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Municipality in Veracruz, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Catemaco is a county and city in Veracruz State, Mexico. The ecotourism is really big in the region around here. Lakes, rivers, waterfalls, Gulf of Mexico, mangroves, birdwatching, all abound and are ready for you to enjoy. Take a boat trip on Lake Catemaco or the Laguna de Sontecomapan. Check out the beaches of the gulf with coves and small bays awaiting your discovery.
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Especially at the weekend you can see this typical traditional dance at the zocalo. As a guitar is being played; someone sings and two people are dancing on a wooden platform. It is very rhythmic and well-known in Catemaco.
The big waterfall nearby the city is worth a visit. Take a taxi, or 2 buses, to get there.
No joke, Catemacos toilets seem to be a bit famous. And, indeed, the bigger, colorful ones are worth a visit.
Take a boat (Spanish: "lancha") tour over the Laguna de Catemaco and see monkeys. They offer one-person and group prices.
Do one of the tours in the great rain forest nearby. There are different kinds of tours, some require heavy preparation, some are just in a 4x4. For example, you can take a bird watch tour or make a half-day walking tour in Sontecomapan. They also offer some longer-lasting activities. For example they offer courses for identification of special tropical birds. To make sure that you'll really come, you have to pay a deposit half of the price.
Here, in the jungle, you can do some nice activities: Do a walking tour over a hanging bridge which crosses a fresh water spring. You also can make some natural mud masks and spiritual cleanings. In the restaurant the typical food out of the Tuxtla region is served. And, if you don't decide to stay in one of their cabins, you can tour with some kayaks and watch the nearby nature.
La Ola, one of Catemaco's older restaurants since 1965. Located on the shore of Lake Catemaco you can enjoy your meal with views of the laguna and its hills.
The La Casita restaurants is a popular restaurant frequented by local inhabitants. One is on Calle Matamoros and the other in Dos de Abril near Monte Pio. There are dozens of restaurants in the vicinity.
Located in the ground floor of Hotel Catemaco on the Zocalo, it serves very good Spanish food and wine.
Small, neat hotel with nice pricing.
Here some refurbishment was done. Good for the traveller with less money.
Clean, comfortable, and newly renovated hotel.
Very nice hotel on the Malecon, clean and well maintained, with a pool and a view of the lake. Its restaurant, Tierra de Tucanes, serves good local food and is one of the few restaurants on the lakefront which stays open later than 19:00.
Nice hotel in a good location.
Beautiful grounds and swimming pool area. Expensive: from M$1350 (2010).
By bus
Catemaco lies on the coastal highway about midway between Veracruz and Coatzacoalcos. ADO operates four buses per day in either direction.
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Cosoleacaque · Regional · MTT
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