National park · Mexico
Laguna Miramar
Go only if you can give it three days and accept rough colectivo travel: entry and camping are arranged through Emiliano Zapata, the lake is best from November to May, and the boat-and-hike day to Nuevo Galilea is the walk worth planning around.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1994
Best months
Nov–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- The community reserve around the lake is often quoted at roughly 100 km²; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1994
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Comitán
Laguna Miramar is a warm, clear lake inside the Lacandon jungle in eastern Chiapas, close to the Guatemala border and reached only by long, rough roads. The land around it belongs to the Maya community of Emiliano Zapata, which runs visitor access, camping and guides. There is no national-park authority, no ticket office and no road you would call comfortable: this is a community-managed reserve, and the trip is the point as much as the lake.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1994.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1994
The community reserve around the lake is often quoted at roughly 100 km²; boundaries and figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Comitán.
Why go
- One of the least-visited big lakes in Mexico: warm, deep blue water you can swim and canoe in.
- A community-run visit: fees, guides, canoes and camping go through Emiliano Zapata, so the money stays in the village.
- Jungle wildlife you hear before you see — howler monkeys at dawn, parrots, crocodiles in the shallows.
- The Nuevo Galilea crossing: a canoe over the lake and a two-hour jungle walk to a village with no road.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanDry, warm days; cool nights
- FebDry and clear
- MarHot, dry; best swimming
- AprHot; haze builds before rain
- MayFirst rains; tracks still passable
- JunWet; mud on the trails
- JulWet; colectivos slower
- AugRainy season; roads worst
- SepPeak rain; landslides possible
- OctRain eases late in the month
- NovDry season starts; clear water
- DecDry; busy around holidays
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howler monkeysAll year · Heard most mornings; usually high in the canopy. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Parrots and forest birdsMar–May · More active as the dry season ends. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| CrocodilesAll year · In the shallows and river mouths; do not swim near reeds or at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tarantulas and scorpionsAll year · Common around the village rooms and palapa; shake out shoes and bags. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Ocosingo
Early colectivo (open-back 4x4 truck) from near the main market to San Quintín, then about 1 km (0.6 mi) on foot to Emiliano Zapata.Early colectivo (open-back 4x4 truck) from near the main market to San Quintín, then about 0.6 mi (1 km) on foot to Emiliano Zapata.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From Comitán
Colectivo to Las Margaritas, then a colectivo to San Quintín and a short walk to Emiliano Zapata.
7–8 h
Open the page →
From San Cristóbal de las Casas
Organised tour with transport, guide and food; usually needs a group of four.
2–3 days
Open the page →
From Las Nubes (Montebello)
River boat about 2 h into the Lacandon, then a colectivo to Emiliano Zapata; best arranged in advance by the community.
Half day
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Emiliano Zapata | The Maya village that manages visits: simple rooms, a palapa, small shops and cooks. | Open; register and pay here. |
| The lake shore | Camping palapa, canoe landing and the main swimming spots. | Open with the community fee. |
| Nuevo Galilea | A roadless Maya village across the lake and about 2 h into the jungle. | Guided only. |
| Surrounding jungle and ruins | Steep forested hills, unexcavated Maya sites and rock paintings. | Guided only; often not permitted. |
Sketch map
- 1Emiliano Zapata · Village≈16.417, -91.450Approximate.Map ↗
- 2San Quintín · Town≈16.417, -91.467Approximate; colectivo drop-off about 1 km (0.6 mi) from the village.Approximate; colectivo drop-off about 0.6 mi (1 km) from the village.Map ↗
- 3Laguna Miramar shore · Beach≈16.383, -91.483Approximate; camping palapa and canoe landing.Map ↗
- 4Nuevo Galilea · Village≈16.367, -91.517Approximate; across the lake and about 2 h on foot.Map ↗
- 5Ocosingo · Town≈16.906, -92.094Colectivo departure point.Map ↗
- 6Comitán · Town≈16.252, -92.134Alternative approach via Las Margaritas.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the lake and village are not precisely mapped on public sources.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community entry and camping at the lake | MXN 100–200 (≈ US$6–11) | person per night | Paid in Emiliano Zapata; 2026 estimate, confirm the current rate on arrival (check). |
| Canoe hire at the lake | MXN 150–300 (≈ US$9–17) | canoe per day | 2026 estimate; arrange with the community (check). |
| Local guide (Nuevo Galilea or ruins) | MXN 500–1,000 (≈ US$30–55) | group per day | 2026 estimate; rate depends on group size and route (check). |
| Colectivo Ocosingo to San Quintín | MXN 70–150 (≈ US$4–9) | person | 2026 estimate; leaves early morning, about 6 h. |
| River boat from Las Nubes | MXN 800 (≈ US$45) | boat | Split between passengers; arrange through Emiliano Zapata (check). |
| Organised tour from San Cristóbal de las Casas | US$400 | person | 2026 estimate; usually a minimum of four people. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Community access permit or guide
Guide for Nuevo Galilea permit or guide
Maya ruins around the lake permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$100–200≈ US$6–11
- MX$150–300≈ US$9–17
- MX$500–1,000≈ US$30–55
- MX$70–150≈ US$4–9
- MX$800≈ US$45
- US$400
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on CONANP — Áreas Naturales Protegidas before you go.
Park rules
- Photographs of people
- Ask before photographing anyone; many residents object to being photographed without permission.
- Military
- Do not photograph soldiers, vehicles or checkpoints.
- Zapatista villages
- Some communities are unwelcoming to visitors; if you go, do it in daylight and with a local guide.
- Campfires
- Fires are allowed at the lake but wood is damp; keep them small and clear of roots.check
- Alcohol
- Beer is sold in Emiliano Zapata; rules on bringing spirits are unclear, so ask first (check).check
- Litter
- No bins on the route; carry everything back to the village.
Where to stay
In the park
Emiliano Zapata rooms
About six basic rooms in the village, plus a covered palapa for hammocks or a sleeping mat.
In the park
Lake palapa
A roofed shelter at the shore for camping and hammocks; bring a sleeping bag and torch.
Near the park
Comitán
Hotels of every level, useful the night before the colectivo.
Safety
Rough colectivo travel medium
Mud and slippery trails medium
Landslides and blocked roads high
Wildlife and insects low
Medical access high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The route involves open trucks, walking and rough ground; it is not suitable for limited mobility.
- The village and lake palapa are reached on foot over uneven dirt; there are no paved paths.
Visiting lightly
- Pay fees and hire canoes and guides through Emiliano Zapata so the community keeps the benefit of the reserve.
- Take all rubbish out; there is no collection at the lake.
- Do not buy wildlife, feathers or live animals, and keep noise low at dawn when monkeys are active.
- Use existing fire rings and dead wood only.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Laguna Miramar?
There is no national-park ticket. You pay a community fee in Emiliano Zapata, roughly MXN 100–200 per person per night including camping (2026 estimate); canoes, guides and transport are extra and are paid locally. Confirm the current rate when you register.
What are the best hikes in Laguna Miramar?
The main walk is the Nuevo Galilea crossing: a canoe over the lake, then about two hours on a muddy jungle path to a village with no road. Shorter options are the lakeside paths to the rock paintings and carvings. All routes away from the shore need a local guide.
When is the best time to visit Laguna Miramar?
November to May, when the tracks are driest and the water is clear. August to October is the rainy season, with the worst mud and a real risk of blocked roads; June, July and October are passable but wet.
How do you get to Laguna Miramar?
From Ocosingo take an early colectivo to San Quintín, about six hours, then walk roughly 1 km to Emiliano Zapata. From Comitán go via Las Margaritas to San Quintín. Tours from San Cristóbal de las Casas cost around US$400 per person and usually need four people.
Can you swim in Laguna Miramar?
Yes. The lake is warm and clean, and swimming and canoeing are the main activities. Stay away from reeds and river mouths where crocodiles live, and avoid swimming at dusk.
Where can you sleep at Laguna Miramar?
In Emiliano Zapata there are about six basic rooms and a covered palapa, and there is a palapa at the lake shore for camping or hammocks. Bring a sleeping bag, torch and cooking gear; a tent is not essential.
Is Laguna Miramar safe?
The main risks are the rough roads, mud, insects and the distance from medical help. Do not photograph the military, ask before photographing people, and treat Zapatista villages with care.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go