Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas is a small town in the north of the Yucatán Peninsula, known for its salt flats with pink water.
We were almost equally captivated by the beautiful Cancunito beach and the town’s very local atmosphere.
What’s more, you can also go on trips along the Río Lagartos to spot flamingos and crocodiles.
We arrived by car at around 2 pm after visiting the Suytun cenote. It was enough for a basic tour, but next time we’d set aside more time, add a boat trip along the Río Lagartos and stay overnight in the area.
| How much time do you have? | What I’d recommend |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | Cancunito Beach and the salt flats |
| Half a day | The salt flats, a longer stay on the beach and lunch in town |
| 1 night | Salt flats, beach and a boat trip on the Río Lagartos |
Cancunito Beach surprised us almost as much as the pink water
Just before reaching the town, we stopped at Cancunito Beach. Locals were having a picnic by the small car park, and there was a pleasant, non-touristy atmosphere.
The sea here is an unbelievably turquoise colour and the sand is exceptionally fine.
Just be prepared for the waves and virtually no facilities. For us, this beach was one of the nicest surprises of the day.
The Salt Flats: On foot, by bike or in an off-road vehicle?
The pink lakes are actually shallow basins used for salt production. Access to the open area is by guided tour only.
| Circuit | Length | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| On foot | 45 minutes | Photography and a basic tour |
| By bike | 30 or 60 minutes | more locations without an in-depth tour |
| By off-road vehicle | 90 minutes | the longest journey into the heart of the salt flats |
We opted for the walking circuit, and it was enough for our first visit.
The pink water, the salt flats and the whole salt-making process are so unusual that the tour didn’t just feel like a backdrop for Instagram, but was genuinely interesting.
The price is always split into two parts:
- the tour fee itself (payable by card or cash)
- the INAPAM fee paid to the local community (payable in cash only)
You do not need to book tickets in advance, but you can do so via the official website of Parque Turístico Las Coloradas.
- Walking route – 349 mxn + 150 mxn local fee
- By bike – 349 mxn + 150 mxn local fee
- By off-road vehicle – 700 mxn + 370 mxn local fee
The tourist park is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, and tours take place every half hour.
Entry into the pink water is permitted only in the designated area
At the end of our tour, we were able to enter one of the designated rose-coloured pools.
This experience is currently known as Mar Rosa, and time spent in the water is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes.
Entry to the other production pools is not permitted. Older articles therefore often state that swimming is completely prohibited, whilst today there is one controlled exception.
The afternoon visit was not a mistake
We arrived at around 2.00 pm and the colour of the water was striking.
The best light is usually between around 11.00 and 15.00, so there’s no need to sacrifice your morning for Las Coloradas – you can spend it at Suytun cenote, for example.
The richest shades are usually seen from March to September. However, the colour is affected by the weather, rain and the current stage of salt production, so the same shade cannot be guaranteed every day.
The town is completely different from the tourist park
Las Coloradas itself looks rather run-down and very local, but the locals were absolutely lovely.
The beach right in the town didn’t tempt us to go for a swim. It was full of fishing boats, ropes and stray dogs.
We enjoyed our visit to the local restaurant much more. Although it was packed with a group of Mexican motorcyclists, the service was quick and the whole experience was a pleasant, authentic one.
The food was cheap and good – I can’t complain!
Next time, we wouldn’t go looking for flamingos by car
We wanted to carry on along the coast and try to find the flamingos ourselves.
However, the road out of town is in very poor condition, and I wouldn’t want to risk it even in a 4x4 from a hire company.
Next time, instead of searching blindly, we’d set off on an organised boat trip from Río Lagartos.
The boats venture into the mangroves and areas where, as well as flamingos, you might spot crocodiles and other birds. However, as these are wild animals, sightings cannot be guaranteed.
A well-reviewed private cruise for a group of up to 6 people lasts approximately 3 hours. Local fees, payable in cash, may be added to the booking price.
Some trips start in Las Coloradas, which you’ll need to reach on your own, whilst other, more expensive full-day trips start in Valladolid or even Cancún.
We didn’t see any flamingos, so at least there were statues of them in the middle of the pink ponds:
Where to stay: preferably Río Lagartos
We wouldn’t stay in Las Coloradas itself. Río Lagartos, about 25 to 30 minutes away, offers a wider choice of hotels and restaurants, and is also the departure point for boat trips.
| Hotel | Why choose it |
|---|---|
| Hotel Villa de Pescadores | excellent location by the water and close to boat trips |
| Hotel Rio Lagartos | swimming pool, restaurant and more extensive hotel facilities |
| Hotel Tabasco Rio | a simple and more affordable option |
Compare hotels in Río Lagartos
How to get to Las Coloradas
The most convenient option is a hire car. Thanks to this, we were able to combine a visit to the Suytun cenote, Cancunito beach, the salt flats and a stop in the town.
| Starting point | Journey time |
|---|---|
| Río Lagartos | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Valladolid | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Chichén Itzá | 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Mérida | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Tulum | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| Cancún | 3 hours 30 minutes |
From Cancún or Valladolid, you can take an ADO bus to Tizimín and continue by taxi or colectivo.
However, due to the need to change transport and the infrequent services, this option isn’t really practical for a day trip.
If you don’t want to drive, choose from a range of day trips from Valladolid, Mérida, Cancún and the Riviera Maya.
Before booking, check whether the price includes the boat trip, entry to Las Coloradas and local charges. With some seemingly cheap excursions, everything is charged separately.
We always compare all the tours on GetYourGuide, where most of the local agencies operate.
Compare organised trips to Las Coloradas
Practical information
Please note the time difference: Cancún, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are located in the state of Quintana Roo, which is one hour ahead of Yucatán. Tour times in Las Coloradas are based on Yucatán time.
What to see around
Discover all the places to see in Yucatan.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
