Catemaco: Lagoon, Culture and Nature

Catemaco combines culture in the town with nature and traditions in the municipality. In the town, you’ll find the Museo y Centro Ceremonial El Ahijado and the Malecón de Catemaco; the Laguna Catemaco, islands and several traditions are associated with the Municipality of Catemaco. When choosing a holiday apartment, consider whether you want your trip to focus on the museum and local culture, the lagoon and landscape, or special festive days.

The Lagoon and Access to the Protected Area

In the Municipality of Catemaco, the Laguna Catemaco is 11 km wide and 8 km long, and is surrounded by lush vegetation. Tanaxpillo, also known as Isla de los Monos, is an island in the lagoon. A historical account reports that a colony of macaques was on the island and gives the year as 1979; according to the description, the macaques can swim. The lake’s dimensions and the island’s animal theme offer different points of interest for nature enthusiasts. In the municipality, Ecoturismo los Manglares de Sontecomapan offers birdwatching and interpretive walks.

Catemaco is an access point to the Reserva de la Biosfera Los Tuxtlas within the travel area: you can take a bus to the town and then continue by rural taxi to various points in the protected area. Hiking trails, cabins, restaurants and camping areas are available at ecotourism projects within the reserve. For planning purposes, these are two distinct aspects: Catemaco as an access point, and the facilities associated with these projects. If your stay is focused on activities in the protected area, allow for the onward journey by rural taxi.

Museum and Cultural Discoveries

The Museo y Centro Ceremonial El Ahijado displays 298 archaeological objects from the Nahua, Popoluca and Zoque-Popoluca cultures in 25 display cases. Alongside archaeological objects from the region, the museum houses esoteric works from the Catemaco area. Its offerings include workshops and courses for children, young people and adults, guided tours and art competitions. If a particular activity is important to your trip, check the specific dates in advance.

One visitor program offered in Catemaco includes a visit to the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Another takes you across the lagoon and through the Reserva Ecológica de Nanciyaga. This means you can choose between a religious site and a tour focused on nature. If your plans depend on one of these programs, check in advance whether it is currently operating.

Cuisine and Crafts

Carne de chango is a pork dish associated with Catemaco. In the Municipality of Catemaco, topotes, tegogolos (freshwater snails) and eel are harvested from the lake. These food traditions have different points of reference: a named pork dish and foods sourced from the lake.

Crafts in the municipality are also associated with specific materials. Jaranas are carved from a single piece of wood; jewelry is made with decorative details fashioned from snail shells and seashells. Decorative items are made from coconut shells and sand from the lake shores. This brings together different techniques and materials: working a piece of wood, using shells as jewelry decoration, and making ornaments from coconut shells and shore sand. For travelers interested in local culture, these traditions complement the museum and landscape with a look at local crafts.

Traditions and When to Visit

In the Municipality of Catemaco, the Feria de La Candelaria is celebrated on February 2. If you’re planning your trip around the fair, check the program in advance. The tradition known as “El día del brujo” is observed there on the first Friday in March. Boats carrying lit torches cross the lake toward Cerro del Mono Blanco, where a ritual takes place. These two events offer different points of reference in the calendar: a fixed date in February and a specific day of the week in March.

Another religious tradition in the municipality is the celebration of the Señora del Carmen: an image of the Virgin is taken by boat across the lagoon to Isla de Agaltepec. Alongside the festive days and nature-related themes, this tradition reveals another cultural aspect of the travel area.

Discover More Destinations

Antón Lizardo, Coatepec, Nautla, Tihuatlán, Alto Lucero, Chiltoyac, Naranjos, Boca Del Río

For the main travel overview: Veracruz.