Bacalar – as enchanting as the word sounds, as magical is the Mexican place that bears this name. In the untouched nature of the lagoon town, the colours blue and green take on a whole new dimension, not only pleasing to the eye but also touching the soul. How do you build a resort here? With a lot of mindfulness. The Boca de Agua shows how. It blends in so seamlessly that you could be forgiven for thinking it was part of the ecosystem.
The lagoon town of Bacalar on the Yucatán Peninsula is even officially a magical place, a Pueblo Mágico to be precise. These are areas in Mexico that are considered particularly worth seeing. What makes Bacalar so magical? In the Mayan language, the name means surrounded by reeds or should we say sheltered? It truly seems as if you could discover a hidden treasure here.
The water of the lagoon, which is actually a lake, shimmers in various shades of blue and green depending on the viewing angle, time of day or season. Seven colours are said to be visible here, which is why Bacalar is also known as the Laguna de los Siete Colores. Beneath the surface of the water are stromatolites, particularly impressive living stones – one of the oldest forms of life on earth. And the mangroves, which watch over the coast like wise water creatures, also seem to be out of this world. On land, however, there is a dense, lush green jungle of mahogany trees, cedars and palms. Monkeys, foxes and coatis feel just as at home here as numerous exotic birds, butterflies and turtles.
Mindful mexican architecture
And among the trees? There is Boca de Agua, built by Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, with its tree houses inspired by a traditional Mayan village, which blend symbiotically with the surroundings. In order to minimise the impact on the area, the houses made of local wood were raised and not built on the ground. Hardly a single plant had to give way for the construction. It has become a peaceful retreat and proof that tourism can also be gentle, very gentle. As gentle as the word Bacalar.
Boca de Agua is a member of Lifestylehotels
photocredits: Boca de Agua (guytheguide, Leandro Bulzzano, Manuel Zuniga, the polf, César Bréjar)