Mexico is far better known for its beaches than its lakes — yet the country is laced with extraordinary inland waters, from the vast highland sea of Chapala to crystal-clear crater lakes, the ghostly remains of the Aztec lakes beneath Mexico City, world-record bass reservoirs and glowing pink salt lagoons. This is your complete guide to the lakes of Mexico: where they are, which are the biggest, the many different kinds, and the very best ones to visit, with in-depth guides to each.
What and where are Mexico’s lakes?
Most of Mexico’s great natural lakes lie across its volcanic highlands — the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt that runs east to west through the centre of the country, cradling lakes in old craters and tectonic basins from Jalisco through Michoacán to Veracruz. Alongside these are the immense reservoirs (presas) built on the rivers of the north and the border, the salty remnants of the ancient lakes of the Valley of Mexico, and the coastal lagoons of the tropics. Together they offer everything from sailing and trophy fishing to birdwatching, Day-of-the-Dead pilgrimages and simply floating in impossibly blue water.
The biggest lakes in Mexico
The largest natural lake in Mexico is Lake Chapala in Jalisco, covering around 1,100 km² — a true inland sea and the heart of one of the country’s biggest expat communities. Second is shallow, shrinking Lake Cuitzeo in Michoacán, followed by famous Lake Pátzcuaro and the rainforest lake of Catemaco. Several of the country’s biggest bodies of water, however, are man-made reservoirs — the international border lakes of Falcon and Amistad on the Rio Grande among the largest of all.
The different types of Mexican lakes
- Volcanic & crater lakes — deep, clear highland lakes in old volcanic basins, such as Zirahuén and Catemaco.
- Reservoirs (presas) — man-made lakes for water, power and recreation, from Valle de Bravo to the great bass reservoirs of the north.
- The ancient Valley-of-Mexico lakes — the drained or vanished waters the Aztec world was built on, like Texcoco, Xochimilco and Chalco.
- Border reservoirs — the huge international lakes shared with the United States, Amistad and Falcon.
- Salt & disappearing lakes — saline and seasonal waters such as the below-sea-level Laguna Salada and the pink salt lagoons of Las Coloradas.
Mexico’s lakes by region
Jalisco is dominated by Lake Chapala and its lakeside expat towns near Guadalajara. Michoacán is the great lake state — Pátzcuaro, Cuitzeo and Zirahuén all lie near Morelia. The Valley of Mexico holds the ancient lakes of Xochimilco, Texcoco and Chalco. Sinaloa and Tamaulipas are bass-fishing country, with legendary reservoirs like El Salto, Comedero, Baccarac and Lake Guerrero. The north and Baja hold the border lakes and the desert Laguna Salada, while the Gulf and tropics give us Catemaco and the turquoise lagoon of Bacalar.
What to do at Mexico’s lakes
Mexico’s lakes are as varied as their settings. The reservoirs of Sinaloa and the border are among the best trophy bass-fishing waters on earth; Valle de Bravo and Tequesquitengo are made for sailing and watersports; Pátzcuaro offers the country’s most moving Day of the Dead; and the shallow lakes draw clouds of migratory birds. For pure swimming magic, do not miss the Yucatán’s sinkholes — see our companion guide to the cenotes of Mexico.
The best lakes in Mexico to visit
Ready to explore? Here are our in-depth guides to the most beautiful and interesting lakes in the country:
- Lake Chapala — Mexico’s largest lake and its great expat-retirement haven near Guadalajara.
- Lake Pátzcuaro — Janitzio island and the world’s most famous Day of the Dead.
- Lake Xochimilco — the UNESCO canals and floating gardens of Mexico City.
- Valle de Bravo — the capital’s sailing, paragliding and weekend lake.
- Lake Catemaco — the rainforest lake of witches and monkey islands.
- Tequesquitengo — watersports, skydiving and a sunken church.
- Lake Zirahuén — a small, pristine, clear-blue highland gem.
- Lake Cuitzeo — the second-largest lake, crossed by a highway and full of birds.
- El Salto, Comedero & Baccarac — Sinaloa’s world-class trophy bass reservoirs.
- Amistad & Falcon — the giant international lakes on the Rio Grande.
- Texcoco & Chalco — the ancient, drained lakes beneath Mexico City.
- Las Coloradas & Bacalar — the pink salt lagoons and the Lagoon of Seven Colors in the Yucatán.
Frequently asked questions about the lakes of Mexico
What is the largest lake in Mexico?
Lake Chapala in Jalisco is the largest natural lake in Mexico, covering roughly 1,100 km² on the border of Jalisco and Michoacán.
What is the second-largest lake in Mexico?
Lake Cuitzeo in Michoacán is the second-largest natural lake by area, though it is very shallow and shrinking.
What types of lakes does Mexico have?
Volcanic and crater lakes, man-made reservoirs (presas), the ancient lakes of the Valley of Mexico, international border reservoirs, and salt or seasonal lakes — plus the coastal lagoons and the Yucatán’s cenotes.
Which Mexican lake is best for fishing?
The reservoirs of Sinaloa (El Salto, Comedero, Baccarac) and the border lakes (Amistad, Falcon, Lake Guerrero) are among the best trophy largemouth bass lakes in the world.
Which lake in Mexico is best for Day of the Dead?
Lake Pátzcuaro in Michoacán, where the Purépecha hold a famous candle-lit vigil on the island of Janitzio on 1–2 November.
Are any of Mexico’s lakes disappearing?
Yes — several, including Cuitzeo and Pátzcuaro, are shrinking from drought and water use, and the historic lakes of the Valley of Mexico were largely drained centuries ago.
What is the difference between a lake, a lagoon and a cenote in Mexico?
A lake is an inland body of water; a lagoon (laguna) is usually a shallow coastal body often linked to the sea; and a cenote is a natural sinkhole exposing fresh groundwater in the Yucatán.
Which Mexican lake is best for a weekend from Mexico City?
Valle de Bravo (sailing and paragliding) and Tequesquitengo (warm-water watersports) are the two classic weekend lakes within a couple of hours of the capital.
