Chiapas colonial town near Guatemalan border with 59 stunning multicolored lakes in national park. Each lake different shade of blue, green, or turquoise. Kayaking, swimming, and hiking with few tourists. Nearby Mayan ruins of Tenam Puente.
Comitán de Domínguez is a colonial town in the highlands of Chiapas near the Guatemalan border, serving as the base for visiting Lagunas de Montebello National Park — a system of 59 lakes in a limestone karst landscape, each a different shade of blue, green, turquoise, or grey depending on dissolved minerals, surrounding vegetation, and depth. The lakes range in size from small jungle-ringed pools to larger bodies 300 meters across, distributed across a pine-oak forest that gives the landscape an alpine character uncommon in southern Mexico. Lago Tziscao is the largest and most easily accessible, with a small settlement and boat tours. Lago Esmeralda, Lago Encantada, and several smaller lakes near the park entrance require a short walk through forest to reach, and the color transitions from one lake to the next — green to brilliant turquoise to deep blue within a few hundred meters — are the park's defining visual experience. The park also contains the Mayan ruins of Chinkultic, set on a clifftop above a cenote with views of the lake district, a less-visited site with a pyramid and ball court. Kayaking and swimming are possible in many of the larger lakes. The nearest international airport is in Tuxtla Gutierrez or San Cristóbal de las Casas, both around 2.5 hours from Comitán by highway. Very few international tourists visit — the park is predominantly used by Mexican school groups and domestic tourists from Chiapas.
Highlights
- 59 multicolored lakes each with distinct hue from dissolved minerals and depth
- Pine-oak highland forest giving the landscape an alpine character rare in southern Mexico
- Chinkultic Mayan ruins on clifftop above cenote with lake district views
- Kayaking and swimming in Lago Tziscao and the larger lakes
- Few international tourists — genuinely off-the-beaten-path experience in Chiapas
Tips for visiting
- Rent a bicycle in Comitán or take a colectivo to the park entrance — the best lakes require short forest walks that reward on foot
- Lago Tziscao's boat tour ($100-150 MXN) gives the best overview of several lake colors in sequence
- Visit Chinkultic ruins separately — they are 7km from the park entrance and poorly signposted; ask locally
- Bring insect repellent for the forest trails between lakes
When to visit
Visit between November and May during dry season for the clearest lake colors and most comfortable forest walking conditions. The pine-oak forest retains green year-round, but late afternoon light between 3 and 5 PM produces the most saturated lake colors.
Accessibility
The park entrance area and main boardwalk to the nearest lakes is navigable for wheelchairs on flat sections. Forest paths between more distant lakes are unpaved and uneven. Lago Tziscao's boat landing involves stepping into a small wooden boat. The colonial town of Comitán itself has flat central streets accessible by wheelchair.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors get to Lagunas de Montebello from San Cristóbal de las Casas?
Take a colectivo or bus from San Cristóbal to Comitán (1.5 hours, approximately 80 MXN), then a colectivo from Comitán market to the park entrance (45 minutes, approximately 30 MXN).
Are all 59 lakes accessible to visitors?
The main cluster of accessible lakes near the park entrance and around Lago Tziscao are well-developed for visitors. Reaching the more remote lakes requires additional hiking or a local guide — the forest between lakes can be confusing without signage.
Is swimming allowed in the lakes?
Swimming is permitted in several of the larger lakes including Lago Tziscao. Some smaller lakes are restricted due to their ecological sensitivity. The water is cool and clear year-round.