Campeche, Mexico Things to Do and Attractions
Located on Calle 55, and overlooking the main square, this limestone cathedral has stood for over 300 years. One of its striking features is the La Espanola bell tower, which contained the city's first public clock. The cathedral's facade sports
Located on Calle 55, and overlooking the main square, this limestone cathedral has stood for over 300 years. One of its striking features is the La Espanola bell tower, which contained the city's first public clock. The cathedral's facade sports Baroque-style decorations, and two statues, one of Saint Paul and the other of Saint Peter which occupy niches in its outer walls. Inside, the decor is sober, but visitors will encounter several colonial era paintings, which adorn the Cathedral walls.
Campeche has a total of seven bulwarks, built to fortify the city against pirates, indigenous uprisings and wild animals. Much of what is seen today is original construction. Many of the bulwarks host museums, or interesting historical artifacts;
Campeche has a total of seven bulwarks, built to fortify the city against pirates, indigenous uprisings and wild animals. Much of what is seen today is original construction. Many of the bulwarks host museums, or interesting historical artifacts; they are well worth a visit: The Baluarte de San Francisco, once the primary defense bastion for the adjacent city gate (Puerta de la Tierra), hosts a small museum containing weapons and pirate artifacts.
Located in the San Miguel Fort, in what were once barracks, warehouses, armories and kitchens, the museum of Mayan culture has 10 rooms filled with interesting exhibits about Campeche's pre-Colonial and Colonial history. The museum houses several
Located in the San Miguel Fort, in what were once barracks, warehouses, armories and kitchens, the museum of Mayan culture has 10 rooms filled with interesting exhibits about Campeche's pre-Colonial and Colonial history. The museum houses several unique ceramic pieces collected from the surrounding archeological sites, as well as a fantastic collection of jade masks, which were found in Calakmul. The museum also houses a collection of colonial furniture, weapons and boats. The museum's final exhibition room is adorned with traditional symbols from Campeche's commercial and navigational history.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 AM to 8 PM.
Located in the Bulwark of San Juan, the smallest of Campeche's seven bulwarks, the "Lugar del Sol" Sound and Light Show is an artistic reenactment of historical pirate attacks in Campeche's past. The show brings together modern style dancing with
Located in the Bulwark of San Juan, the smallest of Campeche's seven bulwarks, the "Lugar del Sol" Sound and Light Show is an artistic reenactment of historical pirate attacks in Campeche's past. The show brings together modern style dancing with aspects of ballet from the states' conservatory. The spectacle is something of a Disney-style extravaganza; it employs projected images and cannon blasts to animate the action on stage. The tale of the pirate attacks is told in four languages (English, French, Italian and German), and makes for an entertaining evening. Group events are available.
The show begins at 8:30 PM every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. General admission costs $50 MX (USD$4.10).
The Artisan Bazaar, or Bazar Artesanal, is a one-stop shopping center for all souvenir needs. The market features arts and crafts made by local craftspeople. It is a great place to get a taste of local culture. One section of the market is reserved
The Artisan Bazaar, or Bazar Artesanal, is a one-stop shopping center for all souvenir needs. The market features arts and crafts made by local craftspeople. It is a great place to get a taste of local culture. One section of the market is reserved for demonstrations of traditional craft-making techniques, giving the visitor an inside look at how crafts are produced.
The artisan market is a state-run enterprise that is open daily from 10 AM to 10 PM at the Ah Kim Pech Plaza, near the city's convention center.
Named after an infamous Dutch pirate who attacked Campeche and its surrounding villages in 1672, the Lorencillo Pirate boat is the replica of a 17th-century buccaneer-style vessel. The ship takes visitors for a ride around Campeche bay and treats
Named after an infamous Dutch pirate who attacked Campeche and its surrounding villages in 1672, the Lorencillo Pirate boat is the replica of a 17th-century buccaneer-style vessel. The ship takes visitors for a ride around Campeche bay and treats them to a pirate show on board. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. Drinks, snacks and dancing are available for passengers, as they cruise up and down the coast of Campeche. The boat is also available for hire for special events.
Boat tours leave from the Unidad de Lerma Pier (API Puerta #5). It operates daily from 12 PM and 6 PM.
Xtampak Tours is a tour operator that offers comprehensive city tours, as well as tours to various archeological sites, including Edzna, the Chenes sites and eastern Campeche. This tour company also offers overnight packages to the Calakmul and Rio
Xtampak Tours is a tour operator that offers comprehensive city tours, as well as tours to various archeological sites, including Edzna, the Chenes sites and eastern Campeche. This tour company also offers overnight packages to the Calakmul and Rio Bec. Bilingual guides are available for hire.
The city tour costs roughly $240 MX (USD$20) for a four-hour tour and $180 MX (USD$15) to Edzna. Tours are offered from 8 AM to 4 PM and from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
The Cenaduria Los Portales is a classic Campechano dining spot, located by the San Francisco Gates. As the name indicates, the restaurant is only open for dinner (Cena, in Spanish means Dinner), and the food served is Mexican, with regional specials
The Cenaduria Los Portales is a classic Campechano dining spot, located by the San Francisco Gates. As the name indicates, the restaurant is only open for dinner (Cena, in Spanish means Dinner), and the food served is Mexican, with regional specials prepared daily. Prices range from $120 MX (USD$10) to $170 MX (USD$15).
Situated in the heart of the historical center, and only steps away from the Soledad Bulwark, El Bastion de Campeche was founded in 1939 and serves carefully prepared local dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is housed in an old
Situated in the heart of the historical center, and only steps away from the Soledad Bulwark, El Bastion de Campeche was founded in 1939 and serves carefully prepared local dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is housed in an old Colonial building, which was the birthplace of famed poet and writer Justo Sierra Mendez. El Bastion de Campeche is equipped to host events and has the capacity to serve groups of up to 100 people in the main room and 36 people in a private salon. The restaurant is equipped with Wi-Fi as well as some audio-visual amenities, including a 40-inch plasma screen TV. Catering services are also available for hire at special events. Prices range from $80 MX (USD$6) to $170 MX (USD$15).
Specializing in fish and seafood, Marganzo is a lively restaurant located in the heart of Campeche's historic center, adjacent to one of the city's gates, la Puerta del Mar. Marganzo serves contemporary Campechano food, meaning that pre-Hispanic
Specializing in fish and seafood, Marganzo is a lively restaurant located in the heart of Campeche's historic center, adjacent to one of the city's gates, la Puerta del Mar. Marganzo serves contemporary Campechano food, meaning that pre-Hispanic dishes and local ingredients are fused with aspects of international cuisine in order to create unique flavors. Exciting appetizers such as shredded manta ray and octopus salad, classic seafood entrees and a selection of international dishes are sure to satisfy all tastes. The restaurant offers live music every night, and events can be held in the dining hall for groups of up to 250 people. Marganzo's also offers catering services for events. Prices range from $120 MX (USD$10) to $170 MX (USD$15).
Formerly a prestigious plaza address, the Casa No. 6 was a mansion occupied by an upper-class Campeche family during the pre-revolutionary era. The building now serves as an informational center for tourists, as well as a cultural center. Casa No. 6
Formerly a prestigious plaza address, the Casa No. 6 was a mansion occupied by an upper-class Campeche family during the pre-revolutionary era. The building now serves as an informational center for tourists, as well as a cultural center. Casa No. 6 contains several exhibition spaces as well as a bookstore, and the front sitting room is decorated with Cuban furniture from hundreds of years ago. Visitors will be able see examples of how the wealthy lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Casa No. 6 is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM. General admission costs $8 MX (USD$0.50).
Inaugurated on the first of December 2002, the World Patrimony Plaza is located in the historic center. The plaza sports a series of interactive musical fountains, seemingly creating a show by "dancing" to the music. The fountains become active on
Inaugurated on the first of December 2002, the World Patrimony Plaza is located in the historic center. The plaza sports a series of interactive musical fountains, seemingly creating a show by "dancing" to the music. The fountains become active on the hour every hour between 6 PM and 10 PM and lasts for about 20 minutes.
The ancient city of Edzna, whose name translated into English means "house of the Itzaes" (a Mayan tribe), became a regional Mayan capital of the Eastern Yucatan peninsula between 400 AD and 1000 AD. The impressive stature of several stone
The ancient city of Edzna, whose name translated into English means "house of the Itzaes" (a Mayan tribe), became a regional Mayan capital of the Eastern Yucatan peninsula between 400 AD and 1000 AD. The impressive stature of several stone structures, as well as the presence of water storage facilities and canals, attest to the great advances in architecture and engineering made by the city's inhabitants. The Edzna archaeological site spans 6.5 square miles and contains several ancient structures, including the site's largest pyramid that reaches five-stories high.
The site also offers a sound and light show, which takes place daily at 9 PM. What's more, several haciendas can be visited around Edzna, such as the Uayamon Hacienda, and the Yax Ha hacienda. Edzna is located 38 miles from the Campeche City, a 45-minute drive. Visitors arrive here by car, hiring private transport, or by taking an organized tour from the city of Campeche.
Located only 5 miles south of the capital, on the Federal Highway 180, this beach is visited by tourists and locals alike. Visitors to Playa Bonita can enjoy a relaxing swim in the temperate waters, or simply sit on the beach and watch the gentle
Located only 5 miles south of the capital, on the Federal Highway 180, this beach is visited by tourists and locals alike. Visitors to Playa Bonita can enjoy a relaxing swim in the temperate waters, or simply sit on the beach and watch the gentle waves roll in. The surrounding eco-system is tropical and many species of colorful fish live in the waters.
