Sontecomapan - Los Amigos - La Barra
Laguna Sontecomapan is a large bay, feed by 6 or 7 rivers and drains into the gulf.. The Laguna is named after the small pueblo that is located about 1/2 way or so on the road that connects Catemaco to Montepio on the gulf. You may travel here from Catemaco by pirata or a shared taxi.. about 10 pesos.. The pueblo isn’t much, but there is a waterfall at the edge of town (can't rember the name) about 300 meters from the road.. tell the taxi or pirata to let you off there.. you may then either walk to center of town, although it is a bit of a hike especially on a hot day.. In more or less the center of town, there is a marina and a very pleasant swimming hole nearby it called the "Pozo de los Gnomos" andindeed the place does look a bit enchanted. This is also a great place to take a dip, spend some time lounging around with the locals and other visitors.. bring your own or refreshments and snacks are available nearby..
At the marina you can rent a boat to take you on an excursion thru the winding passageway out to the laguna and onto the gulf and beach at Playa La Barra.. real pleasant beach.. food and refreshments.. Your boatman will wait for you and then bring you back when your ready.. Most of the boatman are fisherman, but they also do the tourist guide number to help make ends meet. I paid 35 dollars for this trip for 2 people.. There is also a hotel in pueblo Sontecomapan that rents for 20 dollars a night. If your interested in taking this excursion and would like to make arrangements for a boat before traveling there.. I would suggest you contact Juilian Moreno at Hotel Brujo in Catemaco.. (cell 294 943 0117.. He will call ahead to arrange for a boatman to be available when you get there..
Los Amigos
Los Amigos: this is a small, rustic, resort located just a bit upstream, on the opposite side of the river from Playa La Barra.. There are several cabins located in a jungle setting on the riverbank, the cabins sleep up to 6 for 300 pesos a night.. breakfast is included, you may by beer and refreshments and other meals, or your welcome to bring along your own.. They rent kayaks and other small boats and you may take them to the nearby beach at La Barra... or just laze around the jungle in hammocks or whatever.. for more information. http://www.losamigos.com.mx/ or telephone 01 294 943 0101
Playa La Barra
La Barra: you may get here by launcha from the pueblo Sontecomapan as described above, or by a shared taxi or pirata from either Montepio or Catemaco.. If you can't get here directly then have driver drop you off at La Barra road and wait for another to pass by as they go to the playa.. or perhaps a local will pick you up and give you a ride the rest of the way.. The beach itself is located on a nice stretch of sand alongside where the river dumps into the sea.. there are several palapas selling food and refreshments.. there are also some over priced, "rustic" cabins where you can stay if your in the mind to do so.. (40 dollars) personally I prefer Montepio due to the trouble it takes to get here by public transportation.. but then, thats just me..
