| on the Laguna |
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| Laguna Catemaco in southern Veracruz is a lake formed when eruptions closed a valley between 2 major volcanoes. The lake is heavily fished and provides a livelihood for more than 1000 fishermen. The most popular catch is "pepescas", about the size of a big fat guppy. The laguna is mostly fed by streams along its eastern shore arising from the Sierra Santa Marta. Its only dammed outlet is the Rio Grande de Catemaco. The laguna is vaguely round with a circumference of 31 miles. It is generally shallow, averaging less than 25 feet, with some deep spots topping 70 feet. Tourism is mostly congregated along the Malecon of the city of Catemaco, featuring more than 100 boats scurrying across the lake to see monkeys. There are 6 hotels directly on the lake, plus an ecotouristic installation at Las Margaritas. Because of its geologic isolation, the laguna waters harbor many endemic species, among them the so called "Catemaco Molly", a favorite among aquarium enthusiasts. |
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| Laguna Catemaco Catemaco, Veracruz |
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| For more attractions around Catemaco, please see the menu to the left. For hotel and restaurant information, please see: Catemaco Hotels. For more in depth information, please see: Municipio of Catemaco. |
| Isla Agaltepec A pre-Cortes place of worship now recycled as a howler monkey reserve. Name comes Pipil and Nahuatl: "Canoe Hill", also know as crocodile island because of its shape, not open to the public. Read more about Isla Agaltepec |
| La Casa del Aleman Description: Husk of an old hacienda home built in the late 1800's in La Victoria, means "house of the German". Destroyed in 2009 by the local mayor to erect a community hall with his name on it. Read the history of the Casa del Aleman. |
| Prashanti Hotel and somewhat of a yoga theme park, 11 miles from Catemaco. In Sanscrit name means "supreme peace" Services: rooms, cabañas, pool, intermittent restaurant, temazcal, yoga instructions Visit the Prashanti website |
| Description: private nature reserve, theme park and hotel, 5 miles north of Catemaco Name: Nahuatl, "place of the nance trees" (sort of like yellow cherries) Access: Catemaco - Coyame highway, then 1/2 mile of dirtroad, 5 miles north of Catemaco Visit Nanciyaga |
| La Jungla - 30 pesos Description: daytime resort, campground, next to Nanciyaga. Name: Spanish "the jungle" Services: campground, pools, toboggan, intermittent restaurant. No more info! |
| Flor de Catemaco Foliage grower on 400 acres, 5.4 miles north of Catemaco, name means "flower of Catemaco" Founded in 1989 by gringos, exports almost all of its products Sponsors educational tours but 8,7 km northeast of Catemaco, generally not open to the public. |
| El Teterete Daytime resort mostly on weekends, also offers hostel rooms and limited camping. 6+ miles from Catemaco in Pozolapan. In English the name means "striped basilisk" also know as the Jesus lizard because it walks on water. Visit El Teterete. |
| Rancho Bahia Escondida Daytime resort, campground, and limited hotel service, 7 miles from Catemaco in Pozolapan Name: means "hidden bay ranch", caters primarily to backpackers Visit Bahia Escondida. |
| Left over monkeys from an abandoned research project are Catemaco's second most popular attraction. Read more about a trip to the monkey islands |
| Mártires de Río Blanco Resort for a Mexican government welfare agency (DIF) Name stands for "Martyrs of the Rio Blanco" (Victims of suppressd strike in 1907) In Tebanca: 9.5 miles northeast of Catemaco |
| Arroyo Agrio Spring water bottler, 3.5 miles north of Catemaco. Name means in Spanish, "bitter water creek", Supposed archaeological site from Teotihuacan epoch 300 - 800AD Stop by for a visit and get a taste of slightly bitter water |
| Coyame Mineral Water iMineral water bottler, 7+ miles northeast of Catemaco Name means "peccary" (small wild pig) in Nahuatl, US entrepreneur started the plant 30-50 years ago. Taste the water from a spigot by the road, or visit the plant. |
| Waterfall and swimming hole, 7.9 miles northeast of Catemaco Name: Nahuatl, enchanted river out of water much of the year |
| north shore of the Laguna |
| northeast shore of the Laguna |
| southeast of the Laguna |
| Las Margaritas Community Ecotourism Complex, 13 miles from Catemaco. Features archaeological ruins and sculptures, bat cave, small waterfall, Offers rooms, una cabaña, restaurant on demand, boat rental, guides Visit Las Margaritas |
| Name of the pueblo means "the future and the Punta means "tip of the nose". Nearby pre-hispanic monoliths, and unmarked hiking trail to Las Margaritas. More details mañana. |
