QR authorities close hotel after its van plunges into Bacalar Lagoon

Authorities successful the idyllic Quintana Roo abrogation spot of Bacalar unopen down the 13-month-old Cristalino Lagoon Front Hotel connected Monday aft the property’s rider van was accidentally driven into Bacalar Lagoon.

The lagoon-front edifice sits connected the enactment of Mexico’s 2nd largest freshwater body, besides known arsenic the Laguna de los Siete Colores, oregon Lake of Seven Colors.

La imprudencia al volante en la Laguna de 7 Colores, #Bacalar 🚗🏖️

Una camioneta de turistas sufrió un accidente tras una mala maniobra por parte del conductor.

Aquí el video. 👇 https://t.co/teGNzZLQFv

— Fuerza Informativa Azteca (@AztecaNoticias) February 11, 2025

The achromatic van plunged into the lagoon astir midday Monday owed to what officials described arsenic the driver’s deficiency of accomplishment connected a ramp adjacent Cenote Esmeralda — a vividly bluish sinkhole that seamlessly blends into the lagoon’s turquoise waters.

No injuries were reported, and a crane was utilized to extract the half-sunken vehicle from the water.

Bacalar authorities yet determined that the Cristalino Lagoon Front Hotel Restaurant & Spa was operating without the required permits and ordered its contiguous closure. It opened successful December 2023.

In addition, unit from assorted agencies were called to the scene.

“Investigations person been launched to find the harm caused to the lagoon system, whether owed to oil, gasoline oregon immoderate different substance spill that could person superior effects connected the lagoon, which is the municipality’s main earthy attraction,” the Bacalar City Council said successful a statement.

This is the archetypal recorded incidental of a conveyance falling into the lagoon.

The edifice van had to beryllium extracted with a crane. No 1 wrong the van was reported injured. (Ayuntamiento de Bacalar)

The edifice reportedly volition stay closed until its ineligible concern is resolved and officials corroborate determination are nary further biology risks.

One of the astir picturesque earthy wonders successful Mexico, Bacalar Lagoon is simply a fashionable destination successful the confederate authorities of Quintana Roo, adjacent the authorities superior of Chetumal and the Belize-Mexico border. 

Circular successful signifier and shallow — which allows for comfy swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding — the lagoon’s serene, mirror-like aboveground often breathtakingly reflects sunrises and sunsets. The lagoon is renowned for stunning bluish gradients, ranging from turquoise to heavy navy, owed to varying depths and achromatic limestone sediment.

Dozens of abrogation properties — ranging from ecofriendly bungalows and boutique hotels to luxury resorts — are successful the wide area, with a caller 1 coming soon: a Marriott, with operation slated to statesman by the extremity of the month.

With reports from La Jornada Maya, El Debate, De Peso Quintana Roo and Quadratin