The differences
| Las Coloradas and Río Lagartos | Celestún | |
|---|---|---|
| Unique feature | Pink salt-works pools | Estuary with a freshwater spring and mangrove tunnel |
| Reserve | Ría Lagartos (1999) | Ría Celestún (2000) |
| Flamingos | Toward summer | November to February |
| Beach | Cancunito, rustic | Nearly three hours on Celestún beach |
| Distance | Almost three hours | An hour and a half |
| Extra entry fee | Las Coloradas | None (boat included) |
Las Coloradas
Las Coloradas is a fishing port on an inlet of the north coast, according to the Yucatán government. Next to the village are the pools of a salt works, which look pink because of concentrated salt and microorganisms in the water. You can't swim in them; you visit from the edge. The same day includes a boat ride through Ría Lagartos, with flamingos, crocodiles and a mud bath.
Celestún
Ría Celestún has been a Biosphere Reserve since 2000, and CONANP recommends visiting from November to February to see more flamingos and migratory birds. Its rules require keeping at least 50 meters from the flamingos. After the boat ride, the day continues with lunch by the sea and a free afternoon on the beach.
Which to choose
- You want the pink-water photo: Las Coloradas.
- You're traveling in winter and want flamingos without so much driving: Celestún.
- You're traveling in summer and care about flamingos: Río Lagartos, on the Las Coloradas tour.
Fun facts
- Las Coloradas is a fishing port built beside an inlet.
- At Ría Celestún you must stay at least 50 meters from the flamingos.
- Flamingos move between Celestún and Ría Lagartos with the seasons.
Related tours
Nature · 12 h
Las Coloradas and Río Lagartos
Genuinely pink lagoons, and flamingos in the estuary
from $1,400 MXN per person
See itinerary
7:00 AM – 8:00 PM · daily
- 7:00 AM Departure from the office — Almost three hours to the north coast, with a stop halfway.
- 9:50 AM Las Coloradas — A guided walk beside the pink, white and orange pools of the salt works. No swimming: it is a protected area.
- 11:00 AM Cancunito beach — A rustic beach inside the reserve, calm water and hardly anyone around.
- 12:30 PM Boat ride through the estuary — Channels through the mangroves, flamingo watching areas, crocodiles in their habitat and the mineral mud bath.
- 2:15 PM Lunch in Río Lagartos — Fresh fish, ceviche, octopus or tikin xic on the waterfront of the fishing village.
- 4:15 PM Back to Mérida — Nearly four hours back, arriving around eight.
Included: Transport, Guide, Boat ride, Lunch from a set menu
Not included: Las Coloradas entrance, Drinks
Nature · 9 h
Celestún and the pink flamingos
The largest flamingo colony in North America
from $1,600 MXN per person
See itinerary
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM · daily
- 8:00 AM Departure from the office — An hour and a half west, out to the port.
- 9:30 AM Boat ride — Flamingo and bird watching, the mangrove tunnel, the freshwater spring and the Maya bath on the sandbar.
- 11:00 AM Lunch by the beach — Fish, octopus or shrimp from the gulf, at a table facing the sea.
- 1:00 PM Free time on the beach — Almost three hours to swim, walk the shore or do nothing at all.
- 4:00 PM Back to Mérida — Arriving around five.
Included: Transport, Guide, Boat ride, Lunch from a set menu
Not included: Drinks
Transfers · 11 h
Transfer to Las Coloradas and Río Lagartos
The pink lagoons and the beach, with the van at your disposal
from $2,850 MXN per vehicle
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Las Coloradas?
No. The pools are a salt-production area; you visit from the edge.
Which is closer to Mérida?
Celestún, an hour and a half away; Las Coloradas is almost three hours.
Where are there more flamingos?
It depends on the season: Celestún from November to February; Ría Lagartos toward summer.
What's paid separately?
On the Las Coloradas tour, entry to the salt works; on both, drinks.
