Within the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve is the coastal town of Las Coloradas, a place with an irresistible charm thanks to its pink colors of the ponds of the salt mine.

It is impossible to hide the tourist charm of The Coloradas, a beautiful town of 1068 inhabitants located in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. The reddish landscapes derived from its salt mines, the desert vegetation that decorates the coast, the attractive pink flamingos, the whites of the beaches together with the fabulous turquoise of the sea of ​​the Gulf of Mexico paint one of my favorite landscapes of the Yucatan Peninsula. The Coloradas It is very beautiful.

What else to visit in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve?

Las Coloradas, Yucatan
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VISIT COLORADAS:

The Coloradas It is the town with the least tourist infrastructure of those found within the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. This small coastal town with a beautiful beach conquered by fishing boats, has the largest salt industry in the Yucatan Peninsula. Families of fishermen and workers of the salt works give life to this quiet town that receives passing tourism.

We know the area well because we work in the area from 2007, we hope to help you on your trip 🙂

Salt factory
Salt factory

THE PINK WATERS OF LAS COLORADAS:

The visitor who approaches The Coloradas He is attracted by the landscapes of the beautiful and extensive pink waters, the salinera locks, one of the most important salt processing plants in Mexico. Being able to visit these salt flats is a joy of warm colors fused with the blue of the sky. You will see that the different locks vary the color of the water according to the level of salt processing: the more salt, the more colored the water. You can get on the dirt roads that run through the salt flats, what you can never do is get on them. Respect the indications of the place and enjoy the landscape.

One of the pleasant surprises that these salt flats have in store are the community of pink flamingos that gather here, especially from the months of April and May. The pink flamingo is the great tourist attraction of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, being Río Lagartos the place where more excursions depart to observe them. So you know, in The Coloradas You also have the opportunity to see flamingos on your own.

Las Coloradas, Yucatan
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How to visit Las Coloradas on your own, the pink lagoons of Yucatán 1

PRICE TOURS LAS COLORADAS

Las Coloradas salt flats are the private property of the salt company that runs the place. Access to the main lagoon, the pinkest, costs 50 pesos, and you do it accompanied by a local guide. They are trained guides who also provide you with knowledge of the area. You cannot enter the enclosure without a guide.

LOCAL GUIDES IN LAS COLORADAS

At the entrance to the pink lagoon you will see a group of people with motorcycles, they are the guides who have permission to enter the private area. What they do is walk you around the main lagoon, and they give you an explanatory tour of the area.

Normally you see flamingos in the ponds, the certified guides explain why their pink tone, and the process of the salinera. It is always interesting to learn from the places we visit.

PRICE LAS COLORADAS PINK WATER ACCESS

  • LAS COLORADAS PRICE FOR NATIONALS: 130 pesos
  • LAS COLORADAS PRICE FOR FOREIGNERS: 180 pesos

You can also see the Las Coloradas salt flats at no cost and stroll along the side of the pink saline in the area that is not restricted. But keep in mind that from here you don't have the best photo. The entrance to the main salt mine gives you the explanation of the guide and a better view of the place.

YOU CANNOT bathe in the pink lagoon, it is totally forbidden because the waters are polluted.

PRICE OF THE COLORADAS ROSADAS WATER + VIEWPOINT

The viewpoint in Las Coloradas was built in 2020, a very good idea to contemplate the beauty of Las Coloradas from above. It has a cost to go up to the viewpoint.

  • PRICE LAS COLORADAS MIRADOR + PINK WATERS FOR NATIONALS: 190 pesos
  • PRICE LAS COLORADAS MIRADOR + PINK WATERS FOR FOREIGNERS: 270 pesos

PRICE OF LAND ROUTES THROUGH THE RÍA LAGARTOS BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The same local guides offer you a more complete excursion through the area, where you can see interesting points of the place such as the natural habitat of the pink flamingo, they give the Mayan bath with natural mud, they take you to the floating lagoon to experience your body floating with lots of salt, and other important points of the salt process and the natural area.

  • PRICE FOR THE TOUR OF LAS COLORADAS PER CAR: 750 pesos per vehicle from 1 to 4 people maximum. Cost of 100 pesos per person in case of 5 up.

How to go to Las Coloradas from Mérida, Holbox, Valladolid or Riviera Maya

You have several options to get to the place, depending on where you leave. Las Coloradas is a small town on the Yucatecan coast, which doesn't get much transport, but it does. You have to be aware of transportation if you do so. Tizimín is the largest population best connected to Las Coloradas.

HOW TO GO TO LAS COLORADAS FROM MÉRIDA

  • with travel agency: most tourist agencies offer a day tour to Las Coloradas next to Rio Lagartos, the prices are around 2,000 pesos per person.
  • with public transport: You must take the local bus of the company Nordeste in the terminal TAME of the ADO (69 street between the 68 and 70 streets.Phone: 924-0830, 2909 extension) to Tizimín: there are direct buses to the 6: 45, 9, 11 , 14, 15: 30 and 20 hours. From Tizimín continue your trip by bus from the Northeast to Las Coloradas: truck leaves at 10: 30, at 13: 30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín, the last bus departs at 15 hours. (50 pesos the journey). A taxi from Tizimin to Las Coloradas that awaits you and returns you to Tizimin leaves around 500 pesos. Duration: Mérida-Tizimin (2 hours and 15 minutes) Tizimin-Las Coloradas (1 hour 10 minutes), something else on the bus because it stops (1 hour 45 minutes). calculate more than 4 hours on buses until arriving.
  • in private car: it takes about 3 hours 40 minutes

HOW TO GO TO LAS COLORADAS FROM VALLADOLID

  • with travel agency: Tourism agencies offer a day tour to Las Coloradas next to Río Lagartos or Ek Balam. If you need taxi service until these places I recommend you Maya Adventures, as locals know the area perfectly and do a great job.
  • with public transport: You must take collective taxi or bus to Tizimín (there are several and they leave continuously, or when they are full, ask where the stop is, it is central). A collective taxi between 4 people costs about 45 pesos per person from Valladolid to Tizimín. From Tizimín, continue your trip by bus from the Northeast to Las Coloradas: the bus leaves at 10:30, at 13:30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín the last bus leaves at 15 pm. (50 pesos the way). A taxi from Tizimin to Las Coloradas to wait for you and take you back to TizimÍn costs around 500 pesos. Duration: Valladolid-Tizimin (1 hour). Tizimin-Las Coloradas (1 hour 10 minutes), something else in bus because it stops (1 hour 45 minutes).
  • in private car: it takes about 2 hours.

HOW TO GO TO LAS COLORADAS FROM HOLBOX

  • with public transport: once you cross by ferry from Holbox you must take a bus from Chiquilá to Tizimin, it is local transport, they only leave 4 times a day and the journey takes hours. From Tizimin continue your trip by bus from the Northeast to Las Coloradas: the bus departs at 10:30, at 13:30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín the last bus leaves at 15 pm. (50 pesos the way). A taxi from Tizimin to Las Coloradas to wait for you and return you to Tizimin costs around 500 pesos. Duration: Chiquilá-Tizimin (2 hours) Tizimin-Las Coloradas (1 hour 10 minutes), something else in bus because it stops (1 hour 45 minutes). calculate 4 hours by bus until you arrive.
  • in private car: it takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes. You must add the time of 40 minutes only of the crossing of the ferry.

GO TO THE COLORADAS FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN:

  • with travel agency: Tourism agencies offer a day tour to Las Coloradas next to Río Lagartos or Ek Balam. If you need taxi service Even these places will charge you about 2,400 pesos per unit.
  • with public transport: It is a long and cumbersome trip from Riviera Maya, in one day it is very difficult to go by free: you must travel from Playa del Carmen to Valladolid (see schedules in the ADO website) and from here take collective taxi or bus to Tizimin (there are several and they leave continuously or when they are full, ask where the stop is, it is central). A collective taxi between 4 people costs about 45 pesos per person from Valladolid to Tizimin. From Tizimin continue your trip by bus from the Northeast to Las Coloradas: the bus departs at 10:30, at 13:30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín the last bus leaves at 15 pm. (50 pesos the way). A taxi from Tizimin to Las Coloradas to wait for you and return you to Tizimin costs around 500 pesos. Duration: Playa del Carmen-Valladolid ((2 hours and 40 minutes.Valladolid-Tizimin (one hour) Tizimin-Las Coloradas (1 hour 10 minutes), something else on bus because it stops (1 hour 45 minutes) .Calculates more than 4 hours on buses until you arrive.
  • in private car: it takes about 3 hours.

GO TO THE COLORADAS FROM CANCUN: 

  • with travel agency: Tourism agencies offer a day tour to Las Coloradas next to Río Lagartos or Ek Balam. If you need taxi service Even these places will charge you about 3,000 pesos per unit.
  • with public transport: It is a long trip from Cancun, I explain: you must travel from Cancun to Tizimin (there is an ADO bus that leaves at 9:30, another one about 7 in the morning from the Nordeste company). From Tizimin continue your trip by bus from the Northeast to Las Coloradas: the bus departs at 10:30, at 13:30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín the last bus leaves at 15 pm. (50 pesos the way). A taxi from Tizimin to Las Coloradas to wait for you and return you to Tizimin costs around 500 pesos. Duration: Cancún-Tizimin ((2 hours and 30 minutes, Tizimin-Las Coloradas (1 hour 10 minutes), something else on the bus because it stops (1 hour 45 minutes). Calculate some more 4 hours on buses until you arrive.
  • in a private carit takes about 3 hours.
If you are going on your own in a day to Las Coloradas, it is best to go from Valladolid. If you are in Riviera Maya, it is better to go on an excursion, are many hours of driving and more for someone who does not know the terrain. In the tour that I recommend you book visits Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos, the archaeological zone of Ek Balam y a cenote very close. Of the most complete excursions I've seen since Riviera Maya. You can book easily and securely through the blog, the agency GET YOUR GUIDE sells exclusively through the internet. You can cancel for free until 24 hours before.

RESERVE EXCURSION TO LAS COLORADAS

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE COLORADAS

The best time is given regarding the pink color in its maximum splendor, which is at the hours of the sun at its zenith. That is between 12 and 15 hours, depending on summer or winter time. The higher the sun is, the more alive we see the pink. At dusk and dawn the pink colors are not so intense.

Another fact to take into account: the pink lagoon is part of a salt factory, once or twice a year this lock is emptied where we tourists come to take a photo. It is possible that during your visit the color of the water will be more or less pink depending on how long the water has been stagnant. I can't give you a fixed schedule for emptying the lagoon because there isn't one (for reference: in 2018 they emptied it in August). Anyway, if they empty it, the guides will take you to another pink lock with the permission of the salinera.

WHAT MORE TO DO IN LAS COLORADAS?

The beach of Las Coloradas: the town has one of the best beaches on this coast, a plus of charm without a doubt. Extensive white sand beaches accompanied by turquoises of the sea, fishing boats in front of the sea, and pelicans, frigates, herons and seagulls create the delicious landscape of the coast of Las Coloradas, with a deep flavor of salt. These beaches come to spawn from May to November 3 marine species of turtles, the hawksbill, the white and the loggerhead. Its beaches were declared a Sea Turtle Protection Zone by the Federal Government in October 1986 and are recognized as a Sanctuary.

Las Coloradas, Yucatan

Cancunito Beach: road to River Lagartos There is one of the beaches where the place usually escapes. The services offered have had better times and the beach is dirty, but you find your corner and you get caught with colors.

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The powerful salt industry makes it a place of passage, with few options to stay and a restaurant to eat. The Coloradas Without hesitation it deserves a detour on your way, its landscapes will make you fall in love, believe me.

How to visit Las Coloradas on your own, the pink lagoons of Yucatán 2

The Coloradas, nature

LOCATION: Las Coloradas is located in the state of Yucatán, on the Gulf of Mexico. 219 km from the capital of Mérida (two hours, 30 minutes), 53 km from the city of Tizimin (30 minutes), 102 from Valladolid (1 hour and a half) and 250 km from Cancun (3 hours).
Prices:50 pesos per person are paid to enter with a guide. You can not enter the salt mine and take the photo from outside.
HOW TO GET IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION? At Las Coloradas, a collective taxi arrives from Río Lagartos. From Tizimín depart collectives of the 47 street with the 48 (70 pesos) Also leaves the Northeast truck to the 10: 30, to the 13: 30. On the way back from Las Coloradas to Tizimín, the last bus departs at 15 hours. (50 pesos the journey).
WHAT TO BRING? Comfortable and light clothing, and hat to cover your head. From May to October the heat is hard, so protect yourself from the sun and do not forget your swimsuit to go to Las Coloradas beach.

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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