Location: Mexico Michoacán Jiménez
In the crater of an inactive volcano in Michoacán lies a lake up to 29 metres deep that changes colour with the seasons: brownish in the cold season, green to blue in the warm season.
Interesting facts
- Lake surface at 1,980 m, up to 29 m deep
- Crater up to 740 m across
- Last eruption around 25,000 years ago
- Nature reserve since 2003, Ramsar site since 2009
Why visit
- A volcanic lake that changes colour with the seasons
- Viewpoints and paved paths down to the shore
- The legend of the lake's baptism on 15 October 1550
Alberca de Los Espinos, also called Alberca de Santa Teresa, is a crater lake in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It fills the crater of an inactive volcano whose highest point reaches 2,100 metres; the crater is up to 740 metres across. According to radiocarbon dating, the last brief eruption took place around 25,000 years ago.
The semi-elliptical lake lies at 1,980 metres above sea level, is up to 350 metres wide and up to 29 metres deep. Because its water layers mix in the cold season, nutrients rise from the bottom and turn the water brown. In the warm season the plankton multiplies strongly and the lake takes on a greenish to bluish shade.
The 142-hectare area has been a nature reserve since 2003 and a Ramsar wetland of international importance since 2009. Since 2005 there have been pavilions, viewpoints, paved paths down to the shore and toilets; access is managed by the municipality of Jiménez. According to legend, the Franciscan friar Jacobo Daciano baptised the lake Santa Teresa on 15 October 1550 to drive out a demon – the feast of Saint Teresa is still celebrated on that day.
History
According to radiocarbon dating, the volcano last erupted briefly about 25,000 years ago. Tradition holds that the lake was a place of worship for Tiripeme Curicaueri; after the Spanish conquest, the Franciscan Jacobo Daciano is said to have baptised it Santa Teresa on 15 October 1550. The area became a nature reserve on 14 March 2003 and a Ramsar site on 2 February 2009. Since 2005 it has been made accessible to visitors with paths and viewpoints.
Special features
The lake changes colour with the seasons: as the water layers mix in the cold season it turns brown, and in the warm season plankton colours it green to blue. Plants in the reserve include Montezuma cypresses, copal trees and prickly pears; animals include the bobcat, grey fox and red-tailed hawk.
Map
Opens an external route planner. Please check access and opening times before you set off.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 29, 2026