The pink lagoon of Yucatan, Mexico: when nature becomes magical

Go to Yucatan, Mexico, to see life in pink on the shores of this breathtaking lagoon!

It’s no secret to anyone, Mexico is a colorful country, but did you know that it’s also true in its nature? The Yucatan, bordered by the Caribbean Sea, is one of the most visited regions of the country, especially for its impressive Mayan temples, its magnificent Cenotes and its heavenly beaches.

Yet, some curious and photographers looking for spectacular images go there for a whole other reason: admire from their own eyes this lagoon of an incredible rose, yet natural. “Magic” is also the word generally used to describe this hidden lagoon on the Yucatan peninsula!

In the footsteps of the Yucatan pink lagoon, Mexico

This lagoon, from a depth of a few centimetres, is located at Las Coloradas a village dedicated to fishing and the salt industry. Which explains why it is surrounded by mountains of white salt that contrast with the color of its naturally... pink water!

The exploitation of its salt was already important for the Mayan people of Mexico, long before Las Coloradas, close to mangroves and salt plains, became one of the country’s largest salt refineries.

What's behind the Yucatan pink lagoon in Mexico?

The peculiarity of this lagoon located at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is its natural pink more or less intense depending on the orientation of the sun, and enhanced by long stretches of white sand. And although it sounds crazy, there is no coloring or any other chemical in the salt water of this lagoon!

Its color, which gives it a particular beauty, comes in reality from marine microorganisms containing beta-carotene , an orange-rose pigment, 100% natural so. This pigment also acts in the same way on the feathers of the pink flamingos, which feed on shrimp Artemia salina They're rich. Similar landscapes are also visible in Namibia, Namibia Australia , Senegal or in Bolivia .

During his trip to space, in 2017, the French spationaute Thomas Pesquet has made a superb picture on which you can see from above the Las Coloradas salines and a tip of the Ria Lagartos Natural Park , which allows to understand all the singularity of this magical place. This pink lagoon is a very photogenic destination, away from any agitation, where you will have nothing else to do than take the time to admire the dream beauty.

To go

How?

To visit the Yucatan pink lagoon, go to Mexico! The largest international airport in the region is that of Cancun , destination for which there are direct flights from France. Flight Compare Ulysses will be your best ally to find flights at the best price!

Once in Mexico, car rental is the easiest solution to get to Las Coloradas. The pink lagoon is located about to three and a half hours de route de Cancun (270 km), three hours de Mérida (230 km) or Tulum (220 km), and two hours de Valladolid (125 km). By renting a car in one of these cities, you can easily reach Las Coloradas, passing through Tizimin (route 295), then the village Rio Lagartos .

There are bus which can take you to Tizimin then Rio Lagartos but, in addition to the long journey to this village, you will then have to appeal to a taxi or batelier to reach the pink lagoon.

Another solution would be to take a first bus to Chiquila , then a second to Las Coloradas, but again, the journey time is not negligible (from 4h30 to Valladolid at 8h30 from Merida). For buses, visit the official website of the bus company ADO , and favor the bus company Noreste then to Las Coloradas.

When?

The Yucatan pink lagoon is accessible all year and every day of the week. But to enjoy its incredible color, it is recommended to go there a day when the sky is clear, and when the sun is the highest, at noon .

At sunset, the lagoon blends with the sky and takes a mystic dimension, thus offering a nice show!

To sleep

On site

Las Coloradas with no hotel infrastructure, the fishing village of Rio Lagartos , located about a quarter-hour drive from the pink lagoon, is the best alternative to stay. There are a few hotels offering rooms between 20€ and 50€ per night.

Do not hesitate to consult the various offers on this Compare hotels and the site Airbnb , which also offers rooms in hotel, to find the accommodation that suits you!

The nearby addresses

If you plan to explore the lake and its surroundings on the day, you can choose to Sleep in Valladolid , an old colonial town that is about two hours' drive.

The hotel offer is very developed in this charming town known for its cenotes, and its colorful alleys, both in the city centre, around the Parque Francisco Canton Rosado, as in the quieter and more excavated alleys.

As in most Mexican cities, accommodation is very affordable: you can sleep in hostel from 7€ per night (bed in dorm), or in a hotel, one guesthouse or housing Airbnb from 15€ per night.

To eat

Enjoy this place by the sea to enjoy with fresh fish and seafood in one of the small restaurants typical of the village of Las Coloradas, on the edge of the lagoon, or Rio Lagartos. In Las Coloradas, we recommend the restaurant Cocina Dona Tati . In Rio Lagartos, here are our good addresses:

• Restaurante Ria Maya
• Restaurante Los Negritos
• El Perico Marinero
• Restaurante La Bocana

What budget to visit the Yucatan pink lagoon in Mexico?

Starting to discover this pink lagoon, you will have to plan in your budget the price of renting a car, or bus, taxi and boat, as well as the accommodation and what to restore you.

You can also combine the tour of the lagoon and the park by addressing directly to a local guide or fisherman for 50€ per boat on average (to be negotiated) in Rio Lagartos

Otherwise, in order to be able to make the lagoon tour, an entry fee of a few euros will be requested.

To take in my backpack

What are the essentials to have with you?

• From the species, because you will not find any automatic distributor to withdraw money from the surrounding area
• Solar cream, preferably organic so as not to harm the sensitive ecosystem of the natural park
• Sunglasses
• A hat or a cap
• A beach towel and a bathing suit, if you intend to take a clay bath in the reserve (“spa maya”)
• Protection against mosquitoes, especially if you plan a boat ride on the Ria Lagartos mangrove
• A camera to remember that no, you didn’t dream!

What I can discover in the region

This treasure of Las Coloradas avoisine Ria Lagartos a natural park of 650 km2 of beaches, mangroves, forests and dunes, declared as a special biosphere reserve in 1979.

It houses an exceptional fauna, such as pink flamingos, crocodiles, turtles and many other species of birds. The Ria Lagartos reserve, which is on board a small boat, deserves all your attention if you decide to go to the pink lagoon.

The fishing village of Rio Lagartos, close to the park, is also worth visiting authentic Mexico!

The destination in images