good for you

On the shores of an enormous freshwater lake dotted with green islands, and surrounded by lush jungle, this spot on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, close to the borders with Belize and Guatemala, is in the heart of what was the ancient Mayan empire. Rustic good value accommodation is in thatch-roofed cabins, each with a verandah and decorated in Mexican style.

The lake is truly gorgeous, with crystal clear waters perfect for swimming. The hotel also provides kayaks for guests to explore the waters.

Large garden areas provide the perfect place for games like badminton and boules, and there's also a playground for kids. Beyond the garden is a private jungle wilderness where you can spot exotic birds and other beasts, enjoying guided walks or bike rides. There's also plenty of lying around to be enjoyed - in the lounge, leafing through the hotel's book collection, reading or dozing in your own hammock, or reclining by the lake in the shaded palapa at the dock.

good for mexico

This 100% solar-powered lodge has excellent eco-credentials. The cabins are made of local stone, which is naturally cool, and are all well ventilated. The land was carefully cleared so that as many trees as possible were left standing, and the gardens have been planted with cuttings from native tropical varieties found on the property and close by. The lodge grows its own organic bananas, papaya, breadfruit and limes, and the restaurant buys extra supplies from local growers and fishermen. Filtered grey water is used to irrigate the garden, and rainwater is carefully harvested. Owned by a Mexican / Canadian couple, the staff is made up of locals and the gift store allows local artists to sell their wares - the resort takes no commission.

Rooms

Food

A full breakfast including juice, coffee/tea, fresh local fruit, as well as the daily special, is included in the room rates.

Daily lunch and dinner specials are served the lodge's large thatched roof palapa where you'll enjoy a view of the lagoon as you sup on simple, tasty local dishes made from fresh local products. Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements are readily catered for. If you do wish to have lunch or dinner at the resort, the kitchen appreciates several hours' notice. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the nearby town for you to try as well.

Features & Facilities

• A wooden dock with a shaded palapa for diving into the lake
• Equipment for guests' use includes mountain bikes and kayaks - the hotel also offers guided bike tours and jungle walks.
• Outdoor game equipment.
• Expansive grounds with private jungle trails to explore.
• The hotel is happy to arrange some activities and treats, such as massages and other therapies, a private yoga class, and classes in Mexican cooking and Spanish.
• The entire property can be hired for retreats, conferences or meetings. Groups may rent all five cabins plus the two suites.

Local Info & Activities

activities at the resort

During the day you can spend your time just sitting and gazing at the lake and taking the occasional dip, or you can go for something more active, touring the native gardens and hiking or biking through the property's jungle trails, watching birds and looking out for other wildlife.

A short walk down the hill takes you to the lovely clear waters of Laguna de Bacalar, perfect for swimming or kayaking or just simply admiring. Also known as the Lagoon of Seven Colours, its bright shades of blue are extremely inviting. The hotel offers a dock (guests have free use of kayaks) as well as a rest area down by the water. Boat tours can be arranged and this is an ideal place for photography enthusiasts, both professional and amateur.

Villas Ecotucan offers guided bird watching tours as well as guided jungle walks during which visitors get a chance to learn about and observe the flora and fauna of the region. Some of the most commonly spotted birds on the property include white-bellied emerald, blue-crowned motmot, keel-billed toucan, blue ground dove, smoky-brown woodpecker, northern royal flycatcher, stub-tailed spadebill, Yucatan jay, brown jay, rose-throated tanager, Montezuma oropendola and kingfisher. Other commonly spotted wildlife in the area includes butterflies, coati, tejones, armadillos, monkeys and a wide variety of snakes and insects.

The resort provides plenty of outdoor equipment, including games like bocce, badminton, croquet, and volleyball.

activities around villas ecotucan

In nearby Bacalar you can stop by Cenote Azul, one of the deepest cenotes in the world, for a swim and lunch or dinner, or visit the Fort of San Felipe with its wonderful museum on the town square.

Take a day trip to the nearby Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, Becan, Kohunlich, Dzibanche, Chachobben, Oxtankah, Kinichna or any of the many wonderful, less-explored ruins within easy drive of Villas Ecotucan.

Visit Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo, and see the respected Mayan Anthropological Museum. Enjoy the city's markets and shops, eat at bayside outdoor restaurants and tour Mayan ruins.

The beautiful Caribbean is only 75 minutes away. From the quiet beach town of Mahahual, snorkle, dive, fish, sail, or just enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. With a rental car, explore a variety of wonderful Caribbean beaches and beach towns.

The remote resorts of Placer and Tampalam offer placid beauty on beautiful beaches. The small fishing village of Xcalak has a number of beaches and beach resorts as well as spectacular fishing and birding.

From Mahahual or Xcalak, one can book passage out to the Banco Chinchorro for great diving, snorkeling and fishing.

insider tips

More often than not, you will need cash (pesos or US dollars) for your purchases. Bring a debit or credit card that can be used at an ATM for cash withdrawals. Bacalar now has two ATM machines. Travelers' checks are rarely taken by merchants and cashing them or getting a cash advance through a bank usually entails long lines and a lot of patience.

If you plan to rent a car, do that before you arrive. In many instances, a car reserved by credit card, for instance in the United States or Canada, can be much less expensive than renting after arriving at the airport._

Bring insect repellent. In the open, or near the lake when there is a breeze, insects are not a problem, but at dusk and dawn and in the jungle, you will want protection.

Also bring sunscreen and a hat. The Yucatan sun can be very strong. _

Winter months can get a bit cool at night. You might want to bring a light sweater or long-sleeve shirt.

Sandals are great most of the time, but if you are planning on trips to the ruins or on exploring the jungle, bring sneakers or light hiking boots.

Sustainability

• The lodge is 100% solar-powered.
• Guests stay in thatch-roofed cabins made out of natural materials found on the eco-resort's land, including renewable timber and stone. Less than 1/2 hectare was cleared to build the cabins, while over 60 hectares have been preserved and are used for jungle walks to observe local plants and animals.
• Organic fruits are grown on the resort to be served to guests.
• Filtered grey water irrigates the gardens.
• The staff are all locals and the resort buys from local growers, farmers, fishermen and suppliers.
• The resort supports local artists and craftspeople by selling their work - commission-free - at the resort gift shop.

Getting There

Villas Ecotucan is located at kilometre 27.3 on highway 307, five kilometres north of the small town of Bacalar. The resort is about 350 km south of Cancun and about 200 km north of Belize City. The closest major city is Chetumal, capital of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Chetumal is about 40 km south of Bacalar and easily reached by car or public transport. The border of Belize is only 30 minutes away.

If coming to Mexico by plane, it is easiest to arrive at Cancun International Airport and then make your way south either by rental car or public transportation. Bus service is very good from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, as well as from Merida and other larger cities.

Villas Ecotucan is one kilometre off Highway 307 and 5 km north of the town of Bacalar. At the resort's driveway, located between highway km marker 27.3, there is a tall tree painted rainbow colours, a colourful structure, flags, and a large welcome sign. Turn at the Rainbow Tree and proceed for several minutes along a single lane, private dirt road.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Cabins for two adults (and up to two children under twelve) are $50 USD per night.

During Christmas season (December 18 through January 6) rates are $65 per night. An extra person in a room costs $7 more per night; for an extra child under twelve, add $3.

included

• Taxes, full breakfast, and use of facilities including kayaks, badminton, bocce, croquet, dock, and jungle trails.

excluded

• Rates do not include lunch, dinner, boat or day trips, guided tours, or mountain bike rental.

booking & cancellation policies

• A non-refundable deposit of 10% is required in order to secure a booking
• The remaining 90% is payable on departure from the hotel
• Cancellations near the time of arrival date will incur loss of the 10% deposit + other possible cancellation charges. Full information will be provided before a booking is confirmed.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.