Las Coloradas — the Yucatán's pink lake
Bright pink, a natural salt flat, a postcard setting.
MexicoFull dayEasy
Best time
Nov – Apr
Currency
MXN
Climate
Tropical Caribbean
Flight
11h
Language
Spanish
Las Coloradas lies at the northern tip of the Yucatán, on the edge of the Río Lagartos biosphere reserve. Its evaporation ponds have been worked for centuries to produce salt, and the high brine concentration supports a micro-organism and crustaceans that give the water a vivid pink hue, more or less intense depending on the season.
Access to the edges has been regulated since 2019 to protect the ecosystem: a marked path lets you take in the colours without stepping into the water. A local guide recounts the history of the salt flat, how it is worked and the ecology of the area — a refuge for flamingos, pelicans and migratory birds. A boat ride through the neighbouring mangrove rounds out the visit, with crocodiles, iguanas and herons.
Good to know: the 465 peso per person conservation fee is not included and is paid locally, and neither are drinks.
Highlights
Pink ponds
A centuries-old salt flat
Río Lagartos flamingos
A crocodile mangrove
A white-clay bath
What's included
Round-trip air-conditioned transfer
Local French-speaking guide
Supervised access to the marked trail and a mangrove boat trip
A Yucatecan lunch
Itinerary
- 1
Heading north
Three and a half hours to the tip of the Yucatán.
- 2
The pink ponds
A marked path, without entering the water, with an explanation of the process.
- 3
The Río Lagartos mangrove
A boat ride among crocodiles, iguanas and herons.
- 4
White-clay bath
A stop at the spring used locally as a skin treatment.
- 5
Lunch
Fresh fish, ceviches and habanero-chilli specialities.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Local partner
Globeasy local partnerRiviera Maya
Runs the excursion on the ground
