BACALAR, Quintana Roo – Bacalar is now home to a breathtaking new Ecopark that is bound to captivate your senses. With its expansive 7,000-square-meter area, this Ecopark is the perfect destination to immerse yourself in the wonder of Quintana Roo’s most famous lagoon—the magical “Laguna de los 7 Colores” in Bacalar. Consider adding this hidden gem to your itinerary for your next visit to the southeastern region of Mexico.
The Ecopark is nestled amidst a picturesque tourist dock, offering the ideal backdrop for stunning photographs to share on your social media. Here, you can appreciate nature in all its glory while respecting the local flora and fauna. The mesmerizing mangrove area is sure to leave you spellbound.
Beyond strolling along the park’s impressive 1-kilometer linear dock, taking refreshing dips in the pristine lagoon, and capturing Instagram-worthy moments, the Ecopark features open spaces for families to bond, a laboratory, meeting rooms, and even a classroom. All these amenities aim to create an environment that fosters knowledge and awareness about the preservation of this precious natural haven.
One of the primary objectives of this Ecopark is to cultivate ecological consciousness and environmental stewardship. Thus, it’s worth noting that you can bring a large group along to experience the joys of the lagoon while learning about its conservation and the abundant stromatolites found throughout the area.
Speaking of stromatolites, it is imperative to emphasize their significance and the need to protect them. These living organisms play a crucial role in maintaining the lagoon’s cleanliness and its vibrant shades of blue. The Ecopark also includes a classroom, laboratory, meeting rooms, outdoor exhibits, open spaces, restrooms, and a small commercial area.
The classroom will showcase informative ecological topics aimed at preserving the Bacalar Lagoon and ensuring the extensive care of the stromatolites that thrive in its surroundings. The goal is to foster a deep understanding of the ecological preservation of the environment.
According to C733, the architecture firm behind this project, the main strategy was to minimize the requested program and create a design that seamlessly integrates with the site’s rich flora and fauna, causing minimal disruption. They constructed a square dock measuring 200 meters on each side, oriented to the north, with variable heights carefully avoiding mangroves and trees, allowing visitors to glide effortlessly along the lagoon’s edge. Solid structures house research laboratories and services and are complemented by shaded areas created by tall trees.
The architects developed an efficient structural system using locally sourced certified chicozapote wood, ingeniously balancing the roles of columns, beams, and foundations. Moreover, they reinforced the landscape strategy by reducing the construction footprint, designed to mitigate water runoff pollution from the nearby town through natural filters, depressions, rain gardens, and the rehabilitation of degraded mangroves.
To enrich the visitor’s experience, a scale museum exhibit resembling a 10,000-year timeline has been incorporated, engraving the unique biodiversity history onto wood. Visitors are encouraged to raise awareness and conserve this precious place, promoting social engagement in managing this public space that is free for the residents of Bacalar.
This educational site is conveniently located just 500 meters from the San Felipe Fort, adjacent to the well-known Balneario Ejidal, right within the city, ensuring easy accessibility. The Ecopark’s admission fee is $20 pesos for tourists and free for locals. It operates from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm every day.
From Tulum to Bacalar
Let us now navigate through the various transportation options available, guiding you to make the most of your voyage while basking in the wonders strewn along the way.
The journey from Tulum to Bacalar spans a distance of approximately 220 kilometers (136 miles) and can be completed within a span of 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the whims of traffic and the capricious temperament of road conditions. For those who value flexibility and independence, renting a car stands as a convenient choice. Embarking on this route, one is treated to a veritable feast for the senses, as the once-picturesque coastal scenery of Tulum gracefully gives way to the verdant tapestry of the countryside. Seizing the opportunity to traverse lesser-known towns and embark upon spontaneous sojourns becomes an enticing proposition.
Should the siren call of budget-consciousness or the desire to surrender to blissful repose guide your travels, the humble bus offers an enticing alternative. Numerous bus companies ply the path between Tulum and Bacalar, rendering comfort and affordability in equal measure. Spanning a duration of approximately 3 to 4 hours, contingent upon the number of intermittent stops, this mode of transport grants an ever-changing panorama as you gaze out of the window, beholding the ebb and flow of small towns and rural landscapes. Prudence implores you to consult the bus schedules in advance, enabling you to meticulously plan your sojourn.
For those desiring a seamless and tailor-made expedition, the option of booking a private transfer comes highly recommended. Several reputable companies in Tulum are poised to extend their expertise, bestowing upon you a journey suffused with comfort and convenience. With the aid of a consummate chauffeur, you shall be whisked away from your abode in Tulum to your intended destination in Bacalar. This particular option assumes heightened significance for larger groups or those laden with the burden of copious luggage.
However, for those who seek a more holistic experience, replete with historical and cultural enlightenment, venturing forth in the embrace of a guided tour presents an enticing prospect. Countless tour operators stand ready to unveil the marvels that abound between Tulum and Bacalar, granting you access to a trove of knowledge pertaining to the region’s historical tapestry, cultural mosaic, and natural wonders. These tours invariably encompass transportation, guided visits to notable landmarks, and occasionally include activities such as enchanting boat rides across the captivating expanse of the Bacalar Lagoon. We urge you to peruse the offerings of local tour agencies, discerning the one that aligns most harmoniously with your predilections.
Embarking on a sojourn from Tulum to Bacalar kindles a sense of anticipation, a desire to unearth the hidden gems that lie along the pathway less traveled. Whether you elect to traverse this enchanting route by car, bus, private transfer, or through the illuminating prism of a guided tour, rest assured that your journey shall be suffused with an awe-inspiring tapestry of experiences. With each passing mile, as the distance between these two captivating destinations wanes, you will find yourself drawn ever closer to a realm of boundless wonder and unbridled enchantment.
