How to Visit Los Rapidos & Laguna Bonanza, Bacalar
Visiting Los Rapidos is one of the best things to do in Bacalar. The crystal clear waters in different shades of blue and impressive stromatolites make it the best place to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Wondering how to visit Los Rapidos? Make the most of your experience, rent a kayak at Los Rapidos, and visit Laguna Bonanza, another incredible attraction in Bacalar.
This ultimate guide to the Los Rapidos and Laguna Bonanza includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the kayaking tour, practical information, and entrance fees.
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- How to Visit Los Rapidos & Laguna Bonanza, Bacalar
- Where is Los Rapidos?
- How to Get to Los Rapidos Bacalar
- Best Time to Visit Los Rapidos, Bacalar
- Los Rapidos Bacalar Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
- Kayaking at Los Rapidos Bacalar
- Los Rapidos & Laguna Bonanza
- What to Pack
- Tips for Visiting Los Rapidos
- Where to Stay in Bacalar
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Where is Los Rapidos?
Los Rapidos is located about 15-20 minutes from the center of Bacalar and 40 minutes from Chetumal, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
How to Get to Los Rapidos Bacalar
The nearest airport is in Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo state, a 40-minute drive away. Most people come to Bacalar from Chetumal (40 minutes), Tulum (2.5 hours), or Cancun (4.5 hours).
We have a detailed post on how to get from Cancun to Bacalar with all the information you need.
TIP
Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Mexico.
By car
One of the best ways to get to Los Rapidos is by car. Once you arrive in Cancun or Chetumal, you can easily rent a car at the airport or pick up your pre-booked car. We drove to Los Rapidos from Bacalar.
Car rental will cost around 30-40 USD daily for a basic car with full coverage. Book your car in advance to get the best price!
Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Mexico and driving around the Yucatan Peninsula.
Good to know
There is a large car park, and parking is free at Los Rapidos.
By colectivo, taxi
You can also get to Los Rapidos by taxi or colectivo. The journey time is about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
The taxi fare is 200 MXN (10 USD) each way.
The cheapest way to get from Bacalar to Los Rapidos is by colectivo (shared minivan), which costs around 30 MXN (1,50 USD) per person. The disadvantage is that there is no official schedule and the colectivos do not take you directly to the entrance. You will have to walk an additional 2 km to the entrance of Los Rapidos.
Best Time to Visit Los Rapidos, Bacalar
Bacalar’s tropical climate makes it a popular destination all year round. However, the best time to visit Bacalar is from December to April. During this period, there is little rainfall, and temperatures are pleasant.
The rainy season runs between May and October when temperatures are also higher.
Visit in the morning or late afternoon when it’s less crowded, and you can get a sun lounger by the waterfront.
Read our → Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
Los Rapidos Bacalar Opening Hours & Entrance Fee
It is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. The entrance fee to Los Rapidos is 200 MXN (10 USD) for adults and 150 MXN (7,30 USD) for children (2-10 years old).
Recommended post → Things to Do in Bacalar
TIP
Be sure to bring enough Mexican pesos, as not all places accept card payments.
Kayaking at Los Rapidos Bacalar
Los Rapidos is a narrow channel within the lagoon surrounded by mangroves, known for its breathtaking turquoise waters and stromatolites. Stromatolites are the oldest living lifeforms on the Earth and are incredibly important to the ecosystem of Bacalar.
In Los Rapidos, a single kayak rental costs 200 MXN (10 USD), and a double kayak rental costs 400 MXN (20 USD) for 1 hour.
The current of the Los Rapidos River seems slow, but it is much stronger than you might think. So if you can’t swim, rent a life jacket!
You can swim in the beautiful blue lagoon, snorkel, float down the canal, hang out in hammocks, and rent kayaks. After kayaking, you can have delicious Mexican food or cold drinks in the restaurant and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the sun loungers.
Although there are crocodiles in the Bacalar Lagoon, you will probably not see crocodiles at Los Rapidos.
Los Rapidos & Laguna Bonanza
Laguna Bonanza is still a hidden gem in Bacalar, not far from Los Rapidos. At Laguna Bonanza, you can picnic, sunbathe, swim, and snorkel in the crystal clear waters.
The entrance fee to Laguna Bonanza is 80 MXN (4 USD) for adults and 50 MXN (2,50 USD) for children. The Laguna Bonanza is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
You can kayak from Laguna Bonanza to Los Rapidos or vice versa. The round trip takes about 45 minutes. Kayak rental at Laguna Bonanza costs 200 MXN (10 USD) per hour.
We loved exploring this place in Bacalar. However, we suggest you avoid weekends when it’s crowded with locals and bring enough snacks and water.
Book an excellent Bacalar Boat Tour with Viator or GetYourGuide.
What to Pack
- Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
- Power bank: An essential accessory for anyone who needs reliable power on the go.
- Grayl Filtered Water Bottle: The Grayl filter removes viruses and bacteria and filters microplastics, chemicals, and heavy metals. Fill up your filtered water bottle anywhere and drink crystal-clear water wherever you go.
- Swimsuit
- Hat and sunglasses
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Water shoes
- Dry bag
- Camera gear
- GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
- Local money
Tips for Visiting Los Rapidos
- Arrive as early as possible.
- Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours or a half day at Los Rapidos.
- Don’t touch or walk on the stromatolites!
- There are changing rooms, showers, and toilets on site. Before entering the water, you must shower and not use sunscreen or insect repellent.
- You can rent a locker for 50 MXN (2,50 USD) + 50 MXN deposit, where you can leave your stuff while kayaking.
- There is a small tourist trap. As you can’t bring food or drink with you. Unfortunately, the prices at Los Rapidos restaurant are overpriced, and the staff is not friendly.
- You’ll need to spend at least 350 MXN (17 USD) per person for food and drink to get a seat or a sun lounger by the waterfront.
- Bring your snorkel gear if you want to snorkel.
- Use the bathroom before going swimming or kayaking.
- If you have a drone, bring it with you because the views from above are stunningly beautiful.
Where to Stay in Bacalar
Bacalar has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Bacalar
- Luxury: Hotel Amainah Bacalar – Adults Only
- Mid-Range: Hotel Aldea 19 Bacalar or Hotel Makaabá Eco-Boutique
- Budget: Xibalba in town hostel
We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Bacalar.
We hope you found our guide to Los Rapidos Bacalar useful and will inspire you to visit Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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