edited 21 march 2014
Catemaco News is dead. I stopped publishing.
Catemaco Notes on Facebook is dead. I stopped publishing.
The major reason is that I am bored with talking to mostly myself, and having to suffer too many fools and wannabees.
Facebook:
I'll be keeping Facebook's Catemaco Noticias and its 4900 adherents open, in case I need them.
The real Internet:
The site www.catemaco.info stays open, but I am about 2-3 years behind in both updating information and correcting software errors. The English section of the site still get about 5000 hits per month, but mostly on obtuse subjects.
Eleven years ago, I thought Catemaco had a future for foreign tourists and residents. I was wrong!
Anything you need to know about Los Tuxtlas, still shows up on the sidebar and its links of this blog.
Adios, Que te vaya bién!
Sep 7, 2013
Apr 2, 2013
March 2013 - Catemaco
March rates # 3 to visit, and # 1 to live in Catemaco, Except for this year because of an extraordinary wave of cold spells with nasty cloudy days.
Tourism:
The big event this month was an early Semana Santa which pumped some much needed tourist pesos into the economy. Although government agencies fell all over themselves proclaiming the quantity of tourists, I did not notice any particular increase from last year.
Hotels:
Hoteliers were in clover, trying to get as close to 1500 pesos per night for a family of 6. A sporting event in San Andrés also helped the week before Semana Santa and jampacked the entire zone.
Beaches:
The road to the beaches is under repair, but many miles still suck. I snuck into Montepío and La Barra but found nothing remarkable.
Events:
The brujo event on the first of March was the usual farce with imported Indians and a dozen expensive palm huts, that were mostly unoccupied. The event was saved by by the first replay in years of an authentic Midnight Mass by a collection of brujos in the hills of Catemaco.
Semana Santa brought an amusement fair to the outskirts of Catemaco and drew no crows. Despite the Fliers from Papantla, a free dance concert and some other events, I think that venue has had its day and I wonder whether the next mayor will return the mess to the inner city.
Weather:
March fooled me this year. I would say half of it was not to my liking, cold and nasty. But as usual, some days were just absolutely gorgeous, clear and sunny with mild temperatures
Business:
No news that I noticed. EXCEPT - rentals for boat rides increased 45% to a minimum of 650 pesos per boat. Single fares are 100 pesos. Catemaco is basically a resort for low income people, and I think that increase will not help increase tourism.
Food:
The owners of Tepetapan opened a "Cevicheria & Beer" joint on the Malecón. It's attractively done and is worth a visit.
In honor of Semana Santa many hotels opened their dormant dining rooms. I expect them to disappear as soon as the spring doldrums hit.
Drink:
The Italians of La Ostería fame opend their huge second floor rock cantina on the Malecón. Food service is promised. Nice place to watch the lake in the late afternoon.
Cundo, a local collector of antiquities opened a cantina just off the Malecon stuffed with historic photos of Catemaco and has automatically become a "must" visit. Next to the Hotel del Lago.
Crime:
No significant crime as usual, except someone stole one of my 500 peso cactuses, and I have no idea how they did it.
Politics:
I'll repeat the quote from last month: "Elections are in July and the dozen wannabees are making so much noise in the press that it is hard to find nuggets of good news" Scuttlebutt says a former two time mayor and state deputy is the frontrunner. He is primarily famous for stealing Catemaco blind.
General
Tourism:
The big event this month was an early Semana Santa which pumped some much needed tourist pesos into the economy. Although government agencies fell all over themselves proclaiming the quantity of tourists, I did not notice any particular increase from last year.
Hotels:
Hoteliers were in clover, trying to get as close to 1500 pesos per night for a family of 6. A sporting event in San Andrés also helped the week before Semana Santa and jampacked the entire zone.
Beaches:
The road to the beaches is under repair, but many miles still suck. I snuck into Montepío and La Barra but found nothing remarkable.
Events:
The brujo event on the first of March was the usual farce with imported Indians and a dozen expensive palm huts, that were mostly unoccupied. The event was saved by by the first replay in years of an authentic Midnight Mass by a collection of brujos in the hills of Catemaco.
Semana Santa brought an amusement fair to the outskirts of Catemaco and drew no crows. Despite the Fliers from Papantla, a free dance concert and some other events, I think that venue has had its day and I wonder whether the next mayor will return the mess to the inner city.
Weather:
March fooled me this year. I would say half of it was not to my liking, cold and nasty. But as usual, some days were just absolutely gorgeous, clear and sunny with mild temperatures
Business:
No news that I noticed. EXCEPT - rentals for boat rides increased 45% to a minimum of 650 pesos per boat. Single fares are 100 pesos. Catemaco is basically a resort for low income people, and I think that increase will not help increase tourism.
Food:
The owners of Tepetapan opened a "Cevicheria & Beer" joint on the Malecón. It's attractively done and is worth a visit.
In honor of Semana Santa many hotels opened their dormant dining rooms. I expect them to disappear as soon as the spring doldrums hit.
The Italians of La Ostería fame opend their huge second floor rock cantina on the Malecón. Food service is promised. Nice place to watch the lake in the late afternoon.
Cundo, a local collector of antiquities opened a cantina just off the Malecon stuffed with historic photos of Catemaco and has automatically become a "must" visit. Next to the Hotel del Lago.
Crime:
No significant crime as usual, except someone stole one of my 500 peso cactuses, and I have no idea how they did it.
Politics:
I'll repeat the quote from last month: "Elections are in July and the dozen wannabees are making so much noise in the press that it is hard to find nuggets of good news" Scuttlebutt says a former two time mayor and state deputy is the frontrunner. He is primarily famous for stealing Catemaco blind.
General
A grader has been at work and improved some of the roads to the ecotourism hill communities. April is a great month to visit them.
Feb 28, 2013
February 2013 - Catemaco
I had some negative feedback on my best months to visit and best months to live in Catemaco.
Frankly I put a lot of time into this and it is damn difficult to rate 12 months. Of course there are other perceptions.
If you like beaches, August is number one to visit. If you live here, the month rates 8 because there are more visitors than beach, etc.
I live here year round except for my frequent escapes to other places. Would I recommend to live in Catemaco? Only for a chosen few! Would I recommend to visit here? DAMN YES, 12 months of the year, but as I am saying, some months are better than others.
Tourism:
A long weekend brought some relief from the doldrums, with the usual Mexican tourbuses and sprinkles of backpackers and foreigners.
Hotels:
I noticed nothing new, except for some discount offers.
Beaches:
This was one of the few times that I didn´t make it to the beach. I hear I did not miss anything. And the road still sucks.
Events:
A few parades, a huge funeral. That's it.
Today, Feb 28 begins the first Friday in March (Brujos) celebration and I'll save it for next month.
Weather:
I hate February. Frequently it is too cold for my taste, too many days are overcast with almost no rain, then a southwind whips through and shakes up every dust particle.
Business:
A small grocery chain is rasing walls behind my house. I keep scratching my head about where their business will come from.
Food:
Prashanti (of the hotel and beach resort clan) opened a primitive garden restaurant next to the monster by the ADO bus station. Maybe I'll drop in when I actually see someone eat there.
The small restaurant on the first floor of Hotel Berthangel has new owners and it is a nice place to people watch the laza in front of the basilica.
Drink:
Looks like BossaNova (by the kayak place) will reopen.
Rumor has it the Italians of La Osteria fame, will try again with a bar/restaurant atop the TEXX store (the old El Pescador).
Crime:
I know everyone is eagerly awaiting a body count, but no, nothing of significance happened, as usual, except some jerk stole my garbage can.
Politics:
Elections are in July and the dozen wannabees are making so much noise in the press that it is hard to find nuggets of good news.
The mayor of Catemaco died. That came as a shock, being barely 40 years old. He was a good guy and bought a house from us. He'll be remembered by the locals for the new pier, and by me for trying to get the sewage problem fixed.
General
My favorite local photographer did it again and issued part two of his Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas videos
Feb 24, 2013
Catemaco Brujos 2013
Brujo Festival in Catemaco
Thursday, Feb 28 / Friday, March 1, 2013
Read more about the brujo shenanigans, Q & A, videos, photos, etc.
Feb 1, 2013
January 2013 - Catemaco
On a scale of 1 to 12 months, I give January in Catemaco a 10 for visiting and a 6 for living here.
Tourism:
Lots of tourists showed up the first week of January and then went into hibernation.
Hotels:
Nothing exciting. The newest Del Cid Hotel has added a restaurant on its ground floor, and the Casa Rosa has a new website.
Beaches:
The winter storms, as usual, are nibbling on the beaches. But don´t worry, the sand returns by summer.
The crashing waves made for great beach walks, on the few days that were nice and sunny this month.
Events:
The enjoyable musical presentations on Saturday night in the central park seem to be occurring less and less- And that is a shame!.
Weather:
Typical yo-yo weather, from freezing (68f today) to sweating (88f tomorrrow).
Business:
The recently opened mega stores are flourishing with employees. Customers seem to be a rarity. In the US, by now, I think they would have "going out of business signs".
Food:
Several new or new owner taco stores have opened. I am sure that will make someone happy.
Drink:
Basically only the drunks in the Zona Rosa (by the boat docks) are holding their own.
Crime:
Nothing exciting, unless you want to read about a young women slicing up her lover.
Politics:
Hot Hot - a dozen pretenders that want to be future millionaires and live in Xalapa are now cluttering the local press, juggling for the July7 elections.
General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the coldest month of the year, average 68.9f. (Unfortunately I am hot blooded and become lethargic.)
Tourism:
Lots of tourists showed up the first week of January and then went into hibernation.
Nothing exciting. The newest Del Cid Hotel has added a restaurant on its ground floor, and the Casa Rosa has a new website.
Beaches:
The winter storms, as usual, are nibbling on the beaches. But don´t worry, the sand returns by summer.
The crashing waves made for great beach walks, on the few days that were nice and sunny this month.
Events:
The enjoyable musical presentations on Saturday night in the central park seem to be occurring less and less- And that is a shame!.
Weather:
Typical yo-yo weather, from freezing (68f today) to sweating (88f tomorrrow).
January at times gets pretty foggy in the mornings
Business:
The recently opened mega stores are flourishing with employees. Customers seem to be a rarity. In the US, by now, I think they would have "going out of business signs".
Food:
Several new or new owner taco stores have opened. I am sure that will make someone happy.
"Tampiqueña" at La Casita
Drink:
Basically only the drunks in the Zona Rosa (by the boat docks) are holding their own.
Crime:
Nothing exciting, unless you want to read about a young women slicing up her lover.
Politics:
Hot Hot - a dozen pretenders that want to be future millionaires and live in Xalapa are now cluttering the local press, juggling for the July7 elections.
Dozens of political signs messing up the neighborhoods
General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the coldest month of the year, average 68.9f. (Unfortunately I am hot blooded and become lethargic.)
Yes, you can get your hat polished in Catemaco
Jan 1, 2013
December 2012, Catemaco
Tourism:
I live on the Malecón, Catemaco's most famous street, and I mostly judge the amount of tourism by how many people walk in front of my nose, steal my parking spot, and the number of boatmen shouting "lancha- lancha" on my corner. Looks like December turned out pretty good for Catemaco. Better than last year.
Hotels:
The first world Club Neyama, on the way to Ruiz Cortines in San Andrés Tuxtla, added 7 cabañas to its recreation center. They also have gocarts and a restaurant. Interesting place to visit when it is open. They are flakes and apparently only open when they feel like it. Nevertheless, this is not what you expect to see in Los Tuxtlas. http://www.clubneyama.com/
Events:
The celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose home is actually in Mexico City, attracted thousands, maybe even 10000, mostly day trippers, to the local Virgin version. The parades were endless and as usual mostly composed of taxis decorated with Virgin photos and blaring horns. Soon after, the customed "viejos" started strutting the streets of Catemaco until on New Year's eve, firecracker stuffed replicas were exploded. O Joy! After you have seen both events once, you may consider heading for the beach or the mountains instead.
One nice recurrent addition are the fairly regular jarocha music presentations in Catemaco's central park. I hope they keep them going.
Weather:
Running hot and cold, and most everyone I know laid down for a week with some really bad cases of the flu. I was lucky, I had mine a few months ago.
Business:
A Coppel department store opened where the Hotel Catemaco used to be. Two storied, with a little bit of parking behind it, it is a very welcome addition to Catemaco. I just wish they had built it on the highway instead of "beautiful" downtown Catemaco. Contino, a mostly dry goods retailer opened in the Bancomer building on the plaza. I think that is a future disappearance act in that jinxed building.
Food:
Nothing exciting, except households fall all over themselves preparing dishes you usually do not see in restaurants. Make a friend in Catemaco, maybe they'll invite to a holiday meal.
I had my first meal at Valentino's, (next to El Caballo). Not bad!
Drink:
The teeny bopper and above crowd is barely holding its own in Catemaco's pink zone (Malecón near the boat dock). Watch out for some of those gorgeous creatures that have 5 o'clock shadows!
Saturday night, Dec. 30th, started a party that was still going strong at 7 am this morning 1 Jan.
For adults, nightlife is pretty much limited to El Caballo and the increasingly popular Wahikini, both at the south end of the Malecon.
Crime:
Didn´t really notice any this month, except for some really nasty stuff in neighboring counties. Very heavy army and police sightseeing traffic.
Politics:
The Catemaco mayor, best known for his frequent absence from Catemaco, followed by a flurry of self praising pronouncements, did offer his 2nd annual computerized "state of the union" speech. A big let down from the pomp of last year, especially the absence of monetary figures that would give citizens a chance to understand where the money went.
General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the noise. If not, don´t worry. 95% of the rest of Catemaco stayed idyllic.
I live on the Malecón, Catemaco's most famous street, and I mostly judge the amount of tourism by how many people walk in front of my nose, steal my parking spot, and the number of boatmen shouting "lancha- lancha" on my corner. Looks like December turned out pretty good for Catemaco. Better than last year.
The first world Club Neyama, on the way to Ruiz Cortines in San Andrés Tuxtla, added 7 cabañas to its recreation center. They also have gocarts and a restaurant. Interesting place to visit when it is open. They are flakes and apparently only open when they feel like it. Nevertheless, this is not what you expect to see in Los Tuxtlas. http://www.clubneyama.com/
Events:
The celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose home is actually in Mexico City, attracted thousands, maybe even 10000, mostly day trippers, to the local Virgin version. The parades were endless and as usual mostly composed of taxis decorated with Virgin photos and blaring horns. Soon after, the customed "viejos" started strutting the streets of Catemaco until on New Year's eve, firecracker stuffed replicas were exploded. O Joy! After you have seen both events once, you may consider heading for the beach or the mountains instead.
One nice recurrent addition are the fairly regular jarocha music presentations in Catemaco's central park. I hope they keep them going.
Weather:
Running hot and cold, and most everyone I know laid down for a week with some really bad cases of the flu. I was lucky, I had mine a few months ago.
Business:
A Coppel department store opened where the Hotel Catemaco used to be. Two storied, with a little bit of parking behind it, it is a very welcome addition to Catemaco. I just wish they had built it on the highway instead of "beautiful" downtown Catemaco. Contino, a mostly dry goods retailer opened in the Bancomer building on the plaza. I think that is a future disappearance act in that jinxed building.
Food:
Nothing exciting, except households fall all over themselves preparing dishes you usually do not see in restaurants. Make a friend in Catemaco, maybe they'll invite to a holiday meal.
I had my first meal at Valentino's, (next to El Caballo). Not bad!
Drink:
The teeny bopper and above crowd is barely holding its own in Catemaco's pink zone (Malecón near the boat dock). Watch out for some of those gorgeous creatures that have 5 o'clock shadows!
Saturday night, Dec. 30th, started a party that was still going strong at 7 am this morning 1 Jan.
For adults, nightlife is pretty much limited to El Caballo and the increasingly popular Wahikini, both at the south end of the Malecon.
Crime:
Didn´t really notice any this month, except for some really nasty stuff in neighboring counties. Very heavy army and police sightseeing traffic.
Politics:
The Catemaco mayor, best known for his frequent absence from Catemaco, followed by a flurry of self praising pronouncements, did offer his 2nd annual computerized "state of the union" speech. A big let down from the pomp of last year, especially the absence of monetary figures that would give citizens a chance to understand where the money went.
General:
Good time to be in Catemaco, if you can stand the noise. If not, don´t worry. 95% of the rest of Catemaco stayed idyllic.
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