The Lagos de Montebello region is a travelers paradise with it's crystal lakes, ancient ruins, and plenty of outing opportunities.
The Lakes
Children dive off rocks into the clear blue water as a couple of their friends paddle by on a raft made of three logs lashed together.
Looking across Lago Tziscao there is not a building in site and the water stretches around out of site in both directions. This is the largest of the 58 Lagos de Montebello and is a 15-minute walk from the Guatemala border.
While you are in the area you will also want to check out Los Lagos de Colores, a group of five lakes that range in color from green to turquoise to deep blue.
This is a perfect area for travelers to explore: Maya ruins, mountain hiking and biking trails, pristine lakes, ancient burial caves, and winding rivers are there for all to explore.
Chinkultik
Standing on top of the acropolis you will see the layout of this ancient Maya city dating from AD 591-897. The site includes ball courts, holy sites, ancient stone tablets depicting religious ceremonies, as well as a small lake where sacrifices were thrown into.
There is a small visitors center with some information, but this is genuinely a place to wander and explore on your own. At the entrance, walk right and you will come across the ancient ball court and the stadium surrounding it. Carved into the sides are depictions of religious leaders and local legends.
Make your way back to the entrance and move straight ahead past the parking lot and across a small stream to find the acropolis and a few smaller structures.
Without the crowds of Palenque or Tonina, it is possible to have the entire place to yourself, making this site a true pleasure to explore.
Eating and Staying
The village of Tziscao has a few different restaurants as well as haciendas and camping sites that can be rented. During Semana Santa and mid-July, it can be difficult to find space, but this is not usually a problem the rest of the year.
Getting There
The road to Montebello turns east off of Highway 190 about 16km south of Comitán. The road passes Chinkultic before entering the Parque Nacional Lagunas de Montebello.
Once inside the entrance, no fee to get in, the road forks left towards Los Lagos de Colores and right towards Tziscao.
Tours are offered daily to the area from both Comitán and San Cristóbal. It is recommended to just take a combi. Cheaper, less people, more freedom, more fun.
From San Cristóbal, you will need to take a combi first to Comitán, and from Comitán you will need to take the combis headed toward Palenque. You can get off these little vans any time you wish when you see a spot in the area you like.
To get back, just wait near the main road. Returning combis pass by about once every 15 minutes.
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