Montebello Lakes & Hacienda Santa Maria

A two and a half hour drive south from San Cristóbal is the Montebello Lakes area. The area is a beautiful combination of lush green pine forests and deeply coloured green and blue lakes that have formed over time in the karst scenery that dominates the area.

One of the largest and most beautiful of the lakes, Lago de Tziscao, stretches across the Mexican Guatemala border but you will have the chance to spend time exploring many of the most attractive lakes with your guide.

When you begin the return journey to San Cristóbal there is the chance to stop at Hacienda Santa Maria Parador for a spot of lunch and to enjoy the character of this beautiful and charming 19th century hacienda. The food is excellent and the hacienda commands stunning views over the local countryside, and we would highly recommend taking a walk through the gardens where they grow a range of fruit from bananas to grapefruit as well as producing their own coffee which can be enjoyed after you have finished eating.

You also have the opportunity to explore the hacienda's museum which is located in the old family chapel and which houses a small collection of religious art dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.

Please note this is not a good excursion to do from June through to the end of October during the rainy season, as the water levels of the lakes are quite high and the colours are not as vivid.