Los Rapidos Bacalar: Ultimate Guide & Honest Review

Located around 3 hours south of Tulum and slightly inland, Bacalar is a beautifully quaint Mexican town that is firmly on the backpacker route. While we’re not backpackers, we knew we had to visit here for one reason – the sensational Bacalar Lagoon and Los Rapidos Bacalar. Our words probably won’t do this sensational place justice, but let’s just say, it’s obvious why it’s known as the Maldives of Mexico.

So, while we fell in love with Bacalar for many reasons, we wanted to give you an insight into one of its most talked about and touristy activities – Los Rapidos de Bacalar. Where is it, what is it, and does it live up to the hype? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

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What is Los Rapidos Bacalar?

Los Rapidos Bacalar is a section of the Bacalar Lagoon that is lined with limestone, stromatolites and mangroves. But what makes it special? Well, it’s essentially a natural lazy river, that just happens to be the most beautiful lazy river you’ve ever seen. The sandy bottom and light-coloured rocks give the water a clear, azure blue unlike any other, and you can just float down, carried by the current – it’s a relaxing yet fun experience that makes you feel truly at one with nature.

What Are Stromatolites?

Stromatolites are among the oldest evidence of life on Earth, dating back over 3.5 billion years. These layered structures are formed in shallow water by microorganisms, mainly cyanobacteria. These microorganisms capture sediment particles, gradually creating layers that turn into rock-like formations. They were crucial in producing oxygen in the Earth’s early atmosphere, much like how plants produce oxygen today. This oxygen production by stromatolites played a significant role in the development of other life forms that depend on oxygen.

At Los Rapidos Bacalar, you’ll find these amazing creations lining each side of the canal, forming the banks of the lazy river you’ll be floating down.

Sadly, a lot of people don’t follow the guidance of not touching or climbing on the stromatolites, and the staff at Los Rapidos Bacalar don’t enforce these rules. They should do though, because touching them and wearing sunscreen in the water is doing irreparable damage to them.

Stromatolites at los rapidos bacalar mexico

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Where is Los Raidos Bacalar?

Although Bacalar is in the name, Los Rapidos isn’t in Bacalar – it’s around 14km south of the town itself. It’s a 15-20 minute drive, with most of the journey being on the 307 highway, before you spend the last 2km on a dusty road to the entrance.

How to Get to Los Rapidos Bacalar

Car, bus or taxi are your three options for getting to Los Rapidos Bacalar.

Firstly, if you’ve got a car it’s a relatively straightforward journey and there’s a free parking lot.

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Jumping in a colectivo bus would be the cheapest option, but there’s still some walking involved as the bus will drop you off on the main highway, meaning you’ve got a 2km walk.

We opted for a taxi from Bacalar to Los Rapidos, it cost us 200 MXN pesos each way. Note: There are no taxis waiting at Los Rapidos for your return journey, so schedule a time with your taxi driver or exchange phone numbers.

⛵️ If you’re staying in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, this full day excursion to Bacalar is a fantastic option to visit not only Los Rapidos, but also Cenote Azul and Fuerte de San Felipe, in the heart of Bacalar. Here, you’ll get panoramic views of Bacalar Lagoon! Lunch is included as well as round trip transportation.

⛵️ If you’re staying in Bacalar, this 5-star excursion takes you to 3 cenotes, 3 islands including Isla de los Pájaros (Bird Island), 2 channels (one for the rapids and one for the pirates), 2 rivers and 4 different ecosystems! Snorkelling gear is included, as is a life jacket and all fees and taxes.

How Much is Los Rapidos?

The cost of entry to Los Rapidos Bacalar is $200 pesos per person. However, this only gets you entry, a life jacket and access to the water. Everything is priced separately here, which is a bit of a pain. Want to sit on a chair? You’ve got to reach the minimum spend at the bar and restaurant. Want WiFi access? You’ll have to pay for that too. Need a locker to keep your valuables safe? You guessed it – you’ve got to pay.

So, while the entrance fee is relatively inexpensive, the costs add up if you want to hang around. It wouldn’t be so bad if you could bring your own food and drink, but you can’t. Some reviews even state people have been forcibly removed from the parking lot for eating their own food (that’s not even inside Los Rapidos itself!). Weighing up the costs, some people prefer to visit the rapids and other parts of Bacalar Lagoon on a tour like this one.

Price List at Los Rapidos Bacalar:

Entry: $200 pesos
Locker: $50 pesos (+ $50 pesos deposit for the key)
Minimum Spend for Table and Chair by the Water: $300 pesos per person (on top of the $200 pesos entry)
Wifi Cost for One Device: $80 pesos
1-person Kayak Rental for 1 Hour: $200 pesos
2-person Kayak Rental for 1 Hour: $400 pesos

Our Top Tips for Visiting Los Rapidos Bacalar

Pay for one locker – some are big enough for 2 or 3 bags.
Visit as part of an organised boat trip like this one or take a taxi.
Wear water shoes. Some areas of the rock are sharp.
Don’t wear sunscreen and don’t pee in the water – both of these affect the pH level of the water.
Don’t kayak here – it’s a waste of money. The rapids are narrow and short, and you’ll have to keep getting out and carrying the kayak. It’s much better on the lagoon itself.
You only need a couple of hours here, don’t plan on spending the entire day.
Eat elsewhere. The food doesn’t look amazing and is overpriced.
Don’t climb on the rocks – it damages the stromatolites (there are signs everywhere that tell you not to).
Get here early or late – it can get pretty busy as it’s one of the most popular attractions in Bacalar.
Bring cash as they don’t accept card payments.

Los Rapidos Bacalar lagoon guide and review

Is Los Rapidos As Good As It Looks?

Los Rapidos is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Bacalar. Honestly, after reading reviews, we were skeptical, but we braved it anyway and had a great time. We’ve never seen or experienced anything like this before. As you can see from our drone images, it’s out-of-this-world, jaw-droppingly picturesque.

However, we will caveat this by saying it gets busy and plenty of people don’t respect the environment. So, to maxmise your time here, you should visit as soon as they open or later in the afternoon.

We wouldn’t advocate spending any longer than a couple of hours here, but the rapids themselves are definitely as good as they look in photos, if not better, in person.

Truly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and while the pricing is a little annoying and the amenities aren’t great, you’ll remember floating down this natural lazy river for the rest of your life – it’s that beautiful.