Lake 17 km north of Comala
A crater lake in the forest at the foot of the Colima volcano, run by the local ejido, with boats, trails and cabins.
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.
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.
Getting there
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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Places to stay in Laguna La María
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Weather warm
Laguna La María shares the climate of Comala, 17 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec.
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.
More around Comala
-
Nogueras
· Town · 2 km away
A former sugar hacienda next to Comala, now home to the museum of painter Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo and his pre-Hispanic collection. -
Zona Arqueológica El Chanal
· Archaeological site · 7 km away
Ruins of a large town on the Colima River that flourished around 1100–1400, with platforms, plazas and a ball court. -
Zona Arqueológica La Campana
· Archaeological site · 7 km away
The largest pre-Hispanic city of the Colima valley: stepped platforms, shaft tombs and a ball court with the volcano behind. -
Suchitlán
· Town · 8 km away
An indigenous village above Comala known for its carved wooden masks and the Danza de los Morenos. -
Volcán de Colima
· Mountain · 26 km away
One of Mexico's most active volcanoes, towering over Comala; the summit area is off-limits, but it is a dramatic sight from the valley.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.