Lake 33 km northwest of Jala
A round crater lake about 2 km across, ringed by forested hills, with lakeside restaurants, kayaks and cabins.
The lake of Santa María del Oro fills the crater of an old volcano in the hills north of Jala. It is almost perfectly round, about two kilometers across, and deep, with green-blue water held in by steep, wooded slopes. The water stays warm most of the year, around 25 °C, which makes it one of the most popular swimming and weekend spots in this part of Nayarit.
The road arrives at a viewpoint on the rim before dropping down to the shore, and that first look over the whole crater is one of the best views in the region. Down at the water, a ring of small restaurants serves fish from the lake and the coast, including the local favorite, chicharrón de pescado, along with ceviche and aguachile.
The lake is quiet on weekdays and lively on weekends and holidays. Visitors swim, paddle kayaks, take boat rides, walk the shore road, or stay overnight in the cabins, small hotels and campgrounds around the edge.
What to see and do
Stop at the viewpoint on the rim for the view over the whole crater before driving down.
Swim or paddle a kayak in the warm lake water.
Take a boat ride around the lake.
Eat chicharrón de pescado or aguachile at one of the lakeside restaurants.
Stay overnight in a cabin or campground to see the lake at sunrise.
Getting there
From Jala it is about an hour by car: take Highway 15 toward Tepic and follow the signs to Santa María del Oro, then continue past the town to the crater rim and down to the shore. Buses from Tepic serve the town of Santa María del Oro; from there a taxi is the easiest way down to the lake.
33 km northwest of Jala
Directions from Jala on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Laguna de Santa María del Oro
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Weather mild
Laguna de Santa María del Oro shares the climate of Jala, 33 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Make Jala your base
Laguna de Santa María del Oro is an easy trip from Jala, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Jala
-
Salto de Jomulco
· Waterfall · 3 km away
A tall waterfall near the village of Jomulco, reached by an easy walk of about a kilometer; best from June to September. -
Volcán Ceboruco
· Mountain · 8 km away
An active volcano you can drive into: a cobblestone road climbs from Jala to steaming fumaroles and black lava fields.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.