Visiting Catemaco´s Monkey Islands in Veraruz, Mexico is a well described voyage on numerous international web sites.For some unknown reason, 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 1974.
Before the study was concluded, 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 absolutely marvelous view of the Laguna´s neighboring volcancic hills. As for the monkeys, they are officially maintained by a research station of the University on the shores of the Laguna and in addition receive the equivalent of food stamps (bananas) from the Catemaco government and boat operators. Essentially these monkeys are abandoned, but seem to be content in their island environment.
The University in the meantime has established a large colony of Mexican endangered monkeys on Agaltepec Island in 1988, which is prominently visible on the boat trip. That island, though, is off limits to tourist visitors.
The going rate for voyages to the islands, which also includes Spanish commentaried visits to many other of the Laguna shores features, is usually 50 pesos per person, or 350 pesos per boat with a minimum of 6 passengers. Boats range from 12 -20 passengers, and during the off season the boats will make the trip for 250 pesos, distributable among as many people as want to pay for the trip. Wearing a life jacket is recommended for non-swimmers, although I have never heard of a mishap on the Laguna waters.
OOPS lady drowned in 2007
