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| La Barra de Sontecomapan Catemaco, Veracruz |
| La Barra, population 336 (2010), sits on the tip of a sandspit separating the Gulf of Mexico from Laguna Sontecomapan. Most of the coastal area consists of environmentally threatened sand dunes and hard scrabble cattle pastures. The small village scratches out a living from commercial fishing and catering to both local and national tourists. Numerous palapas dot the sand at the gulf inlet and beckon visitors with a plethora of fresh seafood. During Easter week, the beach turns into a circus. The rest of the year the beaches and restaurants are desolate and reserve miles of pristine shore for beach combers. For adventure take the ferry "La Panga" across the laguna and continue south, or catch a boat ride to enjoy lunch at the mini ecotourism resort of Los Amigos across from La Barra. If you bring your own gear, sport fishing is available both in the gulf and the laguna. Expect no creature comforts. I was told that a certified dive master is now resident in La Barra, (May 2011). There is a long line of snorkel depth reefs to explore, starting about 8 miles south of La Barra. Small man made hills in the area indicate pre hispanic occupation, but no artifacts have been reported. Naturally it is said that pirates are also supposed to have frequented the inlet. Until the late 1900's, La Barra served as port for steamers traveling the Veracruz coast. For a while La Barra was the shark fishing capital of Veracruz, but commercial fishing has declined considerably because of the over exploitation of the Gulf waters. Although the inland channel along the village is up to 18 feet deep, at present the Gulf inlet is shoaled and prohibits passage of deep draft boats to the Laguna of Sontecomapan. (updated May 2011) |
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| access |
| Access is via a paved, tope enriched, highway leaving from north Catemaco towards Montepio. Just past La Palma, a marked highway branches to El Real and La Barra. The first half mile is paved, the next 4 miles, are a potholed dirt road. Total about 22 miles, 1 hour. Infrequent pirata service is available from the Catemaco north station. If you use a pirata, make sure there is one returning the same day! A novel way to enjoy this "beach resort" is to take the 30 peso water taxi from the Sontecomapan docks to La Barra, bypassing 4 miles of potholes and creating a great photo opportunity. Parking is available at the docks. |
| links |
| Hotels of Catemaco La Panga Ferry Water Taxi Los Amigos Tourism in Sontecomapan and the beaches of Catemaco |
| slideshow 2008, updated 2011 |
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| 2 videos |
| off season |