Lagunas de Montebello National Park, National park with colored lakes in Chiapas, Mexico.
Lagunas de Montebello forms a protected area with 59 lakes of varying color in the highlands of Chiapas. Pine forests surround the water bodies, which are connected by underground channels and form an extensive network of karst formations.
The area gained protected status in December 1959 and was the first of its kind in the state. Five decades later it received additional designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The lakes carry names from the Maya language that refer to colors and animals of the region. Local families use the shorelines for small picnics and traditional weekend outings.
Fifteen lakes are open to visitors and allow swimming and kayaking at selected spots. Lago Tziscao offers the most facilities and serves as a good starting point for exploration.
The mineral content in the water gives the lakes colors ranging from emerald green through turquoise to purple. This natural palette shifts depending on the season and the angle of light throughout the day.
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