El Chiflón Waterfalls & Montebello Lakes Day Trip

The lakes shift color from pale blue to violet and emerald depending on where you stand.

A full-day tour from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to El Chiflón Waterfalls and Montebello Lakes National Park, visiting four to six lakes and a series of waterfalls including the Bridal Veil drop. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional guide in English or Spanish, national park fees and a driver. The journey to the first stop takes about three hours from San Cristóbal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Comitán2h · entry included
2. El Chiflón Waterfalls2h · entry included

Visit waterfalls and lakes in Chiapas

• Admire El Chiflon Waterfalls
• Reach Bridal Veil waterfall viewpoint
• Explore 4 to 6 Montebello Lakes
• Enjoy views of reed valley and jungle

The experience

The day centers on two distinct landscapes. Montebello Lakes National Park, Chiapas's first national park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2009, holds four to six interconnected lakes whose colors shift from pale blue to violet, emerald and turquoise depending on the soil composition, vegetation and light at the bottom. You walk past reed valleys, mountains and tropical jungle thick with orchids, bromeliads, juniper, cedar and mahogany. The second half takes you to El Chiflón Waterfalls, where a series of cascades leads to the Bridal Veil waterfall: a single drop of over 300 feet that you can reach by climbing to the mountain's highest point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is the professional guide and all national park fees. The driver handles the route, and the guide narrates in English or Spanish depending on which version you book. The full day runs 14 hours from pickup to return, though the drive to the first stop alone is roughly three hours. Weather can affect the trip. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can reschedule for another date or receive a partial refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• national park fees.
• driver for the full day.

Options for this experience

3 options

Spanish Version07:00The tour is conducted in Spanish by a guide, who gives explanations throughout the trip. Pickup is included.

English VersionUp to 15 people · 07:00A monitor or guide accompanies the group throughout the tour, providing explanations in English along the way. Pickup is included.

Private Tour EspañolUp to 6 people · Guide in English or Spanish · 07:00Private service: includes private ground transportation. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ecoexperiencias

Is this one for you?Pick English for narration throughout the day, or Spanish if that's your language. The full-day format lets you visit both parks in one trip rather than splitting them across separate days.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What are the Montebello Lakes actually like when you get there?

Montebello Lakes are a series of four to six connected lakes in a national park, each one a different shade of blue, violet, emerald or turquoise because of the mineral content and vegetation at the bottom. You walk past reed valleys and tropical jungle with orchids and cedar trees. The colors shift as you move around the lakes and the light changes.

Can I book this tour in English, or is it Spanish only?

You can choose either English or Spanish when you book. A professional guide leads the tour in whichever language you select, and a driver handles transport for the full 14 hours.

How high is the El Chiflón waterfall you actually climb to?

El Chiflón Waterfalls is a series of cascades, and the highest one, the Bridal Veil waterfall, has a drop of over 300 feet. You can reach the top of the mountain to stand at the edge and feel the spray and breeze from the fall.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring money for?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the professional guide, national park entry fees and the driver are all included. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash or card for meals and water during the 14-hour day.

How long is the drive from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to the first stop?

The journey to the first location is about three hours from San Cristóbal. Exact drive times depend on the time of day and traffic conditions, and the full day including both sites and return transport runs 14 hours.