Las Coloradas & Rio Lagartos Tour from Cancún
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Cancun, Mexico
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Leave the planning and driving to someone else on this day trip to the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. Visit Las Coloradas, pink rose-colored lagoons within the reserve, and learn how locals extract salt from their seawater. Then, explore the mangroves, lagoons, and wetlands throughout the nature reserve, which serves as nesting grounds for a variety of shorebirds. Stop for lunch nearby before heading back to Cancún.
- A day trip to the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
- Learn how salt is extracted from the Las Coloradas pink lagoons
- Stop for lunch in a restaurant near the biosphere reserve
- Hassle-free round-trip transportation from Cancún
What's Included
- Entrance to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas.
- Round transportation from your hotel.
- Bottled water and box lunch.
- Air-conditioned vehicle.
- Know the salt process in the small village.
- Lunch (dish to choose).
- Government Fees$27.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Meeting points for travelers that are in downtown hotels and Airbnb’s or any location that we can't reach: Cancun Meeting Point: in front of the lobby at Oasis Smart in Tulum Avenue The pickup time is set according to your location, pickups start at 06:00 am, the travelers that doesn't provide pick up location will need to get in contact with us as soon as possible, otherwise we will be not be able to provide the service.
Operating hours.6:30 am
Itinerary
1
Las Coloradas
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
2
Rio Lagartos
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring your swimsuit, towels and extra clothes
- Use biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent
- This tour can be more than 12 hours due your hotel location and traffic
- We recommend you to bring your jacket you will be all day long in the aircon bus Las Coloradas is located in Yucatan and the time for travel is all day and it depends of the traffic
- Also we recommend you if you wish brings some snacks, water and your sweater you will be all day in the aircon bus
- Beverages are not included and are charged separately at the restaurant
- We start by picking up guests in smaller vehicles and taking them to a central meeting point. There, everyone transfers to a larger, comfortable bus that will take the group to the final destination. This ensures an efficient and smooth start to the tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 60 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Arthi_r
The water was so pink and beautiful. Our guide was helpful in explaining how the salt was made. The boat ride was awesome with sighting of crocodiles and different types of birds including flamingoes.
Reviews
4.3
based on 16 reviews
joy_d, Jul 2025
This is a scam. Do not book!! Felt completely unsafe. The customer service department is non existent. Save your money currently disputing with my bank.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Booking Reference: BR-1292553657
Tour Name: Las Coloradas and Río Lagartos Tour from Cancun
Travel Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Lead Traveler: Joy Davis
Number of Travelers: 1 Adult
Incident Type: No-Show
Cancellation Policy: Strictly non-refundable. Cancellations must be made 24 hours prior to tour departure.
Traveler Joy Davis did not show up for her scheduled tour on July 27, 2025. No prior cancellations were received that met the 24-hour requirement.
The traveler subsequently contacted us requesting a refund, citing reasons including personal injury and family circumstances (including her grandmother/mother).
Company Response to Refund Request:
Request denied based on the clear terms of the no-refund policy agreed upon at the time of booking.
The aforementioned personal injuries, while unfortunate, do not invalidate the non-refund contractual terms agreed to by the traveler.
The aforementioned family circumstances (grandmother/mother) are mentioned, but do not constitute grounds for an exception to the non-refund policy under Viator's terms.
It was emphasized that a last-minute cancellation or no-show disrupts logistics, generates costs (vehicle, guide, permits), and prevents the resale of the venue.
Additional traveler actions observed:
It is reported that the traveler threatened the company/representatives. This behavior is considered unacceptable and is governed by a zero-tolerance policy.
It is alleged that the traveler posted a false review related to this incident.
The refund request is definitively denied. The reservation remains non-refundable under the agreed terms. Payment for the reserved service is being withheld.
Sincerely,
Mary_R, Apr 2025
Tour stops were fine. Transportation in van very crowded for 12 people. I expected a bus with more legroom for the 9 hour round trip. Guide provided no info on Mexico during trip, only logistics as arrived at each stop.
David_K, Jan 2025
This tour was amazing and I feel they hugely undersell the experience of the whole day. Maybe the parts not included in the itinerary are not always possible.
The journey to and from can take a while 3.5-4 hours each way so be prepared for that. A basic snack pack is provided in the morning of a ham and cheese sandwich, juice box and a fruit. Please prepare and bring something if this is not enough or you have specific dietary requirements. Like all the tours in this region try only to use the bus toilet for number 1s
When you arrive to the saltworks you are given a guide for your group who essentially walk you along some photo ops and will take pics for you but we just went ahead and walked at our pace taking pics
Once done here there is a chance to change as you’ll be getting on a boat where you can spot crocodiles UP CLOSE and some flamingos , then an option to cover yourself in a natural clay which is good for your skin and then a further boat ride before arriving on a nice beach where you can wash off before and dry / change before lunch which was a nice choice of chicken or fish and rice with salads (incl) plus drinks (payable in addition)
After lunch your taken to a local crocodile sanctuary which helps to preserve the species , photo ops with baby and juvenile crocs as well as a fully grown male and then a pen where you can feed them
Arturo was our guide who was funny and informative
Please bring pesos for tips and suitable clothing if you want to get in the water
Janine_K, Jan 2024
It was a really nice tour - especially the aqua safari!!! Our guide was very kind and friendly :) would do it again.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience on our Las Coloradas & Rio Lagartos Tour from Cancun! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour, especially the aqua safari. It's wonderful to know that our guide provided excellent service and made your experience memorable. We appreciate your kind words and would be thrilled to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! If you have any further comments or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
- David Lyke
Arthi_r, May 2023
The water was so pink and beautiful. Our guide was helpful in explaining how the salt was made. The boat ride was awesome with sighting of crocodiles and different types of birds including flamingoes.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience on the Las Coloradas & Rio Lagartos Tour from Cancun. We're delighted to hear that you found it to be an enjoyable experience.
The pink waters of Las Coloradas are indeed a breathtaking sight, and we're thrilled that you found them beautiful. It's great to know that your guide was helpful in explaining the process of salt production, adding an educational aspect to your journey.
The boat ride through Rio Lagartos sounds like it was filled with excitement and wonder, especially with sightings of crocodiles and various bird species, including flamingoes. We're glad that you had the opportunity to witness the diverse wildlife of the region up close.
Thank you for choosing to explore with us, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future.
- David Lyke
Lily_L, Dec 2022
Our tour guide Arturo “Brad Pitt” was phenomenal, very charming and enthusiastic. Kept us informed and engaged at all times. Bonus he speaks multiple European languages. Keep in mind the drive to AND from the destinations is LONG, approx 4 hrs EACH way. Note that the vans picking you up at the hotel may transfer you to a coach bus where you will continue the rest of the drive. A small box lunch will be provided for you on the bus if you didn’t have an opportunity to eat before boarding. There is only one pink lake at Las Coloradas but you will have plenty of opportunity to take pictures. Really enjoyed the speed boat ride on the way to Rio Lagartos but not so much the beach area they let us swim in, water was murky. HIGHLY recommend trying the whole fried fish at the restaurant in Rio Lagartos. All in all was a good trip, felt slightly rushed through the places/activities but would do again.
Happyend_F, Oct 2022
It was an amazing tour. The way is quite long to reach there, but the landscape was so beautiful. The food included that I chose (fried fish with rice and salad with avocado) was really tasty. The guide was really kind and help me to take pictures as a solo traveller.
Very good tour.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Hello,
Thank you very much for your comments, we are glad to know that you enjoyed the tour and your food, we hope you come back soon to enjoy our extensive catalog of activities
Mario_J, Aug 2022
A very nice trip. Everything described in the trip was done.
Beautiful scenes of nature, specifically a lake, crocodiles and flamingos in a natural environment. Boat ride through the beautiful landscapes of Rio Lagartos all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Excellent lunch at an excellent restaurant.
Very knowledgeable and friendly guide.
Thanks for a fantastic experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Hello Mr. Mario,
Thank you very much for your comments, Las Coloradas is a place full of life in its natural habitat, we are glad to know that you enjoy it in the company of our staff. We hope you come back soon!
MiguelSteffan_M, Apr 2022
Though it's a long day and a long distance from Cancun, this trip is definitely worth taking. The pink lagoons are surreal and definitely Instagram worthy. The boat trip to see the wild flamingos, pelicans, frigate birds and alligators/crocodiles was incredible. You also get to visit an alligator/crocodile farm, where you hold baby alligators and pose near giant adult ones. The only down side to our trip, was our guide who has very dismissive of the group, and devoted all his attention to just four people who vied for his attention. Seems like his time management and communication skills were off. With a better tour guide, this trip would be 5/5 stars!
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Hello Mr. Miguel,
It is a long tour but it is completely worth doing it if you visit Cancun, thank you for sending us the information of the guide, we will do everything possible to improve this service and we will train our guides to provide a better service to all the members of the group equally
Luis_V, Feb 2022
Great under the radar tour in Yucatan. In close contact with the region fauna, and the unique conditions of the area make it a remarkable experience. The tour guides were extremely helpful and the food was fresh and tasty
Response from Host, Feb 2022
Hello dear Luis_V
It is good to know that you enjoyed the entire tour, we always seek to provide the best service, that is why we always keep our guides trained, we hope you come back soon
Carolyn_M, Dec 2021
Apparently this tour company think a small apple, kid's juice box and a salad (some lettuce, tomato and cucumber, a spoonful of plain rice and a few croutons) is enough food to sustain an adult on a 14 hour trip where apparently your food is provided. It's sickening when you've paid the same as people who eat meat and actually do get fed adequately - the trip booking asks if you have any dietary requirements, but they just get ignored, and if you complain they say they don't cater for vegetarians - but they don't bother to flag this so you can bring your own food.
The trip itself was fine but it felt like they oversold it - our group was massive (a full size coachload) so it took ages to do anything and we spent so much time waiting for everyone to take photos and arrived home super late and much later than expected.
Response from Host, Jan 2022
Hello Carolyn...
We hope you are well, regarding your comment, we at no time mention in our tour that there are vegetarian options, however we offered you a vegetarian option, and it is not as you told us since we have a photo of the dish that we dished up you and it is decent, on the other hand the guides told us that he wanted a gourmet dish that was never promised, at the beginning we give a box lunch which is mentioned to be like appetizers (a sandwich, a fruit and juice) and We offered to change the sandwich for another fruit and he refused, and he did not accept the box lunch. And as you can imagine, the tour is a long journey and we seek to please all customers, so sometimes it takes longer than scheduled, which many people appreciate, and we want you to enjoy the day of the tour to the fullest.
Ting_M, Nov 2021
I never heard about this place before until the first night arrived in Cancun, woke up by the noise from outside, and then start to check for the future trips, when I typed pink beach in the Bahamas, this pink lake nearby Cancun jumped out from google, so I changed my plan, cancelled one of my excursion, booked this one in the last minute, and it run out to be my BEST day in this trip!
Amazing pink lake, super cool ride on Río Lagartos, saw wild crocodiles, flamigos and all kind of birds, got Mayan mud mask directly from the mud,saw super cute baby crocodiles, the meal is super good too (not like other excursion I took, comercial buffet ) you choose your dish in a good Mexican resto !
The excursion is long, but really worth it! And the tour guide Pablo is super cool! Thank you!
Response from Host, Dec 2021
Thank you very much for telling us about your experience, we are pleased to know that your change of plans was worth it and that you enjoy the whole journey despite being long, we hope that you will return soon to be able to do other types of activities that you will surely love.
Eleazar_M, Apr 2021
Adrian was very kind and very professional. We were able to go to this amazing locations safely. I just wish we had a little bit more time at the beach.
Response from Host, Apr 2021
Hello, How are you?
We appreciate your comments, I hope you come back soon with us. Have a nice day.
lila_h, Sep 2022
Superbe expérience ! Le guide est le chauffeur sont top !
Le programme a été respecté.
Nous sommes français donc nous avons choisi l’excursion en anglais mais les guides switch très rapidement entre espagnol et anglais c’est un peu dur de suivre mais le guide a pris le temps de tout nous répéter à chaque fois !
Response from Host, Nov 2022
Hello Miss Lila,
We greatly appreciate your comments, we always try to give the best explanations so that our clients know in the best way how incredible Las Coloradas are. We invite you to do more activities with our staff, we hope you come back soon
From $158.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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