National park · Mexico

Lagunas de Montebello National ParkParque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello

Spend a morning on the Pojoj lake trail (3 km (1.9 mi), MX$30) or a full‑day trek to five lakes with a raft (MX$250) – go early in the dry season (Dec–Mar) and avoid the rainy months.Spend a morning on the Pojoj lake trail (1.9 mi (3 km), MX$30) or a full‑day trek to five lakes with a raft (MX$250) – go early in the dry season (Dec–Mar) and avoid the rainy months.

Not field-verified

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

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 2000Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

60 km² (23 sq mi)23 sq mi (60 km²)

approximate

Established

1959

Best months

Dec–Mar

UNESCO

Biosphere

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: 60 km² (23 sq mi)23 sq mi (60 km²); Park covers about 6,000 ha (≈60 km²); figures vary by source (check).
Established: 1959
Best months: Dec–Mar
Permits: For some areas
Base: Comitán

Lagunas de Montebello National Park in Chiapas protects over 60 colorful high‑altitude lakes set in pine‑forest hills, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a key migratory bird corridor.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2000Lagunas de Montebello Biosphere Reserve.

Size and age

60 km² (23 sq mi)23 sq mi (60 km²) · national park since 1959

Park covers about 6,000 ha (≈60 km²); figures vary by source (check).

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Comitán.

Why go

Colorful high‑altitude lakes set in pine‑forest hills.
Bird‑watching on a migratory corridor with over 270 species.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanBest
FebBest
MarBest
AprGo
MayCaution
JunCaution
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepCaution
OctGo
NovGo
DecBest

JanDry, cool mornings.
FebDry, good visibility.
MarEnd of dry season.
AprIncreasing showers.
MayRain more frequent.
JunRainy, humid; trail closures check.
JulHeavy rain; possible road closures check.
AugPeak rain, trails muddy; closures check.
SepRain tapering.
OctShort dry spells.
NovCool, less rain.
DecDry, clear skies.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Lagunas de Montebello National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Birds (270+ species)Oct–Mar	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes
Mammals (ocelot, jaguar, deer)Oct–Mar	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes
Reptiles (snakes, lizards)Oct–Mar	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	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 Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ) airport

Rent a car (≈2.5 h) or take a bus to Comitán then taxi to park entrance.

3–4 h total

Open the page →

From Comitán town

Local bus or taxi to the Tziscao gate.

30 min check

Zones and sectors

Zones of Lagunas de Montebello National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Tziscao entrance	Ticket office, information desk, parking.	Open daily.
Pojoj lake area	Trail to Pojoj and Cinco Lagos, raft launch.	Free after entry fee.
Cabin village (Tziscao)	Lodging, small restaurant, boat rentals.	Open to guests.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Coordinates from official park maps; approximate for orientation.

1Tziscao entrance · Gate≈16.103, -91.719Map ↗
2Pojoj lake viewpoint · Viewpoint≈16.098, -91.674Map ↗
3Cabin village Tziscao · Village≈16.084, -91.672Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

3 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.

Coordinates from official park maps; approximate for orientation.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsEasy2–3 h round‑tripPojoj & Cinco Lagos trail3 km (1.9 mi) walk to lake viewpoints; MX$30 entry covers the trail.

Boat tripsEasy4–5 h checkFive‑lake raft adventureMX$250 for a log raft that crosses five lakes; ask staff for availability.Booking: Rent raft at Tziscao office

Boat tripsEasy1–2 hKayaking on Lake TziscaoKayaks for hire at the lake shore.

WildlifeEasyHalf dayGuided bird‑watching tourSpot migratory birds and resident species.Booking: Hire guide at entrance

CultureEasy2 hVisit Chinkultic ruinsMayan site within park; may be closed in heavy rain.

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

MXN ranges · check

Fees for Lagunas de Montebello National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry (Tziscao gate)	MXN 30 (≈ US$2)	person	Covers access to the Pojoj trail; general entry price check.
Cabin rental (inside park)	MXN 300 (≈ US$17)	night	2026 estimate; check.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Buy ticket at the Tziscao entrance office.

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

Nights or days

Park entry (Tziscao gate)per personMX$30≈ US$2
Cabin rental (inside park)per nightMX$300≈ US$17

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 – Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Sunblock: Prohibited in lakes; use sunscreen before entering water.
Litter: Carry out all waste; bins at entrance only.
Rafts: Only use park‑approved rafts; rent at Tziscao office.
Camping: Allowed only in designated sites; inquire at entrance.

Where to stay

In the park

Cabins in Tziscao village

Basic cabins, MX$300/night, Wi‑Fi, hot water.

Near the park

Hotels in Comitán

Various options 30 km (19 mi) from park.Various options 19 mi (30 km) from park.

Safety

Mosquitoes low

Use repellent; wear long sleeves at dusk.

Sudden rain medium

Carry rain gear; avoid low‑lying trails during storms.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

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

Entrance area and short lake trails are wheelchair‑friendly check.
Longer trails and raft routes have uneven ground; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

Avoid single‑use plastics; refill water bottles.
Support local guides who follow park regulations.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Lagunas de Montebello National Park?

Entry is MX$30 per person at the Tziscao gate; this includes access to the main lake trails.

What are the best hikes in Lagunas de Montebello National Park?

The Pojoj & Cinco Lagos trail (easy, 3 km) and the five‑lake raft route (moderate, 4–5 h) are the most popular.

When is the best time to visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park?

The dry season December to March offers clear skies and dry trails; avoid July–August when heavy rain can close paths.

Can I camp inside the park?

Yes, in designated camping areas; ask at the entrance for locations and permits.

Is sunblock allowed in the lakes?

No; park rules ban sunscreen in the water to protect lake ecosystems.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Lagunas de Montebello National Park

Loading…

Was this useful?