Puerto Rico's Water is Literally Pink. This is Cabo Rojo

Everyone has heard about the pink salt of the Himalayas and the pink sand beaches in the Bahamas. Here's a new one you might not have heard of: the pink water of Puerto Rico!

That's right. There is cool spot on the small, incredible Island of Enchantment where the water itself is a pink hue. Take a look:

So what's this place called? Cabo Rojo! Located in the southwestern part of Puerto Rico, this location is right by the beach. The specific area with pink water is called Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo:

Ok that's cool and all, but what exactly is this place?

Las Salinas de Cabo Rojo are essentially salt flats. Located a short (yet treacherous) drive away from the coast, these salt flats are said to contain brine shrimp, algae, and bacteria, which all contribute to its reddish-pink hue. There is a HUGE amount of salt here, and this salt had historically been used for years and years by the indigenous peoples of the area.

This area is home to lots of species of animals, and is somewhat of a hidden ecosystem gem. With trails, an observation tower, and a visitor center/gift shop, this spot is a must-see when traveling to the southeastern corner of the island!

In addition to the pink water, there are also sections of strongly blue water:

This makes for a great photoshoot location, and, best of all: entrance is free!

Wait, wait, wait...is that right?

Yep. It's 100% free!

Now, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

1. Bring bug spray! There are tons and tons of mosquitos. Keep in mind this is all mostly still water, and even in the areas where there is more salt than water, there's still enough moisture to breed mosquitos. Combine that with the tropical Puerto Rican climate and you're sure to get a few bites if you don't protect yourself.

2. On that note of the tropical climate, make sure you wear sunscreen as well. There aren't any areas for shade in the area unless you go to the visitor center or hang out under a tree. Being right by the beach on a tropical island - it's pretty self explanatory.

3. Now, let's talk about the bathroom situation. The nearest bathroom is in the visitor center, and it's different from what you might be used to. The visitor center is solar powered, and uses rainwater to wash your hands. It also has a composting toilet, so expect your bathroom experience to be a bit different. The windows don't have screens, so might be some mosquitos inside. Lastly, while the bathroom is "free" you are expected to give a "donation" or a "tip" to use the restroom. Now, I'm not writing this to deter you from visiting; just keep these bits of information in mind when visiting.

4. Bring a camera! While salt flats and pink beaches exist elsewhere, this type of habitat and pink water are not very common throughout the world. Take some pictures, explore the area, and enjoy the salt flats!

To get a bit of a more in-depth experience, check out my latest vlog, where I show lots more content and aerial footage of the fantastic landscape:

Also, for some more information, check out Puerto Rico Travel Guide for some more information about the location!