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Top 5 Reasons Why Travelers Should Visit Campeche, Mexico

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The capital city of Campeche, located in front of the Gulf of Mexico, is a colonial beauty that was a port of entry for buccaneers and pirates, which gave rise to a walled city with forts and bastions. Here you will enjoy spectacular beaches and islands, nature reserves, archaeology, and its exquisite gastronomy.

Visit the Forts and Bastions of Campeche

Since its inception, this colonial jewel has spun its history around pirates, who made this community the walled city of southeastern Mexico. The great wealth of its port attracted pirates from all over the world, including the most famous characters of the Caribbean coasts, whose legends you can meet in some of the most incredible forts of Mexico. Exploring and walking through the fortifications and bastions are among Campeche's most popular activities and a must-do. The San Jose Fort – Archaeological Museum of Campeche, San Miguel Fort – Mayan Archaeology Museum, De la Soledad Bastion – Mayan Architecture, The Camino Real Museum, and The Palace Cultural Center.

Stroll Through Downtown and Surrounding Areas

Walking the colorful streets will be one of your favorite activities to do in Campeche. Taking a walk through the cobbled and colorful streets is a must-do in this Magical Town, also known as San Francisco de Campeche, which will connect you with its history.

Get to know the cathedral, the portals in Independence Square, the old customs buildings, the shipyard, and other historical landmarks, framed by this walled city. Do not miss the sunsets on the boardwalk, a real show to end the day. If you love ecotourism, in the surroundings, you will find the Hidden Woman Caves and the Biosphere of the Petenes, part of the activities to do in Campeche to enjoy nature.

Enjoy the Beaches

On the best beaches of Campeche, you will find miles of coastline, where you can enjoy a sea without waves and beautiful natural landscapes. They are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and doing water activities such as snorkeling, diving, or jet skis. Some are located near downtown, such as Caracol Beach and Azul Beach, and 50 miles from there, you will find Champotón and Punta Xen. Be sure to take a tour of the islands of Campeche: Carmen, Arena, and Aguada. So don't forget to bring your swimsuit, to enjoy its beautiful beaches.

Explore the Archaeological Site of Calakmul

Without a doubt, the archaeological site of Calakmul is one of the top tourist attractions in Campeche. Located southeast of the capital city and in the middle of the nature reserve of the same name, it is an ancient Mayan metropolis shrouded in jungle. Its high pyramids that rise above the lush vegetation witnessed the greatness of its ancient inhabitants, and it is still possible to climb them to the top. Visiting this site is an adventure since to get there, you'll have to cross paths through the wilderness, and quite possibly, you will encounter monkeys and deer in their habitat. Keep in mind that you must arrive early, as there is no lighting in the reserve that surrounds the ruins. Another of the must-see activities to do in Campeche is to visit the Bat Volcano, a natural spectacle that can be observed within the reserve.

Taste the Gastronomy and Book Your Stay in a Colonial Mansion

To enjoy Campeche to the fullest, you must taste its gastronomy. It combines fresh products from the sea with spices that arrived from Asia and the East, in ancient times to this port. Typical favorite dishes include Pan de Cazon and Pampano Verde.

You will find an incredible variety of hotels in Campeche. The advantage of this paradise is that you can opt for those located in elegant colonial mansions or in beautiful haciendas, which are part of the charm of Campeche. In them, you will enjoy both the history that shelters its walls, as well as the modern lodging services, surrounded by beautiful gardens and vegetation. They are also the most romantic scenarios for a wedding.

As you can see, there are so many exciting activities to do in Campeche that will make it one of your favorite destinations. You will surely want to return once you get a taste of this beautiful town.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.


Mr Therafire

Saturday 21st of August 2021

We’re always looking for “not so known” towns to visit and this looks like one we would really enjoy. It seems to have a mix of want we look for, which are beaches, old towns, and archeological sites. It would be nice if they have hiking trails too! Would research more on the cost of living to see if it’s a good fit for out adventure. Great post! Thank you for the idea!

Kashlee Kucheran

Sunday 22nd of August 2021

From what we know cost of living is pretty decent. The only thing we personally think is a 'con' is the heat can get pretty toasty! :)

Dee Dee

Thursday 19th of August 2021

Have been to Campeche many times but this article opens up new ideas! Always thankful for new ideas!

Marc Lapierre

Thursday 19th of May 2022

@Dee Dee, We are booked to visit Campeche in the new year, 2023. It is our first time in the Yucatan area but not our first time in Mexico. We chose Campeche randomly but now that we’ve done more research we are wondering if we chose the wrong destination for a two month stay 🤷‍♂️ 😳 We are not looking to go clubbing, but maybe an early evening cocktail and chat to new friends at a fun spot ….and of course not everynite! We love the morning, an early walk on the beach or along the malecón, outdoor café and people watch. Can someone please tell me we haven’t booked the wrong destination 🤔🫣😳 Thanks, Markie P.S. we are in our mid 50’s