The ramparts
Above the lagoon.
Alejandro Hernández Osuna — CC0 · panza.rayada — CC BY-SA 3.0 · holachetumal — CC BY 3.0 · holachetumal — CC BY 3.0 · Lidia Tretyakova — CC BY-SA 3.0
The Fort of San Felipe is a small star-shaped stone fort on a rise above Bacalar's lagoon of seven colours. Sloping grey stone walls, a grassy moat and old cannons on the ramparts stand against the turquoise water behind. It was built in the early 18th century, finished in 1733 according to most sources, to defend Bacalar against the pirates who came to the area for logwood. A museum opened in it in 1983, and today it is Bacalar's Museum of Piracy, covering the fort, the pirates and the region's history. You cross the bridge inside, climb the ramparts for the view over the lagoon and visit the museum rooms, which show weapons, ship models and stories of the raids on the town. The gardens around it are a quiet place to sit at sunset, and steps lead down to the street that runs to the lakeshore and its jetties. It is in the centre of Bacalar itself, steps from the main square. The museum is usually closed on Mondays.
Above the lagoon.
On the walls.
From the gardens.
Central Bacalar, on Bacalar Lagoon, Quintana Roo
Usually Tuesday to Sunday.
About an hour.
