Catemaco Lagoon

This picturesque lake lies in the crater of a dormant volcano. The hot and humid climate attracts many birds such as parrots and toucans. A few crocodiles also inhabit its waters. The best way to get there is by boat. They depart from the dock around Catemaco and Tenaxpillo Island, home to a colony of monkeys brought from Thailand (I never knew why). We approach as part of a banana-feeding ritual, however, they tend to ignore all annoying tourists so insistent on taking food. The two ecological parks on the northern shore of the lake can only be accessed by car or boat. The most interesting, Nanciyaga, is a large strip of rainforest where we can participate in pre-Columbian rituals such as Temazcal (steam bath) or swim in the fresh water pools.