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Río Lagartos is a small fishing village on the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, set beside a long, shallow lagoon that stretches parallel to the Gulf of Mexico. The lagoon and its surroundings form the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, one of the most important wetland areas in Mexico and a major breeding ground for American flamingos. Life in town still revolves around boats, nets and the day's catch.
Nearly every visitor comes for a boat trip with a local guide. Tours glide through mangrove channels, past herons, spoonbills, egrets and pelicans, and out to the flamingo feeding grounds where large flocks wade in pink-tinged water. Crocodiles are often spotted resting along the shoreline, which explains the town's name, since early Spanish arrivals mistook them for alligators. Farther east, the salt works of Las Coloradas color their evaporation ponds a vivid pink, a popular photo stop. Some beaches in the area serve as nesting sites for sea turtles in season. Canoe, kayak and fishing trips are easy to arrange, and back in the village the waterfront and Mercado Municipal offer fresh seafood.
Río Lagartos suits birdwatchers, photographers and travelers seeking a quiet, unpolished coastal stop. Staying overnight allows an early-morning boat ride, when light is soft and birds are most active.
WiserMap travel guideRío Lagartos Mexico Flamingo Boat Tours and Las ColoradasPlan a trip to Río Lagartos on the Yucatán coast: flamingo boat tours, the pink pools of Las Coloradas, mangroves, turtle beaches and fresh local seafood.Read the guide
A protected coastal estuary of about 60,000 hectares stretching along Yucatán's north coast, with mangroves, salt flats, dunes and lagoons. Boat tours leave from the Río Lagartos waterfront. Go early in the morning, when birds are most active and the light is soft.
Bright pink salt evaporation ponds next to the fishing village of Las Coloradas, about 20 km east of Río Lagartos. The color comes from algae and tiny crustaceans in the brine. Swimming is not allowed and access is by guided visit, so stay on the marked viewing areas.
Narrow waterways wind through red, black and white mangroves inside the reserve, sheltering herons, egrets, kingfishers and fish nurseries. Most boat tours include a slow pass through the tunnels. Bring insect repellent, a hat and water, as there is little shade on the open water.
A small freshwater spring that bubbles up inside the salty estuary, surrounded by mangroves and a short wooden boardwalk. Boat tours stop here so visitors can taste the fresh water and look for fish and birds. It is a calm place for photos, so ask your boatman to include it.
Thousands of American flamingos feed in the shallow lagoons of the estuary, turning the water pink, especially from spring to early summer. Licensed boatmen keep a set distance so the birds are not disturbed. Bring binoculars and a zoom lens for the best views.
American and Morelet's crocodiles live along the quiet edges of the estuary, and guides know the spots where they bask in the sun. Some operators also run evening tours to see their eyes shine in a flashlight. Keep hands inside the boat and follow your guide's instructions.
The barrier beaches of the reserve are nesting grounds for hawksbill and green sea turtles from about April to September. Conservation groups protect nests and sometimes allow visitors at hatchling releases. Never touch eggs or hatchlings and avoid lights on the beach at night.
A popular stop on longer boat tours, where visitors cover themselves in the soft white clay of a shallow lagoon, let it dry and rinse off in the water. Locals say it is good for the skin. Wear a swimsuit you do not mind getting dirty and bring a towel for the boat ride back.
Local guides offer fly fishing for tarpon, snook and bonefish in the flats, plus quiet kayak and canoe outings through the lagoons. Trips can be arranged from the waterfront the day before. Catch and release is common, and early mornings bring calmer water and less wind.
More than 350 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including roseate spoonbills, white pelicans, ospreys and many migrants in winter. Specialized birding tours go slower and visit more habitats than standard flamingo trips. Book a bilingual guide in advance.
The seafront promenade of this small fishing town, lined with colorful boats, murals, palapa restaurants and the kiosks of tour cooperatives. It is the meeting point for all estuary trips. Come back at sunset for grilled fish and views of pelicans and frigatebirds over the water.
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