Exploring Southern Veracruz State (part 4) - Veracruz-smile.com

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Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve Declared a Protected Area in 1979, this mountainous region is one of Mexico’s most biodiverse ecological treasures. The Reserve is centered on the San Martín Volcano, with mountainous terrain between 3300 and 5,600 feet altitude. The centerpiece (literally) in the San Martin Volcano, the highest peak in the region. There are three craters, countless streams, and ideal (humid) conditions for a proliferation of plant and animal species. For guide services to explore this region, look into the directory at www.mexicosagaz.com. The smiling stat CATEMACO continues Exploring North: Lake Catemaco Hollywood producers. Several major films have been shot here including Medicine Man (starring Sean Connery) and more recently Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto. Consider staying at, or stopping by the charming, 1950’s style La Finca Resort & Spa. The junior suites are named after famous actors. The town of Catemaco (population: 30,000) is located on the lake’s western shore. The tree-shaded city slopes gently toward the lake. Two blocks up from the waterfront is an attractive Plaza (zócalo), with its delightful Iglesia del Carmen and municipal palace. This colorful church has an ornately painted interior, while blue and silver accents highlight the golden stucco exterior. Note: In front of the palace, notice the ancient stone carved blocks that almost litter the sidewalk . It’s as if they had so many they didn’t know where to put them! Two blocks down from the zócalo is the malecón or boardwalk -- alive with restaurants, merchant stalls and hawkers enticing visitors onto boat tours. A two-hour shoreline/island tour costs around $6 US per person and is among the state’s highlights. For lake swimming, there are sandy beaches just a short walk north from downtown. Catemaco has a number of nurseries growing a wide variety of ornamental plants, fruit trees and medicinal herbs. It is said that one thousand types of bromeliad grow along the shores of Catemaco. Floating water lilies dot the lake’s surface and several inlets are carpeted by flowering aquatic plants. Hotels in Catemaco include the 3-star Del Brujo (in town) and the lakeside 4-star La Finca (www.lafinca. com.mx) and 4-star Playa Azul (www.hotelplayaazul.com.mx). Note: La Finca is the most complete and comfortable with a spa, lakeside pool, swimming beach and a good restaurant. Mel Gibson lived here for some four months while filming Apocalypto in 2005. Lake Tours To experience the lake from the water, there are dozens of boats to rent (literally on-demand) from different points around the lake. The per-person cost is usually around $6 US or $45US if you want a private tour. A typical trip goes something like this… Your panga will cruise from the waterfront of Catemaco City to the north shore, a zone rich in mineral springs. The most famous are those of Coyame, which provide mineral water for beverages with reputed medicinal benefits. Along the shore you’ll also see sandy beaches, birds of all sizes and colors (some nesting in the small islets), and enormous floating patches of water lilies. CONTENTS SEARCH VIEW PRINT EXIT NEXT > < BACK IV-6
LAKE CATEMACO continues The Parque Ecológico Nanciyaga is a mandatory stop for most lake tours. Located just 7 kms (4.3 miles) from Catemaco and reachable by car or taxi, this ecological reserve/Olmec-themed jungle walk is where the movie Medicine Man was filmed. While a bit contrived and commercial, the park includes guided jungle tours past Olmec ceremonial replicas, temazcals, a spa, mineral water well, an amphitheater with occasional musical performances, and a shaman’s hut for limpias. Within the park, there are ten simple lakeside cabanas for rent. There is also a good restaurant, gift shop and kayak rentals. The 30-minute walking tour costs 30 pesos (about $3 US) per person, but there are plenty of chances to drop some dinero along the way. The park is open daily 9am -6pm; tel. 52-294-943-0199; www.nanciyaga.com. The site claims to be “the most northerly patch of tropical rainforest on the planet.” From here, you’ll likely cross to the Isla Tanaxpi (also known as the Island of Monkeys). The island is home to about 60 red-faced monkeys The smiling stat brought from Thailand in the 1970s by the University of Veracruz for “research”. Despite attempts to leave them in peace, an armada of boats visit throughout the day, filled with camera clicking, tortilla tossing vacationers. Despite the disruption, the colony is quite healthy. They keep reproducing and university staff monitors their habitat. From here the basic tour returns to Catemaco’s waterfront. Departing Catemaco take a detour to experience the awesome Salto de Eyipantla, a 40-meter-wide (130 feet), 50-meter-tall (160 feet) waterfall of exceptional beauty. The drive from Catemaco winds past simple roadside villages and tobacco fields where wooden sheds are used to cure the leaves with the heat of the sun. Park at the entrance to the waterfall and descend Exploring: Lake Catemaco, San Andrés Tuxtla some 170 steps to get an unforgettable view of this magnificent cascade. There’s also a trail along the waterfall’s rim (used by Mel Gibson in Apocalypto) with thrilling views of the river. SAN ANDRES TUXTLA 12 km from Lake Catemaco San Andrés Tuxtla (12 kms/7.4 miles west of Catemaco; pop. 60,000) is a bustling city and regional capital. Highlighted by the San Andres River, this area is famous for its beautiful tropical rainforests that have inspired poets, musicians, and painters. The economy is based on the farming of beans, corn, plantain, coffee, and tobacco. Its provincial atmosphere and handsome old homes provide the backdrop to a bustling modern city with pleasant, hospitable people who hold tight to their customs and traditions. There’s not much in the way of tourism attractions, but take the opportunity to soak up some small town Mexican life and purchase some premium Mexican puros (cigars). Premium-quality leaves make it possible to manufacture internationally famous cigars. The Cruz Real and Santa Clara factories on the outskirts of town offer free tours. This is Mexico’s cigar capital and affordable, good quality puros are a real treat. CONTENTS SEARCH VIEW PRINT EXIT NEXT > < BACK IV-7
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Exploring Southern Veracruz State (part 4) - Veracruz-smile.com

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