learning about this unique and gorgeous area was very worth the long day/drive from Tulum. Both the guide and the sailboat captain were great as were the two restaurants we ate at. The cruise consisted of two stops for swimming at teal-water areas near Bacalar - sailing past Island of the Birds and mangrove clusters on the way. We were also able to pick-up our customary figurines at a local vendor to add to our collection. The tour includes even more Bacalar wandering time after the post-cruise lunch, which we didn't utilize as we were tired and wanted to start heading back. We're definitely planning on returning to Bacalar during another trip in the future, as there is so much to see and do. Long story short: we highly recommend this tour!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience on the Bacalar tour! We're thrilled to hear that it was an amazing adventure for you. We're delighted that we could introduce you to the unique and gorgeous area of Bacalar. It's fantastic to know that both the guide and the sailboat captain, along with the two restaurants, contributed to a memorable day. We're glad you had the opportunity to pick up some figurines from a local vendor, adding a personal touch to your collection. Thank you for highly recommending the tour! We look forward to welcoming you back for more explorations and adventures in the future.

    via Tripadvisor

    Mai A · January 2023

    A magical tour to remember

    A very magical sailing trip, hands down! Iber is a very knowledgeable guide who gave us a good history of Bacalar. We saw the colors of the waters change drastically as the sky shifts from cloudy to sunny. We also saw the seven different colors as we stopped by pirate channels, bird islands, and the cenotes. Our day ends with a relaxing meal at a restaurant built around an impressively big baby on tree, right next to the lagoon, and a visit to the fort that used to keep the pirates out. Bonus: finding a cotton tree in the towns square.

    Response from the operator: Hi Mai, Thank you for participating on this magical experience. Indeed Bacalar is beautiful with this seven different colors and this little lagoon paradise has an interesting past history with pirates. We wish you a nice holidays.

    via Tripadvisor

    F7820LVpaulinec · November 2022

    Amazing tour!

    Amazing tour, higly recommended! The agency is really great and offer good information and caring :)

    Response from the operator: Thank you for letting yourself be carried away in the beautiful lagoon of Bacalar and on this sailing boat tour. See you.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    12 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
    $499 to $849
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Mexico Kan Tours, who run 26 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 70.7 and 1 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Mexico Kan Tours runs

    Why this scores 62

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)38
    Booking momentum (14% weight)31
    Value for money (12% weight)41
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)58
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tulum.

    How much does Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters cost?

    +

    Prices start at $499 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tulum usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters take?

    +

    Plan for about 12 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 Tulum is not rushed.

    Is Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tulum, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters?

    +

    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 Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters?

    +

    Around 4 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 Tulum 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 Tulum and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters 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 Tulum 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 Tulum?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Tulum experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Chichen Itza from Playa with cenote, Valladolid and Mayan cuisine, Tulum Ruins, Turtles in Akumal and Cenote tour, Selva Maya Eco Adventure Park: Ziplining, Hanging Bridges, Rappelling and Cenote. 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 Tulum?

    +

    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 Tulum?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters?

    +

    Included: Bottled water; Professional guide; Snacks; Lunch; and Use of snorkeling equipment. Not included: Extra Transportation Fees (North of Tulum); +$10USD per person extra for pick-ups between Conrad Tulum by Hilton and Puerto Aventuras; +$20USD per person extra for pick-ups between Puerto Aventuras and Paradisus Playa del Car; and +$30USD per person extra for pick-ups between Sandos Caracol PDC and Iberostar Gran Paraís. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 440 listed pickup locations in and around Tulum. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    What happens to Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Private - Bacalar sailing across the mesmerizing waters?

    +

    Across 10 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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