Set on the shores of the Lagoon of the Seven Colours in southeast Mexico, among jaw-dropping nature, this is a stunning high-end, adults-only wellness centre, and a paean to all things holistic.
The emphasis here is on relaxation, rejuvenation and connecting mind, body and soul. There's a varied, daily changing agenda of activities (many of which are included in the rates), from yoga and breathing workshops to salsa dancing and watercolour classes, a plethora of beauty and health treatments, plus lots of fun to be had on the lagoon including sunrise paddleboarding and kayaking. There’s a pleasing restaurant onsite that specialises in feel-good Mayan cuisine (expect plenty of plant-based delights), an aromatic herb garden from which staff can blend your own personalised botanicals, and the entire complex is built and run on a sustainability ethos that leaves no impact on the surrounding environment.
The A-frame rooms, all featuring private terraces, palapa roofs, natural materials and outdoor showers, are the last word in comfort. There’s plenty to see nearby too – lots of local Mayan history, spectacular sailing trips and jungle hikes, and Bacalar has some lovely bars and restaurants. In two days, we only scratched the surface and still left feeling renewed. Oh, what a week could do!
Highs
- The lagoon is truly special; the setting affords uninterrupted views across the water and the limestone shores that were home to some of the earliest life forms on the planet
- There's a crowd-pleasing list of activities, some of which are included and displayed daily on a chalk board - we loved the morning yoga flows and the 'paint and sip' art classes
- There’s a fantastic communal vibe and guests are encouraged to mingle and chat over breakfast by the water
- The restaurant Siete uses only locally sourced ingredients, as does the spa, yet it all still feels totally luxurious
- A fabulous place to digitally detox (WiFi is little patchy anyway); turn off and tune in to the environment, and to your own well-being
Lows
- The minimum age is 18, so not a resort for families – a High for some!
- It’s definitely at the pricier end of most budgets, and you'll want to hire a car if you're planning to explore the area
- The lagoon is allowed to 'rest' on Wednesdays, meaning lake activities are kept to a minimum (this is a rule across all hotels in the area)
- Given its jungle location, Habitas Bacalar isn’t really geared up for wheelchair users or those with serious mobility issues. Less mobile guests are assigned rooms without a step or stair
- Natural springs around the hotel emit a slightly sulphurous smell; not a big issue to us but some rooms are worse affected than others
Best time to go
The best time is during the dry season from November to April when rainfall is minimal and temperatures are pleasant. However, Bacalar is pretty much a year-round destination in terms of weather, and May to November is much less busy in terms of visitors – although it never gets as crowded as many other Mexican destinations. Habitas Bacalar is open year-round.
Our top tips
If you’ve got a head for heights, then the Tirolesas Kan Kin Bacalar ziplining experience is highly recommended both for the thrills and the scenery. Five zip lines stretch over 1.5km and you can soar high above the treetops while taking in unparalleled views of the lagoon in the distance.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests