some off shore views
the natural spring pool
Los Ameles
Laguna Catemaco, Veracruz
Catemaco: January 2011
Never seen by hurrying motorists, 2 miles north of Catemaco, lie some of the most beautiful and interesting shores of
Laguna Catemaco.

Stretching from the almost undeveloped subdivision of Totonicapan to the highway turnoff to the east shore of the
Laguna, the area is overlooked by the volcanic hill Teotepec , (God's Hill in Nahuatl). Unfortunately access is severely
restricted by private property owners, but a rough shore path allows an adventurer to explore the area.

Heavy volcanic activity between 400 and 600 AD created a huge rock field extending to the shores of the Laguna. A thin
layer of soil accumulated and permitted regrowth of the jungle, still present in isolated areas of the zone.
"Los Ameles"
"Ameles" is a combination of Pibil and Nahuatl words meaning spring or source of water.

The subsurface rocks prohibited the formation of a flowing stream and instead permit accumulated crystal clear water
to percolate at the laguna's edge. Supposedly a small lake is hidden within the rocky field, but not accessible by diving.

A local fish, called pepesca, prefers to lay its eggs in flowing water and, about a week before the full moon, huge
schools of the tiny fish arrive to reproduce in the shallow rocky caverns along the shore.

Fishermen now take advantage of their presence and built and excavated more than a dozen narrow channels to form
fish traps.
After the fish spawn and begin to return to the Laguna, the net catches them, and they are then transferred to holding pens to
begin their trip to local buyers who consider them a delicacy.
A family of four brothers control the operation and work hard to delivered 5 gallon buckets of the fish to local wholsalers
for 250 pesos
Of course this is exhausting work, and a cauldron of fish stew is kept boiling  to provide stamina.
Meanwhile the children of the family are proud to show off their catches.
A short trail leads north from Los Ameles to La Alberca. A former deceased Catemaco mayor owns the surrounding area and
has enclosed part of the shore with a rock wall to create a reservoir of sparkling water.  Plans for a restaurant and a few
cabañas are at present on hold.
Kids and even adults love the small pool and the tiny fish swimming around their toes.

Boatmen returning from the nearby nature park of Nanciyaga have converted the pool wall into wash station for those
returning from Nanciyaga with mud laden faces.
access
Bed of water lillies near  the entrance to Los Ameles
The bird haven of Islas de los Garzas is in front of the area.
links
The area is about 2 miles from the center of Catemaco off the Montepio Highway. Almost a mile beyond the entrance of
Totonicapan, a rock marked "Animas" alerts to a locked gate on the trail leading to the Laguna. Park along the side of the
road. Pirata communal taxis also pass along the road. Enter the trail through the gap on its side.

In the middle the trail forks, with the north fork leading to the pool and the south leading to the entrance of Los Ameles.
There is a house on the edge of the Laguna guarded by a group of ugly dogs. Avoid them! A fence to the left has a gate
to enter the trail leading along the shore.

If you walked the trail from Totonicapan, you must cross in front of the house. Only do so, if the owner or watchman is
present.

Note: the shore trail is not recommended to anyone with a walking impediment, or children who do not walk independently.
Laguna Catemaco
Totonicapan