Catazajá

Catazajá or Playas de Catazajá is one of the great underrated destinations in already highly magical Chiapas. About one hour north of the mystical city of Palenque, thanks to the Tren Maya to once isolated Playas de Catazajá are closer than ever. Part of the Gulf Coastal Plain where things start to look more like Tabasco, visitors find a captivating series of lagoons, the beaches of the name, and a whole different experience of wildlife, fish, and wetland. An aquatic paradise, the history of fishing here goes back generations, but today the area is also an important wetland conservation area.

Catazajá is a word from the Mayan language meaning valley covered in water. The system of lagoons extends from here to several human communities on the distant shores of the lake. Punto Arena is about half an hour driving northwest. Ignacio Zaragoza is only about 15 minutes to the northeast and is home to the most widely used swimming and spa area. The lagoons also provide much needed refuge for manatees and a wealth of bird life. The Catazajá Lagoon has been a recognized sanctuary for manatees since 1995, but it also protects iguanas, turtles, crocodiles, frogs, herons, otters, monkeys, and wild boars who live in the surrounding forests of ceiba, amate, mahogany, and rubber trees.

The Malecón is the focal point of the human community, and boats are launched from nearby. The municipal market and several strong restaurants in town feature fresh seafood prepared as it only could be in Chiapas.

The town is now served by regular combis and taxis from Palenque. There are some intercity buses too. These will stop at Crucero de Playas which is the main point of contact of the city with the Villahermosa - Chetumal highway (186). The town center is a few minutes to the north by taxi. The trip from the Tren Maya station or from the Palenque airport takes just about an hour. And the trip is always fantastically beautiful.