Camping, tourism, wilderness, trekking
On the altiplano high above Huehuetenango and down a series of dirt roads lies Laguna Magdalena. Although a small lake, the uniqueness of this place is enough to captivate any visitor. Picture a narrow canyon cascading with a series of little waterfalls that feed a crystal clear, super clean lake. Now add an infinity edge, and you have Laguna Magdalena.
Ascending the mountains to this area from Huehuetenango City is no small task, and requires nearly an hour of driving at a 45 degrees angle. A van will take you out of Huehue for about 20Q and drop you at a lonely intersection near a couple stores north of Capellania. From there, walk, hitchhike, or pay your way through ~19 kilometers of backroad. Most of the terrain is flat, but at least 2-3 significant hills separate you from Magdalena.
Once you arrive in Magdalena, you’ll be asked to pay ~25Q to enter the park area. Some cabins are available if you call ahead of time, but there are also a few shelters you can camp in close to the Laguna. Be prepared for rain and cold here, as this is a wet climate at high elevation. There are also bathrooms on site, but backcountry style...
In town there are a couple of different tiendas where you can buy basics like water, eggs, instant noodles, beans, and yogurt. The house close to the parking lot will cook breakfast if you ask. Fresh food is probably best acquired in Capellania or Huehuetenango.
Around the lake you can climb to a viewpoint, investigate a cenote, and walk past Magdalena to see a super high waterfall and the elaborate pipe work supplying valley villages far below with water. The cenote is probably best for swimming, but I wouldn’t wander too far past the big waterfall—the area is narrow trails total a long way down.
Overall, Laguna Magdalena is a good place to explore and relax, if you are prepared for cold nights. The Laguna is relatively small, but the trip there is half the fun. You’ll see many agave plants, sheep, and dramatic landscapes. Keep in mind this is a difficult location to reach, so familiarize yourself with transit options.
Come to Laguna Magdalena for beautiful, clean water, its unique cenote and infinity feature, and fresh mountain air. You can camp or reserve a cabin, do some light hiking and disconnect—there is no cell reception here.
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