Lagos de Montebello

At the park entrance the paved road forks. The left fork leads to the Lagunas de Colores (Colored Lakes). At Laguna Bosque Azul, the last lake along that road, there's a café; it may be humble, but it's a nice change from all the food stalls set up near every lake with a parking lot. Small boys will offer a 45-minute horse-riding expedition to a cave within the forest. You can also tour the lake in a rowboat (about $5).

The right fork in the road at the park entrance leads past various lakes to Lago Tziscao and, just outside the park boundaries, a village of the same name. A restaurant near the shore has a spectacular view of the lake, where a 30-minute boat ride costs $2.50 per person.

Although various buses travel to and between the lakes, the tourist office recommends booking a tour in Comitán or San Cristóbal to be safe. Although it isn't common, tourists have been robbed while walking from one lake to another. Several police checkpoints are in the area, so bring your passport.