The smallest state in the Yucatán Peninsula, Campeche is also the region most blissfully free of the tourist mobs you’re likely to find in Cancún or Playa del Carmen. The capital, the city of Campeche (see below), is the highlight of region −in 1999, UNESCO named its centro histórico a World Heritage Site. Today, you can still see many of the fortresses built in the 17th century to protect against the pirates that plagued the region. Although the region does boast several significant (and significantly less crowded) Mayan ruins, Campeche is better known for its rollicking buccaneers.
Fortunately, the pirates didn’t make it inland, and the impressive Mayan ruins of Edzná , Xpujil and Calakmul remain sites well worth visiting. The Edificio de Cinco Pisos (Building of the Five Floors) in Edzná is striking and well worth the visit, while Calakmul, located in the heart of the vast and largely unexplored Reserva de la Biosfera Calakmul, boasts marvelous pyramids—try climbing one to get a sense of just how extensive the surrounding rainforest really is.
Campeche (pop. 220,000) is full of buried treasures. Around practically every corner are beautiful colonial churches, foreboding stone embattlements, and hole-in-the-wall local establishments. Old wood ...more
Flights: Ingeniero (Engineer) Alberto Acuña Ongay (CPE; ☎ 816 5678), on Porfirio, 13km from the centro. Taxis to the centro 80 pesos. Served by Aeroméxico (☎ 816 6656). Buses: Taxis run from ...more
Campeche’s historic centro, the old city, is based on an easy-to-follow numbered grid. North-south streets have odd numbers that increase to the west. East-west streets are even numbered and increase ...more
Campeche offers ample opportunities to stay in colonial buildings, complete with soaring ceilings, old archways, and pastel facades, all without going broke. Most quality budget accommodations are located ...more
Campechan cuisine is known for combining Yucatec specialties with European flavors and seafood. Sample pan de cazón (stacked tortillas filled with baby shark and refried beans, covered with onion, tomato ...more
Campeche’s colonial streets are lovely enough during the day, but it’s when the sun sets that the city becomes truly magical. The air cools and the centuries-old stone churches and painted homes ...more
Traditional music fills the air of Campeche almost every night. The city sponsors various outdoor events, such as the sound-and-light show at Puerta de Tierra, which tells the story of the campechanos ...more
 |
 |
 |
 |
For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
Facebook
Twitter
You Tube
Foursquare
Newsletter
RSS Feed
Overview