Uaymitun Beach: crystal water and unique colors

Uaymitun is a small town in the coastal strip of the northern part of Yucatan. Its main attraction is the viewpoint built on the shore of the wetland or coastal lagoon. Here you can see pink flamingos during the winter season. Its soft sand and crystal clear sea make this port an excellent place for rest and relaxation. Despite the beauty of this port, it is practically a private spot. This has allowed to keep its beaches clean and practically deserted when it is not vacation season. Here are some tips on Uaymitun Beach.

Uaymitun Beach: What to expect

Uaymitún is located between two natural hydraulic systems, on the north side it has a beach and on the south side it has wetlands, which means that it has a thin part of sand and firm land with an average width of 250 meters. This makes it a totally coastal town.

In the midst of the beautiful pink and blue colors of the swamp you can observe a sunset of unparalleled beauty amidst the abundant aquatic plants and mangroves.

Uaumitun Beach: Chicxulub meteorite

A few kilometers away is the picturesque port of Chicxulub.

It is best known for being the site of the Chicxulub impact crater, which is believed to have caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species 66 million years ago.

The impact caused a massive explosion that sent debris flying into the atmosphere, blocking out the sun and causing a global winter. This led to the extinction of many species, including the dinosaurs.

Uaymitun Beach: a flamingo paradise

Fifty-two kilometers from the city of Mérida, on the Uaymitún-Telchac coastal highway, there is a three-level viewpoint to admire a colony of flamingos and other birds of the local fauna that inhabit the area.

The flamingos of Yucatan are a magnificent sight and a testament to the region’s vibrant wildlife. The Yucatan Peninsula is home to the American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), a species renowned for its distinctive pink plumage.

These elegant birds are a common sight in the coastal wetlands and lagoons of Yucatan. Here they gather in large flocks. Flamingos have a unique feeding behavior. They use their specialized bills to filter out small organisms, such as algae and brine shrimp, from the water. Their bills trap food particles while allowing them to expel excess water. This feeding method, combined with their high-carotenoid diet, contributes to their iconic pink coloration.

The carotenoid pigments found in their food sources, such as blue-green algae, accumulate in their feathers and result in the vibrant pink hue that distinguishes them. The spectacle of flamingos gracefully wading through the shallow waters, their pink plumage reflecting in the sunlight, is a breathtaking sight that adds to the natural beauty of Yucatan’s landscapes.

Uaymitun Beach: Planning on a long stay?

Uaymitún is a lovely area that has many nice holiday homes both for sale and for rent.  You can find some good bargains for beachfront here and some very expensive luxury style homes.  Rents tend to range from $800 US and up per month depending on the size and amenities of the house.

There are no stores or amenities and no public transport so you would need a vehicle to get into Progreso or Merida for supplies. Uaymitún has a population of around 1000 in July-August, but few people live there for the rest of the year.