Know the Region

Costa Maya

Sandwiched between the giant Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve to the north and Belize to the south is the Costa Maya (Mayan Coast), a 60 mile stretch of white sand beaches, virgin jungle and gorgeous palm plantations, and some of the most pristine coral formations in the world.  This jewel at the southern end of the Mexican Caribbean is a far cry from the mega resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen; peace and tranquility are the draw for people who live or vacation here. 

The Costa Maya was inhabited only by a handful of fishing families until the 1990s when a few adventurous scuba divers and salt water fly-fishermen, mostly from North America, discovered the world-class diving, snorkeling, and fishing and never left.  These pioneers started the first small family-run hotels and also the first diving/fishing services on the coast.  Since then, hundreds of foreigners have fallen in love with the tranquil beauty of the Costa Maya and now call it home.      

The Costa Maya is no longer a purely “roughing it” destination:  within the last few years the area has become “connected” to the modern world thanks to massive government investment in infrastructure including new paved roads, electricity, fiber optic lines, and cell phone service.

We at Bacalar Properties have spent years living, working, and playing on the Costa Maya and we know every cove and every mile of sandy beach road.  We've bought and sold property here since 1998... you'd be hard pressed find realtors with more Costa Maya experience.

Laguna Bacalar

When people first see Laguna Bacalar, whether with their own eyes or in photos, their first response is usually somewhere along the lines of “who’s leg are you trying to pull? There’s no way that’s freshwater, it’s obviously some inlet of the Caribbean!”  

Lake Bacalar's varying shades of blue, from turquoise to sapphire, are generally associated only with a few lucky saltwater destinations like the Bahamas or the Polynesian Islands of the South Pacific.  But it’s true!  Lake Bacalar is 100% fresh, clean water.  Lake Bacalar is a geological anomaly:  a freshwater lake fed by a series of giant underground springs (called cenotes) and each day replenished with millions of gallons of pure, limestone-filtered, crystal clear water.   The water is so clear it takes on various hues of blue depending on the depth…  hence it’s nickname “the lake of seven colors”.

Lake Bacalar is a water-lovers dream, whether for you this means sailing, waterskiing, swimming or kayaking.  For some people this simply means lying in a hammock at the end of your pier, Corona in hand, mesmerized by the shimmering colors and wondering how a place of such unreal beauty actually exists!

The area around Laguna Bacalar is also rish in history, from Mayan ruins (large and small, excavated and not), to a fully restored 18th century fort right in town at lake's edge, the whole area is a history buff's dream.  The town of Bacalar was recently awarded "Pueblo Magico", or "Magic Town" status by the Mexican Federal government, recognizing the town's unique beauty and history (and winning millions of dollars in federal funds for safekeeping of the town's historic value as well as infrastructure improvements).  Only a handful of towns around the country have been awarded Pueblo Magico status.

Chetumal

Chetumal is the state capitol of Quintana Roo (Quintana Roo being the Mexican State comprising the entire Mexican Caribbean from Cancun in the north to the border with Belize in the south).   Chetumal is a small but modern capitol city with tree-lined avenues and a beautiful bayfront promenade.  For years Chetumal was considered by foreigners mostly as a "re-supply point" for those living over on the Costa Maya or in Bacalar.  But now Chetumal is being discovered as a friendly, safe, and economical city in which to live.  Many international chain stores have opened in Chetumal recently, including Sam's Club, Liverpool, and Office Depot, among others.