Pink Lagoons & Rio Lagartos Boat Tour from Tulum

Pink water, wild flamingos, and a Mayan clay bath in one long day

This 13-hour boat tour from Tulum combines Las Coloradas' pink lagoons with a guided boat ride through Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, where you spot flamingos and crocodiles, then apply mineral-rich white clay in a traditional Mayan exfoliation ritual before eating lunch at a local restaurant. The tour includes round transportation from Cancún or Playa del Carmen, a bilingual guide, breakfast, the boat ride, and your choice of a dish at the restaurant; a preservation tax in Río Lagartos is optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore pink lagoons and biosphere reserve

• Visit pink lagoons at Las Coloradas
• Learn about pink lagoon formation
• Spot wild flamingos in habitat
• Boat ride through Ría Lagartos canals
• Spot flamingos, crocodiles, and birds
• Enjoy traditional Mayan mud exfoliation
• Rinse off in warm reserve waters
• Have à la carte meal in Río Lagartos

The Experience

You start early from your hotel in Cancún or Playa del Carmen with a box breakfast in hand—sandwich, juice and fruit for the drive. The bilingual guide meets you at pickup and explains what you're heading toward: two ecosystems that look nothing like the rest of Mexico. Las Coloradas arrives first, the lagoons that turn pink because of salt concentration and microorganisms in the water. The shade shifts with the light and the weather, so your guide walks you through the science while you photograph the rosy water and the flamingos that feed there when conditions allow. This is the stop people come for, and the viewing areas let you get close without damaging the protected habitat.

The boat ride through Ría Lagartos takes two and a half hours, moving slowly through mangrove canals where your guide points out crocodiles, flamingos and the birds that nest in this biosphere reserve. The water stays calm and the pace is unhurried. Then comes the part most standard tours skip: a quiet beach stop where you apply the mineral-rich white clay yourself, let it dry in the sun, and rinse it off in the warm lagoon water. It's a traditional Mayan practice, not a performance—you choose how long to sit with it. After that, you head to a local restaurant in Río Lagartos where you pick your own dish from the menu. Beverages cost extra and you'll want to bring cash for them, but the meal is fresh and regional.

The full day runs 13 hours, though it can stretch longer depending on where your hotel is and traffic on the drive back. Transportation is normally by bus, though in rare cases a van may be used instead. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet, bring your swimsuit, towels and extra clothes, and use biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent—the mangroves have mosquitoes and the sun reflects hard off the pink water.

What’s included

• Round transportation from your Cancún or Playa del Carmen hotel.
• bilingual guide for the full day.
• box breakfast with sandwich, juice and fruit.
• guided visit to Las Coloradas pink lagoons.
• two-and-a-half-hour boat ride through Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve.
• traditional Mayan white clay exfoliation ritual on a quiet beach.
• one dish of your choice at a local restaurant in Río Lagartos.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Pata de peek travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Cancún or Playa del Carmen with a full day free and want to see two ecosystems in one trip without arranging your own transport or navigation. The shared group format and fixed schedule mean the whole day holds together—you don't piece it together yourself, and the early start gets you to Las Coloradas before the afternoon heat peaks.

Top questions

What makes Las Coloradas lagoons pink?

The pink color comes from high salt concentrations and natural pigments in microorganisms that live in the water. The shade varies depending on sunlight and weather, so the water can look different shades of rose depending on when you visit and the time of day.

Will I see flamingos and crocodiles on the boat ride?

The Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve is home to wild flamingos, crocodiles and many bird species. Your guide will help you spot them as you move through the mangrove canals, though sightings depend on conditions and the time of year.

What is the Mayan clay ritual like?

You stop on a quiet beach in the reserve, apply the mineral-rich white clay to your skin yourself, let it dry in the sun, and then rinse it off in the warm lagoon water. It's a traditional exfoliation practice, not a guided activity—you control how long you sit with it.

Is the meal at the restaurant included?

Yes, you choose one dish from the à la carte menu at a local restaurant in Río Lagartos. Beverages are not included and are charged separately, so bring cash for drinks and any extras you want.

How long is the boat ride through Ría Lagartos?

The boat ride through the biosphere reserve lasts two and a half hours. You move through calm mangrove canals at a slow pace, giving you time to spot wildlife and take photos.

What's included in the pickup from my hotel?

Round transportation from Cancún or Playa del Carmen is included, along with a box breakfast (sandwich, juice and fruit) for the drive. The bilingual guide meets you at your hotel and travels with the group the entire day.