| Sontecomapan and the Coast Catemaco, Veracruz |
| Tourism |
| Poza de los Enanos Spring fed swimming hole north end of Sontecomapan, 11+ miles from Catemaco Read more about the Poza |
| Los Manglares University of Veracruz mangrove reserve edges of Laguna Sontecomapan, accessible via boat from embarcadero, 11 miles from Catemaco Take a boat ride through the mangroves |
| Mojarra Chilanga commercial fish farm & restaurant before entering Sontecomapan, turnoff to south, 10 miles from Catemaco more details |
| Embarcadero Boat docks and "Port of Catemaco" north end of Sontecomapan, 11 miles from Catemaco more details |
| Las Cabañas ecotourism facilty, designed for groups north of Sontecomapan, 11.6 miles from Catemaco Visit Las Cabañas |
| La Panga - 100 pesos boat towed ferry between La Barra & La Chorrera laguna side of La Barra, 22 miles from Catemaco Take the ferry |
| Water Taxi - 50 pesos rental boat between Sontecomapan & La Barra docks at embarcadero, 11 miles from Catemaco Ride the taxi |
| Hotels |
| Places |
| Beaches |
| Hotel Playa Escondida Playa Escondida 14 or more rooms terrible condition Parador Icacos Playa Jicacal 8rooms, restaurant, camping 20 pesos parking for visitors Cabañas Maritza La Barra primitive, but on the beach |
| Rancho Los Amigos across from La Barra accessible only by boat cabañas, rooms, restaurant Paraiso Real El Real cabañas, kayaks near La Barra |
| Hotel Sontecomapan Sontecomapan, Catemaco parking, near restaurants. Ecobiosfera Dos Amates, Catemaco between Catemaco & Sontecomapan cabañas, cuartos, tourist guide Las Cabañas Sontecomapan ecotourism group north of the town |
| on the Gulf |
| near the Laguna |
| For current hotel information please visit Hotels in Catemaco |
| During the off season, it is difficult to find an open place. In La Barra La Sirenita is usually open, plus a few more shacks and palapas. The restaurant across the lagoon in the hotel Rancho Los Amigos is another good option. In Sontecomapan There are several restaurants around the pier in Sontecomapan not worth mentioning, except for one on one side of thePoza de Enanos, which serves excellent seafood siup, but unfortunately has a very loud jukebox. In Jicacal - Playa Escondida The restaurant of Parador Icacos is usually open. For 7 years I have never seen anyone eating at Playa Escondida. |
| Restaurants |
| Rancho Los Amigos Ecotouristic hotel with trails and gardens, cabañas, hammocjs and a restaurant Only accessible by boat from Sontecomapan or La Barra More details soon |
| Activities |
| on the Laguna |
| The touristically highly viable area of Laguna Sontecomapan and the Catemaco coast Sontecomapan is largely undeveloped due to poor access roads, lack of interest by large landowners and ineffective government. Tourism in the area is accommodated by a very basic hotel in the town of Sontecomapan, and several ventures of "ecotourism" in Jicacal, El Real and La Barra. Activities include eating seafood, boat tours, exploring mangroves, beach walks, bird watching, kayaking, snorkeling and eating more seafood. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Playa Escondida Name: Spanish "hidden beach" Access: off Catemaco - Montepio highway, 19 miles more details |
| Parador Icacos Description: working ranch on the beach with shabby hotel and restaurant Name: Spanish & Nahautl "cocoplum inn" Facilities: rooms, restaurant, camping Access: off Catemaco - Montepio highway, 18 miles more details |
| Playas de Jicacales Description: inaccessible beach, stream and small hill Name: Nahuatl "calabash beaches" Access: long walk from either La Barra or Parador Icacos, beach is usually firm enough to drive more details |
| La Barra de Sontecomapan Description: sandspit between Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Sontecomapan Facilities: lodging, restaurants, boat rental, ferry Access: off Catemaco - Montepio highway, exit near La Palma, 22 miles from Catemaco more details |
| La Chorrera Description: hill, boat & ferry dock, and tiny beach across from La Barra Name: Mexican Spanish "place with a lot of water" Facilities: ferry dock Access: boat or ferry from La Barra |
| Calpultéotl - aka Calpultéolt, Capulteolt Description: hamlet below small hill with long beach Name: Nahuatl "God's village" Facilities: restaurant Access: ferry from La Barra, then almost 2 miles dirt road east more details soon |
| Playa El Morro Description: cattle ranches and sand dunes along beach Name: Spanish "Beach of the small rocky hill"" Access: ferry from La Barra, then almost 3 miles dirt road east |
| Punta Los Morritos Name: Spanish "small rocky hill point" Facilities: 0 Access: 1 1/2 mile dirt road from La Chorrera |
| El Carrizal Description: working ranch at junction of El Carrizal river and the gulf Name: Spanish "the reed" Facilities: 0, river boat tour possible, low tide fording to more southern beaches is possible Access: ferry from La Barra, then almost 4 miles dirt road east more details soon |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |