Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas

The northern coast of the Yucatán is a long strip of mangrove, lagoon and salt flat, protected as the Ría Lagartos biosphere reserve, and it holds the largest flamingo population in Mexico: thousands of birds feed in the shallow lagoons, at their most concentrated in the nesting months, when boat trips out of the fishing village of Río Lagartos find them in dense pink lines. Along the same coast at Las Coloradas, industrial salt evaporation ponds have turned an intense pink from the algae and brine shrimp that thrive in hypersaline water, and the colour against the white salt banks and blue sky photographs almost unbelievably. Boat trips also take in crocodiles, herons, spoonbills and a mud bath the guides insist upon.

What you actually see

• The flamingo lagoons - thousands of birds, densest in the nesting season.
• Las Coloradas - the vivid pink salt ponds against white banks.
• The mangrove channels - crocodiles, herons and spoonbills on the boat route.
• The fishing village - Río Lagartos itself, where the boats leave from.

When to go

April to August is the flamingo peak, with birds present in smaller numbers much of the year; the pink of the salt ponds is strongest in the dry months and under high sun. Boat trips leave early, which is also when the birds are most active.

Honest expectations

Las Coloradas is a working salt operation, not a natural attraction, and swimming or walking in the ponds is banned and enforced with fines; you view from a platform and paths. The pink varies with season, weather and light, and disappoints on a grey day. Boats must not push flamingos into flight, so choose a guide who keeps distance rather than one promising close-ups.

Nearby

Valladolid and Ek Balam are two hours south; Holbox is along the coast east.