We're just back from a few days in Laguna Bacalar. Our first night we stayed in Villas Baclar - the cheapest room / "suite" they had was 1,500 pesos which is over twice the price of other hotels / hotelitos in the area. The person who checked us in, who i understand was the owne,r was extreemley rude and didn't seem to was us to stay there at all - when i asked him if they had anything more reasonable than 1,500 pesos he responded that they weren't a market and that there were plenty of other places in town.my wife wasn't well though so i reluctantly checked in. the hotel itself is very rough round the edges - when you open cupboard doors in the ktichen there are loose wires hanging out. There was also a very musty smell in the bedroom and the pool was a bit of joke - it looks like is only cleaned out every 6 months!
We checked out after our first night and checked into a hotelito on the lake called Casita Carolina which was fantastic. It has a lagre grass lawn down to the lake and with its own jetty and kayak rental it was an extreemley relaxing place. and at only 400 pesos for our double room with our own bathroom it was a bit more reasonable than Villas Bakalar!

available, it was only offered after numerous queries at the office.
Good things: thWe expected more for the price. Beds were fine, but there was nothing comfortable to sit on, and we had a sitting area. The only thing in it, the futon, was stuck in open position.
There was no drinking water provided, only one 500ml bottle for 2 people for 2 nights!
The room had lots of lights, but some were burnt out. There were so many switches that the switch for the fan should have been labeled.
The hotel might have had 2 other guests, and we paid top price for our accommodation but had no access to a coffee maker. The curtains were not hung on the rod properly.
Obviously we were tourists, but even though an 8x11 inch map of Bacalar town is available, it took numerous queries at the office before we were given one.
Good things: the AC and the Wifi worked and the gardener does a great job with all the plants around the buildings.
The hotel is not on Bacalar Lagoon but has a beautiful view over it.

Just back from a short 24 hours visit to Laguna Bacalar from our rented condo in Puerto Aventuras following advices from passing travellers. Experience unique and exciting for who wants to get off the beaten path and live an exotic experience. The road from Tulum to Laguna Bacalar very different from the Carretera Cancun-Tulum. Very boring, not much to see, some portions under construction and some portions on two very narrow lanes. But, nothing to be afraid of.
With tips from the Trip Advisor forum, we stayed at the Villas Bakalar. Excellent choice but to get there must follow directions: At second Pemex Gas Station, turn left, follow awful road to second block from lagoon (approx. 1 mile), will see very small sign at right VILLAS BAKALAR. Hard to believe that behind those gates is a very clean , comfortable and modern hotel with a magnificent view on the Laguna. The morning sunrise was awesome. Greeted by Fernando who speaks good English, thank’s goodness, providing goods tips for Dinner and boat tours. Make sure you ask for an Internet cable if you have a laptop . We dined at the Aluxes Restaurant. Good food, very relaxing charming and well situated in view of the lagoon. My wife and I had the Rollups. Excellent!
Next morning , Fernando had us reserved a Laguna tour with Ramon(Mexican) and Cristelle (French). Very personal 3 hours tour for 1500 Pesos( $150 US) Less expensive than the others tour operators. Cristelle provided us with very pertinent informations about the Laguna . The BEST !!
The Laguna Bacalar village area offers contrasts between the very rich and the very poor with it’s voluptuous Villas along the coastal road (best road to take) and it’s cardboard made cabanas within the village . The village roads are full of holes.
The Laguna Bacalar itself is worth the trip and the numerous different shades of Turquoise-Blue-Green-White are very unique . You can never see this anywhere else, I think.
Will certainly return in the future with a Spanish speaking wife.( MY wife has promised she would take on Spanish lessons on our return)

January 2009. This is a beautiful hotel nestled amongst extreme poverty. The worst part of it is finding it. Going south on Highway 307 turn at the 2nd Pemex Gas station on the left and continue toward the lagoon until you are about 2 blocks from the water. Look to your right and you'll see a miniscule sign identifying Villas Bakalar. You may miss it if you're in a hurry. Once there you'll notice immediately the huge gate blocking the entrance. Fernando is very accommodating and speaks good English. I don't think anyone else there does. The one bedroom suite is very modern and very clean. Internet is hard wired but very slow. This is comparable to a U.S. 4-star, and maybe more, for about $75.00 U.S. a night (pesos are currently about 13.5 to 1). If you were in the states you would pay $200+ per night. No restaurant available but Cenote Azul has good food. TV but not satellite. AC and ceiling fans. The foliage and ground keeping is exceptional. This is an excellent place to stay and it may make you realize how lucky some of us are with the comforts we have.