San Joaquin Parish

This iconic 18th-century church is the spiritual heart of Bacalar. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, it features a majestic ceiba tree in its atrium, a sacred tree to the Maya. It is dedicated to Saint Joachim, the city's patron saint and grandfather of Jesus. Historically, the church was a crucial site of refuge and protection for the inhabitants during the violent Caste War, witnessing some of the most intense episodes of local resistance. Open to the public Monday through Sunday.