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How to Arrange a Trip to Las Coloradas Pink Lakes, Mexico

How to Arrange a Trip to Las Coloradas Pink Lakes, Mexico

Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas in Yucatan is a real place with pink water. A photo from this location also became my most shared and popular photo on Instagram, so it comes as no surprise that many readers and followers are asking me questions about it. Here’s a basic compendium of everything you need to know when visiting Las Coloradas that some refer to pink lakes, others to pink lagoons.

Las Coloradas means ‘blush red’ in Spanish. It’s actually the name of a tiny village, that specializes in salt production and fishing. The place is a part Rio Lagartos Biosphere, protected Natural Reserve with many birds, crocodiles, flamingos and other species. No matter where you’re coming from, it’ll probably take you about 5-6 hours round trip just to get there. Is it actually worth your time…?

How to Arrange a Trip to Las Coloradas Pink Lakes

(updated for 2020)
Las Coloradas Pink Lakes, Mexico


I’m not going to lie. When I first visited Las Coloradas back in 2017 I ended up coming back very disappointed. I took a tour that promised to take me to see pink lakes, a river full of crocodiles and ruins of Ek Balam. However, I ended up seeing a small body of water that looked more yellow than pink, no crocodiles, or flamingos, and I didn’t understand how did some people claim to see bright pink lakes. The trip was a big fail.

When I came back to Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos for the second time in 2018, we rented a car found our way to the actual pink lakes. Back then it was an obscure place and hard to find. 

Now since 2019, you can expect a fancy arrival, full of trees covered in pink decor, full parking lots and various people around. It doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting, it’s just a different experience and in some aspects an easier excursion that it used to be. 

Here are my tips on how to arrange your trip in order not to get disappointed.


What to Do in Las Coloradas?

There’s not much to do at pink lakes apart from admiring their beauty. Las Coloradas is a very small town, so you won’t find any tourist attractions like souvenir shops, cafes etc. At least, not yet, but judging from the crowds storming the place it might happen soon.

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In fact, there’s only one local restaurant there and some very basic corner stores. Thankfully, because tourism has expanded now there are toilets on the site.

It’s also important to mention that pink lakes aren’t technically a tourist attraction per se. It’s a working salt factory that became famous for the pink color of the water that locals don’t want to turn into a tourist attraction like it happened to Salinas de Maras in Peru.

Salinas de Maras in Peru

If you’re heading to Las Coloradas, I suggest you also take a boat tour around the nearby biosphere of Rio Lagartos. In order to do so, just walk down the main road by the water of Rio Lagartos town (located about 30 minutes from Las Coloradas), where the boats are kept. You will be approached by several boat owners offering to take you into the reserve.

Boat tours coast about 900 MXN per boat (not per person) and they’ll take you to see birds, horseshoe crabs, plenty of flamingos, and crocodiles. You’ll have an opportunity to bathe in salt water and take a mudbath. Apparently, a mud bath is very good for your skin and the same mud costs a lot if bought in a fancy box.

My personal tip would be to go see the lakes AND take a boat tour. The boat tour is totally worth it, but you won’t see the pink lakes up close from it.

Horseshoe crab!


Why Are Las Coloradas Pink? Is their Pink Water Natural?

I’d say that the place is 50% natural and 50% manmade.

Back in the Mayan times, salty ocean water from mangroves was flooding to manmade lagoons and evaporating in the sun, leaving natural sea salt behind. Since the lagoons are so shallow and salty, the red algae and plankton are brine shrimp are concentrated and as a result, their pink color makes the water pink.

The manmade reason for this pink water is the concentration of the microorganisms. This is also why the flamingos from the area are pinker than most flamingos because they eat more of the brine shrimp that makes them pink (sadly, humans can’t get pink from eating it). I wonder if the flamingo poop is pink too…

Regular flamingo (top) vs super pink flamingo (bottom)

flamingos Rio Lagartos


Can You Swim in Pink Lakes?

Sorry to disappoint everyone, but you cannot swim in pink lakes anymore. More than half of the lakes of Las Coloradas are privately owned and fenced, so you can’t trespass. Back when these lakes weren’t as popular as they are now (thank Instagram for that!), there were some that you could get into as they weren’t used for salt production.

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These days it’s all guarded by security and you can’t really even touch the water. Guards on motorcycles and ATVs are seriously everywhere now and they will stop you immediately. 

These days guides will usually follow you everywhere to make sure you’re not breaking the rules. Additionally, a full-on moat with a sign ‘no swimming allowed’ has been put in around the biggest lake.

The good news is that you haven’t missed much! The lakes are VERY shallow and the water level gets to your knees the most. The water is super salty, so your skin gets dry and disgusting, some even claimed to have burnt their skin. On the plus side, on your way to Las Coloradas you will pass an entire coast of beautiful white-sand beaches.

pink lake mexico

This isn’t possible anymore…


READ MORE: Pink Places to Visit Around the World


Taking Photos of Las Coloradas

Back when I used to visit Las Coloradas frequently photography was free for all. You were asked by the guards not to drone above private property (which is absolutely understandable), but there were no limits.

Unfortunately, these times are gone. Now the guides will only let you take pictures with your phone. No DSLR cameras are allowed and absolutely no drones. 

There are plenty of cheesy photo spots on the site though, sort of like those next to rice fields in Ubud in Bali. 


Best Way to Get to Las Coloradas

I’m not going to lie and say that getting to Las Coloradas takes a long time. No matter where you’re coming from – Cancun, Merida, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Las Coloradas is at least 2-3 hours away. The road leads through small towns and there are NO gas stations between Playa and Valladolid, so fill your tank beforehand!

You can use Google Maps to point you to “Pink Lake Las Coloradas”.

Las Coloradas map


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Can You Visit Las Coloradas Without a Car?

You can, BUT it takes a long time and costs a lot of money if you want to do it on your own. While there are buses to Rio Lagartos, they aren’t frequent and if you’re coming from Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Cancun, it’ll take forever.

There aren’t many taxis in Rio Lagartos and none in Las Coloradas, so you’ll also have to find and hire someone to stay with you while you see the lakes. It’s usually not cheap.

Las Coloradas pink lakes Mexico


Tours to Las Coloradas from Playa del Carmen or Tulum

Since the lake became popular several tour companies launched tours to Las Coloradas. The majority of tours go to Rio Lagartos for the biosphere boat tour and proceed to the main viewing point of pink lakes.

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When choosing the tour remember to make sure that the tour goes to the main viewing point for Las Coloradas on top of the boat tour, or you’ll end up disappointed. You can’t see the actual pink lakes up close from the boat.

FollowMeTo Mexico


Where to Stay near Las Coloradas

The town of Las Coloradas is too small for any hotels. There’s only one restaurant there and it’s pretty basic and local, serving whatever the fishermen caught that day. The closest place to stay is Rio Lagartos, about 30 minutes away by car.

Recommended Places to Stay:

Luxury:
Villa Pescadores

It’s the most well-known and luxurious hotel in the area. While I haven’t stayed there myself, I ate dinner at their restaurant and can vouch for the good food.

Check Prices On:

Booking.com | TripAdvisor

Budget:
Hotel Tabasco Rio

Affordable hotel with regular facilities. Everything was just as described with no surprises. My husband and I had a great experience.

Check Prices On:

Booking.com | HotelsCombined


Is a visit to Las Coloradas Pink Lakes actually worth the trip?

In my personal opinion, Las Coloradas pink lakes are totally worth the effort if you have enough time to visit and keep in mind that it is a working salt factory. If you love nature, you’ll enjoy a boat trip through the natural reserve. While you can’t do much with the pink lakes, it’s a great natural thing to see and admire.

During this day trip, you can also visit some of the nearby beaches completely free of tourists. Another option for an add-on to your trip would be stopping by a town of Izamal, also known as the yellow town, if you want to see more colorful places.


Mexico: Travel & Live section! If you have any specific questions join my Mexico Travel Tips community group on Facebook.


Suggested more extensive guides for Mexico:

  1. Lonely Planet Yucatan Guide
  2. The Rough Guide to Mexico
  3. Mexican Spanish Phrasebook

DON’T FORGET ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE

Don’t forget to arrange a health insurance before heading to Mexico. The easiest and the most reliable travel insurance is World Nomads Travel Insurance. Get it before your trip to skip unnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays!How to Visit Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas in Mexico

Any questions? Ask me in the comments!

Peter

Friday 21st of January 2022

"More than half of the lakes of Las Coloradas are privately owned and fenced, so you can’t trespass. Back when these lakes weren’t as popular as they are now (thank Instagram for that!)"

Your instagram pictures were the main reason for that.... Open your eyes.

Anna Karsten

Friday 21st of January 2022

Nope, wrong. This has always been private property. Before Instagram they were just letting you enter more places because there weren't many people visiting.

Sean

Sunday 16th of January 2022

Hi Anna,

I just arrived in Tizimin and would like to see these two places on my own, without a tour, although, I am interested in the boat tour in Rio Lagartos.

I know I can take a collectivo / van from Tizimin to either place, but is there any kind of transportation between Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos?

Thanks, Sean

Anna Karsten

Monday 17th of January 2022

No public transportation between those two (unless something changed very recently). These days you can visit without the tour, but then you're only allowed to the first lagoon because it's private property. You can pay a local there (who will most likely accompany you to make sure you're not trespassing) to take you further up - about 200 MXN.

Alexia Romero

Saturday 5th of September 2020

Hello! Thank you so much for your post and updated article. Do you know if it is worth it to visit/stay for sunset or would the sun to be low for good pictures?

Anna Karsten

Saturday 5th of September 2020

Sunset is not a good time (same as very early morning actually) because the water won't appear as pink as during the day.

Katrina Perez Mejia

Wednesday 17th of April 2019

Hi! Are you allowed to go on any day of the week? Wouldn't want to show up on a SUnday and find out that they're closed - or does it not matter? Thanks!!

Anna

Thursday 18th of April 2019

It's an open space, it's never closed :)

Elly

Monday 8th of April 2019

Hallo, do i need a reservation for boat trip... and waht boat trip did you take. Tank you

Anna

Tuesday 9th of April 2019

If you need transportation when you need to pre-book. Otherwise you could just drive and get a boat on arrival, but it's not cheaper.

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