Celestún — Pink Flamingos★★
The Biosphere Reserve Ría Celestún on the west coast of Yucatán is home to one of the largest flamingo colonies in Mexico. Thousands of American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) live here year-round, with peak numbers from November to March.
Boat Tour
The boat tours start at the beach of Celestún or at the bridge dock. A boat (for 6–8 people) costs about 2,500 MXN (135€) for 2 hours. The tour leads through the mangroves to the flamingo flocks, with stops for swimming in a freshwater cenote in the middle of the mangrove forest.
Practical Information
- Getting There: 90 km west of Mérida (1.5h). ADO bus or rental car.
- Best Time: November to March — most flamingos. In the rainy season (July–October), the birds disperse and are harder to find.
- Alternative: Río Lagartos on the north coast also has flamingos — less touristy, but the boats are more expensive (because more individual).
💡 Tipp
Start before 10 a.m. when the flamingos are still feeding and standing close together. At noon, they often fly to the inner lagoons. Binoculars make a difference!
