Getting there & around

Getting to Catemaco

Catemaco sits in southern Veracruz, off the main coastal highway. There’s no airport in town, so most people arrive by bus or car.

By air, then land. The nearest airport is Veracruz (VER), roughly a 2.5 to 3 hour drive south. Minatitlán airport (MTT) is another option to the east, a similar distance. From either, you’ll continue by bus or rental car.

By bus. ADO runs first-class buses to Catemaco from Veracruz city, Xalapa, and points along the Gulf. From Veracruz expect around 3 hours; from Mexico City it’s a long overnight haul of roughly 8 to 9 hours. Buses are comfortable and air-conditioned, and the terminal is a short taxi ride from the lake. Times are approximate and worth confirming on the ADO site.

By car. Driving is the easiest way to actually enjoy Los Tuxtlas, since the best nature sits outside town. From Veracruz it’s a straightforward run down Highway 180, then inland. The last stretch is hilly and can be foggy or wet in the rainy season, so drive it in daylight.

Getting around once there

The town itself is small and walkable, malecón to market in a few minutes. For the lake, you hire a lancha (boat) directly at the waterfront. For anything farther out, the coast, waterfalls, or reserve, you’ll want a car, a taxi arranged for the day, or a local tour. Colectivos and taxis handle short hops cheaply, but they thin out after dark.