| Monkey Island Boat Tour Laguna Catemaco, Catemaco |
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Visiting the Monkey Islands of Laguna Catemaco in Veracruz, Mexico is a well described voyage on numerous
international web sites.
The University of Veracruz, Mexico stocked one of the islands in Laguna Catemaco with imported Macaque
monkeys from Thailand to do a research study in the 1974. Before the study was finished, Catemaco
fishermen discovered the profitability of motoring tourists to the island to view monkeys in a natural habitat.
Over the years this monkey visiting trip has turned into a hard cash earner for much of the Catemaco
population, obviously noticeable by the many shrieking shills along the Laguna shore inviting tourists to take a
boat ride.
Despite the shills, the boat ride
is a wonderful experience to
see parts of Laguna Catemaco,
the shore view of Catemaco
City and the marvelous view
of the Laguna´s neighboring
volcanic hills.
As for the monkeys, they are
unofficially maintained by a
research station of the
University on the shores of the Laguna near Pipiapan and in addition occasionally receive the equivalent of
food stamps (bananas) from the Catemaco government and boat operators..
Essentially these monkeys are abandoned, frequently ill and undernourished, but according to recent
questionaires, seem to be content in their island environment.
The University in the meantime established a large colony of Mexican endangered monkeys (Howlers) on
Agaltepec Island in 1988, which is prominently visible on the boat trip. That island, though, is off limits to tourist
boaters.
The going rate for voyages to the islands, which also includes Spanish commentaried visits to many other of
the Laguna shores features, is now 80 pesos per person, or 450 pesos per boat with a minimum of 6
passengers.
Boats range from 12 -24 passengers, and during the off season the boats will make the trip for 300 pesos,
distributable among as many people as want to pay for the trip. Wearing a life jacket is recommended for
non-swimmers..
A type Loch Ness monster has been reported in the Laguna waters, so, beware!.
Link:
Laguna Catemaco
international web sites.
The University of Veracruz, Mexico stocked one of the islands in Laguna Catemaco with imported Macaque
monkeys from Thailand to do a research study in the 1974. Before the study was finished, Catemaco
fishermen discovered the profitability of motoring tourists to the island to view monkeys in a natural habitat.
Over the years this monkey visiting trip has turned into a hard cash earner for much of the Catemaco
population, obviously noticeable by the many shrieking shills along the Laguna shore inviting tourists to take a
boat ride.
Despite the shills, the boat ride
is a wonderful experience to
see parts of Laguna Catemaco,
the shore view of Catemaco
City and the marvelous view
of the Laguna´s neighboring
volcanic hills.
As for the monkeys, they are
unofficially maintained by a
research station of the
University on the shores of the Laguna near Pipiapan and in addition occasionally receive the equivalent of
food stamps (bananas) from the Catemaco government and boat operators..
Essentially these monkeys are abandoned, frequently ill and undernourished, but according to recent
questionaires, seem to be content in their island environment.
The University in the meantime established a large colony of Mexican endangered monkeys (Howlers) on
Agaltepec Island in 1988, which is prominently visible on the boat trip. That island, though, is off limits to tourist
boaters.
The going rate for voyages to the islands, which also includes Spanish commentaried visits to many other of
the Laguna shores features, is now 80 pesos per person, or 450 pesos per boat with a minimum of 6
passengers.
Boats range from 12 -24 passengers, and during the off season the boats will make the trip for 300 pesos,
distributable among as many people as want to pay for the trip. Wearing a life jacket is recommended for
non-swimmers..
A type Loch Ness monster has been reported in the Laguna waters, so, beware!.
Link:
Laguna Catemaco
| Good to be home and see the church towers. |
| You'll be passing Isla Agaltepec, also known as crocodile island because of its shape. This island is home of a protected Mexican monkey research project, and oodles of pre-hispanic artifacts. No bananas welcome here |
Next passengers are waiting. |
| Monkeys, not known to be swimmers, apparently cross between these islands at ease. |
| I am the boss For the rest of the my fellow monkeys you will have to take the actual boat tour. |
| Strange birds frequent the shores of the islands. Have your camera ready! |
| OK - here are the monkeys. Depending on the time of day, they are not very accommodating. But when they are frisky - watch out! They will hop onto the boat and consider your belongings as souvenirs. |
| Laguna Catemaco is supposed to have 12 islands. This is one of them. |
| A visit to Nanciyaga and its nature preserve and replicas is an available adjunct of the boat tour. |
| During the blooming season, this is a paradise of aquatic plants and shore birds |
| Leaving Catemaco |
| Undeveloped area next to Catemaco City within walking distance. |
| El Tegal - a locally famous site because of the alleged visitation by the catholic Virgen mother. |
Beach front home of one of the richest former San Andres Tuxtla tobacco barons. |
HANG on - I´m redoing this
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