Bacalar
For San Felipe Museum
The construction of Fort San Felipe, ordered by Antonio de Figueroa y Silva who was a governor of Yucatan, started in 1725 and ended in 1733. The architectural project had its origin because at that time, Bacalar was constantly looted by English, French, Dutch, African, white and oriental pirates. During the Caste War, the fort was taken by the insurgent indigenous people on February 21, 1858. Over the years it had various military uses, until in 1965 one of its four bastions was adapted as a museum and declared a National Historical Heritage. Since 1974, the last year of Quintana Roo as a territory, the museum remained closed until it was reopened in 1983. The museographic concept was in charge of the architect Jorge Agostoni, from the Museographic Company, S.C. His collection is made up of Mayan archaeological pieces and objects from the colonial era, such as weapons, ammunition and everyday utensils, as well as plans, maps and information cards. It exhibits a mural by the master Elio Carmichael, in which the most relevant historical events of the region can be observed. It has a craft store. It organizes guided tours, concerts, conferences and sculpture, music and painting workshops aimed at children and young people.
7 colours lagoon
The landscape that makes up the Bacalar lagoon is captivatingly exotic. Surrounded by mangroves and exuberant vegetation, it can be traveled to enjoy its almost 50 kilometers in length and thus be aware of the wonderful polychromy of its calm waters.
At the entrance of the town there is another unmissable space: the Cenote Azul, an impressive water hole that extends in the middle of thick vegetation that contrasts with the indigo of its waters. The depth of this majestic spectacle of nature is unknown, because these bodies of water have a system of underground caverns that are connected to each other. Which makes it -in some cases- impossible to track the bottom.
Also within the lagoon is the black cenote or also called the Witch’s cenote, this is known for its characteristic dark color that can be seen at the bottom of the aquifer formation and the abundant vegetation that exists in its surroundings, part of the natural charm of Bacalar.
However, it is also known as the Withc’s Cenote because of a well-known legend among the inhabitants of the municipality of Bacalar, in which it is said that near said cenote, an old woman lived over a hundred years old and that her home it was upholstered with dolls, which caused terror within its visitors
Stromatolites
Stromatolites are groups of cells in colonies that create sedimentary rocks, cells that make a construction with their life. In fact, it is technically considered a bioconstruction. They appeared between 2.5 and 1 billion years ago.
These rock-beings were the ones that produced oxygen in a massive way, their presence caused the atmosphere to mutate to the conditions we know today, thanks to them life on the planet was possible.
They have a rocky nature composed of calcium carbonate that grow vertically after a long process and produce structures of various shapes. They were the first living beings to form reefs. They are very important in the ecosystem since they release oxygen into the atmosphere and keep the lagoon healthy.
Bacalar
In the center of Bacalar you can find restaurants for all tastes, from the most typical food from the south to vegan and organic options, sophisticated and international dishes, Bacalar adapts to your palate.
You will also find endless local souvenirs where everything is handmade by the same artisans from the region and you will undoubtedly want to take everything with you.
