Cráter Laguna de Aljojuca | Informal Campsite
Mexico
Details
- Verified:
- 4 months ago
- GPS:
- 19.09261, -97.53016
- Altitude:
- 2369.3 masl
- Website:
- None
- Contributor:
-
Gran Viaje
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- Yes
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- Natural Source
- Toilets:
- No
- Big Rig Friendly:
- Yes
- Tent Friendly:
- Yes
- Pet Friendly:
- Yes
Something not right?
Description
Beautiful and free lakeside camping. Register at local police station before heading down to lake (we have added location to map). Restaurant at lakeside is open until 7 with cheap tacos and beer. Looks like the local party spot on weekends but was quiet midweek.
Police provided number to the station to call if anything happens, or even if we see any other people past 7 and they would arrive in 10 minutes. Don’t camp without registration or they’ll probably come down to kick you out!
I checked in with the police before descending to the lake as advised - and was told that as I was an unaccompanied female I couldn't camp down there as there were sometimes 'delinquencias'.. Maybe this would be a case of asking for forgiveness rather than permission! Went down for the evening though and the police rounded me up and herded me back out once it got dark, so maybe it wouldn't make much difference.. They were very friendly though and offered me the car park in front of the police station instead, which was peaceful enough.. Went down to the lake at first light and had it to myself for a couple of hours; it's gorgeous. Beware of the soft sand right by the lake side; I got stuck in it! The friendly guy at the food stand called for the police to come and help me out (maybe that's why they didn't want me staying down there alone!) - the police number given in one of the comments here wasn't operational.
Photos
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Latest Check-Ins
Lol @ ‘no words’ - the village is mostly standard Mexico concrete-ugly bar the technicolour church. As with many (most?) beauty spots in Mexico the crater’s natural beauty has been ruined by the hands of man - derelict structures by the lake, ugly structures overhanging the edge, light and noise pollution from the mirador - traffic until 2am and from 5am - and to top it all off, some a-hole letting off machine-gun bursts of bangers/fireworks every 10 minutes from 6am to 6.30am. Very disappointed.
Report Check-InLol @ ‘no words’. It’s an interesting spot but, like much of Mexico, its natural beauty has been ruined by the hands of man. Derelict structures by the lake, an ugly concrete framed structure overhanging the edge, light and noise pollution from the road at the mirador (traffic until 2am and from 5am) and to top it all off some a-hole letting off machine-gun bursts of bangers/fireworks every 5-10 minutes from 6am to 6.30am.
Report Check-InWe cyclists asked permission and policeman told us to camp next to the surveillance camera down by the lake and they would keep an eye out, got his personal mobile number just in case. Can be noisy with banging fireworks being fired from the other side of the crater rim(people told us it was for festivities) but at least it's safe and there is a patch of grass to camp on! Surface water looks filterable and was also safely reachable by foot from the camp site for a quick body and dish rinse.
Report Check-InSame as on our way down, we stoped at the police station to tell them we were going to stay a night in the crater. Always as welcoming! And there is an other family here as well.
Report Check-InNot a bad spot at all but: lots of trash, gunshots/fireworks thru out the night (we asked the cops what it was and they said it’s park of religious celebrations).
We checked in at the police station (didn’t seem like we needed to), they took our info and gave us their number. They never sent a patrol. A couple of hours after we parked 3 cops showed up, they didn’t seemed to be aware we were staying for the night, seems like they were from a different detachment than the local cops at the station in the village. They did say it was fine.
Overall we had an ok night. Not sure we would stay here more than one night
We stayed here for one night. The spot itself was nice with the view of the lake and whatnot. Though there was a lot of trash. We checked in with the police like everyone said and it was fine for us to stay. They gave us their phone number and did a number of patrols throughout the night (they woke us up each time which was unnecessary, but better safe than sorry I guess). The thing that kind of ruined the place for us though was someone kept shooting (fireworks? guns?)- we think they just liked the sound of the echo in the crater but it was annoying and upset our dog. :(
Report Check-InOMG! no words! the village, the route to come down the crater and the turquoise lake!!
we did as said previously. we headed down to the station to ask permission and we didn't need (but better be safe then sorry). they escorted us to the crater and gave us there number if we have any problem or wanted food tomorrow!
Super nice people everywhere!!
pictures to come!
Malheureusement, un énorme tope « maison » nous empêcher de passer avec notre camping-car. Une voiture y arrive difficilement. Un 4x4 y arrive bien. On a pu voir le cratère depuis le haut de la route. On peut se garer tout près de l’église rouge qui surplombe le cratère.
Report Check-InSo it’s cosed right now for camping because covid we slept at the first villages center square súper relax cops said it was fine
Report Check-InThis spot is a great find! Thanks Gran Viaje! We stayed two nights here at this peaceful lakeside park (Saturday and Sunday) Because it's in a crater, you are some 200ft below town level, but the switch back road down to the park is well paved. Families, fishermen, farmers, and police come by to hang out or graze their animals. We parked in a well treed area with a view of the lake. The lake itself is great for swimming, and a little cool, like a Canadian lake. There's a little beach, but the water gets deep quick, so if you can't swim use your own discretion.
Both nights people cleared out by 7:30 and we had super quiet, safe nights. Gran Viaje suggests to go to the cop shop to register and we did, but they seemed surprised that we bothered and they didn't have a formal registry for campers. They did give us the direct line to the station, though. 254-452-1470. We had ZERO problems and didn't need to use it. Also, since the police swing by to check on things daily, you can probably just ask them when they're around if you feel inclined.
The lake has a trail around it if you want to go for a run or stroll. There is also a small playground and little restaurant with porto-baños on the weekends. We didn't see a 5 Pesos sign, so maybe they're free? We didn't see the baños when we cleared out Monday afternoon, so maybe they just haul them in for the weekend crowds.
This spot is special and FREE, so please do everyone a favour and leave it cleaner than you found it.
We registrate us at the police station. The lady there was very friendly.
It was Saturday and up to now 6 p.m. It is very quiet at the lake. But there was no restaurant. The police waked us at 3 a. m. only for the question "Esta bien"
Beautiful and free lakeside camping. Register at local police station before heading down to lake (we have added location to map). Restaurant at lakeside is open until 7 with cheap tacos and beer. Looks like the local party spot on weekends but was quiet midweek.
Police provided number to the station to call if anything happens, or even if we see any other people past 7 and they would arrive in 10 minutes. Don’t camp without registration or they’ll probably come down to kick you out!