Fifty-nine lakes lie in the karst pine forest along the Guatemalan border, and no two share a colour: mineral content and depth turn them emerald, indigo, turquoise or near black, which is why the group around Cinco Lagos is the emblem of the park. Lagunas de Montebello was declared a national park in 1959 and a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2009. Rafts poled by ejido members cross Laguna Pojoj to its forested island, Laguna Bosque Azul has the swimming and horse hire, and Tziscao on the border offers kayaks and simple lodgings.
Fifty-nine lakes lie scattered through karst pine forest along the Guatemalan border in Lagunas de Montebello, and variations in mineral content and depth give each one a distinct colour, ranging through emerald, indigo, turquoise and near black; the cluster known as Cinco Lagos, where five differently coloured lakes sit within a short walk of each other, is the park's emblem. Declared a national park in 1959 and a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2009, the park is loosely organised around a handful of access points reached from the same entrance road: rafts poled by ejido members cross Laguna Pojoj to a forested island at its centre, Laguna Bosque Azul offers the main swimming beach and horse rentals, and Laguna Tziscao, right on the border, has kayak rental and simple lakeside lodging for an overnight stay. A single day covering two or three of the lakes, including the raft crossing at Pojoj, takes a full day by taxi or rental car, since the lakes are spread several kilometres apart along unpaved side roads. Mornings from November to March give the calmest water and clearest lake colours under direct sun; afternoons often bring wind that ripples the surface and mutes the colour contrast the lakes are known for.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 7:00AM-6:00PM
- Best time
- November to March for cool, clear weather; mornings are still and the lake colours are strongest under direct sun
Location
Carretera Comitan-Lagos de Montebello km 55, Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello, 30190 La Trinitaria, Chiapas, Mexico
16.1000, -91.7167 View on map
Highlights
- Cinco Lagos, five adjoining lakes each a different colour
- Laguna Pojoj raft crossing to its forested central island
- Laguna Bosque Azul swimming beach and horse rentals
- Laguna Tziscao on the Guatemalan border, with kayaking and lakeside lodging
Tips for visiting
- Hire a taxi for the day to cover several lakes efficiently, since they sit kilometres apart on unpaved roads
- Visit in the morning from November to March for the calmest water and strongest lake colours
- Bring cash in small denominations, as each lake charges a separate community access fee
- Pack a swimsuit for Laguna Bosque Azul, the main designated swimming lake
- Consider an overnight at Laguna Tziscao to see the lakes in both evening and morning light
When to visit
November to March mornings give cool, clear weather with still water and the strongest lake-colour contrast under direct sun.
Accessibility
Paths around the main viewpoints and the Bosque Azul beach are relatively level, but the Pojoj raft crossing and several lake access trails cross unpaved, sometimes muddy ground that limits access for wheelchairs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Lagunas de Montebello take?
A full day is typical to visit two or three lakes, including the raft crossing at Laguna Pojoj and time at the Cinco Lagos viewpoint.
Is the park worth it for kids?
Yes; the raft rides, swimming beach and horse rentals give children several different activities across the different lakes.
Is photography allowed in the park?
Yes, photography is unrestricted throughout the park and at all the individual lakes.
Which lake is best for swimming?
Laguna Bosque Azul has the designated swimming area and horse rentals, making it the most set up for a full afternoon at the water.