Catemaco, Veracruz: Roots of Sorcery and Civilization in Mesoamerica
from $1,995.00
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April 2 - 7, 2026 (Starts on the evening of April 2, ends on the morning of April 7)
Spring of 2026, join Morbid Anatomy and Mexican scholar Salvador Olguín for a very special journey to Mexico’s witchcraft epicenter: Catemaco, Veracruz. Catemaco is located in the region of Los Tuxtlas, home to one of Mexico’s lesser-known biosphere reserves. It is a site where pristine natural landscapes conceal yet to be unearthed remains belonging to the Olmec civilization, Mesoamerica’s Mother Culture. Catemaco is also a place of gathering for brujos and curanderos— different kinds of sorcerers, healers and practitioners of both white and black magic, who have been offering their services to people from all walks of life for decades.
Olmec civilization flourished along the Gulf of Mexico from 1200 to 400 BC. The Olmecs were the first people known to have practiced the Mesoamerican ballgame, using balls made from the rubber tree, abundant in the area. They developed the first Mesoamerican calendar, later used by other civilizations like the Maya and the Mexica. They introduced the concept of zero, and instituted canonical ritual practices such as ritual bloodletting, also incorporated by later cultures. Today’s brujos of Catemaco seek to honor their ancestral roots, respecting nature and preserving inherited knowledge. Through the process of syncretism, they have also incorporated Old World magical practices with a twist, blending white and black magic, free from the constraints of simplistic dualism and taboo.
During this exclusive tour, you will get a chance to explore mesmerizing natural landscapes—home to macaws and monkeys—and learn about Olmec culture through guided visits to local archeological museums. We will also participate in two limpias (cleansing seasons) guided by trusted local brujos, including one performed at the Museo y Centro Ceremonial El Ahijado, where Catemaco’s Head Sorcerer offers consultation, displays his personal collection of archeological and shamanic artifacts, and is currently building the first Satanic Temple in the region. See more details below.
April 2
Transfer from Veracruz International Airport to hotel.
Free evening to explore downtown Veracruz. Our historic hotel is strategically located, steps from the main plaza, the Cathedral, and the boardwalk.
April 3
On the road to Los Tuxtlas. We will take our luggage and head to Catemaco, stopping for guided visits to sites of interest along the way, including the Tres Zapotes archaeological site museum, and the Museo Tuxtleco, which house collections of ancient Olmec pieces including colossal heads on public display. Upon arrival in Catemaco, we’ll check-in to our picturesque hotel by the lake.
April 4
City tour of Catemaco and visit to El Ahijado. Enjoy a guided tour of Catemaco, including the Basilica of Our Lady of El Carmen, where people perform their own limpias at the altar; the boardwalk, the magical tree, and a cultural center where you can find products from around the region. In the afternoon, we will visit the Godson Museum and Ceremonial Center, where we will participate in a group ceremonial cleansing, and explore the Brujo's personal collection of archeological and magical artifacts.
April 5
Boat ride on Lake Catemaco and visit to the Nanciyaga Natural Reserve. We will hop on a boat and take a guided tour on Lake Catemaco, stopping at Monkey Island, populated by Asian macaques fist introduced in the island for a scientific research project; Heron Island, where we will admire the white herons and cormorants that live on the lake, as well as other points of interest. Our boat will also take us to the Nanciyaga Natural Reserve for a guided tour, and our second group cleansing by the in-house shaman.
April 6
Return to Veracruz. Before heading back for our last night in Veracruz, we will visit the Catemaco witch market, where you’ll be able to purchase artifacts, plants and other mystical objects directly from other local brujo sand practitioners, as well as admiring their altars dedicated to Santa Muerte, Satan, and other entities.
April 7
Farewell breakfast and transfer to Veracruz International Airport.
April 2 - 7, 2026 (Starts on the evening of April 2, ends on the morning of April 7)
Spring of 2026, join Morbid Anatomy and Mexican scholar Salvador Olguín for a very special journey to Mexico’s witchcraft epicenter: Catemaco, Veracruz. Catemaco is located in the region of Los Tuxtlas, home to one of Mexico’s lesser-known biosphere reserves. It is a site where pristine natural landscapes conceal yet to be unearthed remains belonging to the Olmec civilization, Mesoamerica’s Mother Culture. Catemaco is also a place of gathering for brujos and curanderos— different kinds of sorcerers, healers and practitioners of both white and black magic, who have been offering their services to people from all walks of life for decades.
Olmec civilization flourished along the Gulf of Mexico from 1200 to 400 BC. The Olmecs were the first people known to have practiced the Mesoamerican ballgame, using balls made from the rubber tree, abundant in the area. They developed the first Mesoamerican calendar, later used by other civilizations like the Maya and the Mexica. They introduced the concept of zero, and instituted canonical ritual practices such as ritual bloodletting, also incorporated by later cultures. Today’s brujos of Catemaco seek to honor their ancestral roots, respecting nature and preserving inherited knowledge. Through the process of syncretism, they have also incorporated Old World magical practices with a twist, blending white and black magic, free from the constraints of simplistic dualism and taboo.
During this exclusive tour, you will get a chance to explore mesmerizing natural landscapes—home to macaws and monkeys—and learn about Olmec culture through guided visits to local archeological museums. We will also participate in two limpias (cleansing seasons) guided by trusted local brujos, including one performed at the Museo y Centro Ceremonial El Ahijado, where Catemaco’s Head Sorcerer offers consultation, displays his personal collection of archeological and shamanic artifacts, and is currently building the first Satanic Temple in the region. See more details below.
April 2
Transfer from Veracruz International Airport to hotel.
Free evening to explore downtown Veracruz. Our historic hotel is strategically located, steps from the main plaza, the Cathedral, and the boardwalk.
April 3
On the road to Los Tuxtlas. We will take our luggage and head to Catemaco, stopping for guided visits to sites of interest along the way, including the Tres Zapotes archaeological site museum, and the Museo Tuxtleco, which house collections of ancient Olmec pieces including colossal heads on public display. Upon arrival in Catemaco, we’ll check-in to our picturesque hotel by the lake.
April 4
City tour of Catemaco and visit to El Ahijado. Enjoy a guided tour of Catemaco, including the Basilica of Our Lady of El Carmen, where people perform their own limpias at the altar; the boardwalk, the magical tree, and a cultural center where you can find products from around the region. In the afternoon, we will visit the Godson Museum and Ceremonial Center, where we will participate in a group ceremonial cleansing, and explore the Brujo's personal collection of archeological and magical artifacts.
April 5
Boat ride on Lake Catemaco and visit to the Nanciyaga Natural Reserve. We will hop on a boat and take a guided tour on Lake Catemaco, stopping at Monkey Island, populated by Asian macaques fist introduced in the island for a scientific research project; Heron Island, where we will admire the white herons and cormorants that live on the lake, as well as other points of interest. Our boat will also take us to the Nanciyaga Natural Reserve for a guided tour, and our second group cleansing by the in-house shaman.
April 6
Return to Veracruz. Before heading back for our last night in Veracruz, we will visit the Catemaco witch market, where you’ll be able to purchase artifacts, plants and other mystical objects directly from other local brujo sand practitioners, as well as admiring their altars dedicated to Santa Muerte, Satan, and other entities.
April 7
Farewell breakfast and transfer to Veracruz International Airport.
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