El Chiflón Waterfalls & Montebello Lakes Day Trip from Tuxtla

Summary

Explore Chiapas: El Chiflón Falls & Montebello National Park Tour

If you want to see Chiapas beyond postcards—real lakes that shift color and waterfalls that soak your shoes—this tour packs both into one day. You’ll get local stories from your guide, plenty of photo ops, and time to just take it all in.

What’s the experience like?

Early morning, we squeezed into the van just as the sun started warming up Tuxtla’s streets. Our guide, Marisol, handed out cold bottled water—trust me, you’ll want it later. The drive to Lagunas de Montebello National Park took a couple of hours, winding through pine forests and tiny villages where locals sell tamales out of coolers by the roadside. When we finally arrived, the air felt cooler and smelled faintly of wet earth. There are 59 lakes here—yeah, I didn’t believe it either—but we only got to see a dozen or so. Each one had its own color; some looked almost turquoise, others deep green or even reddish in the right light. Marisol pointed out that the colors change with the weather and time of day. We spent about an hour walking along narrow paths between lakes, snapping photos and watching kids feed tortillas to ducks.

Next stop: El Chiflón ecotourism center. It’s a bit humid here—bring a hat if you burn easily. The walk up to the waterfalls isn’t too tough but there are some steep bits; I saw a few folks with strollers taking it slow. First you hear El Suspiro before you see it—a low rumble behind thick trees—and then suddenly there’s spray on your face. Angel Wings is next, narrower but taller, with butterflies darting around (no kidding). The big one is Bride’s Veil; you’ll probably get wet if you stand close for a selfie. Some people zipped overhead on the zip line (not included), but I was happy just feeling the mist and watching locals selling mango slices with chili powder at the entrance. We wrapped up late afternoon, tired but grinning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montebello Lakes and El Chiflón Falls

• Visit Montebello Lakes
• Explore El Chiflón Waterfalls

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes! Strollers are fine on most paths and infant seats are available if needed.

How much walking is involved at El Chiflón?

The walk to each waterfall has some uphill sections but nothing extreme; take your time and bring comfy shoes.

Are meals included in the tour price?

No meals are included, but there are snack vendors at both stops where you can buy food.

Can I swim in any of the lakes or waterfalls?

Swimming isn’t allowed for safety reasons, but you can get close enough to feel the spray from the falls.

What’s included

Your ticket covers entry fees for both attractions, air-conditioned transport all day (huge plus when it gets hot), and bottled water to keep you hydrated throughout the trip.