Floating Los Rapidos

We found our most favorite adventure of the whole trip - Bacalar Los Rapidos. It is a well hidden gem and we were so glad to find it.

This is a beautiful channel between two lakes where the current gently floats you from one end to the other. On both sides are rock type formations called stromatolites. What are stromatolites you ask? They are living fossils of layered sedament and other organic matter that turn hard as they age, similar to stalactites. The outer layer of these amazing ‘rocks’ have organisims that actually breath and clean the water. You are not to touch them, which can easily be done as the water flow keeps you in the middle.

The channel is approximately 1 kilometer long and it is a bit of a walk along the rocks to the head of it. This can be a tricky venture and you must have water socks. We felt so sorry for the folks who were barefoot. The rocks are very sharp (as my thumb will attest when I fell) and you have to be so careful with every step, but the trek is so worth it. Once you reach the head of the channel, you lie back and float. There are several small lagoons along the route where you can easily drift into and just lay in the water and soak up the sun.

Once you reach the end of the floating area, getting out can be a bit tricky. You make sure you are close enough to the edge to grab onto the rocks and pull yourself over into a small lagoon, outside of the current. If you miss it, it is a tough swim back.

There are also kayaks if you want to paddle against the current and then float back - no thanks!

Of course there is a restaurant along the channels edge to lounge, eat, rest, and watch the floaters go by. This was so fun, we did it twice, not counting the video and plan to go back again before we head north.