Lake Bacalar is really interesting because it is fed through the underground water system of the Yucatan Pensinsula, and it has the interesting turquoise colors of the tropical seas... and yet, it is a lake.
And, the water is crystal clear.
We ordered 6 taxis and I think it's the first time that all 24 of us went on tour together.
Waiting for the boats to get ready.
The day started off cloudy, but they had been calling for rain, and it never did. Eventually, it turned out to be a nice day!
We all had our life jackets on.
Looking back at the Hotel Laguna Bacalar.
The boats take us to see several features of the lake.
Crystal clear water.
The lake is 60 kms long and 2 to 3 kms wide.
Birds.
You can clearly see where there is an underground cenote. The depth of the water goes from 3 meters to 90 meters. Despite the fact that you are closer to shore.
One legged bird.
Is this Tahiti?
Now that Playa del Carmen and Tulum have been discovered by the tourists, it's only a matter of time before Lake Bacalar does too. Our guide was telling us that many local people are taking English lessons as more and more North Americans are visiting the area.
Another tour boat.
Someone enjoying the water.
We stopped at a area where it's easy to park the boats and go for a swim.
Louise, Ruth, and Gail, covered in mud.
All cleaned up. Do they look 10 years younger?
Really nice day on the lake, and everybody enjoyed it. We went back to the hotel and had a nice lunch, and then ordered the taxis for a 2:00pm departure back to the RV park. Arrived back there at 3:00pm.
There are only two places to dump your holding tanks here, and it was a wise idea to leave here with empty tanks. We know there is a dump station available at Palenque, and possibly a water tap but we'll be doing an extended period of dry camping the next several days and some people in the group aren't used to camping without hookups. We've already had a training session talking about ways to conserve, so hopefully nobody's tanks get full prematurely.
And, we're off at 7:00am this morning, heading for the little town of Conhuas. There, we will park in a soccer field and take minibuses to the remote Calakmul ruins. Looking forward to visiting this ruins site because we've never been there before.
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Thanks for explaining how the water gets its color. It is beautiful. Oh I think the gals look at least 20 years younger. I need to try that trick.
ReplyDeleteLake Bacalar is called the lake of seven colours and after being there we totally understand why. Of course it is at it's best when the sun is shining. :-)
DeleteI was ready to go and get covered in mud to lose another 20 years again but then I figured that was going a little to far! ;-)
Yes. Yes, the *do* look ten years younger. *phew*
ReplyDeleteThat's a "danger Will Robinson" right there....Remember "Lost in Space"?
Thank you Bob, you know what keeps you alive! ;-)
DeleteI went to Cancun with a bum knee...hurt like crazy so I packed my hiking poles to get around (walking). Anyway, we went snorkeling and that salt ocean water was like soaking in Epson salt. I felt so good after a couple hours on the water...slept like a log that evening too. The mud treatment looks enticing. Our grandma use to put clay mud on our faces as teens to keep our pores clean she said.
ReplyDeleteGlad that salt water made your knee feel better!
DeleteI have always love mud, ever since I was a kid and made mud pies. :-)
Looks like a fun boat tour. Great pictures as well.
ReplyDeleteConserving water is a must when boon docking hope they can all do it.
We have a really fun day out on the water.
DeleteYes, conserving water is one of the main points to an enjoyable boondocking experience.
now that looks like a super place to visit... great pics and write up.
ReplyDeleteYou and Betty would love it here Bob! Hope you can find the right sized 5th wheel so you can join us on another tour. :-)
DeleteI am so glad the weather broke for you as it did for us in Fall. We only had a 2 hour window and timed it perfect.(luck) This excursion is a highlight. BTW there is a central tap at Palenque, it is next to the tree surrounded by the low concrete wall, You can join hoses to fill. My suggestion is to park Sherman next to the Sani dump to prevent any tour buses from parking there overnight and preventing access to it when you leave. That happened in Fall, but fortunately we all dumped the night before.
ReplyDeleteIt ended up being a perfect day! :-)
DeleteNo worries we have it all figured out and they put us down in the day use area, it is beautiful here!
Gorgeous lake! I hope it stays prestine for a little while longer. How does the water remain crystal clear with all those motor boats polluting the lake? Where did the ladies go for that mud bath? What was the water temperature.... coolish? Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteWe hope that it will stay pristine for many, many years to come!
DeleteYes, it still remains clear. The whole far side of the lake is in protected area so that certainly helps and it looks and sounds like they are doing their best to keep things natural here as much as possible but just not sure how long that will last. Money always talks!
When you get up close to the mangroves then you get to the mud and they say the the mud has some special properties to it! We can only hope. ;-)
It sure does look like an island in the South Pacific, particularly Moorea where part of "Mutiny on the Bounty" was filmed with Mel Gibson. The only thing missing is the volcanic peaks in the background. Is the lake water pure fresh water or brackish?
ReplyDeleteHopefully one day we can actually experience the south Pacific!
DeleteSorry, forgot to mention that the water is fresh water fed!
DeleteWe'll be in the area this weekend attending Cirque du Soleil en Riviera Maya.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you can make it down to Lake Bacalar, I am sure that both you and Juan would love it here. :-)
DeleteLooking good Ruth and friends! Love all the photos there!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Connie and Barry! Do we look 20 years younger, or at least 10? ;-)
DeleteTh eater is pure, they call it the Maldives of Mexico with good reason
ReplyDeleteYes, it is fresh water fed!
DeleteNot much is better than being on a boat on a beautiful lake:)
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! :-)
DeleteBirds #1 = Roseate Spoonbill. One legged bird = Limpkin (They eat only snails)
ReplyDeleteThank you for that info, although we do have a couple of amateur birders with us and they concur with you. :-)
DeleteWe stayed in that hotel 18 years ago.
ReplyDeleteNeat! Another couple on our tour had also stayed in the same hotel. Apparently it is the oldest hotel on the lake.
DeleteThe header picture of the Mayan pyramid rising out of the forest is surreal. I've seen actual ruins, as well as pictures, but that just gets me each time I return to it.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely the most remote ruin site that we have seen in Mexico and we loved it! After seeing this site we still think that Palenque is our most favourite though, however that may change after tomorrow's visit as it is becoming more popular. It will be interesting to see the difference after a nine year span.
DeleteWhat's with the muddy bodies and bathing suits? The gals look like young chicks after cleaning off all that mud! And that is one beautiful lake!
ReplyDeleteThe mud is from the mangroves and is supposed to possess lots of good minerals and nutrients and is good for the skin so we lathered it on and hoped that it worked it wonders! We even thought about going back and doing it again to see if it would double the effects. ;-)
DeleteIt is a beautiful lake!