George And Audrey DeLange
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| Lake Catemaco From Space |
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Laguna de Catemaco (ka-te-MA-ko), the third largest lake in Mexico, is in a huge crater lake that is fed by rain waters from the surrounding hills and Cuetzalapan River. Lake Catemaco is 3.1 mi/5 km SE of San Andrés Tuxtla on highway 180. Lake Catemaco is known for its tranquility and the beauty of its natural landscape. The area has been very popular with Mexicans for generations and it supports many small hotels. The town of Catemaco and the surrounding region also is known for its witches and the witchcraft industry. In addition, people who enjoy bird watching say this is a prime area for birding. The surrounding area is home to 556 species of migratory and local birds. In April and May, herons nest on the Isla de la Garzas. (Island of the Herons). Several hundred species of bromeliad plants grow along the shores of Laguna Catemaco. One attraction of Laguna de Catemaco is the boat tour of the lake that takes visitors to see Monkey Island. Another nearby area is the Nanciyaga Ecological Park. In fact , the film 'The Medicine Man' with Sean Connery was filmed at Nanciyaga and Poza Reyna, another ecological preserve about 40 minutes from Catemaco. We decided to use the La Finca Hotel at Lake Catemaco as our base to tour the surrounding areas of San Andrés Tuxtla, Santiago Tuxtla, and the Olmec museum and ruins at Tres Zapotes. After leaving the City Of Veracruz at about 120 km Southeast of the Veracruz on highway 180 we started to see mountains on the horizon. The tallest peak we could see is the San Martin volcano which is over 5,500 feet in elevation. It is located about 25 mi/40 km NW of Catemaco, and N of San Andrés Tuxtla. After about an hours drive in the mountains through Santiago Tuxtla and then San Andres Tuxtla we arrived in Catemaco. To get to the La Finca Hotel we continued on highway 180 past the first main roadway into Catemaco. We then drove a few feet past the second roadway which takes the lake shore into the town of Catemaco. We could see La Finca Hotel just to the left (the side near the lake) off of highway 180. We are listing below some basic information about the towns in the area. Santiago Tuxtla (sahn-tee-AH-go TOOSH-tlah), a small town at the SE foot of Tuxtla Volcano, 6 mi/9.7 km WNW of San Andres Tuxtla, on Mexico Highway 180; 18°27'N 95°16'W. San Andrés Tuxtla (sahn ahn-DRAIS TOOSH-tlah), a larger city at the S foot of Tuxtla Volcano, 80 mi/129 km SE of Veracruz on Mexico Highway 180; 18°26'N 95°11'W. Catemaco (ka-te-MA-ko), a small city, on L. Catemaco, at SE foot of Tuxtla Volcano, 8 mi/12.9 km E of San Andrés Tuxtla; 18°28'N 95°10'W. We stayed at Hotel La Finca at Catemaco; Carr 180 Km 147 Catemaco, VER MEX 95870 Phone: 294-943-0322 La Finca is in our opinion the best hotel in the area. The rooms are clean, the food and service is excellent. The parking lot is very secure. Hotel La Finca offers service in English, Spanish and German. Make sure you book ahead of your visit since they are very popular with the Mexican people who are on vacation. If you wish further information they have a few links on the internet. We were at La Finca and Lake Catemaco on January 23 and 24 of 2004. All but the last two photos were taken at La Finca Hotel.
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| Audrey At La Finca Resturant | Great Mexican Food |
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| La Finca Hotel, Clean Rooms | La Finca Hotel, Comfortable Beds |
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| La Finca Pool Area | La Finca Pool Area |
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| Catemaco City From Lake | Catemaco Lake From Our Room |
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| Fisherman Near The Shore | Another Fisherman Near The Shore |
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| Catemaco Lake Panarama | Catemaco Lake Panarama |
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| Catemaco Lake Panarama | Catemaco Lake Panarama |
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| Secure Shaded Parking Area | Seed Pod Of Tree In Parking Area |
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| Papaya Near Catemaco | Closer View Of Papaya |