Las Coloradas & Rio Lagartos Day Tour: Pink Lakes, Boat Ride & Lunch

Summary

Yucatan Pink Lakes Tour with Flamingos and Mayan Bath

You’ll get up close to Yucatan’s famous pink lakes and float through Rio Lagartos’ wildlife reserve—all with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. It’s not just about photos; you’ll try a traditional Mayan mud bath and spot flamingos in their natural habitat. This tour packs culture, nature, and real local flavor into one easy day.

What’s the experience like?

The first time I saw the pink water at Las Coloradas, it almost didn’t look real—like someone had spilled strawberry milk across the horizon. Our guide, Luis, explained how the salt and tiny microorganisms work together to create that wild color. If you lean in close, you’ll catch a faint salty tang in the air and sometimes a soft crunch underfoot from dried crystals. We took our time snapping photos (honestly, you can’t help it here), then tried the “Mayan bath”—smearing mineral-rich mud on our arms while laughing at each other’s attempts to look serious for pictures.

After rinsing off, we hopped back in the van for the short drive to Rio Lagartos. The boat ride was about two hours but felt quicker—there’s always something to spot: flocks of flamingos picking through the shallows, a crocodile sunning itself on a muddy bank, even fishermen waving as they passed by. The breeze off the water was a relief; it gets hot out there by midday. Lunch was simple but good—fresh fish if you want it—and we swapped stories with folks from Mexico City and Mérida at our table. If you’re into wildlife or just want to see something different from the usual beach scene, this is one for your list.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pink Lakes and Rio Lagartos Tour

• Mayan bath and pink lakes experience
• Rio Lagartos lagoon nature tour

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The pace is relaxed and there’s shade on the boat. Kids love spotting flamingos and everyone can join in the Mayan bath—it’s gentle fun for all ages.

What should I bring for the day?

I’d suggest sunscreen (the sun is strong), a hat, comfy shoes that can get wet or salty, and maybe an extra shirt since you might get splashed during the boat ride.

Are there vegetarian options for lunch?

Absolutely—just let your guide know at pickup or before lunch so they can arrange a veggie dish for you.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport with AC (no sticky bus rides!), bottled water, a box lunch for snacking on the go, two-hour guided boat ride in Rio Lagartos (keep your camera handy), entrance to Las Coloradas’ pink lagoons plus time for that classic Mayan mud bath experience. You’ll also visit a crocodile farm and enjoy an à la carte meal—you pick your favorite dish. And don’t worry if Spanish isn’t your thing; guides speak English too.