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Mexico🇲🇽 | national parksLagunas de Montebello59 lakes, color shifts, Tziscao border shore, Cinco Lagos | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Lagunas de Montebello
🌟 Highlightnational park ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Lagunas de Montebello holds about 59 lakes inside the park, and they run from turquoise to green to near-black, with some colors shifting by the hour. The park sits in the southeast of Mexico, in Chiapas, hard against the Guatemalan border. Trails here are short and mostly flat, so you get lake views without suffering for them. Wildlife is shy, mostly birds, and the pine and oak forest is pleasant rather than dramatic. Colectivo vans make it easy to reach, though weekends fill the lakeside lots. I once bought a paper cup of atole from a roadside stand for about US$0.60 and drank it on a log, steaming, while a vendor argued gently with a goat. Best for easygoing walkers and photographers; skip it if you need remote, strenuous trekking.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 national park in MexicoWhy Lagunas de Montebello should be on your travel list

Lagunas de Montebello works for backpackers because you can do it entirely on your own, with no guide and no tour desk. Colectivos from Comitán drop you along the single road that links the lakes, and you hop on and off as you like, which suits anyone who changes plans mid-morning. Camping and cheap cabins sit near the lakes, so you can wake up beside the water before the day-trip vans arrive. The park also rewards a split itinerary: the Lagunas de Colores cluster near the entrance gives you the famous blues and greens, while the quieter lakes near the far end, such as Tziscao, let you swim, kayak, and wander to the border marker. Everything is short, so you can stack three or four lakes in a day without planning anything. Tours exist, but they mostly cost you time at stops you could choose yourself.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. Laguna Pojoj: A deep blue lake with a wooden raft-and-boat landing and a short trail around its edge; it is among the easiest to reach and gets busy by midday.
  2. Lagunas de Colores: A group of lakes including Agua Tinta, Esmeralda, and Bosque Azul, where minerals and depth create shifting blues and greens. Paths link several, so you can walk between them.
  3. Cinco Lagos: A cluster of five connected lakes seen from a roadside viewpoint, with a short trail down to the water; light changes the colors noticeably through the day.
  4. Laguna Tziscao: A large lake sitting on the Guatemalan border, with kayaks, a small beach, and camping; you can walk to a border marker nearby.
  5. Cenote Chukumaltik: A sinkhole with a steep, deep pool at the end of a short walk; swimming is possible but the water is cold.
  6. Laguna Bosque
… read more 👉
  1. Laguna Pojoj: A deep blue lake with a wooden raft-and-boat landing and a short trail around its edge; it is among the easiest to reach and gets busy by midday.
  2. Lagunas de Colores: A group of lakes including Agua Tinta, Esmeralda, and Bosque Azul, where minerals and depth create shifting blues and greens. Paths link several, so you can walk between them.
  3. Cinco Lagos: A cluster of five connected lakes seen from a roadside viewpoint, with a short trail down to the water; light changes the colors noticeably through the day.
  4. Laguna Tziscao: A large lake sitting on the Guatemalan border, with kayaks, a small beach, and camping; you can walk to a border marker nearby.
  5. Cenote Chukumaltik: A sinkhole with a steep, deep pool at the end of a short walk; swimming is possible but the water is cold.
  6. Laguna Bosque Azul: A calm lake framed by forest and reached by a gentle path, with fewer crowds than the main road lakes.
  7. Las Dos Lagunas: Two adjacent lakes, one green and one blue, separated by a narrow strip of land. It is a quick stop with surprisingly clear color contrast.
For a first visit, Lagunas de Colores gives you the widest range of lake colors in the shortest walking time.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Lagunas de Montebello

Montebello Lakes & El Chiflón Falls, San Cristóbal de las Casas

Montebello Lakes & El Chiflón Falls, San Cristóbal de las Casas

4.0(12) 15h
From €30
per personViator
Cascadas El Chiflón y Lagos de Montebello

Cascadas El Chiflón y Lagos de Montebello

4.1(8) 12h
From €41
per personViator
Cascadas el Chiflon (Bridal Veil) and Montebello Lakes from Tuxtla Gutierrez

Cascadas el Chiflon (Bridal Veil) and Montebello Lakes from Tuxtla Gutierrez

5.0(4) 11h
From €43
per personViator
El Chiflón Lakes and Waterfalls Tour from Tuxtla Gutiérrez

El Chiflón Lakes and Waterfalls Tour from Tuxtla Gutiérrez

4.0(3) 9h
From €84
per personViator
Z.Chinkultik and Montebello Echoes of the Past and Reflections of the Present

Z.Chinkultik and Montebello Echoes of the Past and Reflections of the Present

0.0(0) 11h
From €64
per personViator
El Chiflón Waterfalls - Lagos de Montebello

El Chiflón Waterfalls - Lagos de Montebello

0.0(0)
From €27
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (November to April): Lagunas de Montebello is at its most reliable from November to April. Days reach 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F), nights drop to 6 to 10°C (43 to 50°F), and the lakes show their strongest turquoise and blue shades. Daylight runs roughly 11 to 12 hours.
  • Hot Spell (March to May): Afternoons climb to 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), and haze can dull the colors by May.
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Expect daily downpours, 18 to 24°C (64 to 75°F), and fog over the pine forest. Lake colors turn greener and muddier, but trails are empty and rooms are cheaper.
  • Holiday Peaks: Semana Santa, Christmas and New Year fill the cabins with Mexican families, and prices rise 20 to 40 percent. Weekends are busier than weekdays all year.
Aim for a weekday in November or early December, when the lakes are clear and rooms are easy to find.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
mexico-national-park-lagunas-de-montebello v1
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Mexico

The most practical base is the small village of Tziscao, on the park’s eastern edge beside Lago Tziscao, where backpackers get the most choice for the least money. Tziscao has a lakeside ecotourism center with camping (US$5 to 8 per person), basic dorm beds and cabins (US$20 to 45), plus a restaurant and kayak rental. Inside the park, a few simple cabins and campgrounds sit near Lagunas de Colores and Cinco Lagos, but they are limited and mostly cater to day visitors. Some are rustic, with cold showers and spotty electricity, so bring a sleeping bag for the chilly nights.

The nearest real town … read more 👉
The most practical base is the small village of Tziscao, on the park’s eastern edge beside Lago Tziscao, where backpackers get the most choice for the least money. Tziscao has a lakeside ecotourism center with camping (US$5 to 8 per person), basic dorm beds and cabins (US$20 to 45), plus a restaurant and kayak rental. Inside the park, a few simple cabins and campgrounds sit near Lagunas de Colores and Cinco Lagos, but they are limited and mostly cater to day visitors. Some are rustic, with cold showers and spotty electricity, so bring a sleeping bag for the chilly nights.

The nearest real town is Comitán de Domínguez, about 50 km (1 to 1.5 hours) away, with hostels from US$10 to 15 for a dorm bed and private rooms from US$25 to 45. Many travelers stay here and take a colectivo to the park each morning. Staying in Tziscao saves you the commute and gives you the lakes at dawn, before the day-trip vans arrive. Book ahead for holidays.
Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Lagunas de Montebello costs most backpackers about US$38 a day, with a total range of roughly US$26 to 55 depending on how you sleep. Pay in Mexican pesos, since cards are rarely accepted in the park.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$2 to 4Small fees are collected at the park gate and at individual sites such as Cinco Lagos and Gruta San Rafael del Arco.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Camping runs US$5 to 8, a dorm bed in Comitán US$10 to 15, and simple cabins in Tziscao US$20 to 45 per room.
Accommodation (low season)US$8 to 15Cabins and hostels often drop prices, and midweek rooms are easy to negotiate.
Local transportUS$4 to 10A colectivo from Comitán costs around US$2 to 3 each way, and short hops between lakes cost a bit more.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Lakeside comedores
… read more 👉
Lagunas de Montebello costs most backpackers about US$38 a day, with a total range of roughly US$26 to 55 depending on how you sleep. Pay in Mexican pesos, since cards are rarely accepted in the park.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$2 to 4Small fees are collected at the park gate and at individual sites such as Cinco Lagos and Gruta San Rafael del Arco.
Accommodation (high season)US$10 to 20Camping runs US$5 to 8, a dorm bed in Comitán US$10 to 15, and simple cabins in Tziscao US$20 to 45 per room.
Accommodation (low season)US$8 to 15Cabins and hostels often drop prices, and midweek rooms are easy to negotiate.
Local transportUS$4 to 10A colectivo from Comitán costs around US$2 to 3 each way, and short hops between lakes cost a bit more.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 15Lakeside comedores serve quesadillas and fish for US$4 to 8, while groceries from Comitán keep costs down.
ActivitiesUS$2 to 6Kayaks or rafts on the lakes cost a few dollars per session.
Total Daily BudgetUS$26 to 55About US$38 with mid-range choices, using the high-season bed.


source: gob.mx
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsScenic routes and wildlife spotting in Lagunas de Montebello

Lagunas de Montebello offers easy walking rather than serious hiking, with most paths under an hour and the terrain mostly flat forest floor, packed dirt, and the occasional boardwalk. Mud turns slippery after rain, and the road between lakes is where the longer stretches happen.
  • Lagunas de Colores walk: Short paths link Agua Tinta, Esmeralda, and Bosque Azul; allow 1 to 2 hours total, easy, with pine forest and lake overlooks.
  • Cinco Lagos trail: A brief descent from the roadside viewpoint to the water, about 30 to 45 minutes round trip, easy, with a steep return climb in places.
  • Tziscao lakeshore:
… read more 👉
Lagunas de Montebello offers easy walking rather than serious hiking, with most paths under an hour and the terrain mostly flat forest floor, packed dirt, and the occasional boardwalk. Mud turns slippery after rain, and the road between lakes is where the longer stretches happen.
  • Lagunas de Colores walk: Short paths link Agua Tinta, Esmeralda, and Bosque Azul; allow 1 to 2 hours total, easy, with pine forest and lake overlooks.
  • Cinco Lagos trail: A brief descent from the roadside viewpoint to the water, about 30 to 45 minutes round trip, easy, with a steep return climb in places.
  • Tziscao lakeshore: A flat circuit along the shore with swimming spots, around 1 to 2 hours, easy, with chances to spot waterfowl.
  • Chukumaltik cenote path: A short walk of roughly 20 minutes each way through forest, easy, ending at a deep sinkhole pool.
  • Road walking: Between lakes, you can walk sections of the main road, which is paved and quiet on weekdays, though it is better to ride a colectivo for longer gaps.
Wildlife is mostly birds, including woodpeckers and jays, with smaller mammals rarely seen. Reaching Lagunas de Montebello by public transport is simple, since colectivos run regularly from Comitán and stop at the main lakes. Weekends and holidays bring more day-trippers, especially around Pojoj and Tziscao, while weekday mornings are quiet. An entrance fee applies, paid at the park gate, and some lakes charge small separate fees for access or activities.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Lagunas de Montebello

Lagunas de Montebello is a straightforward, well-trodden park where the main issues are cold, damp and a few practical gaps. At roughly 1,500 meters (4,900 feet), mornings and evenings get chilly, and rain can arrive quickly in the wet months, so carry a light rain shell and a warm layer. Trails between lakes are mostly gentle dirt paths, but they turn slick and muddy after storms, so wear shoes with grip. Signage is patchy, so download an offline map before you head out. Swimming is limited in most lakes, and some areas are roped off, so follow local posted rules. Wildlife is shy, mostly birds and the odd monkey or snake in thick forest, so stay on paths and leave nothing behind. Bring cash in pesos, since there are no ATMs in the park. Travel by day and use official transport.
Check Country Safety

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two days is a comfortable amount of time for Lagunas de Montebello, with one day enough for a quick loop of the main lakes. A full day covers Lagunas de Colores, Cinco Lagos and the Gruta San Rafael del Arco, while a second day lets you kayak at Tziscao and walk quieter trails. Add a third day if you want to hike near the Guatemalan border.
Yes, Lagunas de Montebello is easy to reach without a car using colectivos from Comitán de Domínguez. Vans leave from Comitán’s terminals about every 15 to 30 minutes in daytime, take 1 to 1.5 hours, and cost around US$2 to 3. Once in the park, short colectivo hops, taxis or walking link the lakes, though service thins out by late afternoon.
Yes, Lagunas de Montebello charges small entry fees, but no advance permit is needed. Expect a park gate fee of about US$2 to 3, plus separate payments of US$1 to 3 at individual sites such as Cinco Lagos and the Gruta San Rafael del Arco. Bring cash in pesos, since card payment is uncommon, and keep your receipts to avoid paying twice.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican national parks near Lagunas de Montebello

Explore more nearby:

  • Sumidero Canyon—1,000-meter canyon walls, Chiapa de Corzo launches, crocodile sandbars, rim miradors| 167 km away
  • Pantanos de Centla—Usumacinta wetlands, launch trips, manatee habitat, howler monkeys| 263 km away
  • Calakmul—45-meter pyramid, Kaan stelae, howler monkeys, jungle road| 300 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Lagunas de Montebello suits travelers who like picking their own pace: collectivo riders, picnic packers and people happy to spend a day staring at water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue. If you need nightlife, big peaks or a tight itinerary, you will get restless. I would go midweek, carry snacks, and stay long enough to see more than one lake.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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