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Gulf Coast

Río Lagartos & Las Coloradas Tour

A Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas tour combines a flamingo boat on the northern coast with the pink salt lakes nearby, in one long day. The two stops are only about 30 minutes apart, so the main effort is the drive to the coast. Request a quote and we can arrange pickup from Valladolid, Cancún or other bases.

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Río Lagartos & Las Coloradas Tour: options & departures

This is the coast day for visitors who want wildlife and landscapes rather than ruins, and a Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas tour gives both. From Valladolid it is a comfortable day, while from Cancún it is a very long one.

A Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas day trip can be shared or private. Private vehicles are the norm from Valladolid, while shared tours exist from Cancún.

  • Boat tour with flamingos, mud bath and lunch, then the pink lakes
  • Private vehicle with a flexible schedule
  • Version that adds Ek Balam on the way from Valladolid
  • Overnight version with a sunset boat

Full-day itinerary

A typical day from Valladolid looks like this; from Cancún the start is much earlier.

  • 7:30 – Pickup in Valladolid
  • 8:00 – Drive north via Tizimín
  • 9:30 – Arrive in Río Lagartos
  • 9:45 – Boat tour with flamingos and a mud bath
  • 12:00 – Seafood lunch
  • 13:30 – Drive east to Las Coloradas
  • 14:00 – Viewing and photos at the pink lakes
  • 14:45 – Drive back toward Valladolid
  • 16:30 – Drop-off in Valladolid

What's included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or an agreed meeting point (where pickup can be arranged) in Valladolid, Cancún or your base
  • Air-conditioned vehicle and a local driver
  • A local guide where the format includes one (language to be confirmed in your quote)
  • Bottled water on board
  • Time for the boat tour when included in the format you choose
  • A lunch stop in Río Lagartos

Prices

Prices for a Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas tour vary widely with the start city. From Valladolid the distance is moderate, while from Cancún it is long and priced accordingly.

FormatTypical range (2026)
Shared small-group tourUSD 85–150 per person (mostly from Cancún)
Private vehicle with driverUSD 180–680 per vehicle, depending on the start city
Typically extraBoat tour, lunch and tips

Why combine these stops

Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas lie on the same stretch of coast, with the pink lakes about 30 minutes east of the town. That makes them an obvious pair: one stop is on the water and the other is a short viewing stop.

The drive is the main cost, so adding the second stop makes the trip more worthwhile. The boat gives you wildlife and a swim, and Las Coloradas adds a striking landscape in the afternoon light, though swimming in the lakes is not allowed.

What to bring

Bring the basics for a day on the water and in the sun:

  • Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
  • Swimwear and a towel for the mud bath
  • Cash in pesos for the boat, lunch and tips
  • A camera, with a spare battery or power bank
  • Insect repellent for the mangroves

Related tours

Gulf Coast · from US$70Las Coloradas Pink Lakes ToursA Las Coloradas tour visits the pink salt lakes of Yucatán's north coast, where industrial evaporation ponds glow in shades from rose to coral.Gulf Coast · from US$85Río Lagartos Flamingo ToursA Río Lagartos tour takes you into a biosphere reserve on Yucatán's north-east coast, where flamingos, crocodiles and salt flats share the same lagoon.Gulf Coast · from US$85Bocas de Dzilam Mangrove ToursA Bocas de Dzilam tour explores a state reserve on Yucatán's north coast where mangroves, freshwater springs and quiet lagoons are far less visited than Celestún or Río Lagartos.Gulf Coast · from US$80San Felipe Mangrove ToursA San Felipe tour visits a small fishing village on Yucatán's north coast with brightly painted wooden houses and mangrove lagoons close by.Gulf Coast · from US$50Sea Turtle ToursA sea turtle tour Yucatán travellers can join on the Gulf coast lets you watch the nesting season from a respectful distance, or even see a hatchling release when conditions allow.Gulf Coast · from US$70Chichén Itzá Shore Excursion from ProgresoLooking for a Chichén Itzá shore excursion Progreso day that fits your ship's time in port? We plan private shore excursions from the Progreso cruise pier to Chichén Itzá, with a local driver and guide waiting at the meeting point.Gulf Coast · from US$55Uxmal Shore Excursion from ProgresoDocking at Progreso and want a Uxmal shore excursion Progreso plan? We arrange a private vehicle and local guide for Uxmal, timed from the pier and back with a buffer before all-aboard.Gulf Coast · from US$35Mérida City Shore Excursion from ProgresoThis Mérida city shore excursion Progreso option is a private day from the ship to Mérida, with a driver and guide who plan the schedule around your all-aboard time.Gulf Coast · from US$45Cenote Shore Excursion from ProgresoDocking at Progreso and want a Cenote shore excursion Progreso plan? We arrange a private vehicle and local guide for cenotes, timed from the pier and back with a buffer before all-aboard.

FAQs

How long is the day?

About 9 hours from Valladolid and 13 to 15 hours from Cancún.

Can we swim in Las Coloradas?

No. Swimming is not permitted, and the stop is for viewing and photos.

Will we see flamingos?

Usually, but numbers vary with season and water level. The boat captain follows where the birds are feeding.

Is it better to stay overnight?

From Cancún, yes, if you can. A night in Río Lagartos or Valladolid makes the trip more relaxed.

Want this trip planned for you?

Tell us your dates, group size and where you are staying. We check availability with local guides and send back a price.

Request a quote