Gentle Jungle Adventures

Mis Casas provides a variety of low-impact ecological tours of the north end of Laguna Bacalar and surrounding jungle. These tours are by foot, bicycle, canoe, kayak or raft. All require that participants power themselves gently though the environment be it in the water or on the land.

Up close and personal is our motto for the tours we offer. We provide tours for a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 6 people. We provide the kayaks, canoes, rafts, bicycles or swim goggles you require to participate. We also provide needed safety equipment and on-tour refreshments. We ask you to provide your drinking water, and appropriate clothing including water shoes, sun hat and sun glasses. It is hot and sometimes buggy in the jungle and hot and sometimes windy on the lake. The best time to take a lake trip is in the early morning as that is the best time to see the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding ecosystems. Binoculars and cameras should be carried in a watertight bag.

The lowest impact and least challenging but perhaps most rewarding is the Up Close and Personal water walk. Starting right at Mis Casas waterfront dock we walk in the water in a northerly direction into the big bay about 150meters away. Here you will see nature at its best, viewing orchids, bromeliads and cacti that adorn the tropical trees and the small reptiles, amphibians and fish that swim and dart around. If you are lucky you may see the endangered neo-tropical otter that frequents the bay. This tour can vary in time but normally take about 1 to 1.5 hours. The cost is 100pesos ($10.00US) per adult and 50 pesos for children age 6-13.

Below you will find descriptions of the other organized tours we offer.
Excursion Notes
1 All tour prices include boat rental, refreshments or meals as indicated, and trip guide(s). While Mis Casas Tours and Camping Laguna Azul provide quality equipment and safety practices all participants are participating at their own risk.
2 It is hot on the water and buggy in the jungle. Appropriate dress attire includes light-weight, light-coloured long-sleeve shirts, long pants, hat, bug spray, and good walking shoes for the jungle treks; bathing suits or shorts with bring-along light-weight cover-up clothes, water shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat for kayak trips.
3 Cameras and binoculars should be carried in watertight bags
4 Some refreshments are provided but bring lots of bottled drinking water with you on your trips

If you enjoy morning bird watching this 2.5-hour outing is for you. Arrive at 'Mis Casas' location (44 Oso Hormiguero) by 6:30 am and join Katarina and/or Kim for some delightful roof top bird watching. Some birds that are seen on a fairly regular basis include: Toucans, Hummingbirds, Parrots, Squirrel Coo Coos, Mot Mots, Trogans, Ant Tanagers and Masked Tityras. Long time birders who have visited this area have been excited to see several “lifers”(birds they have been looking for for years and years).

Upon arrival for your visit you will be served coffee or tea and around 8am a delicious breakfast (eggs, bacon and home fries or fruit salad and pancakes).

Cost: 125 pesos per person
Time: 2.5 hours - 6:30am to 9:00am
Numbers: minimum 2 people - maximum 6 people
Booking: by 6pm the evening before or in advance to ensure the morning you want

Starting from Mis Casas location participants will travel 1km across to the east shore of the lake via canoe or fishing boat to start their 2 hour trek through the jungle guided by a Maya guide who knows the jungle like the back of his hand. Walking along the dirt road that parallels the east side of the lake you can see spectacular vegetation (orchids, bromeliads, tropical trees), many different birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Monkeys, Anteaters and Tejons are frequently seen. At the end of your walk enjoy some snacks and refreshments on the lakeside before heading back across the lake.

Cost: 250 pesos per person
Time: 3-3.5 hours - 8:00am-11: 30
Numbers: minimum 2 people - maximum 5 people
Booking: minimum 2-day advance notice needed

Starting from Mis Casas, participants will travel 2km to the north end of the lake by kayak or canoe to explore the wetlands and creek that feed the northern end of the lake. Huge water lily patches dot the creek and birds dart out from the Mangrove-lined shore. On the return part of the paddle a rest break with snacks is taken at Santa Cruz Chico. There is a recently restored settlement (now known as Uchben Kah)that highlights the original lakeside pueblo before highway 307 was built in the mid 1950s and the pueblo of Pedro A. Santos was born. A "climbing gym" in the middle of the lake offers a fun water experience.

Cost: 200 pesos per person (Uchben Kah stop extra)
Time: 2.5-3 hours - 8:30am - 11am or 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Numbers: minimum 2 people - maximum 4 people
Booking: 6pm the evening before or book ahead to get your day of choice

Starting from Mis Casas location, participants will travel by kayak 3 km south on the lake to enter an enchanted tropical paradise. Traveling about ½ km down this small river, participants will be treated to the incredible sounds of jungle birds and animals that make this location home. Orchids, bromeliads and cacti adorn the old trees that hug the river’s shoreline. Snacks will be served while participants quietly float in their boats and watch for wildlife. See also "development in progress" and the effects on wildlife. With farmland development changes to the river's habitats occur.

Cost: 250 pesos per person
Time: 3 hours 8:00am-11:00am
Numbers: minimum 2 people - maximum 4 people
Booking: 6pm the evening before or book ahead to get your day of choice

Leaving from Mis Casas location at sunrise, participants will kayak 3 km south, passing the lakefront lots of Edijo Pedro A. Santos, Rancho San Martin and abandoned rancho San Carlos before traveling another 3 km alongside "goat island" to the southern tip of the large bay on the east side of the lake affectionately called Manatee Bay. Manatees have been sighted here as have Merlot Crocodiles and a variety of tree climbing jungle animals like Tejons (badgers) and small shore inhabiting reptiles like turtles and basilisks. Additionally, herons, egrets, turkey vultures, ospreys, kingfishers and other bird life populate this area of thick Mangrove trees and tropical vegetation.

Rest and refreshment breaks will be taken on this 4.5-hour round trip excursion. Upon returning to Mis Casas location, a hearty brunch will be served while participants share their stories, before no doubt heading off for a well-deserved siesta.

Cost: 400 pesos per person
Time: 5-6 hours 6:00am-11:00am
Numbers minimum 2 people - maximum 4 people
Booking: noon the day before departure or book ahead to get your day of choice

Upon demand longer kayak trips on Laguna Bacalar can be arranged. Please speak with Katarina at Mis Casas to get more information about these possibilities.
Possible day trips include:
  • Laguna Bacalar to Laguna Chili Verde ending at Raudales (2 days, 1 night);
  • Return trip from the Town of Bacalar to Xul-Ha (full day)
  • Return trip from 'Mis Casas' to Buenavista (nearby town and beautiful swim/picnic area (full day)
  • Rio Hondo-Bacalar (8 days and 7 nights) (La Union to Huay Pix to Bacalar)
  • Route of the Pirates (shorter version) from Bacalar to Huay Pix) full day

Discover the Route of the Pirates
For hundreds of years adventurers have travelled the route from the Bay of Chetumal into Laguna Bacalar. Starting at the north end of the lake this was the route used during the Mahogany Logging Industry days (mid 1900s) to ship the enormous logs out to the sea for transport to far away places. The route has over time taken on the name Canal de los Piratos a route used firstly by the Maya and later by the Spanish explorers.

Leaving from Mis Casas participants (2 or 3 people plus guide) will spend 3 nights, 4 days travelling south on Laguna Bacalar, into the Rio Hondo (Mexican, Belizian border) and ending at the bridge 'Subtiente Lopez' (free trade zone border crossing).
The serenity, physical challenge and astounding bird life make this trip something you will never forget.

CONTACT:
Kathryn Running - Pedro Santos, Q.Roo, Mexico
Mailing Address Camping Laguna Azul, S.A. De C.V.
A.P.#3 Bacalar
Quintana Roo, C.P.77931 Mexico
Fax from Canada/US 011-52-1-983-834-2035
011-52-1-983-834-2126
email: mexico@krunning.com
Mis Casas cell phone (in operation when we are in Mexico)
011-52-1-983-114-7325
To get there: * km 59 carretera 307, Pedro Santos.
Quintana Roo, Mexico
  * kilometro 3.75 en la laguna (Lote 44)