Samsara Bacalar — Restaurant in Bacalar

Mixed Experience — Great Food & Service, But Serious Safety and Billing Issues

I recently visited this establishment and had a mixed experience that I feel compelled to share.

On the positive side, the personal service was excellent. I was treated with kindness and attentiveness by the staff serving food and drinks, and I tipped them directly for their great work. The food itself was fantastic — I ordered guacamole, aquachiles, and food to go, and all of it was fresh and delicious.

However, there are serious safety concerns that need urgent attention. During my visit on July 1, 2025, there were only a few other guests around (not a tour group), so it was easy to observe staff behavior. The individual responsible for the Jet Skis operated one while facing backwards — seemingly just to show off and get high-fives from other staff. This was not only reckless, it showed a clear disregard for the safety of swimmers in the water. It appeared this same person was also in charge of preparing Jet Skis for other guests, which is very concerning. Staff said his name was Borrego, though it’s unclear if that was his real name or a nickname.

On top of that, the bar increased the prices during checkout, claiming that the menu was outdated. I was outnumbered 6 to 1 and felt pressured to pay the new total, despite not being informed of any changes in advance. It's frustrating to feel misled in a place that otherwise showed such hospitality.

I hope management addresses these issues. The food and personal service were excellent, but safety and honesty must come first — especially when guests are in the water and trusting staff with...

Well.

Place looked promising on paper as well as upon arrival. Great music, amazing atmosphere, great little setup etc.

Ordered drinks, came rather swiftly and were good. Then ordered food. Then ordered drinks again and the waiter proceeded to tell us the drinks is were on happy hour. Why didn’t he say so before ? Why didn’t he apply the happy hour to all four drinks on the bill ? No idea.

Food came after approximately 45 minutes. 2 burgers and chips ( about 12 customers in the place ) actually ONE burger and chip. Mine didn’t come. Burger came with no sauces or cutlery. Had to ask. When brought only brought one set. Oh well I didn’t have my food so never mind anyway. My food came 25 mns after my girlfriends.

At this point I should say : the food was really good but felt like our experience was spoiled by the bad service.

Asked for the bill, had to go pay as no one would come and a 15% service charge was slapped on before I could see and before I could choose what level of reward I was ready to give for the service I had received.

The great kitchen staff is being massively let down by waiters who would rather have a chat with their than...

We spend one day at the maracuya and rented a kayak there for the whole day (500 pesos for a kayak for 2 people). The kayak was ok, unfortunately didn’t have anything where you could lean your back against so it gets quite uncomfortable after some hours. What I didn’t like: Right after a welcome from one of the staff members we were offered a free half hour (or 2 ½ instead of 2 hours for 400 pesos) if we immediately write a good review on Trip Advisor. To me, this is truly unprofessional and good places wouldn’t need that. In addition, everybody except that one staff member was as unfriendly as you could be. No looking into the eyes, no smile, sometimes not even a reaction when we for example asked for our stored bags. Third, they are intransparent about their prices on the menu and add tax in the end without making that clear on the menu. Overall, we found that the prices for the drinks are quite high in comparison. We therefore didn’t go back and found a better place for a second day of...