The Lagos de Montebello are a very beautiful, very peaceful and very quiet place. They are a great place to go hiking, camping and just relax a little away from the hustle and bustle.
I went there on a day trip because I also wanted to explore a waterfall (Las Nubes) that was supposedly ‘nearby’. I frankly completely underestimated how far it is from San Cris to the Lagos de Montebello and what a waste a day trip is, because it is simply really beautiful there. But since I had left all my stuff in San Cris and set off with only a little water, the clothes I was wearing, my camera and some food, I had no choice but to turn back. As far as I have researched, there are few to no hostels or hotels in the area, and it is not easy to get there if you just get off the bus somewhere. This means that you have to plan the whole thing a bit. But then I think it’s worth it.
Unfortunately, I at that moment didn’t have much time, so I just walked briefly through the forest by the lake and to a viewpoint I had marked and had to leave shortly afterwards because otherwise I would have missed the last bus back to San Cris. Buses only run at certain intervals there and I wanted to be back before sunset.

Go or not? My story admittedly sounds like a lot of fuss, which it was, but I also went there with the wrong mindset and completely wrong planning for the place. So, don’t go to Lagos de Montebello on your own for a day trip, because that’s complete nonsense. Instead, either take a tour or – and this is what I would do if I could turn back time – borrow a tent and a sleeping mat or something from somewhere, or find a hotel in the area and then drive there relaxed, go hiking there and take the time that the place deserves. Because the Lagos de Montebello are really beautiful. Especially for hiking and nature lovers 😊