Campeche

A quiet state in the west of the Yucatán Peninsula, with a walled colonial port city and Maya cities deep in the jungle.

Campeche lies in the west of the Yucatán Peninsula, on the Gulf of Mexico, and sees relatively few visitors. The capital, Campeche, is known for its colourful colonial streets, city walls and defensive forts; the historic fortified town is a World Heritage Site, and the Edzná Maya site is nearby. The ancient city of Calakmul in the south is hidden in vast tropical forest and is a World Heritage Site for both nature and culture, with sites such as Becán and Chicanná nearby, best explored using Xpujil as a base. The dry season from November to April is the better time to travel; summers are hot and rainy. The gateway is Campeche Airport, and you can also come via Mérida or the Maya Train.

Destinations

• Campeche
• Calakmul (Xpujil)

Itineraries

• Grand Yucatán Peninsula Loop – A complete road trip starting and ending in Cancún, looping through three states from white cities and fortified towns…
• Tren Maya: Cancún to Palenque – Skip the driving and ride the Tren Maya from the Caribbean coast all the way west to the Chiapas rainforest ruins.
• Southern Mexico: Mexico City to Mérida – Journey from the capital through Puebla, Oaxaca, and Chiapas to Yucatán, utilizing buses, flights, and the Maya Train.