Bacalar, on the edge of the Laguna de los Siete Colores (Lagoon of Seven Colors) in the state of Quintana Roo, provides a wealth of history and magic. This town cultivates the memories of its ancestors: fishermen, merchants, warriors and poets.

Considered to be an important "liaison" city for the North, West and South settlements of colonial times. Bacalar was built in 1545 by Spaniard Gaspar Pacheco who called it San Felipe de Bacalar (still the official name but reduced to Bacalar for practical reasons). The city was invaded and destroyed by pirates in 1642.

Chicanna		Bacalar

(Visitors can still explore this fortress), and again destroyed during the long Yucatan revolt Guerra de Castas. Newly reestablished in recent 1902. Today, it encloses an on-site museum. Next door, Bacalar's oldest tree (384 years old) stands like a sentinel.

Continue to Cenote Azul, Bacalar owes its name to the Mayan word Halal which means "place surrounded by reeds." and it features one of the most impressive and deep "holy holes" in the whole Yucatan Peninsula. Estimated deepness of this "holy hole" is about 200 mts. (600 ft).

Cenote Azul		Bacalar

The geological phenomenon of Cenote Azul sits adjacent to Bacalar Lagoon is the biggest sinkhole on the Yucatan Peninsula. Cenote Azul offers tremendous freshwater diving-especially on days when the sea is too rough for reef exploration, is a paradise for specialized divers.

The bell-shaped opening has a rim at 130 feet where divers often stop and admire the clear, incredibly calm water. This unique underwater formation looks more like a moon-escape with submerged trees populated by schools of fresh water fish than any other "Earthly" setting.

From its edge, the celestial game of lights and colors can be admired as they gleam off the transparent waters of this well filled with fish, where dozens of wild ducks skim the waters. In this place we will enjoy our lunch and a fresh deep in the Cenote. Continue to Mahajual.