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This tour combines a visit to Chacchoben, an archaeological site dating back to 200 BC, with time at the striking Bacalar Lagoon. Starting from your cruise ship at Costa Maya, you'll first explore the Mayan ruins, surrounded by lush jungle and rich vegetation, offering insights into ancient civilizations.
After the ruins, head to Bacalar Lagoon, known for its striking seven shades of blue. Here, you can relax by the water, swim, or kayak in the tranquil setting. A lunch of delicious fajitas and your choice of drink is included, served right by the lagoon’s edge. Prepare for an eight-hour excursion that blends history, culture, and natural beauty.
Reviews
My family of four, including our 12 and 10-year-old kids, had a wonderful time on this excursion. Magalie was our guide for the entire trip and provided plenty of information during the ride. She stayed with us even while Edder narrated about the ruins. The ruins were incredible and visiting them was a highlight. Edder was knowledgeable, though at times he talked a bit excessively, repeating himself. He was very friendly, and I appreciated his passion. The Lagoon itself was lovely, but recent storms prevented us from seeing all seven colors; we managed to see only two or three. This was a good experience overall, although the water was quite choppy. We couldn't use the two-person kayaks as they took on too much water, which made me uneasy about my daughter kayaking alone, despite her wearing a life jacket. Magalie also assisted with serving our drinks and the food, which included four tacos—your choice of al pastor or chicken fajitas. Even the kids enjoyed them. In summary, it was a very good experience. I might consider doing this again if the water conditions were better, but we had a great time regardless.
The Mayan Ruins were outstanding, and the guide was very knowledgeable. However, the beach and lagoon were a total letdown and not worth the cost. I recommend visiting the ruins on your own to save some money.
Upon arrival at the check-in location, we were informed that the water at the original resort was brown, and we would be taken to a different spot for the lagoon portion. Initially, I didn’t think much of it, but the place we went to was not at all like the images on their website. During the bus ride to the ruins, water was dripping from the ceiling onto several seats, making it uncomfortable for some, especially a teenager who was drenched. The ruins tour itself was enjoyable, and our guide Lorenzo was great. However, I was disappointed when we were split into groups, and those going to the lagoon were assigned a different guide, maybe Jose. After a lengthy bus ride to the lagoon, we were hit with a light rain upon arrival. We all disembarked and received our first complimentary drink, but before we could eat lunch, the rain turned into a torrential downpour. There was very little shelter available; only a few guests had umbrellas. I found myself in a small group huddled in the life jacket hut, watching the rain and lightning. While some went to get food, the overhang provided minimal protection. Others crowded into a bathroom or ran back to the bus. While Jose and some staff members were sheltered under their umbrellas, they didn’t help customers get to the food or offer drinks, nor did they assist with transportation back to the bus. Eventually, after waiting without any improvement in the weather, the entire bus decided to leave. The situation felt chaotic, battling through the mud and rushing water in the rain. As my daughter and I made our way to the bus, covering our heads with life jackets, I noticed an employee approaching the food hut with an open umbrella and several closed ones. When I asked if we could use them to get to the bus, she reacted as if I’d asked something absurd. After some frustration, I took two umbrellas and we headed back. On the return trip, many of us were cold and wet, covered in towels, and still hungry since we hadn’t eaten. Although we couldn’t use it, the lagoon area lacked the welcoming ambiance described. The bus ride back took another hour and twenty minutes, during which those sitting under what appeared to be the TVs got drenched with dirty water. Toward the end, the bus had to pull over because the door wouldn’t shut! While I understand the tour company cannot control the weather, they should manage the locations they take us to, the service from their staff, and the quality of the transportation. I was disappointed that one staff member refused to share unused umbrellas, and that others stayed at the bar while we struggled. No one addressed the issue of water leaking into the bus or mentioned it. Lastly, the tour description should provide better clarity on the bus duration. It only stated an initial 50-minute ride to the ruins, neglecting to mention the extra time to the lagoon and the long return trip. I
We anticipated a shorter excursion due to our limited seven-hour port time and had confirmed with the tour operator for an 8:00 AM departure, returning by 1:30 PM. Arriving at 7:50 AM, we expected to leave on time for the Mayan ruins but waited on the bus for nearly an hour until 8:50 AM while they gathered everyone. This delay significantly reduced our time at the ruins to just 20 minutes for pictures, thwarting any chance to explore or shop, which was quite disappointing. The lagoon part of the trip was better, allowing about an hour and 15 minutes to relax and eat, with no issues there. However, we faced another problem on the return, arriving back at 1:50 PM instead of the promised 1:30 PM, which had us rushing to our ship. The only reason this isn’t a one-star review is because both our tour guide and bus driver were excellent. However, for a group of eight who collectively spent close to $1,000, it was a huge disappointment to spend less than two hours on activities due to excessive bus waiting. The tour operator really needs to improve their organization and manage expectations more effectively, as this experience fell short of what was advertised.
Our tour guide, Rosie, and driver, Alberto, were fantastic. We enjoyed a comfortable ride in an air-conditioned van with just a few other guests, making it an intimate experience. They provided cold water, and since everyone arrived on time, we set off early and avoided the crowds at the ruins. The weather was perfect, and the ruins were fascinating; we even spotted some wildlife. Rosie was incredibly knowledgeable, answering all our questions and sharing many intriguing facts. After a short drive to the lagoon, we were greeted with stunning views, and our meals were served hot and ready. The drinks were refreshing, and the tacos were delicious—still on our minds! The pineapple salsa was a standout. We had ample time to swim and unwind at the lagoon before returning to the boat. They ensured we departed with time to spare, allowing us to fully enjoy the moment. On our way back, we stopped at a fruit stand to sample fresh produce and homemade bread, which everyone enjoyed. I highly recommend this tour.
The organization by Native was excellent from the start. Communication was strong, and finding them was straightforward thanks to clear directions from the port. Our guide Rosie was superb, sharing her knowledge while managing two vans. The ruins were impressive, and we gained valuable insights from her commentary. Lunch at the lagoon was enjoyable, featuring four types of tacos and great drink choices. The lagoon itself was stunning, with well-maintained kayaks and facilities. They returned us to the shop with ample time to spare.
I had an excellent experience on this tour. The guides were very knowledgeable, striking the ideal balance between being informative and allowing for relaxation. The lunch and drinks by the lake were delicious. I highly recommend both this tour and the provider, and I will definitely book with them again.
It was a fantastic day. The meeting point was easy to locate after disembarking from our cruise. Our guide was friendly and well-informed, and the driver was careful. We arrived at the ruins ahead of the crowds, and all our questions were answered in detail. The lake was stunning, and lunch there was delightful with plenty of food available. The staff at the lake were also very pleasant. Overall, it was an ideal day, much better than the overpriced excursion we experienced the previous day with the cruise line. I will definitely book again, thank you.
Yoshi was friendly and very knowledgeable, making it easy to converse with her. She provided clear instructions about what to expect from the excursion, and her fun personality added to the enjoyment of the day. The locations we explored were stunning, and the views were breathtaking. I would certainly book with Native Choice again.
My time in Bacalar was truly unforgettable. The Lagoon of Seven Colors is even more breathtaking in reality: clear waters, serene surroundings, and landscapes that feel surreal. I loved the boat rides, sunsets, and the laid-back atmosphere. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and connect with nature. I would absolutely return.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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