Lake Comala, Colima Municipality of Comala Colima and its volcanoes
A crater lake in the forest at the foot of the Colima volcano, run by the local ejido, with boats, trails and cabins.
From Colima: 40 min by car (34 km by road) How to get there ↓
Near here
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Plan your visit to Laguna La María
Where to stay near Laguna La María
Hacienda de San Antonio Hotel · 1.8 km from the center Prices Reserva La Cofradia Hotel · 5.5 km from the center PricesTours to Laguna La María
Day trips and guided outings from Comala often include Laguna La María; with a local guide you can get there without a car.
Tours from Manzanillo
Private Chichen Itza & Yaxunah Ruins with Cenote
★ 4.8 (111) · From US$518
How to get to Laguna La María
- From Colima: about 40 min by road (~34 km)
- 17 km north of Comala
- Nearest airport: Colima (CLQ), 32 min by car to Comala
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Tours from Manzanillo, near Laguna La María
Tours, prices and ratings from Viator, checked weekly. We may earn a commission if you book.
About Laguna La María
Laguna La María is a round lake that fills an old volcanic crater, about 22 kilometers north of Comala, on the lower slopes of the Volcán de Colima. The crater is roughly 1.5 kilometers across, and over the centuries rain and runoff from the mountain filled it with water. Thick forest surrounds the shore, and on clear days the volcano's cone, only about 10 kilometers away, rises above the trees.
The lake is managed as a community tourism center by the ejido of La Becerrera, which has run it for decades, so the money you spend stays with local families. It is a peaceful place for a day out: you can rent a rowboat or kayak, walk the trails around the crater, picnic by the water, or stay overnight in cabins or a campsite.
La María is also one of the best birdwatching spots in the state, with well over a hundred species recorded. Mornings are the quietest time; afternoons in the rainy season, roughly June to October, are often misty.
How to get to Laguna La María
Drive from Colima: 40 min, 34 km
From Comala, drive north toward Suchitlán and San Antonio; the lake is about 30 to 40 minutes away on a paved road with some narrow, winding stretches. Public transport is limited, so a car or taxi is the practical option. There is a small entrance fee; check hours and cabin availability with the ejido center before going.
17 km north of Comala
Directions from Comala on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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From the nearest cities to Laguna La María
- Colima · 34 km by road, 40 min
- Ciudad Guzmán · 78 km by road, 1 h 10 min
- Tecomán · 81 km by road, 1 h 20 min
Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic or stops. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.
Before you go to Laguna La María: hours, prices and tips
- Hours
- Open every day, 8 am to 10 pm. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
- Entry
- 30 pesos per person to enter the ejido's ecotourism centre. Boats, horses, grill tables and cabins are paid separately. Food and Pleasure · checked Oct 2026
- Best time of day
- Go early: birds are most active from about 6 to 9 am, and in the rainy season fog can roll in thick from around 2 pm. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
- Best season
- November to May is dry, with clear trails and the best views of the volcano. June to October is greener and the lake is fuller, but foggier. Book cabins ahead for summer, Easter week and Christmas. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
- Guide or tour
- You explore on your own; ejido members run the boat rides on the lake. Certified birding tours from Colima city cost about 500 pesos per person, entry included. México Desconocido · checked Oct 2026
- What to bring
- Comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen and a hat for the boat; sturdy shoes and water for the longer trails, binoculars for birdwatching. México Desconocido; Food and Pleasure · checked Oct 2026
Hours and prices change, especially around holidays. Each fact links to where we checked it.
Visiting Laguna La María: what to see and do
Row a boat or paddle a kayak across the crater lake.
Walk the trails around the crater rim and through the forest.
Go birdwatching early in the morning; bring binoculars.
Look for the Volcán de Colima above the trees on a clear morning.
Stay overnight in a cabin or campsite for a quiet night in the woods.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Laguna La María
Hacienda de San Antonio Hotel · 1.8 km from the center Find on Expedia Reserva La Cofradia Hotel · 5.5 km from the center Find on ExpediaTours & activities
Day trips and guided outings from Comala often include Laguna La María; with a local guide you can get there without a car.
Rental cars
Pick up a car at CLQ (Colima): about 32 min by road to Comala, then 17 km more to Laguna La María, on your own schedule.
Flights
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Colima (CLQ), about 32 min by road from Comala, the base for Laguna La María.
Travel insurance
If you plan on swimming or kayaking at Laguna La María, check that your policy covers it: some plans leave adventure activities out.
Mobile data
Signal can drop away from Comala: download a map of the way to Laguna La María before you set out, or carry an eSIM with data.
Links open a partner site. We may earn a commission if you book, at no cost to you. Hotel names from OpenStreetMap.
Photos
When to go to Laguna La María warm
Laguna La María shares the climate of Comala, 17 km away. The best months to visit are January, February, November, and December.
Laguna La María is best for swimming and time on the water in the warmest months (March, April, and May); in the rainiest ones (July, August, and September) expect storms in the afternoon.
See the month-by-month climate of Comala
Weather in Laguna La María now and the next 7 days
Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Chance of rain is the day's highest.
Make Comala your base
Laguna La María is an easy trip from Comala, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
Closest to Laguna La María
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Laguna Carrizalillos · Lake · 6 km away
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Suchitlán · Town · 10 km away
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Volcán de Colima · Mountain · 11 km away
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Zapotitlán de Vadillo · Village · 14 km away · Jalisco
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Nevado de Colima · Mountain · 16 km away · Jalisco
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Nogueras · Town · 16 km away
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Zacualpan · Town · 16 km away
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Copala · Village · 18 km away · Jalisco
Near Laguna La María
Drive times by road from OpenStreetMap, without traffic. Times marked ~ are estimated from the straight-line distance.
Lists with Laguna La María
Lakes and Lagoons in Colima · 3 Lakes and Lagoons near Ciudad Guzmán · 4Something wrong or missing on this page? Suggest a fix or addition
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.