Laguna Miramar

Introducing Laguna Miramar

Ringed by rainforest, pristine Laguna Miramar, 140km southeast of Ocosingo in the Reserva de la Biosfera Montes Azules (Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve), is one of Mexico’s most remote and exquisite lakes. Frequently echoing with the roars of howler monkeys, the 16-sq-km lake is bathtub-warm and virtually unpolluted. Rock ledges extending from small islands make blissful wading spots, and petroglyphs and a sea turtle cave are reachable by canoe.

The lake is accessible thanks to a successful ecotourism project in the Maya community of Emiliano Zapata, near its western shore. If you arrive independently, ask for the Presidente de Turismo. Through this representative you must arrange and pay for the services you need – a guide costs M$100 per day, the overnight fee is M$30, and rental of a cayuco (traditional canoe for two or three people) for exploring the lake is M$150. Drugs are forbidden in the village; alcohol is permitted for visitors’ personal consumption only.

The 7km walk from Emiliano Zapata to the lake, through milpas (cornfields) and forest that includes caoba (mahogany) and the matapalo (strangler fig) trees, takes about 1½ hours and can be very muddy – good closed shoes are highly recommended. At the lake, you may hear jaguars at night. Other wildlife includes spider monkeys, tapirs, macaws and toucans; butterflies are prolific. Locals fish for mojarra (perch), and will assure you that the lake’s few crocodiles are not dangerous.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009