Chacchobén Mayan Ruins
Chacchobén, a Mayan archaeological site, has a history spanning several periods, from its initial occupation around the 3rd century to its abandonment and rediscovery. After a period of neglect, the site was rediscovered in 1942 by a local Mayan, Serviliano Cohuo, who even built his home there. It was later recognized by archaeologists and finally restored and opened to the public in 2002.
BACALAR LAGOON
Bacalar Lagoon is popularly known as the lagoon of seven colors, as it has seven different shades of blue. This is due to the varying depths of its water. Within the lagoon are three cenotes, whose waters overflowed and created a single lagoon. Its shape is narrow and long, measuring 55 km in length and only 2.5 km at its widest point. Bacalar Lagoon is one of the few permanent surface water bodies in the Yucatán Peninsula, whose calcareous soil does not allow surface water retention, thus forming underground currents and cenotes. The Bacalar region and southern Quintana Roo are exceptions, as the lagoon is part of a larger system along with other smaller lagoons such as Mariscal Lagoon, Chile Verde Lagoon, Guerrero Lagoon, and Milagros Lagoon, which are connected by the Chac Estuary, swamps, and marshes with the Hondo River and Chetumal Bay. Unlike other parts of the peninsula, this system of lagoons, rivers, and bays enabled communications and development in southern Quitanarro.