Bacalar Aims to Show the World Its Appeal Goes Beyond the Lagoon

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Bacalar wants to expand its tourism offering and show visitors that its attractions reach far beyond the Lagoon of Seven Colors, with a proposal that combines nature, archaeology, rural communities and recreation, municipal trustee Astrid González Buenfil said.

Speaking as a guest at the Second Government Report of Benito Juárez mayor Ana Paty Peralta de la Peña, González Buenfil said the municipality’s tourism promotion also covers its 58 localities and archaeological sites such as Dzibanché and Chacchoben.

She noted that Bacalar also offers birdwatching and other nature tourism activities, and said the destination’s image needs to be diversified to showcase everything its territory has to offer.

Promoting Quintana Roo From Within

The trustee said more should be done to encourage Quintana Roo residents to visit their own state’s attractions, particularly those in the southern region.

She explained that even residents of Bacalar’s rural communities, including children and young people, have sometimes never had the chance to visit the lagoon or learn to swim because of economic and transportation barriers.

“We need to know our home, know our territory, our land,” she said, adding that domestic tourism can help bring communities closer to the natural and cultural attractions around them.

Tren Maya Boosts Mobility

González Buenfil highlighted the impact the Tren Maya has had on Bacalar’s connectivity, calling it an additional option for visitors and residents alike.

She recalled that the municipality has two stations, Bacalar and Chacchoben, making it easier to travel to other destinations in Quintana Roo.

She added that artisans and producers from communities such as Maya Balam and Kuchumatán have also taken advantage of the railway, using it to travel to Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancún to sell their goods.

Chetumal-Bacalar Airport Proposal

On the proposal to add Bacalar’s name to the Chetumal airport, the trustee argued that it would not diminish the state capital’s identity but instead expand tourism promotion in the south.

She acknowledged concerns among some Chetumal residents but said both cities could benefit from a joint strategy.

“We are going to contribute to the capital. The capital will be the capital,” she said, noting that the two cities maintain a close relationship and that travel between them takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes.

In her view, using the arrival of travelers at the airport to also promote Bacalar would strengthen the region’s tourism industry and draw more visitors to the lagoon, whose beauty she said is already attracting international interest.