Veleando Ando Cabañas

Mario made this catamaran trip with Veleando Ando one of the best experiences I’ve had on the water. His energy was infectious, and he knows so much about Bacalar and its ecosystems. He clearly loves the work and made everyone feel welcome and excited. Along the route he shared great stories, pointed out special spots, and made sure we were all enjoying ourselves. The lagoon is breathtaking, and the comfortable catamaran, beautiful route, and magical atmosphere made the trip unforgettable. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. If you’re going to Bacalar, I’d recommend booking with Veleando Ando, especially if Mario is your guide. This was the highlight of my trip.

Our four-hour catamaran sail was a relaxed, fun way to see the lake, and the length felt just right. We had chances to swim at the stops, with fresh fruit, drinks, and beers provided. Our guide was very friendly, but didn’t do much to translate the Spanish information into English unless we asked. That worked for us, since the kids weren’t keen on long talking tours, though it might bother someone looking for a detailed tour with a charismatic guide. It was a good experience for a reasonable price. Thank you!

The lagoon is beautiful, but our sailing trip with Velandro Ando was terrible and felt like a health hazard. I booked by phone and Whatsapp and received confirmation, but when we arrived the next day nobody knew about it and there was no boat. The boss, Marco, then “organized” something, and we were sent out for a four-hour trip in a tiny, dirty catamaran with no shade or motor. There was blazing sun, no wind, and we were told we couldn’t use sunscreen if we wanted to get in the water. It was 33 Celsius or 92 Fahrenheit. I’m glad we didn’t get heatstroke. With no wind at all, another boat had to tow us back for around 5km. When we complained afterward, nobody even apologized. How do you ruin a beautiful sailing experience in a beautiful lagoon? Try Velandro Ando. Seriously, not recommended. Try one of the many other companies.

The day on the water was perfect. A small catamaran turned out to be a great way to see Laguna, and Mario was an ideal captain and guide. He shared his extensive knowledge of the area and Mayan history, while giving us just the right amount of attention.