Constructed between 1725 and 1733, the Fort of San Felipe tells the history of Bacalar in relation to the Mayas and pirates. Its construction was due to the fact that in those times, Bacalar was constantly plundered by English, French, Dutch, African and Oriental pirates who came to Bacalar in search of dyewood. In 1858, the fort was taken by Mayan insurgents during the Caste War.
Being right in front of the Bacalar Lagoon, another attraction of this important bastion is the majestic view it offers and from where you can take the best pictures with its different shades of blue in the background.
Currently the fort houses a small enclosure known as the Museum of Piracy, where scale boats, interactive devices, weapons, maps and historical pieces that concentrate all the history of the town and its relationship with the pirates are displayed.