After nearly 15 years, the Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns) program includes about 83 villages which represent the wondrous beauty that is a part of Mexico, including Bacalar. The purpose of this was to promote some of the beloved towns of the nation. It was put forth by the Secretariat of Tourism in 2001, with only a few towns to start. All the towns are full of a rich, varied culture and history, as well as stunning natural landscapes.
Magical Villages
The villages are found in all of the 31 states of Mexico. Each of these shows something that is a bit different than the more popular touristy areas. Though Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and other such resort destinations have their own magic to them, the great thing about the Pueblos Magicos is that they have a great historical background, unique culture and they are quaint in terms of their sizes.
Rich Mayan History
Bacalar became a part of this program in 2006, since it has a rich Mayan history. It is considered to be a top trading center on the continent. It once was sacked by pirates due to how it has an abundance of dye wood and various worldly merchandise. The days of pirates may be long past, but Bacalar is still a place that many people have a great interest in for its history.
Water sports
Bacalar is a great area for partaking in water-related activities. One can go scuba diving, snorkeling, and on small boat excursions there. It has a gorgeous lagoon and is located in front of the city. Learn about the history and culture of the area, and experience some true natural items of interest.
Pirate History
One of the major attractions is the San Felipe Fort. It was built in 1729, and it serves as a reminder that that there were impressive battles against the Europeans. Also, it was necessary to defend against any attacks by pirates. You should know that Bacalar leads to Cenote Azul, which is a network of submerged caverns that are underground. You will see the archaeological sites that the Mayan civilization left behind.
Bacalar is only a few hours from Cancun. It can be traversed in a day. You are going to want to book your vacation to Villa del Palmar Cancun and visit this fantastic village while you are there.