Las Coloradas Pink Lake
Las Coloradas pink lake
In April 2018, we took a family vacation to Tulum and did a day trip to the Las Coloradas pink lake.
A few Years ago while scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon photos of an enchanting lake whose water was the color of COTTON CANDY.
I was sure the pictures were photoshopped. How could a lake naturally be pink?
After doing a bit of research, I found out that the lake was indeed real and located in Senegal, West Africa. I did a search for flights and once the ticket prices popped up, I realized that I wouldn't be seeing a pink lake anytime soon.
I then discovered that these lakes existed in Australia. This was also problematic because unless you come across a sale, an error fare or have tons of credit card points saved, tickets Down Under are going to set you back at least $1000 per person. Not to mention the high prices on hotels, food, transportation and just about everything else in Australia.
Before deciding to save a small fortune to see this natural phenomenon, I did a google search for other pink lakes around the world. I came to learn that you can also find them in Turkey, France, Bolivia and the Yucatán region of México.
Wait. México has a pink beach? Maybe I wasn't going to have to sell my organs on the black market just to see pink water after all.
“The Yucatán state is about a three hour drive from Cancún, making the trip easily accessible from the United States.
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what is the las coloradas?
Las Coloradas is a small fishing village in México. This small community is home to a large salt production plant, its famous pink lake and also the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. And while the pink waters steal all the Instagram glory, what makes Las Coloradas really special is that there is also an orange lake across from the cotton candy-colored one. Because the lakes rest on the salt production plant, one will also find diamond-like chunks of salt along the shore that are quite the sight to see!
Río Largartos Biosphere Reserve
The Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve was established in 1979 to protect the wildlife in the area. The area was one also a resting point for the ancient Maya who traveled for commerce in salt and its production. Under the reserve’s protection are nearly 150,000 acres of mangroves, dunes, forests and a variety of species. Over 35 miles of beach within the reserve are nesting grounds for Hawksbill turtles and boasts 395 bird species. 59 mammal species, 99 species of fish and 80 reptiles of fish can also be found within the reserve. The Yucatán is home to at least 45 thousand pink flamingos, and the majority of them nest around the biosphere. With a variety of flora, deer, monkeys and jaguars, the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve should not be missed.
Why is las coloradas pink?
The orange and pink hues are created by microorganisms, like plankton and algae, that thrive in saltwater. Brine shrimp native to the Yucatán are also responsible for the pink color.
where is las coloradas?
Las Coloradas is right outside of the small town, Río Lagartos, in Yucatán Peninsula region of México. Along with the biosphere reserve, one can also find a crocodile farm in the area. When Spanish colonialists arrived, they confused crocodiles swimming in a nearby inlet for alligators and named the area “Río Lagartos” —“alligator lake”—and the name stuck.
how to get to las coloradas
There are various ways to get to Las Coloradas. As the lakes are becoming a popular tourist destination, there are now companies that operate tours. There are options to with a larger group or in a private taxi. It is easy to find tours from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumél and even Mérida.
las coloradas from cancún
Getting to Las Coloradas from Cancún is pretty simple. I suggest that when traveling with kids, or adults-only, renting a car is a must. In my opinion, it’s the best way to reach the lakes; I couldn’t imagine doing this trip on a huge tour bus. The drive is approximately 3.5 hours, and there are many cute small towns to stop in along the way. Renting a car gives individuals and families the flexibility to work around their own schedule. Be it stopping in nearby small towns, a quick swim at a beach, bathroom breaks—whatever! Driving to Las Coloradas is a great way to experience México and the Yucatán.
Be sure to rent a car with a GPS system. We drove to the pink lakes from Tulum and our trip started out as a straight shot. Once we were about an hour and a half away from the area, we had to take lots of different twists, turns and exits through small towns to arrive. Trust me when I say that you will be lost without a navigation system.
travel Tips for traveling to the pink lakes of las coloradas with kids
If you're traveling from Cancún or the Riviera Maya, don't make this a day trip. We made this mistake and made the visit a day trip from Tulum. Now looking back, I wish we would have spent a couple of days in the Yucatán exploring the area with time to stop in small towns along the way. The ride from Tulum was three hours there and three hours back, which is a lot for one day. We felt a bit rushed and restricted by time as we didn’t want to drive back to Tulum in the dark, and if we had planned better, we would have spent the time in Valladolid.
Plan a boat tour to see the flamingos, a trip to the crocodile farm and a stop at Las Coloradas for the same day. You could easily do all three activities in one day without overwhelming your family. This is a perfect way to make use of time after visiting the lakes.
The Mayan sun is fierce and bright, so be sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses and plenty of water with you.
Only stay about 30 minutes. The area is actually quite small and a half hour is plenty of time to explore, learn and to take pictures.
Bring plenty of snacks. There are no restaurants or stores in the Las Coloradas area; having fruit, nuts, chips or sandwiches packed with you is imperative. The nearest restaurants and shops are 30mins away, and there's nothing worse than traveling with hangry children. Can I get an amén?
Be sure to ask your children questions about the lakes before going. You could ask questions like if they believe the colors of the water are natural or not, and if so, what gives them these tones. This is a perfect way to get you children interested and interacting before arriving.
Let them ask the guide questions. One of the best ways to get children interactive on the trip is by allowing them to ask their own questions to the guide.
My girls love posing and taking photos, so give the kids your phone/camera and let them take their own photos. It's always fun looking back to see their photographic perspective.
If it's not too crowded or hot, bring an art journal and colored pencils. Let them sketch the water, salt crystals and anything else they may find interesting.
Pack your swimsuits as there are miles of uncrowded beaches along your drive to Las Coloradas.
Other useful information about the las coloradas pink lake
Stay in Río Lagartos, or another town near by, as there are no hotels in Las Coloradas.
The lakes are on private property and you are required to hire a guide and pay an entrance fee.
Cameras are not allowed on the property and only cell phone photos are allowed. So that means no mirrorless cameras, no DSLR cameras, no fancy lenses and definitely no drones are permissible.
There are no ATMs in the area, so be sure to bring pesos with you to pay your guide.
Negotiate your fare. If you feel that your guide has quoted you a ridiculous amount, feel free to renegotiate the price in a respectful manner.
“Remember, you are not entitled to pay someone an unfair wage for their services just because you are in a country where your dollars, euros or pounds stretch further than the local currency. ”
Make sure that you have a full tank of gas. There are not many gas stations around, so be sure to fill up before you leave.
Some gas stations do not take credit cards. There also may not be an ATM on site so be sure to take out enough cash to pay for gas in case the station does not accept cards.
Las Coloradas is not a huge body of water. It's pretty shallow and is surrounded by a salt factory and all the industrial aesthetics that comes along with it. Be sure to manage your expectations of the area before arriving. If you are expecting to see an ocean of pink and orange water then you will be disappointed; these are small lakes on private property—be prepared for this.
Swimming and touching the water is forbidden. Sorry to break your hearts, but no one is allowed in the water. This devastated Nasi as he stripped down to his diaper, preparing to take a dip!
This is Nasi's "I'm really mad that I can't play in the pink water" face.
“The Yucatán Peninsula is one of the centers of Mayan México. When visiting this region, be sure to learn Mayan words and engage in the beauty of Indigenous culture. ”
On your next family vacation to Cancún or the Riviera Maya, consider a trip to Río Lagartos and the Las Coloradas pink lake for a mini getaway. I highly recommend a visit for a memorable experience for your family.
would you consider a family trip to the las coloradas pink lake?
Further reading:
7 Reasons Why Huatulco Is México’s Best Kept Secret
Dahab, Egypt: A Red Sea Paradise In The Desert
When Is The Best Time To Visit Egypt?
How To Save Money For Family Vacations
5 Documents Every Family Needs For A Trip Abroad
6 Essential Items Every Parents Needs In Their Personal Bag For A Flight
Affordable Gifts For Kids Who Love Travel
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