Campeche – Mexican Routes

Things to do in and around Campeche

admin — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 19:53:08 +0000

Campeche is located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The city is not widely known among tourists because of its remoteness from the resorts of the Riviera Maya.

Campeche City offers a unique mix of colonial charm, rich history, and natural beauty.

Campeche City is the capital of the state of Campeche. With its charming downtown area enclosed by well-preserved 17th-century fortifications, this historic city offers a unique mix of colonial charm, rich history, and natural beauty.

The city’s strategic location made it a prime target for pirates and attacks during the colonial era, resulting in the construction of protective walls and fortifications that converted this coastal town into a bastion.

The best time to visit Campeche is during the dry season, which typically spans from November to April. During these months, you can enjoy pleasant temperatures and lower chances of rain, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

The months of December to February offer particularly pleasant weather, with cooler temperatures and a lower chance of humidity.

Must-visit places in Campeche City

From a tourist’s standpoint, Campeche is a delightful escape from the bustling tourist hubs. The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with colorful facades, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved colonial architecture.

Puerta de Tierra: As the grand entrance to the fortified city, this imposing gate offers a tantalizing glimpse into the rich tapestry of Campeche’s captivating history, inviting visitors to step back in time.

Cathedral of Campeche: Exemplifying the grandeur of colonial craftsmanship, the cathedral stands as a majestic testament to the architectural finesse of the era, a masterpiece certain to mesmerize all who enter its hallowed halls.

Baluarte de San Francisco: Evoking echoes of the past, this historic bastion has transformed into the City Museum, where cherished artifacts and immersive exhibits harmoniously weave together Campeche’s narrative, inviting profound exploration.

Malecón Promenade: Along the undulating embrace of the Gulf of Mexico, the Malecón Promenade unfolds as a picturesque stroll, a visual symphony that serenades the senses with panoramic vistas of sea and sky, a harmonious dance of nature and cityscape.

Museo Arqueológico de Campeche: Unveiling the enigmatic legacy of the Maya, this archaeological treasure trove reverently showcases the timeless artifacts and relics hailing from ancient civilizations, illuminating the intricate mosaic of Campeche’s past.

Fuerte de San Miguel: An architectural sentinel, this fortress majestically surveys the expanse of the city and sea, while its chambers harbor the Maya World Museum, an immersive journey that delves into the kaleidoscope of Mayan heritage and culture.

Iglesia de San Román: Nestled like a tranquil gem, this picturesque church is an enchanting embodiment of architectural splendor, a sanctuary where time seems to stand still, and serenity gracefully embraces all who seek solace within its walls.

Plaza de la Independencia: At the very heart of the historical tapestry, the Plaza de la Independencia emerges as a vibrant epicenter, encircled by resplendent buildings that paint the air with hues of tradition and festivity, a dynamic stage where local life takes center.

Casa 6: Resurrected from the annals of history, this place blooms anew as a vibrant haven of culture, where a restored colonial mansion unfolds its storied halls to embrace a mosaic of exhibitions, workshops, and artistic spectacles, a tapestry of creativity and heritage.

Xmuch’haltún Botanical Garden: Amidst the embrace of tranquility, the botanical haven of Xmuch’haltún unfurls its verdant sanctuary, a living tableau showcasing the rich diversity of native plant species, a symphony of life rooted deeply in Campeche’s nurturing embrace.

Campeche City offers a unique travel experience for those seeking a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Its well-preserved colonial architecture makes it an appealing destination that deserves a spot on any traveler’s itinerary.

One-day excursions and trips from Campeche City

Campeche City’s strategic location makes it a great starting point for exploring the surrounding area. Here are some exciting one-day excursions and trips you can embark on from Campeche City:

Edzná Archaeological Site: Venture to the ancient Mayan ruins of Edzná, located about an hour’s drive from Campeche City. Explore the impressive pyramids, temples, and palaces that offer a glimpse into Mayan civilization.

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve: A pilgrimage awaits nature devotees and history aficionados at Calakmul, a UNESCO-acclaimed sanctuary, beckoning with a timeless allure.

Venture forth to this secluded expanse where vestiges of the Mayan civilization thrive harmoniously within the verdant embrace of sprawling rainforests, an immersive tapestry weaving antiquity and ecology.

Bécal and Hecelchakán: Unveil the age-old mastery of Panama hat weaving in Bécal, artistry as enduring as time itself. Then, journey to Hecelchakán, a beguiling enclave whose historic core and resplendent churches embody a captivating narrative, inviting exploration of a bygone era.

Puerta de Campeche: Embark on a swift aquatic voyage to Isla del Carmen, where endless horizons of aquamarine promise aquatic escapades and sun-kissed serenity. Delve into a realm of waterborne amusements, tranquil shores, and the enchanting ballet of marine life, forging cherished memories.

Cenote Miguel Colorado: A fleeting drive from Campeche City unveils the ethereal haven of Cenote Miguel Colorado, a crystal-clear sanctuary inviting you to submerge in its refreshing embrace, a fleeting respite from the terrestrial realm.

Cenote Xtacumbilxuna’an: Embark on an odyssey to uncover the mesmerizing cenote, an aquamarine treasure trove adorned with intricate cave formations. Delight in a clandestine gem, a haven both mystical and serene, where aquatic adventure beckons.

Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve: Immerse yourself in the cradle of nature’s opulence, the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve. Partake in a symphony of bird-watching, embark upon serene boat odysseys, and traverse meandering channels, all while exploring the intricate tapestry of mangroves and wetlands.

Mérida: Embark on a sojourn to Mérida, a colonial gem whose vibrant markets pulsate with life, plazas adorned with stories, and architecture etched with history. Traverse cobblestone lanes and embrace the timeless allure of this enchanting city.

Uxmal Archaeological Site: Pilgrimage to the grandeur of Uxmal, a UNESCO-sanctified sanctuary. Traverse the labyrinth of time, marvel at the resplendent pyramids, and trace your fingers upon intricate stone carvings, basking in the legacy of a civilization’s artistic opulence.

Celestún: Embark on a voyage of wonder to Celestún, a coastal haven revered for its ethereal biosphere and the balletic grace of pink flamingos. Traverse azure waters on a boat odyssey, an opulent theater showcasing the wondrous menagerie of wildlife.

Camino Real de Tierra Adentro: Embark upon a journey through epochs on the storied Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. Witness the vestiges of time etched upon ancient ruins, threading a narrative of historical eminence, and resonate with the echoes of a region’s enduring legacy.

Izamal: Known as the “Yellow City”, Izamal is a charming small town with colonial architecture and a massive ancient pyramid, Kinich Kakmó, offering a mix of history and culture. Don’t miss to visit this small cozy town.

These one-day excursions and trips offer a diverse range of experiences.

UNESCO World Heritage cities in Mexico

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 21:26:49 +0000

Mexico is proud to boast 10 cities with the distinction of World Heritage in the category of cultural assets that, due to their historical, architectural, and urban value, provide a unique cultural testimony, represent an outstanding architectural example, and express cultural authenticity and history.

10 World Heritage Cities in Mexico

In the world, there are currently 204 heritage cities named by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the body that is responsible for granting this distinction.

Mexico is the fourth country with the most heritage cities in the world.

Campeche

It was named Cultural Heritage of Humanity thanks to its representative buildings of the military architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries; its traditional houses with Andalusian and Caribbean influence, and its urbanization model of a baroque colonial city.

It has more than 500 meters of wall, two gates, two forts, and eight bastions, which are defensive constructions in a pentagonal shape. Walk through the center of the city and observe the colorful decoration of its houses and streets full of legends and stories.

Mexico City

One of the oldest cities in America, Mexico City has recognized as a Heritage City in 1987 thanks to its Historic Center and the Xochimilco National Park.

The Historic Center called the heart of the city, was recognized for its historical and cultural value, being an unparalleled example of urban settlement, and for confirming the fusion of two cultures in its buildings, houses, streets, and cathedral.

For its part, Xochimilco holds the title of World Heritage Site for its chinampas (floating gardens) which demonstrate the exceptional work of its ancient inhabitants to build their habitat in an unfavorable territory.

Guanajuato

One of the most important cities during the viceroyalty, Guanajuato was a crucial site during the Mexican War of Independence. It has some of the most beautiful examples of Baroque architecture in America.

This is an extraordinary example of an architectural complex that incorporates the industrial and economic aspects of a mining town. Walk through its beautiful alleys full of legends that tell the history of the city.

Visit its most representative mines that still preserve objects used by the workers who made the city a benchmark in the mining towns of Mexico.

Morelia

The city of Morelia, Michoacán, is the most visited destination without a beach in all of Mexico. It has 1,113 historical, civil, and religious monuments, which makes it a clear reference to architectural beauty in the Mexican Republic.

Admire the characteristics of its buildings and the harmony in which the different architectural styles coexist that form their own eloquent testimony to the history of Mexican architecture.

Stroll through its Historic Center among squares, monuments, temples, mansions, museums, and natural sites, which will take you on a journey to the past and present of this city.

Oaxaca

Formerly called the Verde Antequera, Oaxaca de Juárez took its name from Nahuatl which means “On the nose of the huaje”. Its Historic Center and the Monte Albán archaeological zone were reason enough to name it the Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Since the 16th century, the Historic Center of Oaxaca preserves the perfectly delineated original line, identical to a chessboard.

The Monte Albán ceremonial center brings together a set of pre-Hispanic monuments that display stelae (tombstones or pedestals) with hieroglyphs that commemorate the most important events in the history of the city.

Puebla

Also called “The Reliquary of America” due to its architectural beauty, the city of Puebla was, according to legend, created and traced by angels to be enjoyed by mortals. Its magnificent monuments of Spanish colonial architecture earned this city the appointment of Heritage City.

Religious center par excellence, the Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza was the first settlement corner of the Spanish conquerors in the region. Visit its central streets between buildings, facades, gardens, and balconies that reflect the history and the passing of the years.

At night, visit the so-called Angelópolis, which has a wide variety of cafes, bars, and clubs.

Querétaro

Also called “Perla del Bajío”, the city of Santiago de Querétaro has established itself as a very attractive place for national and international tourism.

The extraordinary beauty of its architectural heritage that exemplifies a colonial city; its dramatic history and immense cultural heritage, the result of a multi-ethnic population, were fundamental aspects to obtaining the UNESCO appointment in 1996.

Admire its many baroque-style buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, located in the Historic Center of the city, where you can see its harmoniously laid out streets.

San Miguel de Allende

Recently entered on the UNESCO list, San Miguel de Allende is characterized by its degree of conservation, authenticity, and integrity. Thanks to its cultural and artisan diversity.

Buildings and monuments of great historical importance that contribute culturally and architecturally to the Mexican Baroque, in addition to its importance in the struggle for the Independence of Mexico, this city is worthy of the title of Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

For its unique beauty, visit the Gothic and Baroque Cathedral of San Miguel. Don’t forget to try the delicious “tumbagones”, a dessert in the form of a crunchy wheat flour roll, covered with icing sugar.

Tlacotalpan

Considered by locals and strangers as the most typical city in the state of Veracruz, Tlacotalpan is also a coastal port near the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Called La Perla del Papaloapan, Tlacotalpan is distinguished by the architecture of its classic-style portals and its landscape of wide streets that are interspersed with columns and arches that adorn the place.

Its unique urban structure, of great importance and quality, represents the mixture of Spanish and Caribbean traditions. Observe its historical monuments that, despite time, maintain the vernacular interpretation of the neoclassical style.

Zacatecas

The city of Zacatecas reflects its appeal in its beautiful buildings which are true works of art. Its architecture and urban layout, as well as the irregularity of the alignment of its streets, constitute the splendor of its Historic Center recognized by UNESCO.

Cross the city center by cable car and admire the city’s beautiful pink quarry monuments.

Tour the legendary El Edén mine aboard an underground train that reaches the bowels of the earth, passing crucial points such as a chapel, the Mineral Museum, and other interesting sites.

25 day tour around Yucatan Peninsula

admin — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:42:44 +0000

The 25-day tour around Yucatan Peninsula

This route includes the most popular Yucatan destinations in 3 Mexican states – Quintana Roo, Yucatan, and Campeche.

The point of departure: Cancun
The point of return: Cancun

You will visit cozy colonial towns, protected natural areas, and popular resorts, walk along ancient Mayan roads in a selva, and swim in blue lagoons and underground cenotes.

Attention!

This tour contains 5 long-distance bus travel:

Cancun – Valladolid (2:00/2:45 hours)
Valladolid – Merida (2:15/3:20 hours)
Merida – Campeche (2:25/4:00 hours)
Campeche – Chetumal (6:45 hours)
Chetumal – Playa del Carmen (4:15/4:45 hours)

You also could rent a car, but the time on the road will be the same. For more detailed information about each destination of this route, use tags at the end of this page.

Have a nice trip!

Day 1 – Cancun

Getting around

Zona Hostellera
Downtown
Punta Cancun
Museo Maya
Parque Ecológico Kabah
El Mirador
Nightlife

Day 2 – Cancun – Isla Mujeres – Cancun

How to get there?

Ferry boats run from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and vice-versa all day.

Ferry from/to Puerto Juarez 8$ (30 min) every 30 min.
Ferry via Playa de Tortugas 16$ (40 min) every 2 hours.

Getting around

You can visit Turtle Farm
The 19th-century hacienda was built by pirate Fermin Mundaca.
There is a small ruin and a temple to Ixchel.
You also can take a Whale Shark Tour, snorkel at Garrafon Park, and swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery Park.
Swim at multiple beaches.
Or just rent a bike and go around and have fun.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last ferry runs to Cancun.

Day 3 – Cancun – Valladolid – Valladolid

How to get there?

A lot of buses during the day, estimated time on the road is from 2:00 to 2:45 hours.
Better to buy or reserve tickets yesterday evening.
Multiple operators service this route.

First Class bus: $18-$26
Economy Class Bus: $8-$13

Getting around

Downtown
Cenote Zaci

Day 4 – Valladolid – Ria Lagartos – Valladolid

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Tizimin $1-$21 (1:05 hour), each hour
Bus: Tizimin – Rio Lagartos $3 (1:15 hour), each 2 hours
Taxi: Rio Lagartos – Ria Lagartos Reserve $1-$2 (8-10 min)

Getting around

Guided boat tour

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns to Tizimin and then to Valladolid.

Day 5 – Valladolid – Chichen Itza – Valladolid

How to get there?

Bus: Valladolid – Chichen Itza $1-$21 (0:42 min), runs each 4 hours a day.
Then around 2 km more in a taxi: $1 (1 min)

Or just search for “colectivo”, they run directly to the site.

Getting around

The famous pyramid, mysterious cenote, and ball court. Just walk around and have fun, there is a lot to see around.

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Valladolid.

Day 6 – Valladolid – Valladolid – Merida

You could stay in Valladolid, walking around and take a bus to Merida by the evening.

How to get there?

Buses from Valladolid to Medira run each hour or even more often during all the day.
Multiple operators service this route.

Valladolid – Merida $4-$26 (2:15 hours)
Valladolid – Izamal – Merida $1-$4 (3:20 hours)

Day 7 – Merida

Getting around

Mérida has a “centro histórico” (“hisctoric center”) typical of colonial spanish cities.
Just take a walk and enjoy this beautiful town with a lot of history.

Day 8 – Merida – Ake – Merida

How to get there?

There are a route via Hoctún and another route via Euán.

Buses from Merida to Hoctún $1-$3 (0:54 min) run hourly during the day.
Buses from Hoctún to Aké $4-$6 (0:24 min).

Buses from Merida to Euán (1:00 hour) run each hour during the day.
Buses from Euán to Aké $1-$3 (0:11 min).

Getting around

The 19th-century hacienda henequenera with chapel also has a specialized area for raising deer.
The hacienda also has a small archaeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Entrance fee

The tour duration: 1:30 (approx):

MXN 250 (includes a free drink).
MXN 400 (includes free drinks and snacks).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus or “colectivo” return to Merida.

Day 9 – Merida – Uxmal – Merida

How to get there?

Merida – Uxmal

Bus $2-$9 (1:35 hours) runs once daily.
Taxi $15-$19 (1:15 hours)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus returns from Uxmal to Merida.

Day 10 – Merida – Izamal – Merida

Bus Merida – Izamal $1-$4 (1:20 hours), each hour.

Day 11 – Merida – Mani – Merida

Bus Merida – Ticul $2-$4 (1 hour), each 30 min.
Taxi Ticul – Mani $3-$4 (15 min).

Day 12 – Merida – Campeche

How to get there?

Buses from Merida to Campeche are $5-$28 (2:25 hours) and run each 30 minutes daily.
Buses from Merida via Umán and Tenabo to Campeche for $7 (4:10 hours) run every 30 min daily.
Taxi $30-$40 (2:30 hours)

Day 13 – Campeche

…

Day 14 – Campeche – Edzna – Campeche

How to get there?

Taxi $10-$20 (0:55 min)

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last taxi returns to Campeche.

Day 15 – Campeche – Chetumal

How to get there?

Bus from Campeche to Chetumal for $17-$40 (6:45 hours) runs just once daily at 14:00.
Taxi $70-$85 (5:50 hours)

Day 16 – Chetumal

…

Day 17 – Chetumal – Bacalar – Chetumal

How to get there?

Buses to Bacalar $1-$2 (0:30 min) run each hour daily.
Taxi $7-$9 (0:35 min).

Attention!

Don’t forget to check when the last bus, “colectivo” or taxi returns to Chetumal.

Day 18 – Chetumal – Playa del Carmen

How to get there?

Buses Chetumal to Playa del Carmen $14-$45 (4:15 hours) run each hour daily.
There are also buses from Chetumal via Bacalar to Playa del Carmen $18-$61 (4:50 hours), each hour daily.
Taxi $80-$100 (4:50 hours)

Day 19 – Playa del Carmen – Tulum – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 20 – Playa del Carmen – Akumal – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 21 – Playa del Carmen – Cenotes – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 22 – Playa del Carmen – Xcaret – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 23 – Playa del Carmen – Cozumel – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 24 – Playa del Carmen – Coba – Playa del Carmen

…

Day 25 – Playa del Carmen – Cancun

Bus to Cancun (1:10 hours).

Download this itinerary in .pdf format
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Campéche

admin — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 08:23:02 +0000

San Francisco de Campeche (“Ahk’ìin Pech” in yucatec maya language) is a city in the state of Campeche.

Campeche located on the shore of the Bay of Campeche of the Gulf of Mexico and also serves as the state’s capital city.

The city’s population at the 2010 census was 220,389, and the municipality for which it serves as municipal seat had a population of 259,005.

The city retains many of the old colonial spanish city walls and fortifications which protected the city (not always successfully) from pirates and buccaneers. The state of preservation and quality of its architecture earned it the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

Originally, the spaniards lived inside the walled city, while the natives lived in the surrounding barrios of San Francisco, Guadalupe and San Román. These barrios still retain their original churches; the one in Guadalupe is almost 500 years old.

Climate

Campeche has a tropical savanna climate, with most rain falling in the wet season from June to October.

Origin of the Name

The name of Campeche is derived from the Maya name of a settlement called “Ah-Kin-Pech” where the city of Campeche is now. The native name means “place of snakes and ticks”.

When the Spanish first arrived to the area in 1517, they called it Lazaro, since “the day of our landing was St. Lazarus’ Sunday”.

History

The city was founded in 1540 by spanish conquistadores as San Francisco de Campeche atop the pre-existing Maya city of Ah Kim Pech.

The Pre-Columbian city was described as having 3,000 houses and various monuments, of which little trace remains.

Founded in 1540 by Francisco Montejo, Campeche was terrorized by pirates and marauders until the city started fortification in 1686.

San Francisco de Campeche was originally an indigenous village, Ah Kim Pech, where the spanish first landed in Mexico in 1517.

The city of Campeche was founded in 1540 and fortified against pirates during the 17th century. It still has the appearance of a fortress. Historical monuments and buildings, such as the Franciscan cathedral, old Maya ruins, and the old city walls and forts, attract many tourists.

The fortifications system of Campeche, an eminent example of the military architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries, is part of an overall defensive system set up by the Spanish to protect the ports on the Caribbean Sea from pirate attacks like the 1663 Sack of Campeche.

The state of preservation and quality of its architecture earned it the status of a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Tourist Attractions & Sightseeing

The city of Campeche is an example of urbanism in a baroque colonial city, with a reticular and regular plan, its urban trace, a model of colonial port cities, reflects the main role that it played as a commercial, religious and military connection point characterized by its high level of integrity and homogeneity.

More than one thousand buildings with a historic value have survived as witnesses of space and temporal superimposition of several significant historic periods of Mexico.

Due to the constant attacks of both English and Dutch buccaneers and pirates such as Francis Drake, John Hawkins, Laurens de Graaf, Cornelis Jol, Jacobo Jackson, Jean Lafitte, Francisco de Grammont, Bartolomé Portugués, William Parker, Francisco Nau, Edward Mansvelt, Henry Morgan, Lewis Scot, Roche Braziliano and Michel de Grammont for almost 160 years, in 1686 the government started to fortify the city.

The French engineer Louis Bouchard de Becour was commissioned to unify all the defensive works that surrounded the city with a wall. At its completion, the wall surrounding the city of Campeche was 2,560 meters in length, forming an irregular hexagon around the main part of the city, with eight defensive bastions on the corners. These bulwarks now serve different functions:

Santiago: Used as the Botanical Garden ‘Xmuch´haltún’. Reconstructed.
San Pedro: Former prison.
San Francisco: Protects the Land Gate. Houses the library of the INAH.
San Juan: Protects the Land Gate.
Nuestra Señora de la Soledad: Also protects the Sea Gate. It is the largest one and holds the Museum of City History.
San Carlos: Holds the City Museum. This fort was the first one built. Protects the Sea Gate.
Santa Rosa.

It also contained four gates to allow access to the main quarters.

The main entrances are the Puerta de la tierra (“Land Gate”), built in 1732, and the Puerta del mar (“Sea Gate”).

The Land Gate is kept as a tourist attraction, having a light and sound show three nights each week and keeping original supplies and items from the 17th century.

The other gates were Guadalupe and San Román, connecting to the outside neighborhoods.

Additionally, two main forts protected the city from two nearby hills on each side, the forts of San José el Alto (built in 1762) and San Miguel.

These forts gave long-range artillery coverage and served also as look-outs. They were built before the walls of the city.

The fort of San Miguel is used as a museum and houses a collection of pre-Hispanic items.

The fort of San José houses a collection of boats and weapons of the period.

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Hotel & Accommodation in Campeche

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Google map of Campeche

Tourist Assistance + Emergency Numbers

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700