Las Coloradas (Pink Lakes) Tours and Tickets

There are many different ways to experience Las Coloradas, the pink saltwater ponds on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. Looking at traveler ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are your top options right now:

• Las Coloradas, Río Lagartos, and Playa Cancunito Tour from Mérida

• Las Coloradas Pink Lake and Río Lagartos Guided Tour

• Coloradas Pink Lagoon Adventure from Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya

• Mérida: Las Coloradas and Río Lagartos with Boat Tour and Lunch

• Cenote Suytun, Río Lagartos, and Las Coloradas

The entrance fee to visit Las Coloradas is typically around 350 Mexican pesos, which you pay at the Las Coloradas visitor center. Many tours include this fee, but it’s best to check ahead. There are discounts for Mexican nationals, and the entrance fee includes a 45-minute guided walk. Tours that visit Las Coloradas start around US$80 per person.

The waters of Las Coloradas are home to microorganisms known as halobacteria or halophiles, which thrive within salty environments. These minuscule organisms have pinkish membranes activated by sunlight, which causes the pink tone. Tip: Go on a sunny day to see the lakes at their most vibrant.

No, you cannot swim at Las Coloradas. The water has high levels of salt, which are extracted by a private company; think of the water as private property. Even if you did break the rules and dip your feet in, there are dangers from the saline-rich water and abundance of sharp salt crystals.

While most Las Coloradas tours spend around 1–2 hours at the pink lakes, many of these are full-day trips that also visit other sites. If you’re staying in Valladolid, travel time is around two hours, while it's three hours from Cancun or four hours from Playa del Carmen.

Yes, Las Coloradas borders the Rio Lagartas Biosphere Reserve, which is home to a huge colony of flamingos. While you can catch sight of the pink-feathered beauties year-round at Las Coloradas, the flamingos’ nesting and breeding seasons between April and August are the best time to see them.