In short
- Swimming is strictly prohibited.
- Las Coloradas is an active industrial salt extraction plant.
- You must pay a fee and walk with a guide.
In this article
The vivid pink lakes of Las Coloradas are a popular stop near the Rio Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. Because the water looks so inviting, many visitors wonder if they can swim. The short answer is no. Las Coloradas is privately owned, and the rules are strict to protect both the commercial salt and the unique microorganisms.
Why can't you swim in Las Coloradas?
Las Coloradas is an active industrial salt extraction facility. Swimming contaminates the salt intended for human consumption.
The pink lakes are actually commercial evaporation ponds. The water contains specific halophilic microorganisms that give it the pink color. If people swim in the water, sunscreen, oils, and dirt can contaminate the salt harvest. The high salt concentration would also irritate human skin and eyes.
What can you do at Las Coloradas?
You can walk along designated viewing platforms with a mandatory local guide to take photos.
Visitors must pay a land entry fee to access the site. You will be assigned a local guide who walks you along the edges of the pink ponds. You can take photos, learn about the salt extraction process, and observe the water. The viewing takes about one hour.
Are there places nearby where you can swim?
Yes, Playa Cancúnito is a nearby public beach where swimming is allowed.
If you want to cool off, head to Playa Cancúnito. It is an untouched white-sand beach located on the strip of land between the estuary and the open ocean. There are no facilities or shade, so bring your own umbrella. Be careful when swimming, as ocean currents can be strong.
Is the Mayan mud bath the same as the pink lakes?
No, the Mayan mud bath (Baño Maya) takes place inside the Rio Lagartos estuary, not at Las Coloradas.
During a Rio Lagartos boat tour, guides often stop at spots in the estuary to harvest white, sulfurous clay. Visitors apply this mud to their skin. After letting it dry in the sun, you can rinse it off in the clean waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This activity is separate from the pink lakes.
Do you need a guide for Las Coloradas?
Yes, a mandatory site guide is required when you pay the entry fee at Las Coloradas.
You cannot wander the pink lakes on your own. The site requires all visitors to be accompanied by an official guide to ensure no one touches the water or wanders into restricted industrial zones.
How do you visit Las Coloradas from Cancun?
You can drive a rental car or book a full-day guided tour from Cancun that includes transportation.
Full-day tours from Cancun typically include hotel pickup, the entry fee for Las Coloradas, a boat tour in Rio Lagartos, and lunch. If you drive, it takes several hours, but gives you the flexibility to visit the lakes early before crowds arrive.
Questions travellers ask
Can you touch the water at Las Coloradas?
No. Touching the water is prohibited to protect the salt production process and the microorganisms.
Are there flamingos at Las Coloradas?
Flamingos sometimes feed in the shallow waters near the salt flats, but the massive flocks are typically found deeper inside the Rio Lagartos estuary.
How much does it cost to enter Las Coloradas?
The site requires a separate entry fee (often called a salt tax or land fee) which changes over time. Guided tours usually note if this fee is included or excluded.
