Lake Cote

Lake Cote, originally known as Lake Cóter, is a freshwater crater lake located in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It is known to be the largest natural lake in Costa Rica. If you’re looking for a more “off the beaten path” place to visit in Costa Rica or if you’re into the more weird and curious destinations, this might just be the perfect place for you.

Lake Cote holds great cultural importance, particularly to the indigenous Maleku communities who bestowed the lake its name. The lake has a heart-like ovoid shape, and for that earned the name “Cote”, because in Maleku, Coter or Cote means peace and love. The shape of the lake alone inspires many photographers to take pictures of it from above. One of the very special reasons that make this lake famous is a picture taken above it on 4 September 1971, during an aerial survey by the National Geographic Institute of Costa Rica. In the picture, there was a strange object that looks like a UFO (See picture below).

Lake Cote is more of a scenic destination as there really isn’t anything to do at the lake itself. Just follow the route and drive around the lake, take pictures and soak in the arrestingly beautiful view.