My friend Madeline from Lola and Madeline and I decided to travel to Media Luna, in Rio Verde for a day-trip. Some friends of mine had visited this half moon lagoon last year and I have been eager to visit the clear dreamy pools ever since.

We decided to go on a Tuesday in an effort to beat all the crowds and man were we successful. All the photos I’ve seen of Media Luna in the past have been jam-packed with people - something I am quick to avoid. We left around 8:30 am stopping first to get gas and snacks and then starting the 2 1/2 hr drive from San Luis Potosí to Media Luna, Rio Verde. There are two ways to get to Rio Verde from San Luis Potosí, once which involves toll roads and one that does not. I always take the toll road so we went the long way (only 17 more minutes). I also know that the other one is not as safe and has a lot of steep mountain turns.

READ: The Ulitmate Guide to Driving in Mexico

Fortunately, when we arrived there was only one other family present, which means we had the place practically to ourselves. So much so that we changed into our bathing suits in the woods!

The temperature was a little cooler than expected so we were hoping that the water would be warm- sure enough, it felt like bath water. I read somewhere that the water is 30 C (86 F) all year round. We couldn’t get over how crystal clear the water was -making the depth appear much shallower than it was. As soon as we jumped into the water we were surprised to see small fish quickly congregated around our feet and nibbling our toes.

Madeline asked me if there were any alligators in Media Luna which made me think of how I never thought to research this very specific - but important detail. This made our swim a little more nerve-racking sending us into a fit of panic every time a fish took a nibble.

Note: I did ask a friend if there were any alligators and he said there is a legend that there is one that lives in the lagoon, but no one has ever seen him. I also did some research after returning home and couldn’t find anything about any alligators in Media Luna.

After a quick little swim in one of the channels, we decided to explore a little more and check out the rest of the park. We went over to the lake portion of the park where many people scuba dive. You can actually earn your certification here - making it the perfect beginners spot with over 90 feet of visibility.

We took turns jumping into the water off of the dock awing at the brilliantly green plants growing at the bottom of the lake. After swimming in the lake portion we found ourselves at another small river channel that fed into the lagoon and decided to take a dip there as well.

After spending a few hours there we decided to leave and check out the city of Rio Verde before we headed back to San Luis Potosí. We wanted to leave early so we would make it back before nightfall as it’s not recommended to drive in the area at night.

Important Details

Cost: 40 pesos for an adult entry

When to Go: Early in the day and during the week. Make sure to avoid any Mexican holidays as the grounds will likely be packed.

Where to Stay: You can actually camp right at the lagoon for 70 pesos a night or you can book a cabin. There is also plenty of accommodation just 20 minutes away in Rio Verde

Where to Eat: Typically there are plenty of food options at the site, but if you go during the off-season your options might be a little slim. I would recommend picking up some food on the way or packing a picnic.