Ria Lagartos and Ek Balam Ruins

If you are into great nature experiences and historical wonders, this trip is just right for you.

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning, after which the first stop will be the small fishing village of Rio Lagartos, about 100 km north of Valladolid. Here you will start your nature adventure with a 2-hour boat trip in the biosphere reserve of almost the same name: Ria Lagartos. Here you can look forward to seeing a wealth of exotic birds, including the beautiful pink flamingo, as you venture into the mangrove channels to explore the extensive natural diversity. The flamingos can be seen throughout the year, but they are especially numerous in the period from April to August, when they gather here to breed. Maybe you are also lucky enough to spot a crocodile lying in wait at the water’s edge.

On the way back, you can try a traditional Mayan bath, which is an ancient skincare tradition where natural white clay and salt are smeared on your body. It supposedly softens and rejuvenates your skin. We make a short stop at a beach where you can swim and wash off the clay again.

We then head for the beautiful pink man-made lakes, Las Coloradas, where you can take some beautiful pictures. The red colour of the water is due to a high concentration of salt and microorganisms such as red algae and plankton.

After lunch (which is included), we proceed towards the last stop of the day – the Mayan ruins of Ek Balam.
Ek Balam means ‘black jaguar’ in the Mayan language and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Yucatán. Here you can, for example, experience the massive Acropolis pyramid, a unique architecture and a royal burial chamber, which provides a fascinating insight into the Mayan civilisation.

After a day filled with exciting experiences, the trip goes back to your hotel.

Duration: Approx. 10-11 hours

The trip includes: Transport, lunch, guide and entrance fees

Remember to bring: Swimwear and towel if you want to participate in the traditional Mayan bath, and possibly a pair of binoculars.

NB: The flamingos are found in this area throughout the year, but in largest numbers from April to August. As the flamingos do not live in captivity, there is no guarantee of seeing them.