Santa Maria del Oro Crater Lake

A Deep Green Volcanic Crater Lake Ringed By Forested Hills At About 700 M, With A Swimming And Camping Area On The Shore, Boat Rides, A Trail Around The Rim And A Small Town Of The Same Name. A Quiet Weekend Lake Close To Tepic, With Cool, Clear Water And Few Foreign Visitors · Santa Maria del Oro, Nayarit

Laguna de Santa Maria del Oro is a deep green volcanic crater lake in the highlands of Nayarit, about 60 km south-east of Tepic at roughly 700 m. Forested hills ring the water, which is cool and clear and fills an old volcanic bowl. A swimming and camping area sits on the shore, with restaurant stalls on the beach, boat rides and a trail along the rim for views down to the water. The nearby town of the same name is small and quiet. The lake suits families from Tepic, campers and anyone who likes a calm swim away from the Pacific coast. It is worth the detour for a weekday or a night under canvas, and for the rim walk. It is not worth a long trip for those who want white sand, big waves or a lively scene. Weekends are busy with local families and music; weekdays are peaceful. In warm months algae can cloud the water, and the level rises and falls with the season, so check recent photos before you come.

Laguna de Santa Maria del Oro, a volcanic crater lake about 60 km south-east of Tepic in the highlands of Nayarit; coordinates approximate, Santa Maria del Oro, Nayarit, Mexico

The lake area is open in daylight hours, and reaching the shore and the viewpoints is usually FREE or costs only a small parking or entry charge at the gate. Beach stalls and restaurants open from late morning to late afternoon and are CLOSED on many quiet weekdays and outside the holiday season. Boat rides run when the operators are on the shore and weather is fair, mostly on weekends. Camping is by arrangement with the shore administrator. Confirm hours and prices on arrival, since they change.

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