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    Anne Marie
    Black women of every age and income bracket can and should consider solo traveling and living abroad either permanently or semi-permanently.

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Beautiful Bacalar

October 12, 2020

I have decamped to Tulum Mexico to remote work for 20+ days. Like many of my subscribers, I am planning a permanent exodus from the United States and I plan to make Mexico my semi-permanent home for at least 12 months.

I am currently doing some R&R in the white beachside tourist retreat of Tulum Quintana Roo Mexico. By R&R I do not mean “rest and relaxation” instead I’m talking research and reconnaissance. I’m taking a deep dive into multiple places to decide which feels right for semi-permanent resettlement.

As I started researching topics like “Safest places in Mexico”, “Where you should go in Mexico right now” and “most beautiful places in Mexico” one place in Mexico kept popping up in my search: Bacalar Mexico.

As I looked at the beautiful images, I was intrigued. What intrigued me most is that Bacalar is not a beach town. Instead, it is home to Lake Bacalar also known as the “lake of seven colors” due to the multiple hues on the face of the lake when the sun hits it.

I am not usually a lakefront girl. When I think of lakes, I immediately think of dragonflies and mosquitoes neither appeal. But the photos of the massive Lagoon in Bacalar literally beckoned me – forgive the alliteration. As I watched videos about the little town and its enchanting lake, I knew then if I would be in Tulum, I needed to get to Bacalar. Spotted to go on my first weekend in Tulum from a Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. I figured that would be enough.

Getting to Bacalar is not simple. As you may know, to get to Tulum you must fly into Cancun airport and then take a shuttle or bus for the 1.5-hour drive to Tulum. Bacalar is an additional 2.5-hour drive from Tulum. So, from Cancun or even Playa del Carmen. It is a bit quite a hike but I got to say it’s worth the hike! I took the ADO bus from Tulum to Bacalar. Find tickets via BusBud.comor download the app. The bus was large comfortable and air-conditioned. Damn near freezing. The very annoying movie playing on the bus, notwithstanding, overall it was a pleasant ride and most of the trip was via highway. I’m 5’1 and couldn’t see much over the high bus seat back so I didn’t see much outside the window. I opted to put on my noise-canceling headphones and listen to the Chiffon Trenches by Andre Leon Talley to kill the time. It’s a very entertaining way to kill a couple hours – trust me.

Upon arrival, I hopped off the bus and there were several little taxis waiting on the corner. My Airbnb host advised that transfer to their place should take no more than 7 minutes. I shared the address with a taxi driver and inquired “Cuanto para llevarme acqui? which means “how much to take me here?” He said $40 pesos. I was thrilled as that is the equivalent of $2.50 USD. I was expecting much more in Tulum a similar ride would cost $100-$150 pesos ($7-7.50 USD). I hoped in the car and in about 7-8 minutes he dropped me at the front door of my Airbnb. Here is a link to where I stayed.

My host kindly and cheerfully greeted me and showed me around the very cute 1-bedroom apartment that would be a spot for the weekend. She cautioned that there was not a lot happening and that I might be bored as she walked me down to the lake right in her backyard. She also said, “you can’t see the colors right now due to a lot of rainfall earlier this week?” She was somewhat apologetic but honestly, I was too busy gasping at the gorgeous view in front of me. It was nearing sunset and the lake view as simply amazing in its simply beautiful. I turned to her and said, “ you are blessed to live here, never forget that.”

The photo at the top is the picture I took as the sun began to set – no filter. Lake Bacalar or Lagoon Bacalar or Laguna de Bacalar is a long narrow lake approximately 42 km long measured from north to south, and less than 2 km at its widest according to Wikipedia. All I can say is when you are standing in front of it, it looks like an ocean, not a lake. It is called the ‘lake of seven colors’ due to the multiple hues of the water when the sun hits it. Jungle mangroves surround parts of the lake and it is simply magnificent.

I got up early the next morning to watch the sunrise as I had my first cup of coffee. I sat on a hammock for hours and just looked at the water as the colors began to change from blue to aqua to tourmaline and then back again. All I could think was “how lucky am I?” For lake water, it was surprisingly clear and still but my host warned to be careful of undercurrents in the evening.

I pretty much hung out at the lake for the entire day I was there. I wandered down to have a drink and dinner at La Playita a well-regarded restaurant a short walk down the street. The food was good especially the fried snapper I had for lunch on Saturday afternoon. The mojitos could’ve been stronger but they were tasty. But honestly, nobody is coming to Bacalar for the food or the drinks. You are coming for the Lake and dammit she’s worth the trip.

The town itself has a very rural, island feel to it but I spent very little time in the city center. I would like to return at some point for a longer period so I can walk around the city center and tour more of the lakefront.

If you are a swimmer or into water sports (I am not) you can do paddle boating, kayaking and there is are several cenotes. You can also take a boat ride around the lake and you can go snorkeling and diving. There is an interesting fort called Fuerte de San Felipe de Bacalar that would be a great place for an IG photoshoot if that’s your thing.

But people I came for the lake and the hammock and I enjoyed every relaxing moment of it. I felt at peace in Bacalar and I felt welcomed.

If you love seafood, as I do it is a wonderful place to eat fresh catch fish and shellfish.

Bacalar is not a party town. It was quiet at night and I’ve read it is always that way pandemic or not. She is not packed with tourists and that to me was a part of her charm. But the word is getting out about her and I expect that more and more people will find their way there. So, I say get there before that happens and she turns into a mini-Tulum because that would be very sad.  Would I settle in Bacalar? No. She is too far from the closest international airport which is Cancun. It is about a 4-5 hour drive from Cancun by car and about 5 to 5.5 hours by bus. Bacalar like all of Quintana Roo is also VERY hot. Also do bring mosquito repellent because dusk on that lake is not a game when it comes to the skeeters but you MUST see the sunset in Bacalar, it’s simply beautiful.

Bacalar was inexpensive. My stay cost under $200 and I barely spent $75 on food and drinks while is there. My bust ticket was $32 roundtrip.

So, in summary, if you visit Tulum, I will write about her separately, I urge you, to get to Bacalar, it is well worth the visit. She’s a must-visit in my book.

To see more of the beautiful images captured in Bacalar, please follow me on Instagram.

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Blog Posts  / Mexico  / Solo Female Travel  / Travel Planning

Anne Marie Archer
I am on a mission to make solo travel accessible and fun for everyone, especially Black Women over 40, and to dispel the myth that women over 50 can’t be fashionable, comfortable, and still travel #TeamCarryon.

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  • About Me

    Anne Marie

    Hi I'm Anne Marie. I Quit my high six-figure income job, jumped off the hamster wheel, exited the American Rat Race, packed up my house and moved to Mexico in May 2021. Now I am embracing my love of solo travel while working as an HR consultant and connecting Black Women Coaches to those who need them via The BlackWomen Coach™ Directory (www.blackwomencoach.com). I have traveled to over 40 countries and I want Black Women over 40 to embrace solo travel! Stop waiting for your girlfriends, husband, boyfriend to get on the road. Go see the world and live your best authentic unapologetic and free life right now.

    We each have this one precious life – you owe it to yourself to live your life to the fullest NOW!

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    The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical or legal advice. Readers should consult with a licensed professional to get advice for their individual situation. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for more information. Copyright BaldGirlWillTravel,LLC 2022. This website, Baldgirlwilltravel, LLC, And all trademarks and other intellectual property used herein are the property of MegEd Enterprises LLC.

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    Over 50 I Solo Travel for self care you should too! 30+🌍 & counting✈️

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    Here is what 7 nights in Nairobi, Kenya cost me. Here is what 7 nights in Nairobi, Kenya cost me.

Please note that I didn’t fly round trip because Nairobi what is the second stop in a five weeklong trip on the continent of Africa. 

The biggest ticket item for me on this leg of my trip was my airfare. The flight from Senegal to Kenya routed me through Mali and Addis Ababa Ethiopia and took 12.5 hours. I made a choice to invest in business class for the longest part of the flight which was 10 hours. Flying  around Africa can get expensive especially if you’re going from east to west or west to south so keep that in mind when you’re planning. It’s best to stay in one region if you want to keep the cost down.

I used some of my Chase Sapphire points to offset the cost of seven nights at the 5 star Sarova Stanley Hotel. Well worth it!

And I ate a lot at the hotel and drank a lot at the bar so I did run up a bit of a tab for food in Kenya.👀😳🍷🍷

I did some a fun tours using Viator and it was super affordable. When I think of everything I did, I’m surprised to see that I only paid $95 for a tour that took me to the giraffe Center, the elephant sanctuary, and a bead factory. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Nairobi, and I recommend it! Read my blog post at the link in bio to learn more about everything that I did in Nairobi!

#solotravel  #wheretostay #costbreakdown #melanin #blackwomentravel #travelgram #travel #travelblogger #blackandabroad #traveltips #kenya #nairobi #visitafrica #visitkenya
    In my YouTube live this week and my current blog p In my YouTube live this week and my current blog post I hope I laid a rest for all times my response to the question “is Mexico safe for solo travel?“ Considering that these inquiries primarily come from Americans, who live in arguably one of the most dangerous countries in the entire world, I find it ironic. But I have given a lengthy response In my last YouTube live and in my blog post. I’m sure someone will still come in my comments and either make a snarky remark or ask the question again🙄 Do I think Mexico does not require any safety precautions? Of course not. There’s nowhere in the world that’s completely safe. And Mexico has its problems as does almost every country in the world, but I find it eminently safe for Solo travel as long as you exercise common sense and basic situational awareness. I explain what I mean and the things that I specifically think are important for solo travel to Mexico in my blog post and on my YouTube chat. You can catch both at the link in bio, but the bottom line is Mexico is safe for tourist travel, including solo travel. unless you’re planning to hang out in a border town 👀👀 you should be perfectly fine. Always do your homework about your destination. If you have relationships with the locals, ask them as well and don’t come down here and just drop all your defenses. Exercise common sense and situational awareness and you will be OK. Happy traveling! #vivamexico #solotravel #safetravels #travel #travelsafe #melanin #blackgirlstraveltoo #travelover50 #seesomeworld
    Here is what six nights and seven days in Dakar Se Here is what six nights and seven days in Dakar Senegal cost me.

Please note that I didn’t fly round trip because Dakar I flew next to Nairobi, so those cost will be included in my breakdown of the cost for my stay in Nairobi Kenya. 

Overall, I think I did pretty well considering what 7-10 days  in Egypt and Ghana are going to cost me in an group trip later this year👀👀

I thoroughly enjoyed myself in Dakar, and I highly recommend it! #solotravel #dakar #senegal #wheretostay #costbreakdown #melanin #blackwomentravel #travelgram #travel #travelblogger #blackandabroad #traveltips
    Is Mexico safe? Is it safe for solo travel? This i Is Mexico safe? Is it safe for solo travel? This is a question that I get asked a lot. In light of the events a month ago, I will revisit my thoughts about solo travel and Safety in Mexico tonight on my weekly Thursday teatime on #YouTube. I’ll talk a bit about the places. I think are safe and ideal for solo travel and places I think you should avoid. You can subscribe to my channel at the link in bio and I’ll see you later at 6 PM CST and 8 PM EDT for a little chat  Grab your glass of wine and join me.  #mexico #solotravel #travel #safetravels #travelsafely #travelsafety
    Use every single minute of it! #LifeIsWorthLiving Use every single minute of it! #LifeIsWorthLiving #Live #solotravelislife #solotravel
    On this weeks Thursday teatime🫖 I will share my On this weeks Thursday teatime🫖 I will share my thoughts on whether I think Mexico is safe for solo travel. I will speak about this from my perspective as a 50+ woman who solo travels around Mexico. So if you’re planning a solo trip to Mexico, make sure you join this live.

Subscribe at the link in bio or here

And don’t forget to hit the notification bell🛎️ so you know every time a new video drops
#safety #mexico #travelsafety #travelsafe #solotravel
    SAVE AND SHARE Hey everyone! Are you planning on SAVE AND SHARE

Hey everyone! Are you planning on traveling with your iPhone soon? Here are my top 5 tips to keep it safe during your journey:

1.    Use a protective case and screen protector to prevent scratches and cracks.
2.    Set a passcode or use biometric authentication (like Touch ID or Face ID) to secure your device.
3.    Turn on Find My iPhone so you can locate your phone if it gets lost or stolen.
4.    Keep your phone close to you and never leave it unattended in public places.
5.    Avoid connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks, as they may put your personal information at risk.

Read my blog post at the link in bio for all 10 of my iPhone Solo Travel Safety Tips.

At this Thursdays TeaTime I am talking Safe Solo Travel in Mexico and sharing my thoughts on whether Mexico is safe for solo travel.

I spent 15+ years overseeing global security in the international development sector. The most important thing to remember when traveling alone, especially as a woman, is to practice situational awareness and common sense. If it feels wrong even for a minute don’t do it. 

I share solo travel safety and security advice based on my 15+ years of experience in the downloadable BaldGirlWillTravel: A Guide to Travel Safety and Security for Solo Female Travelers” 

Grab yours at the link in bio or here: https://baldgirlwilltravel.com/product/bald-girl-will-travel-a-guide-to-travel-safety-security-for-solo-female-travelers/

At $15 a download it’s a bargain and it will tell you what you need to know about traveling alone as a woman and doing it safely. It’s been recently updated. 

Don’t let Social media personalities scare you. You can be safe anywhere in the world. Stay Ready so You Don’t have to Get Ready!

Remember: 
Life is short. 
Book the trip.
You’re welcome

#iphonesafetytips #traveltips #protectyourphone #staysafewhiletraveling #travelsmart #applesecurity #phoneprotection #cybersecurity #safetravels #techtips #solotravel #solotravelsafety #travelsafe #travelsmart #safety #safetravel #traveltips #travelhacks #hotelsafety #airbnbsafety #tipandtricks
    I go live in 30 minutes 6 PM CST or 8 PM EDT to sp I go live in 30 minutes 6 PM CST or 8 PM EDT to spill Allll The Tea 🫖🫖🫖about my recent visit to Nairobi Kenya. Make sure you are subscribed to my #YouTube #channel and Hit your notification bell to know when we are going LIVE.

#nairobi
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#melanatedwanderlust
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#travelnoire
    If you're looking for an unforgettable experience If you're looking for an unforgettable experience during your visit to Nairobi, Kenya, then you have to check out the Giraffe Center!

The Giraffe Center is a non-profit organization that aims to provide a home for the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. This center is located just 20 minutes away from Nairobi's city center, making it a must-visit spot for both locals and tourists.

One of the highlights of visiting the Giraffe Center is the opportunity to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. You can feed them with specially prepared pellets from a raised platform and even get a giraffe kiss by placing a pellet in your mouth and letting the giraffe take it from you!

The Giraffe Center also provides education to visitors on the importance of conservation efforts and the work being done to protect the giraffe population in Kenya.

Overall, the Giraffe Center is an amazing destination that offers a unique experience with these beautiful animals while supporting conservation efforts. Make sure to add it to your bucket list and let us know in the comments if you've had the chance to visit! 

I will tell you all about my visit to the Giraffe Center at this Thursday’s Tea Time!

Also read my blog post about my visit to Nairobi Kenya at the link in bio.

Join me on my #youtube #channel each and every Thursdays at 6p Central, 7p EST or on the replay to discuss a Solo Travel topic. Grab your favorite beverage while I spill the tea about the good bad and ugly of traveling over 50 solo

Hit your notification bell to know when we are going LIVE. 

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