Mexican aquapreneurs Fernando PerezGil and Ana Mendez had a vision for a beautiful part of the world where they swim and work. They formed the Bacalar Swim Club that specializes in all-inclusive swim vacations in southern Yucatán.
They offer 4-day all-inclusive swim vacations where the average swim distance is 20 km and a longer 7-day all-inclusive swim vacation where the average swim distance is 30 km.
Their location is the Bacalar Lagoon.
Bacalar Lagoon (or Lake Bacalar) is a 2 km wide, 60 km long, narrow freshwater lake in Quintana Roo near Mexico’s border with Belize. It is located in the southern Yucatán peninsula. Clean fresh water is fed into the lagoon through underwater rivers and springs. The water is a remarkable blue color with incredible water clarity, partly the result of having a white limestone bottom. It is a short drive from the Caribbean Sea.
PerezGil says, “Our 7-night experience offers a cumulative swim distance around 30 km and on our 4-night experience has closer to 20 km, but obviously everything can be adapted to what the group wants, so we could increase or decrease both the number of swims and the distances. We swim in several locations: next to the shore, across the lagoon, wee swim with current, we swim into water springs, we swim in cenotes – underwater caves that resulted from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath – we even swim over the reef in the Caribbean.“
The water is warm, ranging from 26-30°C (79-86°F). There are no current except for a mild current assist going through the rapids. The wind is usually moderate so the water is calm with very little, if any, waves. There is not much marine life other than a few small fish.”
2025 Schedule
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
- Friday – Sunday, May 16th – 18th
- Wednesday – Sunday, May 21st – 25th
- Sunday – Thursday, June 15th – 19th
- Friday – Sunday, June 20th – 22nd
- Wednesday – Sunday, June 25th – 29th
The cost includes airport transfer to and from the hotel, hotel accommodations, breakfast, post-swim snacks and water, lunch, transportation to and from all swim spots, boat outings, kayak escorts, swim cap, entry to all swimming locations and tours, and last-day group dinner.
Customized Swim Tours
PerezGil and Ana Mendez also offers personalized group multi-day trip planning services to help you choose everything from your hotel, additional activities and customized swims to create a unique multi-day travel experience.
One testimonial reads, “Swimming with Bacalar Swim Club was an unforgettable experience. The lagoon’s crystal clear turquoise waters were breathtakingly beautiful. Swimming through its calm, serene waters was refreshing and rejuvenating. The guides were knowledgeble and friendly, always prioritizing safety, swimmer enjoyment, and tailoring the swim to all skill levels. Every detail was perfect, from learning about the lagoon’s unique features to enjoying delicious post-swim snacks. I can’t wait to do it again.”
For more information, email info@bacalarswimclub.com or visit bacalarswimclub.com.
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