While tourists pack into Cancún's all-inclusives, savvy travelers are discovering that Quintana Roo's best experiences — kayaking through pirate canals in Bacalar, snorkeling with sea turtles at protected Xcacel beach, and swimming in jungle cenotes — are found in the state's lesser-known destinations.
A detailed trip report on r/travel captured the magic that awaits travelers willing to venture beyond the resort zone. The journey focused on Bacalar and Akumal, two destinations that offer Caribbean beauty without the crowds and commercialization of Cancún and Playa del Carmen.
Bacalar: the seven-colored lagoon
Bacalar, translated as "place surrounded by reeds," centers around a massive lagoon known for displaying seven distinct shades of turquoise depending on depth and light. The town itself remains remarkably low-key despite growing popularity, with locally-owned guesthouses and restaurants outnumbering chain hotels.
The highlight for many visitors is kayaking the Canal de los Piratas (Pirates' Canal), an ancient waterway that once connected pirates to the Caribbean Sea. At approximately 7km, the paddle takes several hours and passes an abandoned hotel overtaken by vegetation — now covered in murals and home to fish that have reclaimed the flooded structure.
"Keeping an eye out for crocodiles and snakes" adds an element of adventure missing from sanitized resort experiences, one traveler noted. The area's wildlife remains active and visible, unlike developed coastal zones where natural ecosystems have been displaced.
Akumal: sea turtles and protected nature
Akumal has managed to preserve its small-town character despite being situated between tourist magnets Playa del Carmen and . The town's name means in Mayan, and three species still nest on local beaches.
