Las Coloradas, in the Yucatan Peninsula, is a distinctive paradisiacal place in Mexico. It is very common to find a photo of this place on any social network. In them, you will see a bright blue sky contrasted with a pink beach.

This makes many people wonder if you can swim in Las Coloradas, Yucatan. Who wouldn't want to dive into the pink lake of Las Coloradas?

But as beautiful as it may seem, some of nature's attractions—as is the case of this pink lake in Yucatan—can only be enjoyed by sight.

To answer this question, we will explain whether or not it is possible to swim in the pink waters of Las Coloradas, and we will tell you about other aspects of this particular tourist attraction in Yucatan.

Can you swim in Las Coloradas, Yucatan?

Before we begin, we must clarify that Las Coloradas is not a beach, but a set of pools where the salinity is extremely high, and the salt used for daily consumption is extracted and handled from them.

Something you will notice when visiting Las Coloradas is that there are signs indicating that it is forbidden to go into the water. So, as we mentioned at the beginning, this place is only to be admired.

Although there are photographs on the internet and social networks of people in the water, this is not recommended, in addition to the fact that these people did it without the permission of the guides or the staff of the tourist park.

Reasons why you can not swim in Las Coloradas, Yucatan

As tempting as it may seem, it is not recommended to enter the water, these are the main reasons why you should not do it:

1. It is not a beach. In fact, they are pools with specific natural characteristics that should not be disturbed.
2. The concession for the exploitation of salt in the area was granted by the Government of Yucatan to a private company. In other words, it is private property.
3. The production of sea salt is carried out through strict processes, so entering the ecosystem could significantly alter the entire extraction chain.
4. If the concentration of salt in a normal beach acts as a natural exfoliant on the skin, the excessive saturation of salt in Las Coloradas will cause injuries and irritations.
5. The area is full of crystals formed by salt minerals, resulting in a sharp surface.
6. Water temperatures are higher due to their salinity, which can cause burns.
7. It is a protected area in which the interaction of external agents with the area must be limited.
8. There is no specialized medical help near the site. Avoiding any type of unauthorized action that puts integrity at risk is the best option.

The origin of the pink color of the water in Las Coloradas

Now that we know why you should not swim in the ponds, we will tell you why the water in Las Coloradas is pink.

The water acquires its pinkish tone due to the combination of three main factors, which explain this natural phenomenon:

• High concentration of salt. It is higher even than in the sea.
• Halophilic microorganisms. Also called halobacteria, they are small bacteria that proliferate in supersaturated saline environments and, in turn, produce pigments of reddish tones.
• Sunlight. The more intense the light, the greater the enhancement of the colors that paint the area.

It is important to mention that the shades are not uniform throughout the pool area. There is a combination of different colors that can be observed. In addition to the beautiful shade of pink, these range from brown to blue, green, or even red.

We advise you to schedule your visit in the seasons of the year and times when the pink tones of the water are best appreciated, that is, between the months of March and August at noon, when the sun is at its highest point. So you can perfectly visualize the wonder of this natural spectacle.

What activities can you do in Las Coloradas, Yucatan?

Not everything is restricted. Our main objective is to be aware that we can enjoy the place, as long as we are respectful of the environment. There are different activities that can be done in Las Coloradas:

• Go on a safari tour to observe the enormous variety of flora and fauna that inhabits the place. It is considered a privilege because such diversity of species cannot be found anywhere.
• Take pictures, because saving them in memory is not enough. Capturing the beauty of the unique landscape and what nature offers is almost mandatory. Also, capturing good shots is always popular to post on social media.
• Go to specialized and certified companies that provide reliable tours, to ensure that we take proper care of the environment.
• Visit the nearby natural areas, where it is allowed to bathe in the sea and enjoy the freshwater. It can be the beaches of San Felipe or El Cuyo.
• You can go fishing in the different designated areas.
• Stay in hotels in Río Lagartos and Tizimín, two of the closest towns, to be able to spend more days and relax in pools or bars.
• Ecotourism activities such as kayaking, hiking, biking, boat rides, or walks. Always keep in mind that they must be carried out in permitted areas and with certified guides.
• On the way to Las Coloradas, you can see several cities founded by the Spanish colonizers, as well as constructions that they left behind; for example, ruined convents or haciendas.
• Also, before arriving, there are sand dunes that offer another landscape to enjoy during the visit.

The role of the salt industry in Las Coloradas Yucatán

The main economic activity of the inhabitants of Las Coloradas is the production of sea salt for consumption, in addition to fishing and tourism.

Industria Salinera de Yucatán, S. A. de C. V. is the company that has been granted permission to produce salt, which belongs to Grupo Roche. This makes it the most important source of employment in the port.

It was founded in 1946 and in its beginnings, it harvested the mineral through traditional techniques. Over time, it incorporated advanced processes and machinery that managed to increase its production considerably, and above all, sustainably.

Fortunately, it is a company that has been committed to the environment since its inception, as it has accepted the role it plays in preserving the habitat and species of animals and plants.

On the other hand, together with the support of government institutions and individuals, this company grants sponsorship for the conservation of species in the area. It focuses mainly on the population of pink flamingos and sea turtles.

It supports reforestation programs in the biosphere in nearby cities and also promotes environmental education in the community.

Thanks to all this, not only is the number one salt in Mexico obtained: Sal Sol but the beautiful natural settings of Las Coloradas are maintained and work is being done on their constant protection and conservation.

Las Coloradas, Yucatan: a natural sanctuary

A biosphere reserve —according to the legal framework in Mexico— is a representative biogeographic zone of an ecosystem not altered by human action. These areas need to be preserved or restored because they are home to endemic, threatened, or endangered species.

Las Coloradas belongs to the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. The Reserve category was granted by decree of the Official Gazette of the Federation on May 21, 1999, the most recent date.

It was designated internationally as a Ramsar site in the Wetlands Convention in 1986. It was the first Mexican wetland to obtain this designation.

On October 2, 2004, its addition to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which belongs to the UNESCO program known as Man and Biosphere (MAB – Man and Biosphere), was accepted.

All these programs and appointments make Las Coloradas in Yucatan a special place in Mexico. Efforts of public and private initiatives and international organizations are combined to work on improving the relationship between man and the natural environment. mejorar la relación del hombre con el entorno natural.

This unique area is home to a significant number of species, among which we can mention:

• Mammals: The spider monkey, jaguar, ocelot, margay, ounce, and anteater (in danger of extinction).
• Birds: Pink flamingo, herons, storks, kingfishers, brown pelican, toucan...
• Mangle rojo, negro, blanco y botoncillo.
• Reptiles y anfibios: Tortuga carey, tortuga caguama, tortuga verde y laúd; boas; culebras, y cocodrilos de pantano.

A lo largo del año, en Las Coloradas tienen lugar fenómenos naturales únicos que se pueden observar de manera respetuosa. Por si fuera poco, es una de las principales zonas para la anidación del flamenco rosa.

Es importante también mencionar que, de las siete especies de tortugas marinas existentes (todas en peligro de extinción), cuatro anidan en Yucatán, y Las Coloradas forma parte de las zonas de anidación.

Entre las especies que habitan, podemos mencionar a la tortuga carey, que tiene relevancia para el equilibrio de los arrecifes de coral. Por esta razón, Las Coloradas son denominadas el Santuario Tortuguero.

De enero a diciembre, se pueden observar también algunos tipos de aves migratorias y cocodrilos, que llegan a la reserva.

Debido a que la zona es un estero, abundan los manglares. Estas formaciones vegetales leñosas son elementos indispensables para el equilibrio del ecosistema del lugar. Son el hogar de pequeños crustáceos y moluscos. Además, sirven como fuente de alimento y refugio para varias especies de la región.

Algunos consejos para ser más respetuosos con el medio durante tu visita son los siguientes:

• Tomar en cuenta el tipo de productos químicos que llevamos; por ejemplo, el bloqueador solar.
• Adquirir los productos que tengan ingredientes biodegradables y amigables con el medioambiente en sus fórmulas.
• Si llevas alimentos, no olvides un contenedor de basura, que será fundamental para no dejar los desechos por doquier.

Recuerda que pretendemos visitar un sitio donde habitan especies únicas en el mundo. Cuidemos su hogar para evitar su extinción.
Si ya tenemos conocimiento de la importancia de este pequeño paraíso, no solamente para el Estado de Yucatán, sino a nivel nacional e internacional, podemos estar seguros de que no solamente pasaremos un rato agradable.

Además, seremos testigos de varias maravillas naturales únicas concentradas en un mismo lugar. Una vez más, es pertinente hacer hincapié en la importancia de acudir con guías expertos que comulguen con buenas prácticas.

Ellos no solamente han de seguir las normas al pie de la letra, sino que deben fomentarse para crear la consciencia que todos deben tener para cuidar el medioambiente.

Las Coloradas, un sueño rosa hecho realidad

Como hemos visto, aunque no se puede nadar en Las Coloradas, este hermoso parque turístico cuenta con otras cosas interesantes para ver y conocer, además de que las fotos que puedes tomarte en sus paisajes rosas compensan el no poder entrar al agua.

Tu aventura puede ser una escapada rápida para admirar los paisajes de Las Coloradas, o una excursión que incluya zonas cercanas que complementan todo lo que el Parque Natural Ría Lagartos tiene para conocer.

Incluso, tal vez puedas animarte a efectuar alguna estadía más larga que te permita planear una variedad de actividades. Si deseas saber más sobre how to get to Las Coloradas, y todo lo que puedes ver y hacer en el camino, te recomendamos leer el artículo que hemos preparado para ti.

Combina la relajación y el entretenimiento por igual en este paraíso único y especial. Reserva tu próximo viaje a Yucatán para una experiencia memorable.