Located in Mexico’s southeastern region, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Borders the state of Yucatan and the Gulf of Mexico to the north, Quintana Roo to the east, Tabasco to the southwest and Guatemala to the south.
In this state, which has a hot and humid climate, you can visit the capital, Campeche, an old commercial port that often came under the attack of pirates and privateers. In this walled city, you can see the forts, bulwarks and gates that once protected the residents from invasions. The city’s famed wall, now a top tourist attraction, has been revamped. Behind the wall you’ll find the Cathedral and many old buildings in the city’s Historic Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
In this state you can also visit amazing Mayan archaeological zones like Edzna and Calakmul, which lies in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. In addition to the ancient Mayan temples and palaces that you’ll see there, you can also do mountain bike riding, hiking or go on a photo safari, an experience that allows you to discover the natural beauty that left many explorers during the 19th and 20th centuries thoroughly impressed.
Campeche offers interesting tours of old haciendas that once produced grains, henequen and sugar cane, which were vital to the economy during the 17th century. At the various haciendas, you’ll have the opportunity to try delicious regional cuisine, including armadillo, venison, fish and seafood, and exotic vegetarian dishes. Don’t miss out on this enjoyable experience.
Campeche
The city of Campeche, the capital of the state of Campeche, is located in the southern Gulf Coast region, 387 km (240 mi) northeast of Villahermosa, Tabasco, and 177 km (110 mi) southwest of Merida, Yucatan. The climate is tropical, with an average year-round temperature of 26º C (79º F). The city gets rainfall during the summer and autumn.
At this old commercial port, a giant wall still stands that once protected the city from pirate attacks in the 17th and 18th centuries. In this walled city, you’ll see two forts (one of which houses a museum), seven bulwarks and two main gates (the Sea Gate and Land Gate). Thanks to these monuments and the spectacular buildings in the Historic Center, such as the Cathedral and the Templo de Guadalupe, the UNESCO declared Campeche a World Heritage Site in 2002. Without question, Campeche has one of the most well preserved historic centers in the nation.
During your stay, we recommend that you visit the Museo de la Cultura Maya, housed in the San Miguel Fort, and the Museo de las Estelas Mayas, which exhibits regional art in the San Pedro Bulwark. At night, don’t miss the fascinating light and sound show at the Fort of San Jose El Alto. After the show, you can take a walk along the Historic Center’s cobblestone streets, where you’ll see a wide variety of stores, restaurants, bars and cafes. You can also take a stroll down the beautiful 3.5-km (2-mi) boardwalk, which leads to a tourist walkway, parks and a bicycle track.
In Campeche’s surrounding areas, you can enjoy an outdoor adventure at the Ria Celestun Biosphere Reserve, which is the habitat of hundreds of pink flamingoes. In addition, you can check out Calakmul, one of the largest biosphere reserves in the nation, which also has an interesting Mayan archaeological zone. Calakmul is a great spot to go camping, mountain biking and hiking.
During your visit to Campeche, don’t forget to try the tamales with chaya leaves and the pan de cazon (tortillas stuffed or layered with shark, beans and salsa), among other regional Mayan cuisine. For all that and much more, Campeche is an excellent destination to discover history, |
