Campeche — The Fortified City★★
Campeche is Yucatán's best-kept secret. The UNESCO World Heritage old town is surrounded by a fully preserved fortification wall from the 17th century — built to protect against pirates who regularly raided the wealthy port city.
The pastel-colored colonial houses in the old town have been lovingly restored — each building in a different candy color: pink, yellow, turquoise, orange. Campeche has little tourism and a lot of atmosphere. If you like Valladolid, you will love Campeche.
Highlights
- Centro Histórico: The fortified old town with 8 bastions (Baluartes), cathedral, and Ex-Templo de San José with its tiled facade.
- Malecón: The promenade along the Gulf of Mexico — perfect for sunset.
- Calakmul: Day trip (3-hour drive) to one of the most powerful Maya cities, deep in the jungle. Few visitors, monkeys, and toucans. Rival of Tikal (Guatemala).
- Edzná: More compact Maya site only 60 km away. The five-story pyramid is impressive.
💡 Tipp
Campeche is one of the best places to eat seafood — straight from the Gulf. Try Pan de Cazón (shark tortilla casserole) and Camarones al Coco (coconut shrimp) at Mercado Pedro Sainz de Baranda.
