From Costa Maya port you can combine a home visit with a Mayan family and a paddle across Bacalar’s luminous “seven-color” lagoon. Expect gentle kayaking, ancestral cooking demonstrations, and clear-water swimming in one half-day excursion.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the cruise gangway into the heat and salt-sweet air of Costa Maya, and within an hour the landscape has surrendered port concrete for low mangrove fringe and a ribbon of blue that changes with every paddle stroke.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
Light fitness—comfortable with 10–30 minutes of easy walking and short periods of paddling; suitable for most travelers.
Wildlife
History
Chacchoben’s inhabitants preserve living Mayan traditions while Bacalar’s lagoon served as a strategic refuge during colonial-era pirate activity.
Conservation
Bacalar’s freshwater lens and seagrass habitats are sensitive to pollution and sunscreen chemicals; choose reef-safe products, avoid litter, and respect local boating limits.
Reserve your spot on the Bacalar 7 Color Lagoon and Mayan Family from Costa Maya Port today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Ointments that avoid oxybenzone protect the lagoon’s ecosystem and prevent rashes after paddling and swimming.
Hydrate before and during the tour
Carry a refillable bottle; heat and humidity make frequent sips important even on a short trip.
Bring a small amount of local currency
Families sometimes sell small handicrafts or accept tips; ATMs are limited near the village and lagoon.
Mind kayak weight and comfort limits
Single-kayak weight limits (about 220 lbs on many tours) and basic paddling can affect comfort—request tandem or staff help if unsure.
Swimsuit & quick-dry towel
For swimming and changing on the go; dries quickly for the return trip.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and the lagoon’s fragile aquatic life.
Reusable water bottle
Staying hydrated in tropical heat is essential; some tours offer refills.
Water shoes or sturdy sandals
Protect feet on rocky or uneven shorelines and improve traction getting in and out of kayaks.