Travel Guide to Campeche: The 6 Best Things to Do
The sleepy little city of Campeche is only a two hour bus ride away from Merida and one of the less known destinations in Mexico. Colorful colonial buildings, great restaurants and one of the most beautiful Maya ruins are waiting for you here. Campeche is located on the coast and you can walk on the promenade right next to the ocean, which is really beautiful at sunset. There are a few beaches outside of the city, but Campeche is more a city than a beach destination.
I personally think Campeche has a really European vibe with its cute restaurants with tables on the street, colorful buildings, little balconies and street lights. It is the perfect destination if you want to get away from the busy city life and explore a city that feels more like a small town.
Overall I would say that 2-3 days are perfect to see everything in Campeche and to do a day trip to the Maya ruins of Edzná. Of course, it depends on your travel pace and what you’re looking for. In this blog post you will find the best things to do in Campeche, where to eat and where to stay.
How to get to Campeche
By plane
The closest airport is in Mérida, which is a 2.5 hour drive from Campeche. From the airport in Cancun it takes about 5.5 hours to drive to Campeche. From the airport you can either take a taxi, bus or rental car.
By ADO bus
ADO is a well-known bus company in Mexico that provides long-distance bus services. ADO operates a vast network of routes connecting various cities and towns across Mexico. It’s an easy, comfortable and affordable option to travel around Mexico. The ADO bus from Mérida to Campeche takes about 2.5 h and will cost you about 20 USD (400 MXN).
By Colectivo
A Colectivo is the local bus in Mexico and the cheapest way to travel. You can take the Colectivo from Mérida to Campeche, but you will have to change at least once. I would only recommend you to take the Colectivo if you don’t have much luggage, but it’s a great way to see how locals travel.
Getting around in Campeche
The historic center of Campeche is quite small, so everything is within walking distance. If you want to see the beaches outside the city you will need a car or bus, because they are quite far away. Some beaches actually close at a certain time, so make sure to check the opening and closing times before your visit.
Best time to travel
The best time to travel to Campeche, Mexico, is during dry season from December to April. You will have little to no rainfall and sunshine every day, but it’s also the busiest time of the year. Wet season might be a good option for you if you’re traveling on a budget, because the prices for accommodation and tours will be lower. The landscape is lush green during this time, but of course you will also have a lot more rain showers. We visited Campeche at the beginning of April and didn’t have a single rain shower.
6 Best Things to Do in Campeche
1. Explore the Historic Center
The historic center of Campeche is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you’re walking through Campeche you will see colonial buildings in the most beautiful colors, an old cathedral, mansions and small plazas. Simply going for a little morning walk on the cobble stoned streets is one of the best things you can do in this city. To dive deeper into the history of Campeche you can visit the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Inmaculada Concepción and walk over the Plaza de la Independencia, a wonderful spot to drink a coffee or just relax.
2. Visit the Edzna Ruins
Getting to the Edsza ruins from Campeche is really easy. All you have to do is to take a Colectivo close to the local market outside the city wall. It can be a little tricky to find the spot where the Colectivos stop, so the best thing you can do is to walk to the market and ask the locals for more information. We found the Colectivo at the corner of Calle Nicaragua and Calle Chihuahua. The first Colectivo leaves around 9am and from then on approximately every 30 minutes. The drive takes about 1 hour and only costs 2.60 USD (45 MXN). The entrance to Edzna only costs 3.40 USD (60 MXN) which is incredible compared to Chichén Itzá which is 26 USD (533 MXN).
What I love about the Edzna ruins is that you are allowed to climb them! You will rarely find the opportunity to climb ancient Maya ruins in Mexico, but here you are free to explore. And the best thing: There are barely any tourists, which means you’ll get the whole place to yourself. How often in life do you get the chance to explore a huge ancient Maya city without any other tourists around you? In my opinion those are the best Maya ruins you can visit in Mexico. I think the fact that Edszna is quite far away from the places most tourists visit in Mexico is the reason why it’s not very busy here.
3. Eat out on Calle 59
Calle 59 is not only the most beautiful street in Campeche, you will also find plenty of good restaurants here. At night the street will be filled with tables and people enjoying Mexican cuisine. We ate Mexican food at Chilena 59, which was super delicious and drank the best Mango margaritas we’ve had in Mexico. It was so good that we actually ate at this restaurant two days in a row, because we were so happy with the food. This street really gives Campeche a European vibe and you might feel like you’re in Italy or Spain.
4. Climb up the City Wall
The city wall in Campeche, known as the “Campeche Walls”, is a significant historical feature that has played a crucial role in the city’s history. These walls are one of the best-preserved examples of colonial-era fortifications in Mexico and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The construction of the city walls began in the late 17th century and they were built to protect the city of Campeche from pirate attacks and invasions. For a small entrance fee you can go up to the city wall and enjoy beautiful views of the city and the ocean.
5. Watch the Sunset from the Malecón
If you follow Calle 59 to the northern end you can leave the historic center by walking through a gate in the city wall towards the ocean. Here you will find the Malecón, a waterfront promenade that is great for a little walk. There are no beaches or places where you can go swimming, but it’s a really amazing spot to watch the sunset. The best thing you can do is to buy a marquesita (sweet Mexican street food) and watch the sunset over the ocean.
6. Explore the Local Market
Outside the city wall is a big local market where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables and more. It’s absolutely safe to explore the market, but it’s a little dark and usually crowded, so I would recommend you to keep an eye on your belongings.
Where to stay in Campeche
We decided to stay at Residencial Edzna, which is a hostel in the historic center. It’s a really simple, budget-friendly hostel with a little rooftop terrace. For our visit it was great, because we were only in the hostel to sleep. If you’re looking for more comfort there are many other options as well.
What I love about Campeche are the colorful colonial buildings and the fact that it feels more like a sleepy little town. After visiting Mérida, which is a really busy city, Campeche is the perfect destination for a weekend trip. The fact alone that it’s the closest city to the Edzna ruins makes it worth visiting. I have seen many Maya ruins in Mexico and those are definitely my favorite. I would love to hear your thoughts about Campeche in the comments down below! And let me know if you have any questions.
