The most popular tourist area is Lake Catemaco, which sees the majority of its business during holidays and weekends. The oval-shaped lake is 16 kilometers (10 miles) long and is surrounded by the volcanic mountains. On the northeast side of the lake is San Martha Volcano, a special biosphere reserve. This entire region is noted for bird-watching, the most spectacular of which takes place during the fall and spring migrations.
On the northern shore is Parque Ecológico Nanciyaga, an entertaining and educational 40-hectare park with a great trail system and informed guides. It´s a New Age center of sorts with steam baths (temascal) and mud baths and a good deal of chanting. The officials here are targeting environmental restoration and have reintroduced crocodiles and turtles in the area. There are guest cabins perched on stilts on the edge of the lake.
Four communities, Lopez Mateo, Las Margaritias, Miguel Hidalgo and Sontecomapan, have formed the Ecotourism Network of the Tuxtlas to coordinate tourist visits and share information and promotion. Spending time in these villages offers excellent opportunities to enjoy birdwatching, waterfalls, rainforest biodiversity, swimming, hiking, canoeing and rock climbing, as well as learn about Mexican community life, local history, plant uses and recipes, and an interesting perspective on the role communities can play in conservation.
These are eye opening and breathtaking trips, but they are not for the faint of heart. Tourism is new to the area and accommodation and trails are rustic. Guides and staff are attentive, well trained, and knowledgeable. Nonetheless, be explicit about personal and dietary needs such as purified water or vegetarianism as some of these details may be new ideas for the community.
