Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello
Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello
4.5
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4.5
660 reviews
Excellent
502
Very good
115
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
4
Gitta
2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
My review is about the horse abuse at Laguna Montebello. Children were throwing big rocks at the horses. While the adult horse back trail guide was holding one leg of the horse. Bullying the horse and he could not run away. Very awfull, please do not ride horses there.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK598 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
The visit here was definitely worth every penny. The lakes range from a deep blue to green. There is also some really good street food nearby which is cheap and of a great quality. The lakes themselves are beautiful in colour and the views that are provided.
Written 20 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Virginia C
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico28 contributions
Mar 2015
The Lakes of Montebello are an amazing experience if you take the time to really enjoy them. Swimming, kayaking, hiking and exploring caves are all wonderful possibilities: even just admiring the different colors of the lakes from the road on a sunny day is a treat. We usually stay at the Ecolodge in Tziscao, but there are other small hotels and cabins by the Tziscao lake as well.
If you enjoy hiking, it is a good idea to hire a guide (the managers of the Ecolodge can put you in touch with honest and knowledgeable ones) and take any one of many treks through the jungle to see bromeliads, orchids, hidden cenotes and Mayan bas-reliefs carved on the rocks. The views of the different lakes are spectacular. While one lake, La Encantada, has unfortunately been polluted, the lakes in the newer area of the park (taking the road to the right after the entrance booth) are pristine. Pojoj, Tziscao and Cinco Lagos are particularly entrancing, with coves and islands to explore by kayak, raft or swimming. The lookout point above Cinco Lagos is blessed with a view worthy of a fantasy novel, and the stairs up to it are wedged between tiny restaurants with delicious local quesadillas, tamales, cheeses, chocolate and coffee. You can also buy some Guatemalan beer or sweets, and if you like them, take a 30 minute walk from the Ecolodge to the Guatemalan border, where you can pop across with no problem and shop for local crafts, Gallo beer or the tasty chiclosos (caramels).
If you are fascinated with the mysteries of sacred caves, take the road that goes straight beyond the entrance booth, park at the last parking lot and walk down the dirt road behind it to Paso del Soldado: a bridge over a little stream. On the right just before you get to the bridge, there is a path that leads uphill to a huge natural arch and a smaller path that will take you to a stunning cave with glimmering green water at the bottom and sacred stalagmites adorned with ribbons and votive candles.
The only caveat about this park is, don't try to see it all from a bus on a 4 hour tour. You, and the Lakes, deserve better than that. Spend at least one night there to enjoy the place to the fullest.
If you enjoy hiking, it is a good idea to hire a guide (the managers of the Ecolodge can put you in touch with honest and knowledgeable ones) and take any one of many treks through the jungle to see bromeliads, orchids, hidden cenotes and Mayan bas-reliefs carved on the rocks. The views of the different lakes are spectacular. While one lake, La Encantada, has unfortunately been polluted, the lakes in the newer area of the park (taking the road to the right after the entrance booth) are pristine. Pojoj, Tziscao and Cinco Lagos are particularly entrancing, with coves and islands to explore by kayak, raft or swimming. The lookout point above Cinco Lagos is blessed with a view worthy of a fantasy novel, and the stairs up to it are wedged between tiny restaurants with delicious local quesadillas, tamales, cheeses, chocolate and coffee. You can also buy some Guatemalan beer or sweets, and if you like them, take a 30 minute walk from the Ecolodge to the Guatemalan border, where you can pop across with no problem and shop for local crafts, Gallo beer or the tasty chiclosos (caramels).
If you are fascinated with the mysteries of sacred caves, take the road that goes straight beyond the entrance booth, park at the last parking lot and walk down the dirt road behind it to Paso del Soldado: a bridge over a little stream. On the right just before you get to the bridge, there is a path that leads uphill to a huge natural arch and a smaller path that will take you to a stunning cave with glimmering green water at the bottom and sacred stalagmites adorned with ribbons and votive candles.
The only caveat about this park is, don't try to see it all from a bus on a 4 hour tour. You, and the Lakes, deserve better than that. Spend at least one night there to enjoy the place to the fullest.
Written 1 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dar D
Haifa, Israel11 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
The lakes are amaizing. It is very beautiful to walk around, and after everty turn you have a new lake behind the hill. The colors are very imprresive as well.
However, I went there without a tour or any car, and it wasnt a good idea. It was hard to go from one lake to the other, and not very nice. I felt like a target for the people who sales there tour or attraction, it was very hard to get some peace there.
Somebody recommnded here to go without o tour guide because of the time, but it took a lot of time to get there and to pass from one laguna to the other.
To do it alone (one person) was a little bit cheaper (like 80 pesos) but not a lot. Maybe it is different for more people...
However, I went there without a tour or any car, and it wasnt a good idea. It was hard to go from one lake to the other, and not very nice. I felt like a target for the people who sales there tour or attraction, it was very hard to get some peace there.
Somebody recommnded here to go without o tour guide because of the time, but it took a lot of time to get there and to pass from one laguna to the other.
To do it alone (one person) was a little bit cheaper (like 80 pesos) but not a lot. Maybe it is different for more people...
Written 11 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lilblackduck
Cairns, Australia70 contributions
Aug 2011 • Friends
This was hands-down the best "attraction" I have seen in Chiapas outside of the Palenque-Agua Azul-Misol-Ha trio. Really lovely, beautiful clean water, gorgeous views and so nice to swim there (finally somewhere to swim in freshwater in Mexico!).
Sadly we couldn't hire a car so were trapped on a tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas. The major downside to the tour being that they took us to El Chiflon first - FOR 3 HOURS - and then we only had limited time (maybe 1.5 hours) at the Lagunas. In my opinion, El Chiflon warrants only an hour and the rest of the time should be spent at the Lagunas. The other thing about the tour (all of them are the same by the way) was that we were told we could swim at El Chiflon (yuk - cold and silty) but NOT at the Lagunas. This is NOT TRUE. Once we were at Laguna Pojoj (the one with the small island in the middle that they raft people out to) we asked if we could swim, and they told us we could. So we swam out to the island and back in beautiful, clear, fresh water. BLISS.
I liked it so much I am going back to Comitan to spend a few more days there, just to swim every day!
Sadly we couldn't hire a car so were trapped on a tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas. The major downside to the tour being that they took us to El Chiflon first - FOR 3 HOURS - and then we only had limited time (maybe 1.5 hours) at the Lagunas. In my opinion, El Chiflon warrants only an hour and the rest of the time should be spent at the Lagunas. The other thing about the tour (all of them are the same by the way) was that we were told we could swim at El Chiflon (yuk - cold and silty) but NOT at the Lagunas. This is NOT TRUE. Once we were at Laguna Pojoj (the one with the small island in the middle that they raft people out to) we asked if we could swim, and they told us we could. So we swam out to the island and back in beautiful, clear, fresh water. BLISS.
I liked it so much I am going back to Comitan to spend a few more days there, just to swim every day!
Written 13 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Goal100Countries
Cheltenham, UK598 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
The lakes of Montebello are wonderfully quiet and offer some respite from the town of San Cristobal. They offer great views over the lakes that make for a great picture. One of the lakes is a lovely blue colour and the other an emerald, green colour. You can rent a small boat for the lake and thus taking your own tour around this beautiful ecosystem. If you venture further up the road there is a small pier out to the lake that makes for an even better photo!
Written 12 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie-Acuna
Mexico City, Mexico72 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
There are more than 50 lakes in this area and only one is really the Montebello lake but all are usually named as Montebello lakes. If you arrive by yourself to the entrance, is a good idea to hire a guide and arrange his rate in advance. For around US 25 he will guide you for about 4 - 5 hours to different lakes. I strongly recommend to go first to the area known as five lakes (cinco lagos), rent a kayak or enjoy a trip in a native boat and enjoy a superb swimming time in crystalline waters. Then you may go to the "international lake" when you will find an interesting open border between Mexico and Guatemala where you can buy souvenirs from Guatemala and even enter that country for some time without a passport. Finally you can visit the actual Montebello lake and some others. If you take a tour it will be important to know if they will give you enough time to swim and relax a little bit because this is not a place to visit in a hurry.
Written 24 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PPCancun
El Paso, TX30 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
I don't remember how many laggons are here but I think there were over 30, we just visit 6 of them because we tried to enjoy them. They have awesome views so you cannot seee them all in one day unless you visit them very fast.
Written 8 August 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mexcbeto
Mexico City, Mexico122 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
I think that this place is an amazing natural destination, the view is magnificent and the climate great too.
The bad part is that there is little information available for tourists and several fees to pay... Once you arrive to the National Park there is an Official Government booth $1.7 USD per person (it includes nothing just the permission to see 1 lake), next thing you have a ton of people asking for money: pseudo guides, kids, official guides, informal businesses etc.
If you want to see the other 4 lakes, you have to pay again... now $1.4 USD to a "Union" that runs the place.
I am Mexican and I am sincerely ashamed that this Natural beauty is so poorly managed by either the Government and the "Union of the Ejido". Tourists from around the world visit this place and the only information available are the fees to pay and a vanished poster.
My suggestion is to rent a car, arrive as early as possible, and do the tour by yourself.
The bad part is that there is little information available for tourists and several fees to pay... Once you arrive to the National Park there is an Official Government booth $1.7 USD per person (it includes nothing just the permission to see 1 lake), next thing you have a ton of people asking for money: pseudo guides, kids, official guides, informal businesses etc.
If you want to see the other 4 lakes, you have to pay again... now $1.4 USD to a "Union" that runs the place.
I am Mexican and I am sincerely ashamed that this Natural beauty is so poorly managed by either the Government and the "Union of the Ejido". Tourists from around the world visit this place and the only information available are the fees to pay and a vanished poster.
My suggestion is to rent a car, arrive as early as possible, and do the tour by yourself.
Written 6 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr. V
San Antonio, TX299 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The serenity of this place is incredible! I have traveled quite a bit and have rarely witnessed this level of beauty mother nature has to offer. Pictures simply do not do this place justice. We were there while it was raining (apparently it always rains here) and for a moment while we were up on the hill looking down, I stopped feeling the rain and was overtaken by the jaw-dropping views. As exaggerated as this might seem, I am serious, if you´re nearby do not let the opportunity pass to come see this!
If you like my review, thumbs up!
If you like my review, thumbs up!
Written 3 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alguna recomendación para quedarse a dormir? O mejor quedarse en Comitán?
Written 16 July 2021
En esta carretera de San Cristobal a lagos de montebello o cascada velo de novia hay peligro de asaltos o bloqueos?
Written 22 January 2019
No me senti insegura, pero te recomiendo que contrates un tour, no manejes tu, cuando yo fui observe que los de las touroperadoras iban en caravana de hecho hasta se esperan si una unidad se atrasas , supongo que es para prevenir asaltos
Written 23 January 2019
Si sin ningún problema, en el caso de los perros más si son chicos es raro el visitante que lleva una mascota y aun más grande, claro que deben estar con su correa, como entran en su vehículo no hay problema se paga una cuota por persona. Que lo disfruten.
Written 17 October 2018
Hello Virginia, and thank you for all these helpful informations. Since we have a short time there, we will have to go for a day tour. Would you recommend any nice tour company that would make it nice although it will be short?
Thank you for your answer.
Written 10 September 2018
there are local guides all over waiting to be hired, locals who know the area well, fees can be negotiated. That is what we did and it was fine, in our own car, so if you have a rental, just pick one up on the way in............
Written 10 September 2018
Hola estoy tratando de armar un viaje a chiapas pero de un autobús de turismos que lugares me recomienda visitar y hoteles
Written 15 April 2018
Hola! Te recomiendo que visten El Cañón del Sumidero y Chiapas de Corzo y tengan la tarde libre en San Cristobal y duerman allí. Al otro día pueden ir a Comitan y visitar El Chiflon que queda entre 30-40 minutos, descansan y luego hacen Lagos de Montebello y las Nubes (estas cascadas están en el mismo camino que los Lagos como a 2-3 horas y tienen hotel, restaurante y área de Camping).
Written 15 April 2018
Hola! Quisiera saber si saben de algún hotel cerca de Montebello?? Y si pudieran orientarme aproximadamente cuánto tiempo se tarde en hacer el recorrido de las Lagunas para poder organizar mi viaje ... muchas gracias
Written 8 January 2018
Los recorridos a las lagunas de montebello varían, hay unos de una hora, pero si deseas bucear pues se lleva de 1 a 3 horas, los hoteles preferentemente las cabañas frente al lago de Tziscao están fantasticas
Written 10 January 2018
Me animas mas a ir a ese bello lugar ya que me habian dicho que de julio a sept no se aprecian igual de bonitas las aguas? una pregunta fuiste a cascadas de agua azul?
Written 24 July 2017
Si. Yo fui en Semana Santa y estaba muy bien. Creo que en esta temporada el agua está muy revuelta por lo que las cascadas tienen un color turbio. Pero vale la pena visitarlo
Written 25 July 2017
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