Where to spot flamingos on Cayo Coco, Cuba

Cayo Coco ranks among Cuba’s most striking islands, where powder-white beaches meet clear blue water. But the place has charmed more than vacationers: pink flamingos have also settled in. You can spot them by the hundreds, picking their way across the shallows, feeding and turning the coastline into something close to a fairytale. It’s the kind of sight that makes you slow down.

Cayo Coco is laced with lagoons, small ponds and mangrove thickets—an ideal habitat for flamingos. The water is warm and rich in tiny crustaceans and algae that make up their diet. That menu is exactly what gives the birds their color: the more pigment in their food, the brighter the plumage looks. Beyond the buffet, the island offers safety. Predators are scarce, while people largely stick to beaches and hotel zones.

Flamingos live in large colonies and do almost everything together: they feed, groom one another and, in the breeding season, stage synchronized displays that resemble dances. They’re also known for standing on one leg. Scientists don’t have a single definitive explanation; one common idea is that the posture helps them keep warm by lifting the other leg out of cooler water.

If you’re hoping to see flamingos on Cayo Coco, don’t expect them right on the main beaches—they prefer tucked-away lagoons. Look instead for shallow water fringed with vegetation: that’s where you’re most likely to find them.

Some hotels run dedicated outings to watch flamingos in their natural setting. The golden rule is to stay calm and keep quiet. A pair of binoculars and a bit of distance work best.

Today, the birds have become a symbol of the island. You’ll find their likeness on postcards, souvenirs and even in the décor of some hotels. But they’re more than a pretty backdrop—they are living creatures that need care. Visitors are encouraged to observe them without intruding, a small act of restraint that helps keep this remarkable colony intact for the generations to come.