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If you want to experience what it actually is to harmonise professionally, you must see The Flamingos live. Of course their wonderful grainy and soulful voices sound brilliant on their studio albums, in a live performance they are just on a new level, blending together, and creating a magical sound. The doo wop group have been together for over 60 years now, and they seem to have improved with age if that’s even possible. Their talent and dedication is entirely focused in the music, and their aged voices compliment the blues sound.

Of course there have been significant line up changes over the years, but the band have maintained their tight interactions and working ethics. The Flamingos hae received and been nominated for countless awards, and their song I Only Have Eyes For You was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame back in 2003. The group opened their show with the hit track Nobody Loves Me Like You, and they had everyone singing and swaying along before they’d even finished the first verse.

Their image hasn’t changed over the years, and the performance has the ability to transport you back to the 60s with the strum of a chord. It was a wonderful showcase of true talent and great writing.

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Unfortunately the Flamingoes couldn't make it for medical reasons. Very disappointed. However the rest of the show was great. Venue is a cozy theater. Not too big. Everyone can see the stage. Had a good time.

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Stafford Township Arts Center (STAC)

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St. Mary's of the Assumption Church

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The Flamingos tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

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The Flamingos

The flamingos.

All Inductees >

INDUCTED BY

Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons)

Nobody’s perfect, but the Flamingos came extremely close.

The Flamingos took listeners higher with sublime harmonies and impeccable arrangements. Today they stand as one of the most sophisticated doo wop groups and most influential vocal groups.

HALL OF FAME ESSAY

By Jerry Blavat

The fifties: a time of musical change.

The place: Chicago, home of the blues, gospel, jazz. Pulsating with rhythm and nightlife. No other city except perhaps New Orleans has that rhythm. The sounds from the independent labels – Chess, Checker, Chance, Parrot, United, Vee-Jay – are setting the pace.

The groups – the Dells, the Spaniels, the El Dorados, the Moonglows – are creating the Chicago sound. Enter into this mix a group called the Swallows, who must change their name because of an existing group. They call themselves El Flamingos and then the Flamingos.

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Johnnie Johnson

Michael Jackson

James Burton

Solomon Burke

Chris Blackwell

Where to FInd Flamingos in Mexico, the Complete Guide

What is it about flamingos that make people fawn and gawk over them incessantly? Is it their rosy-colored complexion? Or their unique, but odd shape? Or the fact that some flamingos in resting position stand on just one leg? Whatever your reason, and we all have them, everyone loves this gangly, pink, upside-down-eating bird.

It may come as a surprise to you (as it did to me) but there are flamingos in Mexico ! I am not sure where I imagined flamingos to live but I never stopped to think that you could see flamingos in Mexico.

Where to See Flamingos in Mexico

Now that you know there are Mexican flamingos (ok, they’re technically not Mexican flamingos they are just in Mexico), you are probably wondering where to see the flamingos in Mexico.

You can find flamingos in Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. In fact, you can find the flamingos in not one but two different locations on the Yucatan depending on the time of year that you visit. The Mexico flamingos in the Yucatan live there year-round and migrate between Celestun in the west and Rio Largartos in the north.

So whether you are in Mexico in June on school holidays, over Christmas break, or at any time of the year, you can always see the flamingos in Mexico you just need to know where to go, when to go, and how to get there.

Here is our guide on everything you need to know about visiting the flamingos in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

Flamingos in the Yucatan: Celestun or Rio Lagartos

Both places to see flamingos in Mexico are found in the Yucatan Peninsula in either Cestun on the west coast just north of the beautiful colonial city of Campeche or in Rio Lagartos, west of Merida and on the north coast just above Valladolid . Deciding on whether you want to visit the flamingos in Celestun or the flamingos in Rio Lagartos largely depends on the time of year that you will be visiting the Yucatan Peninsula.

The Celestun flamingo season runs primarily between December and February corresponding with the nesting season, but you can find flamingos in Celestun as early as November.

The best time to see the flamingos in Rio Lagartos is during the mating season between March and June.

The flamingos in Mexico, however, are not migratory and live on the Yucatan Peninsula year-round. This means that even if you plan to visit outside of the nesting or mating season, it is likely that you will see flamingos. For example, we visited the flamingos in Mexico in January and had no difficulty seeing flamingos in the Yucatan.

Flamingos in Celestun 

Flamingos can be found in the town of Celestun on the western coast of the peninsula. The town of Celestun leaves a lot to be desired. Despite being the jumping-off point for tours to see flamingos, the town has not been bolstered by the local tourist attraction. It is evident that while the flamingos are the drawcard, tourists are stopping off at Celestun as a day trip as opposed to a destination in its own right. 

The best way to see the flamingos here is with a guided tour. Most of the Celestun tours operate out of Merida as this is the closest large city to Celestun. Tour operators will arrange for you to be picked up at your hotel, organize transportation, provide an English-speaking guide, and will arrange your boat tour in Celestun. This is the easiest way to see the flamingos. If you do not speak Spanish, it is wise to make sure your tour operator will speak English before you book your tour.

We recommend booking a private tour with Travelezza . A private tour will allow you to go at your own pace and enjoy the Celestun Biosphere Reserve at your leisure. Travelezza operates with knowledgeable English-speaking guides with a wealth of information about the reserve and Celestun.

👉 Book a private flamingo tour now!

There are also small group tours to see the flamingos in Celestun that can be arranged. We recommend booking a flamingo tour with Vive Una Experiencia Unica if you go this route.

👉 Book a small group flamingo tour in Celestun now!

If you do not want to visit the flamingos in Celestun with a tour group, no worries. It is possible to visit the flamingos without a guide. Once in Celestun, boats to the biosphere can be arranged from the marina located just before you enter the town proper. Prices are negotiated by the boat, meaning the more people involved, the cheaper the price per person. Prices generally start between $1,500 – $1,600 pesos for a full boat and can be negotiated down depending on your haggling ability.

How to Get from Merida to Celestun

By Car: It is easy to reach Celestun with your own wheels. The roads are in quality conditions with sparse topes (trust me, this is HUGE if you have spent any significant amount of time driving through Mexico ). From Merida take the Mexico 281 W until you end in the town of Celestun. The drive is approximately one-and-a-half hours depending on your location in Merida.

If you do not have your own vehicle, we recommend renting one from one of the rental agencies in town . There are several car rental places scattered throughout the town with most located at the international airport.

By Bus: Buses run to Celestun from the Terminal Noreste located at the intersection of Calle 67 & Calle 50. Buses depart regularly and cost approximately $60 pesos per person for a one-way ticket. Return tickets are purchased in Celestun.

By Colectivo: Colectivos are the primary means of travel by locals throughout Mexico. Colectivos to Celestun can be found between Calle 69 and Calle 50 and cost $35 pesos per person.

How to Get from Campeche to Celestun

By Car: Take Mexico 180 E from Campeche towards Cancun. In Maxcanu, exit the highway and take the narrow, but paved Calle 15 through small towns and villages until the road meets back up with Mexico 281. Take a left on Mexico 281 until you reach the town of Celestun. The drive is approximately two-and-a-half hours from Campeche.

Driving Notice: Beware of corrupt Mexican police on Mexico 180 E just outside of Campeche. A police roadblock is known for harassing tourists without a front license plate, searching vehicles extensively and asking for bribes. We passed with only a few questions asked, but be alert on this drive.

By Bus: There is no bus service from Campeche to Celestun. If you need to take a bus, you will have to catch a bus to Merida and then switch to Celestun making the trip double the time that it would normally take.

By Colectivo: We were unable to obtain any information on reaching Celestun by colectivo. Inevitably it will require multiple changes to reach your final destination.

READ MORE: What to Do in Campeche, the Yucatan’s Beautiful Port City

Where to Stay in Celestun

Overlanding.

The best place to overland in Celestun is in the parking area by the pier. While it is not the overlanding dream spot, it is an ok location to spend the night. Locals spend the afternoon and early evening enjoying the water, eating seafood and drinking, but once night falls the noise dies down quite a bit. 

Check out the location on Google Maps here.

There are no hotels to speak of in Celestun. Your best bet is to stay in Merida and make a day trip out of it. 

Flamingos in Rio Lagartos and the Pink Lakes of Las Coloradas

While most blog posts and information indicate that flamingos are in Rio Lagartos, this is not actually 100% true. You can see the flamingos NEAR Rio Lagartos in the nearby Natural Park of Ria Lagartos just beyond the small town of Las Coloradas.

The name Las Coloradas also might ring a bell as this place is established in its own right on the tourism circuit namely for the rosy pink color of the lakes. If you are interested in seeing both then a trip to Rio Lagartos and Las Colorados is your best bet. Here is how to do it!

How to See the Flamingos in Rio Lagartos

Visiting the flamingos in Rio Lagartos is best done again with a tour operator given the remote location. There are many tour operators who visit the flamingos in Yucatan on a combined tour of some of the other most popular sites in the area.

If you are staying in Valladolid, combine your trip to see the Yucatan flamingos with a trip to the ancient Mayan ruins of Ek Balam. If you are coming from Merida, a tour combines the flamingos with Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Each tour will include hotel pick-up in an air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking guides. Entrance fees are not included in the tour price but are generally less than $20 per site depending on which natural or historical destinations you will be visiting in addition to the flamingos.

If you do not want to join a tour, you can also visit the flamingos of Rio Lagartos for free with your own vehicle. Remember that while visiting the flamingos is free of charge, there are warning signs requesting tourists to stay off the property where the flamingos flock. Avoid walking in the off-limit areas to get the most Instagramable shots. Instead, respect the request of the owner and view the flamingos from a distance. Make sure to bring your binoculars and your long-range lens for the best photos. 

Visiting the Pink Lakes: Are the Pink Lakes Worth It?

Visiting the pink lakes is a different story. Prior to entering the town of Las Coloradas, you can see a hue of pink glistening in the distance. The pink lakes are separated from the road by a large mote blocking most access to the lakes themselves. The town instead has capitalized on its unique offering and built a jetty out into one of the lakes, the downside… an entrance fee. The entrance fee is $100 pesos per person which is a bit steep but allows you access to the jetty for those photos you have been waning over on Instagram or Pinterest. 

To be honest, I was skeptical at first. Lakes are supposed to be blue, brown, maybe a shade of turquoise, but a vibrant pink color? The lake gets its pink coloring from organisms such as algae, plankton, and brine shrimp that make their home in salty waters. The evaporation of water leaves these organisms huddled close together, thus giving off the appearance of a pink lake.

To be warned, while the color of the water is spectacular, the surrounding area is a different story. The luster of the pink lake is a bit lost by the large salt mine flanked on one side and a wind farm on the other. The Instagram pictures and stories do not truly depict the area. I would not recommend venturing out this far just to see the pink lakes, as the transportation options without your own vehicle are limited. If you are in the area or here to visit the flamingos, then it is worth a stop if only to see the glimmering pink hue of the lake from a distance.

How to Get from Merida to Rio Lagartos (and Las Coloradas)

By Car: To get to the flamingos in Rio Lagartos, it is a three-and-a-half-hour drive on Mexico 176 E towards Tizimin before taking a left on Mexico 295. Two kilometers before reaching the town of Rio Lagartos, you will come to a crossroads. Take a right to head towards Las Coloradas and the Natural Park of Ria Lagartos.

By Bus: Getting to where the flamingos are in the Natural Park of Ria Lagartas is not easy. From Merida, you first must catch a bus to Tizimin before heading onward to Rio Lagartos or, more aptly, Las Coloradas. Buses leave from Noreste Terminal at Calle 50 and 67 at 6:45, 9:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 17:30 (direct to Rio Lagartos). In Tizimin, grab a second bus to further your destination to Rio Lagartos or to Las Colorados. Buses run more regularly to Rio Lagartos (every hour or two) but only three buses from Tizimin to Las Coloradas. The times are 10:30, 12:50 and 19:50.

How to Get from Cancun to Rio Lagartos (and Las Coloradas)

By Car: From Cancun, the drive to visit the flamingos is also a three-and-a-half-hour drive on the Mexican 180D (toll road). In Valladolid, take a right onto Mexico 295 until you reach Rio Lagartos. Two kilometers before reaching the town of Rio Lagartos, you will come to a crossroads. Take a right to head towards Las Coloradas and the Natural Park of Ria Lagartos.

By Bus: An ADO bus runs from Cancun to Tizimin every day from the main terminal. Buses leave twice daily at 9:30 and 18:35. For the most up-to-date timetable, refer to ADO’s website here . Secondary buses operate from the bus station, but they do not publish their timetables online. We recommend visiting the station in advance to plan your travel.

How to Get from Valladolid to Rio Lagartos (and Las Coloradas)

By Car: From Valladolid, take the Mexico 295 until you reach Rio Lagartos. Two kilometers before reaching the town of Rio Lagartos, you will come to a crossroads. Take a right to head towards Las Coloradas and the Natural Park of Ria Lagartos.

By Bus: Buses run regularly from the main bus station to Tizimin from Valladolid. The scheduled times are 5:30, 6:45, 7:30, 8:00, 9:15, 10:00, 10:30, 11:15, 11:45, 13:00, 13:45, 14:15, 15:30, 16:45, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00. Once in Tizimin, follow the directions included above as all travel to Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas pass through Tizimin.

By Colectivo: Once in Tizimin, colectivos to Rio Lagartos can be found at Super Willy’s a grocery store one block from the bus station.

Where to Stay in Rio Lagartos

Overlanding in this area is easier and more remote than most other places in the Yucatan. The best spot we found while exploring is HERE . The location is essentially a large pull-out area from the side of the road, but this road is rarely used. During our few days, only a handful of cars or motorbikes passed throughout the day and the night. The sand dunes block the view of the ocean, but the beach is yours all to yourself. We did not see another person during our stay here. 

The downside…the mosquitos. Just as night falls, mosquitos come out in the thousands. Ok, maybe not thousands, but the swarms of mosquitos might be one of the largest I have seen throughout Mexico and South America. Make sure to protect your camping area prior to nightfall or you might be sorry even despite the constant wind. 

There are no hotels to speak of in Las Coloradas and only a handful in Rio Lagartos. Your best bet is to stay in Merida or Valladolid and make a day trip out of it. 

Looking for More Mexico Travel Destinations?

If you are enjoying your time visiting the flamingos in the Yucatan and the Yucatan coastline, check out El Cuyo . El Cuyo is a small fishing village slowly making a name for itself on the tourism circuit. While the beach here may not be quite as picturesque as those between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and the wind can be unrelenting at times (El Cuyo is a popular kitesurfing spot), the beauty is made up by the lack of tourists and beach chairs.

Love to get away from the standard tourist circuit in the Yucatan? Check out the nearby and less touristy towns of Campeche or Valladolid .

The flamingos in Mexico are a Mexico bucket list destination. Make sure to book your trip to see the flamingos in the Yucatan today!

Want to remember where to visit the flamingos in the Yucatan later? Pin It!

From a small town in the USA, I had my first taste of travel when I was 17. Since then, I have traveled to over 80 countries and every continent bar Antarctica. I love to experience new places, cultures, and food. While you may occasionally find me in popular tourist destinations, I tend to gravitate to up-and-coming destinations, hidden gems waiting to be uncovered.

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Rio Lagartos Flamingos & Las Coloradas Pink Lakes: Complete Travel Guide

Did you know that there is a place where you can see both flamingos in the wild AND pink lakes? It’s in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula in the city of Rio Lagartos and the nearby Las Coloradas. Find out how to get there, where to stay, and if you need to book a tour to visit Rio Lagartos, Mexico to see pink flamingos with bonus pink lakes!

This article contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I might earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support in this way! Learn more in my Disclosure Policy .

Haphazard Rating for Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas: 2 of 5. Get There: Fly into Cancun and drive. Or, book a Rio Lagartos tour from Valladolid, Merida, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or other cities in the Yucatan. To See/Do: Boat excursions to see flamingos, crocodiles, assorted shore birds of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve; sport fishing tours; plus the amazing pink waters of Las Coloradas. When to Go: Flamingo season in Rio Lagartos is March – June, since spring and early summer are breeding season. Flamingos are present all year, but expect to see significantly more during this time. To see the Las Coloradas lakes at their most pink, I found one source that said to visit in March and July-August.

The Best Rio Lagartos Tours

If you’re looking for the best tours to see Rio Lagartos, here are my top tips from different cities in the region:

• From Cancun & Playa del Carmen: Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos tour with lunch
• From Cancun & Playa del Carmen : Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos with cenote and lunch
• From Cancun and Riviera Maya: Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos tour with lunch plus breakfast stop at a 16th century hacienda
• From Riviera Maya: Private tour to Las Coloradas and Rio Lagartos with lunch
• From Merida : Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas tour with lunch
• From Valladolid: Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas tour with Ek Balam ruins and lunch

Where are Rio Lagartos and Las Coloradas?

Rio Lagartos, Yucatan is a sleepy fishing town in the state of Yucatán, Mexico, about 65 miles (105km) north of the city of Valladolid. The closest airports are in Cancun and Merida. Rio Lagartos means “alligator river” and is located at a lagoon, the Ria Lagartos, which is part of a natural reserve. This makes it a perfect habitat for wild birds, including flamingos. It’s also a popular spot for sport fishing. Las Coloradas is about 10 miles east of here – just follow along the beach road from Río Lagartos (16km).

• Want a home base for exploring the region? Check out my travel guides to Valladolid and Merida .

Places to Mingle with Flamingos in the Wild

There are a few well-down flamingo-watching destinations across the globe:

• Aruba: The Renaissance Private Island Hotel, but you have to stay at the hotel to use their beach and hang with the birds
• Bolivia: Salar de Uyuni, where travelers hope to catch flamingos mirrored against the glass-like surface of the salt flat pools
• Africa: Rift Valley lakes in Kenya, Nata Sanctuary in Botswana, Walvis Bay in Namibia
• Camargue National Park in France
• Ria Formosa Natural Park in Tavira, Portugal

In Mexico, there are two places where you can see flamingos:

• Celestun Biosphere Reserve near Mérida , on the western coast of the Yucatan
• Rio Lagartos, a town on the northern point of the Yucatan in the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

Celestun or Rio Lagartos?

If you’re visiting Merida already, it makes more sense to make a stop or a day trip to Celestun. But it is more remote, and there’s not much to do there. Rio Lagartos can be seen on a day trip from Valladolid or even Tulum.

I had a hard time deciding between Rio Lagartos and Celestun since I was visiting both Mérida and Valladolid. In the end, I decided Rio Lagartos fit into my trip better and it’s closer to more of the tourist areas.  Plus once I figured out I could add on Las Coloradas, it was an easy choice.

Flamingo Season in Rio Lagartos

Flamingo season in Rio Lagartos is March – June, since spring and early summer are breeding season. Flamingos are present all year, but expect to see significantly more during this time.

I visited in October and there were around 30-40 flamingos in the bay, with more in the distance at the Las Coloradas salt flats. 

My guide promised MILLIONS of flamingos if I would return in spring, which honestly sounded a little scary! In any case, expect to see a lot in the March – June time frame, including hatchlings.

The Las Coloradas lakes are always pink, but it’s best to visit around noon on a sunny day when the waters appear the most pink.

How to Get to Rio Lagartos

Day tours to either Celestun or Rio Lagartos can be arranged with tour operators from cities across the Yucatán. You can easily take a trip from Valladolid to Las Coloradas or even Tulum to Las Coloradas. Click here to jump back up the page to my best Rio Lagartos tour recommendations.

How to get to Rio Lagartos by bus

You can take a bus from Merida, Valladolid and other cities to Tizimin; then take a connecting bus or collectivo van to Rio Lagartos. Find out more and check the bus routes here:

• Bus Schedules – Río Lagartos Nature Tours

How to get to Rio Lagartos by car

Rio Lagartos is about 3 hours by car from Cancun, 2.5 hours from Tulum, or 1.5 hours from Valladolid. Using a GPS, follow the route to Valladolid and then turn north on Valladolid – Tizimin/México 295, which will take you directly to Rio Lagartos. The best part of getting there was seeing highway signs that said “RUTA FLAMINGO.”

If you drive, be careful when you get to Tizimin and watch for signs: the highway became a one-way street through the town. Local residents seem pretty used to flagging down tourists because each time someone alerted me, and I was able to make a quick U-turn!

There are hotels in Rio Lagartos if you want to spend a few days fishing, birdwatching, or relaxing on the nearby beaches.

If you plan to rent a car and drive, read my post on driving in Mexico .

Rio Lagartos Tours (Or How to Hire a Boat from the Docks)

When you reach the town of Rio Lagartos, you’ll see signs for Rio Lagartos Adventures .  I tried to book online before my trip, didn’t get a reply to my messages. So I showed up and hoped for the best, and it worked out just fine.

You can also hire a boat at the docks for a tour. If you check TripAdvisor, too, some travelers have posted contact info for their guides. Tours were around $110-140 per boat depending on the length of the tour.

I lucked out with Rio Lagartos Adventures and was able to join a couple on their excursion, so I paid only around $40. Other travelers on TripAdvisor report being able to match up with groups at the dock. I would go early if you’re counting on this option in case it takes time – particularly if you need a tour in English.

Photographing the Flamingos

On the tour, I was surprised to see that the flamingos were right in the bay just a few minutes from docks!  We also saw some off in the distance at Las Coloradas. The guides were careful not to get too close to the flamingos and disturb them, so it helps if you have a zoom lens or camera with a digital zoom. My photos were taken with a 200mm lens, and I still wished we could have gotten closer.  

Want to add some history to your Mexico trip? Don’t miss my guide to the best Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico !

Ria Lagartos Biosphere Reserve

If you’re a bird-lover, consider taking a longer tour of the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve. Here you’ll find mangrove estuaries and wetlands that are home to vulnerable and endangered plant and animal species. The Ria Lagartos beaches are also a nesting zone for marine turtles, including the hawksbill and green sea turtles.

Our guide got us up-close with a crocodile and several shore birds including cormorants, egrets, and a common black hawk.

El Baño Maya | Mayan Mud Bath at Rio Lagartos

On the return trip, the boats usually stop so that you can enjoy a Mayan mudbath at el Bano Maya!  It reportedly has healing properties here!  It’s funny to see boatloads of tourists returning slathered in mud.  Our guide gave us a chance to stop at a beach before returning to the docks, so we could paddle around a bit and wash off.

What makes the Las Coloradas Lakes Turn Pink?

Mexico’s Las Coloradas pink lakes are a landscape practically meant for Instagram. Its lakes are actually salt flats from the nearby salt extraction plant. The algae in the water, coupled with the sun and extraction process, turn the waters bright pink. Its colors are reportedly best in July-August and March, due to the 6-month evaporation process.

On a boat tour, you can see Las Coloradas from the waters of the Ria Lagartos Biosphere Preserve. We saw some flamingos in the distance and I collected feathers for a photo. But the best views of the water are from the other side, by the salt extraction plant.

Getting to Las Coloradas from Rio Lagartos

From Rio Lagartos, you’ll follow the same highway from Valladolid (Mexico 295) that continues on to Las Coloradas. This road stretches along the northern Yucatán coastline. I took a quick peek at the beaches, and they looked deserted and pristine. I’ll definitely be spending some time there on my next trip!

Follow this the road until you pass the salt extraction plant. Then you’ll start to see the salt ponds. Keep driving until you see a small town up ahead and signs for the protected area. A wide turn-off on the right allows you to drive between the bright pink lakes and get close to the water.

Can You Swim in Las Coloradas?

Unfortunately, not any longer. Swimming at Las Coloradas is now prohibited, and you’ll see a lot of signs posted to remind you. Technically, the salt flats are private property, so you definitely need to respect the rules. There are security guards on motorcycles patrolling the area, and even some guys offering tours, but they were all friendly.

A warning: the salt flats themselves are an industrial area. You’ll be able to get photos of the pink sand beach and rose-colored water, but you might have to position yourself to avoid some power lines and trash! (Yes, really.)

Why You Should Visit Rio Lagartos

If you have a tattoo that says “FLAMINGOS 4-EVER,” you pretty much have to go. Or a shirt that says “Ruta Flamingo.”

OK, but really, Río Lagartos and Las Coloradas are destinations that still aren’t on a lot of travelers’ radars.  If you’re a nature lover or photographer, or if you’re looking for unique day trips in the Mexico’s Yucatan, I think a trip to see the Las Coloradas flamingos should be on your list!

Where to Stay in Rio Lagartos

Search for more Rio Lagartos Stays

More info on visiting rio lagartos flamingos and las coloradas.

• Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
• Facts about flamingos from LiveScience.com
• Find more info about Rio Lagartos tours and sport fishing trips

Pin this for later when planning your own Rio Lagartos visit!

Want More Mexico Travel Tips?

Check out my guide to visiting Oaxaca for Day of the Dead

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Moscow Metro Tour

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Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

Moscow metro underground small-group tour.

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 3 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 10:00 AM
• Departure Details : Karl Marks Monument on Revolution Square, metro stop: Square of Revolution
• Return Details : Metro Smolenskaya
• If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
• Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda , then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.

Know More about this tour

We begin our Moscow tour beneath the city, exploring the underground palace of the Moscow Metro. From the Square of Revolution station, famous for its huge statues of soviet people (an armed soldier, a farmer with a rooster, a warrior, and more), we’ll move onto some of the most significant stations, where impressive mosaics, columns, and chandeliers will boggle your eyes! Moreover, these stations reveal a big part of soviet reality — the walls depict plenty of Propaganda , with party leaders looking down from images on the walls. Your local guide will share personal stories of his/her family from USSR times, giving you insight into Russia’s complicated past and present. Then we’re coming back up to street level, where we’ll take a break and refuel with some Russian fast food: traditional pancakes, called bliny. And then, stomachs satiated, we are ready to move forward! We’ll take the eco-friendly electric trolleybus, with a route along the Moscow Garden Ring. Used mainly by Russian babushkas(grannies) during the day, the trolleybus hits peak hours in the mornings and evenings, when many locals use it going to and from their days. Our first stop will be the Aviator’s House, one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and you’ll hear the legends of what has gone on inside the walls. Throughout your Moscow tour, you’ll learn curious facts from soviet history while seeing how Russia exists now, 25 years after the USSR.

Local English-speaking guide

Pancake snack and drink

Additional food and drinks

Tickets for public transport

Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuities for the guide

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people

Traveler Reviews

This tour exceeded our expectations. Nikolai (Nick), our tour guide, was very knowledgeable, thorough, and has a great personality. He didn't take shortcuts and really covered everything that was on the agenda in great detail. We saw beautiful metro stations and learned the history behind them, including many of the murals and designs.

We did the tour with Anna her knowledge and understanding of the History surrounding the metro brought the tour alive. Well done Anna!

This tour was amazing!

Anna was a great tour guide. She gave us heaps of interesting information, was very friendly, and very kindly showed us how to get to our next tour.

Amazing beauty and history.

An excellent tour helped by an absolutely amazing guide. Anna gave a great insight into the history of the metro helped by additional material she had prepared.

great tour and guide - thanks again

great will do it again, Miriam ke was very good as a guide she has lived here all here life so knew every interesting detail.a good day

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