Lagunas de Montebello National Park

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Lagunas de Montebello National Park

National Park

Lagunas de Montebello National Park is a highland park in Chiapas, Mexico, famed for about 59 multi-colored lakes set in pine forest and for nearby Maya ruins. Travellers come for the vivid lagoons, canoeing and the archaeological site of Chinkultic.

Lagunas de Montebello National Park Tuxtla GutiérrezSan Cristóbal de las CasasTapachula de Cordova y OrdoñezComitánChiapa de Corzo (city)ChamulaSoconuscoPijijiapanLagunas de Montebello National Park

Lagunas de Montebello National Park essentials

Address: La Trinitaria / La Independencia, Chiapas, Mexico

The park was created in 1959 as Chiapas’s first national park and in 2009 was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It covers about 6,411 hectares, with a core protected area and a highland setting between roughly 1,500 and 1,800 meters above sea level.

Its main attraction is the Montebello Lakes system of 59 lakes whose shades range from emerald and turquoise to dark green and reddish black, a result of differing mineral contents; about 15 lakes are easily reached by road or short walks. Lago Tziscao is the largest lake and has a village beside it.

Inside the park are limestone caves and cenotes, including the Grutas San Rafael del Arco, and the medium-sized Maya ruins of Chinkultic, where an Acropolis viewpoint looks over several lakes. Scientists and park managers have warned that wastewater, agricultural runoff and deforestation threaten lake clarity and that some lagoons outside the park have dried during droughts, notably Metzabok in 2019.

Visiting is a mix of easy lakeside stops and quieter, more rugged areas reached on foot or horseback; many lakes allow swimming, canoeing or kayaking but facilities and services are often basic in the park itself.

  • Lagunas de Colores: A cluster of vividly hued lakes (for example Esmeralda, Encantada and Bosque Azul) whose colors vary with minerals and sunlight.
  • Lago Tziscao: The largest lake with a nearby village and one of the more accessible places for boating and lakeside walks.
  • Chinkultic Acropolis: Climb the main pyramid at the Maya site of Chinkultic for panoramic views over the park’s lakes and forest.
  • Grutas San Rafael del Arco: Limestone caves and cenotes that can be explored on foot or on horseback from nearby trails.
  • Scenic viewpoints: Multiple lookout points around the park provide photo opportunities of contrasting lake colors set against pine forest.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park#

The highland climate has a distinct dry season and a wet season; timing affects access, lake color clarity and comfort.

Winter (best)
November - February · 12°C - 24°C (54°F - 75°F)
Cooler, drier weather with clearer skies and lower rainfall makes this the most comfortable time for hiking, sightseeing and boat trips.
Shoulder season
March - May · 13°C - 28°C (55°F - 82°F)
A transition period with warmer days and occasional showers; lakes remain attractive and crowds are generally smaller than in high season.
Rainy season
June - October · 15°C - 26°C (59°F - 79°F)
Heavy rains are common and some paths may be muddy or harder to reach; runoff during this season can reduce lake clarity and affect colors.

Weather & Climate near Lagunas de Montebello National Park#

Climate

Lagunas de Montebello National Park's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 12°C to 28°C. Heavy rainfall (2697 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 53 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchAprilFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 12° - 23° 18° 93 mm partly cloudy 75% 2.4 m/s 1.4 high 11.1h
February Excellent 12° - 24° 18° 61 mm partly cloudy 69% 2.5 m/s 1.8 very high 11.5h
March Excellent 13° - 26° 20° 48 mm some cloud 61% 2.4 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
April Excellent 14° - 28° 21° 70 mm some cloud 59% 2.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.4h
May Very Good 15° - 28° 22° 158 mm partly cloudy 69% 1.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.8h
June Good 16° - 26° 21° 449 mm overcast 82% 1.8 m/s 2.2 extreme 13.0h
July Good 16° - 25° 21° 426 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.2 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.9h
August Good 16° - 26° 21° 387 mm partly cloudy 82% 1.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.6h
September Good 16° - 26° 21° 434 mm partly cloudy 86% 1.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.1h
October Good 15° - 25° 20° 309 mm partly cloudy 86% 1.7 m/s 1.8 very high 11.7h
November Very Good 14° - 24° 19° 147 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.0 m/s 1.5 high 11.2h
December Very Good 12° - 23° 18° 115 mm partly cloudy 80% 2.2 m/s 1.4 high 11.0h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Lagunas de Montebello National Park#

The nearest city is Comitán (Comitán de Domínguez), about an hour’s drive to the west; the popular tourist town of San Cristóbal de las Casas lies roughly two more hours farther west. The nearest major airport is Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (Tuxtla Gutiérrez).

There is no regular long-distance passenger rail serving the park; travel is normally by car, private transfer or regional bus to Comitán and then by taxi, colectivo or organised tour for the final stretch to the lakes - some of the smaller lagoons require short walks or local trails from parking areas.

Tips for Visiting Lagunas de Montebello National Park#

  • Bring layers and a light rain jacket - the park is at high altitude and weather can be cool and changeable.
  • Facilities are basic in many parts of the park, so carry water, snacks and any essentials; expect limited services at small lakes and archaeological sites.
  • Respect signage and local rules - many lakes are protected and pollution or littering is a real concern for water clarity.
  • Check locally before swimming or boating, and use authorised rental operators where available.
  • Roads to some lakes can be unpaved; a vehicle with good clearance or joining a local tour will ease access.