Bacalar is photogenic, but this makes it easy. You get a private photography session in Bacalar with both drone shots from above and camera photos on the ground, tailored around the town and the lagoon. I like the mix of aerial + classic angles because it gives you variety for social posts and keepsakes. One consideration: the session depends on good weather, since drone work can be weather sensitive.
I also like that the whole thing is designed to stay personal. You meet at Av 1 181, Mario Villanueva Madrid, and you move through the city and around Lake Bacalar at your group’s pace for about 2 hours, with the photographer doing the heavy lifting and leaving you with edited photo and video files.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- A private Bacalar photo session that doesn’t feel like work
- Lake Bacalar photo loop: city moments and lagoon angles
- Drone time: aerial shots that add real variety
- Camera shots for close-up memories (not just scenery)
- What you actually get: edited photo and video
- Meet-up and getting ready at Av 1 181
- Price and value: $92.60 per group, up to 6 people
- Timing: why booking about 11 days ahead helps
- Who this Bacalar photography session is best for
- The photographer factor: why Mehran’s approach matters
- Should you book this Bacalar photo session?
- FAQ
- How long is the photography and filming session in Bacalar?
- Is this a private session?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is bottled water provided?
- Are admission tickets included?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Where do we meet for the session?
Key highlights at a glance

- Private group session (up to 6): you’re not squeezed into a big crowd, and you can adjust shots to your comfort level.
- Drone + ground camera coverage: you’ll come away with aerial views and close-up storytelling angles.
- Customized route around the city and lagoon: you’re not stuck with one generic “tourist path.”
- Photo and video editing included: you’re paying for finished output, not raw clips.
- English available: you can communicate clearly about what you want to capture.
A private Bacalar photo session that doesn’t feel like work
A good photo session should feel like you’re exploring, not performing. This one is built around a simple idea: you get a photographer who can guide you into better angles, then capture both camera and aerial footage while you enjoy Bacalar’s sights.
What makes it especially appealing is the “two tools” approach. A drone shot can show the lagoon’s shape and colors from a distance, while a camera shot can focus on you, your group, and the details that make the place feel real. The mix is useful because you don’t have to choose between scenic and personal photos.
I also like that it’s private and capped at a small group size. In practice, that matters for timing. You can pause when the light looks good, take a break when your feet want one, and get re-shot if something didn’t land the way you hoped.
You can also read our reviews of more photography tours in Bacalar
Lake Bacalar photo loop: city moments and lagoon angles

Your session centers on Lake Bacalar, with time spent around both the city and the lagoon. Expect a guided walk-and-snap style, where the photographer chooses positions, timing, and angles that fit where you are.
For the lagoon portion, the big win is perspective. Lake Bacalar reads differently depending on where you stand, how high the camera is (drone), and what direction the light hits the water. That’s why you’ll get aerial coverage as well as ground shots—so you don’t end up with only one type of view.
For the city portion, the goal is story. Instead of only wide scenic photos, you’ll have a chance to capture the human side of Bacalar—your group in the setting, plus images that show context. If you want your photos to feel like they belong to your trip, this city-and-lagoon balance helps.
A small practical note: the experience is listed as a 2-hour session with admission ticket not included. The exact entry fees, if any, aren’t spelled out, so if you’re planning to stop at places with gates or paid viewpoints, budget for that separately.
Drone time: aerial shots that add real variety

If you’ve ever seen a great drone photo and thought, I wish my trip looked like that, this is the fix. You’ll have drone aerial photography as part of the session, so you get overhead angles you can’t easily create with just a phone.
Drone work also changes what you can frame. You can capture the relationship between the town and the lagoon in a single shot, and you can pull in wider surroundings that make the location feel bigger than a screen-grab selfie. For many people, that’s the difference between photos that look like vacation snapshots and photos that look like they came from a real production.
From the way Mehran has been described, there’s also an eye for getting the angle right. One standout detail: he’s willing to work for the shot, even if it means getting his clothes wet to nail the perspective you want. That’s a good sign because drone photos often reward patience and precise positioning.
Just remember the real limitation: weather. Since the experience requires good weather, build in flexibility. If rain rolls in, you may not be able to keep the same plan for drone flying and timing.
Camera shots for close-up memories (not just scenery)

A drone gives you the big picture. A camera gives you the close-up story. This session is set up to do both, so you’re not stuck with only landscapes or only portraits.
The photographer will take care of the “where do we stand” problem. That can include directing you into poses that look natural (not overly stiff) and picking spots where the background supports the photo instead of stealing attention.
This is also where editing matters. Even without naming every style detail, you’ll have the advantage of finished work. Photo and video edit are included, which means you shouldn’t have to guess your way through filters and cropping apps for hours after your trip.
What you actually get: edited photo and video

The listing keeps it simple: edit of photo and video is included. That’s important because it shifts the value from “a person holds a camera” to “you walk away with usable results.”
In a perfect world, you’ll share photos quickly and keep the best clips as trip memory. Editing can help smooth out common travel photo problems like uneven lighting, harsh shadows, or footage that needs trimming and basic polish.
If you care about both photos and short video moments, this format is a strong match. A lot of tours stop at one or the other, but here you’re set up to receive both, which is great for people who document everything and want the output to look intentional.
One practical tip for you: think about what you want the photos to do for you later. If you want profile pics, prioritize clear faces and clean backgrounds during camera time. If you want memories of the place itself, let the drone handle the “wow, that’s the lagoon” shots.
Meet-up and getting ready at Av 1 181

You’ll start at Av 1 181, Mario Villanueva Madrid, 77935 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. That “back to start” setup is convenient. It means you don’t have to worry about being dropped somewhere far from where you’ll continue your day.
Because the experience is near public transportation, it’s easier to weave into a day plan. You can usually fit it between other Bacalar activities without needing a private car.
Also, the session is offered in English, which makes it easier to communicate what you want. If you’ve got specific shot ideas in mind—group photo first, then lagoon views, then a quick video moment—bring them up early so the photographer can plan the route.
Price and value: $92.60 per group, up to 6 people

At $92.60 per group (up to 6), the price is relatively straightforward: you’re paying for a private session plus drone and camera coverage, then adding editing for both photo and video. If you split the cost across multiple people, it becomes a lot easier to justify than hiring a photographer one-on-one.
Here’s the value math that matters: you’re not just buying “some photos.” You’re buying guided framing, aerial coverage, and post-production. Those three parts cost time and skill, and that’s what you’re outsourcing.
This is also a good deal if you’re traveling as a couple or small family, because you get personal attention without the “solo premium” that often comes with one photographer per person. Even if you’re only two, the small-group model can still make sense because it keeps the session practical and flexible.
Two things to keep in mind. Bottled water isn’t included, so plan to bring your own. And since admission ticket is listed as not included, there may be small extra costs if the route includes paid spots (the exact amount depends on what’s selected that day).
Timing: why booking about 11 days ahead helps

On average, this kind of experience gets booked around 11 days in advance. That’s not a long lead time, but it’s long enough that you shouldn’t wait until the last minute if your schedule is tight.
I suggest booking early if you have:
- a specific day when the weather should be best
- a fixed dinner or tour plan before/after
- a group photo you really care about (birthdays, proposals, or family milestones)
Also, because the session depends on good weather, being flexible with your dates can save your trip. If a forecast looks shaky, having an alternate option is a smart move.
Who this Bacalar photography session is best for
This experience makes the most sense for people who want more than a quick grab with a phone. You’ll enjoy it if you care about having a set of edited results that look like they belong to Bacalar—not just generic vacation images.
It’s also a good fit for:
- Couples who want both scenic and personal shots
- Groups up to 6 who want everyone in the photos without passing the phone around
- Anyone who wants drone aerial coverage but doesn’t want to deal with the technical side
- Travelers who like direction and planning, even while walking and exploring
If you’re the kind of traveler who hates being “stopped and posed,” you might want to mentally frame this as guided photo time, not free roam. You’ll still be out and about around the city and lagoon, but the photographer will be steering you toward shots.
The photographer factor: why Mehran’s approach matters
Mehran is the name tied to the best moments from this experience. Across the notes tied to the session, you’ll see themes like prompt professionalism, patience, and a strong eye for capturing the experience as it really feels.
That patient, kind approach matters more than people think. When a photographer stays calm and keeps working toward the right angle, your photos tend to look better—and so do you. A calm session also usually means fewer missed chances during the best light.
Another detail worth highlighting: he’s described as getting himself wet to capture a perfect picture. That tells you the work ethic is there. Drone and camera shots often require small adjustments, and you want someone who will do those adjustments instead of rushing.
Should you book this Bacalar photo session?
If you want a practical way to get both drone aerial views and camera shots in a private, edited package, this is an easy yes. The price works well for small groups, and the inclusion of photo and video editing is the kind of value that usually turns a “maybe” into a “book it.”
Book it if:
- you want a full set of finished photos and short video memories
- you’re traveling with a partner or small group (up to 6)
- you care about aerial lagoon shots, but you’d rather leave the technical parts to a pro
- you can be flexible with weather
Skip it or reconsider if:
- you’re traveling on a super tight schedule with no wiggle room for weather
- you only want quick phone photos and don’t care about editing
- you don’t want any guidance or direction during your outing
FAQ
How long is the photography and filming session in Bacalar?
It’s about 2 hours.
Is this a private session?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates (up to 6 people).
What’s included in the price?
Photo and video editing is included.
Is bottled water provided?
No, bottled water isn’t included.
Are admission tickets included?
No. Admission ticket is not included.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Where do we meet for the session?
You start at Av 1 181, Mario Villanueva Madrid, 77935 Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.



























