City of Bacalar sits on the edge of the largest fresh water lagoon, which is known as "La Laguna de Siete Colores", the lake of seven colors. The colors of the lake change throughout the day to different shades of blue depending on the various light conditions. Bacalar is named after Bak'halar, the name Maya called the City before the Spanish arrived. Bak'halar meaning "surrounded by reeds" referring to sea grass that grows in the shallow waters along the lakes edge.