The original name of Bacalar dates from prehispanic times, when the area was known as Siyan Ka´an Bakjalal; Siyan Kaán translates as birth of the sky; Bakjalal or bak jalal means enclosed or surrounded by reeds. In the prehispanic period Bacalar was the most important settlement and capital of Uaymil, one of the 16 provinces into which Yucatan was divided before the arrival of the Spaniards. It was a major commercial zone since it was the transfer point for diverse merchandise brought from Central America, particularly from the Ulúa region of Honduras.

In 1531 the first contacts were made with the Spanish conquerors in their occupation zone. The Town was depopulated due to the indigenous rebellions against the Spaniards, a situation that worsened in 1642 when Bacalar was attacked by English pirates. Pirate attacks increased after the conquest due to the conflicts between England, France and Holland against Spain, all fighting for possession of colonies in America. This affected the way of life in Bacalar since its development was frequently impeded by these incursions that were disastrous for the town’s life and economy.

After Independence, Bacalar was the most important settlement in the eastern region of the Yucatan Peninsula. Relations between creoles, mestizos and Maya were excellent and based on mutual respect. The area was noteworthy for its buildings made with masonry, such as its maritime customs house, school, fort, church and large warehouses where you could find all kinds of merchandise.

In 1847 the War of the Castes broke out. The indigenous rebels demanded that the Bacalar authorities supply them with provisions in exchange for not killing the inhabitants, but the troops abandoned the Town, fleeing towards Belize, which enabled the Maya to take control of the city and establish stores of arms, munitions and gunpowder supplied by the English, who supported the rebellion in exchange for permits to exploit the forest resources of the area. Thirteen years after the indigenous rebellion began, Bacalar was the scene of a most bloody event, when Yucatecan troops commanded by colonel Cetina, recovered the settlement. The Maya forces allied to the Spanish attacked the inhabitants and killed most of them, many of whom had taken refuge in the church and the fort.