Frequently asked questions
All the answers about our sailing school in Bacalar, sorted by topic: general information, in-person courses and workshops, online campus, sailing simulator and group programmes. Can't find yours? Message us on WhatsApp.
General information
What languages do you teach in?
We can deliver training in Spanish and English, depending on availability and group.
How do I book practice sessions or rentals?
Contact us on WhatsApp (+52 55 2215 3849) or email navegabacalar@gmail.com with dates, boat type, and duration.
In-person courses and workshops
Recreational boat skipper (PER)
View the course →What is the PER (Recreational Boat Skipper) course?
It's an in-person theory and practice course covering sail and motor, preparing you to skipper a recreational boat safely and to sit the international PER exam. It covers onboard safety, manoeuvres, VHF radio, weather, collision regulations and coastal navigation.
How long is the PER course and how is it organised?
35 in-person hours in Bacalar, spread over 6 days, Monday to Saturday, typically 9:00 to 16:00. The theory is studied online beforehand, in the campus PER theory course (included in the price), so the days on the water split into 24 h of sailing practice, 6 h under motor, 3 h of seamanship and 2 h of VHF.
How much does the PER course cost and what's included?
The reference fee is MXN 17,000 per person, with a discount for a second person or groups of up to 4. It includes the online theory course, daily drinking water, a notes folder, laminated tables and diagrams, a digital bibliography and a certificate of participation. Confirm the current rate when you book.
What are the requirements? Do I need prior experience?
You must be 18 or older. No prior experience is required: the course starts with safety principles and boat terminology. Bring a long-sleeved UV shirt, white-soled trainers, a cap and, if you like, polarised sunglasses.
Which boats are used for practice?
The school's sailboats, a 24 ft Seaward and a 36 ft Omni, both fitted with instruments for training. The lead instructor is Captain Mauricio Pérez Valero.
Does this course get me a Cartilla de Mar (boating licence) in Mexico?
The course covers the international PER exam syllabus. In Mexico, anyone who meets the requirements can apply for the Cartilla de Mar class C through authorised institutes and the relevant harbour master's office; that application is separate and we guide you through the steps.
Can I study the theory online first?
Yes. The online campus offers "Recreational Boat Skipper (PER): Theory Course", so you arrive with the theory reviewed and make the most of your hours on the water.
How do I book dates for the PER course?
Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com. We schedule the course around your availability and, if you need it, we have discount agreements with some hotels in Bacalar.
Sailing (beginner & intermediate)
View the course →Do I need prior experience for the sailing course?
No. The beginner level starts from scratch: basic sailing theory, parts of the boat, knots and your first manoeuvres, always with an instructor and at your own pace.
How long is the course and what are the hours?
The basic course lasts 20 hours. It's scheduled around your availability, on different days and times, progressing by objectives, unhurried and with personal coaching.
What will I learn on the sailing course?
Sailing theory, rigging and sails, knots, rigging the boat, sail trim, tacking and gybing, heaving to, anchoring, man overboard, reefing and safety, including night sailing.
How am I assessed and what do I get at the end?
Assessment covers punctuality and attendance, one hour of seamanship knowledge and three hours of independent sailing with a passage plan. The course teaches you to sail, but it isn't an official qualification: for a Cartilla de Mar in Mexico, the PER course applies.
What materials are provided?
PDF notes, classroom presentations and a case of laminated reference documents to take on board. The boats are fitted with instruments for practice.
Can I keep sailing after the course?
Yes. As a Club Navega member you can keep practising on the school's boats, with benefits on rentals and other courses.
How much does the sailing course cost and how do I sign up?
The 20-hour group course is MXN 10,000 per person. The 2027 dates run Thursday to Sunday: 14–17 Jan, 11–14 Feb, 11–14 Mar, 15–18 Apr, 13–16 May and 10–13 Jun. Write to us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or at navegabacalar@gmail.com to book your place.
Windsurfing (beginner & intermediate)
View the course →Do I need experience to learn windsurfing?
No. The beginner module starts on land with the gear, balance and wind theory, then moves onto the water step by step with your instructor.
How long is the windsurfing course?
15 hours of lessons in Bacalar, on the water and on land. The theory is studied online beforehand, in the campus, and is included in the price.
Is windsurfing gear included?
Yes: the course includes the windsurf equipment and a dedicated buoyancy aid.
What will I learn on the windsurfing course?
Windsurfing history and styles, parts, rigging and care of the gear, wind and navigation theory, balance, getting on the board, uphauling the sail, getting under way, sailing a circuit, tacking and gybing.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Being comfortable in the water is recommended. You always sail with a buoyancy aid and the course puts safety first.
Why learn windsurfing on Bacalar Lagoon?
Because it's warm fresh water with no sea swell and plenty of shallow areas: a comfortable place for your first falls and for progressing with confidence.
How much does the windsurfing course cost and how do I sign up?
The windsurf course is MXN 10,000 per person for the 15-hour programme, with the online theory course included. The 2027 dates run Thursday to Sunday: 14–17 Jan, 11–14 Feb, 11–14 Mar, 15–18 Apr, 13–16 May and 10–13 Jun. Write to us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or at navegabacalar@gmail.com to book your place.
Catamaran (beginner & intermediate)
View the course →Which catamaran is used on the course?
A Hobie 16 sport catamaran, one of the most popular beach multihulls in the world.
Do I need prior experience for the catamaran course?
Not for the beginner level: it starts with theory on the boat, sails, rudders, wind, points of sail and basic knots.
How long is the catamaran course?
Around 16 hours as a guide, split between theory and practice; it adapts to the group's level and pace.
What happens if the catamaran capsizes?
It's part of learning: you'll practise righting the catamaran, as well as man-overboard recovery and how to stop the boat.
Which manoeuvres will I learn?
Rigging, launching from and landing on the beach, tacking and gybing, beating upwind, stopping the boat, man overboard and beaching. The advanced level adds launching through surf, sailing heeled in strong wind, reverse tacking and gaining ground to windward.
Will it help me rent a catamaran afterwards?
Yes. The advanced level is designed for people who want to rent a catamaran independently, and the school rents Hobie 16 and Hobie 20 catamarans in Bacalar.
How much does the catamaran course cost and how do I sign up?
The fee depends on the format and group size. Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com and we'll send you a quote and available dates.
Racing rules & tactics clinic
View the course →Who is the racing clinic for?
Racers, crews, clubs and anyone who already sails and wants to compete or help run races.
What level do I need?
You should be able to helm and handle a sailboat. Content is adapted to the group's level.
What topics does the clinic cover?
Boat and crew preparation, safety and communications, the international racing rules, the start procedure, actions during the race, course types and laying marks, finishing, results and protests.
Can it be organised for a club or team?
Yes. Tell us how many participants and their level, and we'll adapt dates and programme.
Is there complementary online content?
Yes: the online campus course "Competitive Introduction to Sailing Races" covers basic rules, starts, tacks and race mindset.
How much does the clinic cost and how do I sign up?
Duration and fee depend on the programme. Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com for a proposal.
Harbour manoeuvres & anchoring workshop
View the course →What will I learn in the harbour manoeuvres and anchoring workshop?
Working with lines, knots and mooring, fendering the boat, turning in tight spaces and approaching the dock, bow-to and alongside berthing and unberthing, rafting up and leaving a raft, picking up a mooring buoy, refuelling and giving clear instructions to the crew.
What level do I need for the workshop?
Basic sailing knowledge helps. It's ideal after the sailing course or the PER, or for anyone about to skipper or rent a sailboat.
Why take a dedicated harbour manoeuvres workshop?
Because berthing, unberthing and anchoring are when bumps and damage are most likely. Practising them with an instructor builds confidence and coordination across the whole crew.
How much does the workshop cost and how do I sign up?
Duration and fee depend on the programme. Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com to check dates.
Winches, lazy jacks & reefing in strong wind
View the course →What is the strong-wind reefing workshop about?
Practising how to reef (reduce the mainsail) in strong wind, using winches and lazy jacks, with good crew coordination.
What level do I need?
A minimum level of sailing manoeuvres: you should be able to tack, gybe and trim. Ask us if you're unsure about your level.
What does the workshop focus on?
Safety first, the sequence of halyards and sheets, safe winch handling and communication on deck.
Why is reefing such an important skill?
Reducing sail in time keeps the boat under control and the crew safe when the wind builds; it's one of the key skills of any skipper.
How do I book the workshop?
Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com to check availability, requirements and fees.
Living aboard a sailboat — workshop
View the course →Who is the living-aboard workshop for?
Anyone who dreams of living on a sailboat, is planning a long passage, or wants to know what life aboard is really like before buying a boat.
Do I need to know how to sail?
It isn't essential: the workshop focuses on living systems and organisation aboard.
What topics are covered?
The upsides (mobility, freedom, privacy, discovering new places) and the real downsides (maintenance, limited space, small galley and head, seasickness), onboard living systems, checklists and what to consider when choosing a sailboat.
How do I book the workshop?
Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com to check dates and fees.
Sail & spinnaker trim workshop
View the course →What is a spinnaker?
A large, lightweight sail flown from the bow to sail downwind or on a broad reach and pick up speed.
What will I learn in the sail trim and spinnaker workshop?
Folding and preparing the spinnaker, hoisting it, gybing it and dropping it to leeward or windward, setting the pole, coordinating halyard and sheets, and trim criteria for all sails.
What level do I need?
You should sail and handle a boat confidently. Ask about level requirements before booking.
Is there a related online course?
Yes: "Perfect Trim: Master Sail Adjustment" on the online campus.
How do I book the workshop?
Message us on WhatsApp at +52 55 2215 3849 or email navegabacalar@gmail.com to check dates and fees.
Online campus
Go to the page →What is the Navegabacalar online campus?
It's the online theory platform of our sailing school in Bacalar. Each course is organised into modules and illustrated lessons, with quizzes to check what you've learned, and you follow it at your own pace from anywhere.
Which online courses are available?
Four beginner courses — dinghy sailing, monohull sailboat, recreational catamaran and windsurfing — plus advanced courses on Recreational Boat Skipper (PER) theory, sail trim, racing, celestial navigation and meteorology for sailing.
How much do the online courses cost?
Each course's price is shown on its page, in Mexican pesos (MXN). You pay once and the course is linked to your account.
Do I need an account before paying?
No. You can pay without an account and then create your login with the same email you used at checkout: the course activates automatically. If you already have an account, sign in before paying and the course is added to it.
How do I pay? Can I use a discount code?
Payment is secure, by card, through Stripe. If you have a promo code, enter it directly on the Stripe checkout page.
I've never sailed: which course should I start with?
Start with a beginner course matching the boat you're interested in: dinghy, monohull, catamaran or windsurf. Courses marked "Advanced" assume you already know the basics.
Are there quizzes? Is my progress saved?
Yes. Modules include quizzes with instant feedback, and the platform records the lessons you complete so you can pick up where you left off.
Are the online courses available in English?
The campus is available in Spanish and English; switch the site language to view it in English. Some content may still appear in Spanish while we finish translating it.
Does an online course replace practice on the water?
No. Online theory prepares and complements your training, but sailing is learned on the water. Combine it with our in-person courses, coached practice or boat rental on Bacalar Lagoon.
Does the online PER course give me the qualification?
Not on its own: it covers the theory part of the programme. Full preparation, with sail, motor and radio practice, happens in the 35-hour in-person PER course in Bacalar.
Sailing simulator
Go to the page →What is the sailing simulator?
A free, interactive tool to understand how a sailboat moves: you set the wind direction and strength, the heading and the trim of the mainsail and jib, and watch in real time how the boat's speed and behaviour change on Bacalar Lagoon.
Is it free? Do I need to sign up?
Yes, it's free and you don't need an account. It runs right in your browser, with nothing to install.
What can I learn with the simulator?
The points of sail (close-hauled, beam reach, broad reach and running), when to trim or ease each sail, which tack you're on (port or starboard), and how to tack and gybe.
What's the difference between beginner and advanced mode?
In beginner mode the wind is fixed from the north, so you can focus on heading and sail trim. In advanced mode you can also change the wind direction.
Does the simulator replace a sailing course?
No. It helps you picture the theory before or after sailing. To really learn, combine it with the online campus and hands-on lessons on Bacalar Lagoon.
Does it work on mobile?
It works in any modern browser. On a larger screen you can see the scene and the controls together more comfortably.
Team building and values camp
Do we need sailing experience for corporate team building?
No prior experience is required; we provide briefing and equipment for a safe programme.
How does the corporate team-building approach work? Why invest in training and wellbeing?
Modern organisations depend on responsiveness — and on leaders who guide teams. Investing in organisational learning and an inclusive wellbeing culture matters.
Is corporate team-building expensive?
Not necessarily a major cost: budgets depend on format and scope; with flexible resources we can design motivating sessions for staff or leadership teams.
How does sailing team-building help workplace teams?
Through organisational development activities — from indoor facilitation to immersive offsites — so crews collaborate better and make clearer decisions under pressure.
What does the values workshop bring young people? Why invest?
Young people need connection beyond social media — with people and nature — supporting family and community growth (schools, clubs), especially after the pandemic years.
Is the values workshop expensive?
Not always; pricing depends on the format — from a single day to a three-day camp.
Do teenagers need sailing experience for the values camp?
No; we provide training and equipment for a safe, successful programme.
How does the values workshop help teenagers?
It strengthens habits, principles, and emotional skills; clarifies life goals for personal, professional, and family growth; and nurtures leadership.