Day trip from:
San Cristóbal de las Casas3 hr

Lagos de Montebello

59 differently colored lakes in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Full day (12-hour tour combining with El Chiflón)
50 MXN(Park entrance; tours $45-80 USD combined with El Chiflón)
Dry season (November-May) for clearest waters

Overview

Lagos de Montebello features 59 lakes in varying shades of blue, green, and turquoise—each colored differently by mineral content and depth. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve near the Guatemala border is usually combined with El Chiflón waterfall.

Highlights

59 multi-colored lakes
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Kayaking and swimming
Forest hiking trails
Guatemala border proximity

Practical Information

Suggested Duration

Full day (12-hour tour combining with El Chiflón)

Entrance Fee

50 MXN

Park entrance; tours $45-80 USD combined with El Chiflón

Best Time to Visit

Dry season (November-May) for clearest waters

How to Get There
Organized Tour
Location
Open in Google Maps

More Day Trips Nearby

San Juan Chamula

Living Maya-Catholic syncretism with unique church rituals

2-3 hours (often combined with Zinacantán for half-day)25 MXN

Sumidero Canyon

Dramatic 1,000-meter canyon walls and wildlife spotting

Half day (4-5 hours from San Cristóbal)320 MXN

El Chiflón Waterfall

Five cascading falls including the 120-meter Velo de Novia

3-4 hours (often combined with Lagos de Montebello)70 MXN

Palenque

Crown jewel of Maya archaeology emerging from jungle

Overnight stay strongly recommended (day trips leave 3-4 AM, return near midnight)195 MXN

Zinacantán

Tzotzil Maya flower village with textile demonstrations and tortilla-making

1-2 hours (often combined with San Juan Chamula for half-day)25 MXN

Agua Azul Waterfalls

Stunning turquoise cascades on the road to Palenque

Full day (usually combined with Misol-Ha and/or Palenque)50 MXN

Plan Your Base

Explore the destinations where you can make this a day trip.

San Cristóbal de las Casas