Lagos de Montebello

A beautiful collection of lakes, deep blue and green in color and surrounded by natural forest, Montebello is worth a visit if you are in Comitan.

From Comitan, you can catch a collectivo to the lakes. From the Southwest corner of the park, head West for two blocks. Or if you haven’t figured out your orientation in Comitan, face el Teatro, and head right for two blocks. At the second block, turn left, and about halfway down the street, on your right, will be the Collectivo station headed to Montebello. The ride will cost 40-45pesos, perhaps depending on where you are dropped off in the park…

The driver may ask you where you want to be dropped off. So here’s a little information:

The lakes at Montebello are spread out over a large area. In fact there are two separate parks, one national, and one local. There are separate entrance fees for both. For 20 pesos, at the local park, you will have access to ten or more of the lakes. Montebello is the largest and most well known of the lakes. If you are dropped off here, you’ll have access to kayaking and horseback-riding.

However, Cinco Lagos would be our top pick for kayaking.

Wherever you are dropped off, you will likely be approached by someone offering to take you on a tour of all of the lakes, by car. Given the distance between lakes, it’s not a bad option. You stop at each lake, have time to walk around and take pictures, and can learn a little on the way (though most drivers will probably only speak Spanish.) The cost for three people was 80 pesos per person.

However, don’t feel like you need to commit right away. If you want to explore on your own first, and start off on foot, you’ll very likely encounter drivers at each of the lakes, or for certain at El Mirador, the lookout.

Besides kayaks, the larger lakes also have wooden rafts that you rent, with a guide. Essentially they look like 6-7 logs that have been tied together. But, they float.

So again, to get dropped off: Cinco Lagos, or Montebello is a good bet if you want to kayak or go horsebackriding. El Mirador is another good bet, and you can walk to Cinco Lagos or Montebello from there, along the main road.

To get back, the last collectivo to Comitan is 5pm, though definitely ask when you are dropped off, just to be sure. And be sure to ask where you can get picked up, also.

And if you are interested, one of the lakes at Montebello lies on the border with Guatemala. If you want to check Guatemala off your list of places you’ve (technically) visited, or you are missing the taste of Gallo Beer, it’s worth visiting.

 

El Chiflon

It may be difficult to believe that you could find a site more spectacular than Montebello within such a short distance. However, the waterfalls at El Chiflon are very good competition. Located about an hour from Comitan by Collectivo, this park is a place you have to visit.

First, because it’s stunningly beautiful. Second, because with swimming and camping and ziplining and hiking available, as well as numerous stands with snacks and drinks, it’s a fun place to spend a day, or more.

The park is kept very clean, and the water, crystal clear. Nearer to the entrance there are a few places where you can jump in for a swim. And if you’ve fallen in love (and remembered your camping gear) there is space available for tents.

There is just one main trail through El Chiflon, making the park easy to navigate. It climbs slowly but steadily uphill, nearly to the top of the falls. And each view is even more beautiful than the one before.

As you make your way uphill, the trail can get muddy. And, at the largest overlook, the mist off of the falls will soak your clothes and everything you’re carrying. It’s not a bad idea to put items in a plastic bag. If you don’t ‘have one, a little water isn’t going to kill you (though it may kill your camera or cell phone. Just a thought).

At first glance, this seems to be the endpoint to the trail. The view is breathtaking, you’re now soaking wet, and there are ziplines above you. However, heading back behind the zipline platform, the trail continues upwards, and so should you.

One of the perks of visiting the falls from Comitan, rather than San Christobal, is that you can visit on your own schedule, and plan to spend as much time as you would like. The park closes at 6pm, and we were told that the collectivos are running when the park closes, though it’s always a good idea to double check.

To get to the park from Comitan:

You’ll want to head to the Collectivo station that’s on the corner of the main Boulevard and 2^nd Calle Poniente Sur. In Central Park, if you walk toward El Teatro on Avenida Central, continue one block past the park, and turn right on 2a Calle Sur Poniente. In about 5 blocks, you’ll reach Boulvedard Dr. Belisario Dominguez. On the corner will be the Collectivo Terminal headed to San Christobal, and next door is the terminal for El Chiflon. The ride will cost P$25, and take about an hour.

At the end of the ride, you’ll be let off across the street from the entrance to the park. Here, moto-taxis (tuk-tuks if you’ve been in Guatemala) will be waiting to give you a ride down the road into the main entrance to the park. It’s a decent walk, and you’ll keep walking once in the park. So for P$10, you can catch a ride.

The entrance fee to the park is P$30, and you’ll be given a bracelet which theoretically gets checked after the main information booths, before you start on the trail to the falls. It’s best not to lose this.

 

 

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