Campeche Mexico: Yucatan Peninsula Coastal City

From Celestun head towards carretera federal Rte. 281 in the Easterly direction and follow closely all of the signs to reach Campeche. You will be driving through the following cities/towns to get to Campeche: Becal, Calkini, Tenabo. From Tenabo you will have to turn sharply towards south-west to arrive shortly at the ‘gates’ of the great city of Campeche.

Campeche in Mayan language is called Äh Kin Pech – or
“The Place of the Serpents and Ticks”.
Before-mentioned Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba by 1540, started to expand Campeche into a major trading port, building bulwarks, fortified churches, city gates and strongholds. As Campeche grew, it attracted buccaneers and pirates. The city is vibrant with its lights, its pastel facades, its hanging lanterns and beautiful cobblestone streets all built with colonial architectural undertones. Campeche use to be just another stopover on the way to Villahermosa (444km southeast of Campeche), but no more, today it’s a true tourist destination because of the city-sponsored entertainments, beaches, nearby haciendas along Ruta Chenes and Ruta Rio Bec, and the biosphere reserves of Calakmul.

Major routes: Circuito Baluastes, circumscribes the old city. All major roads come together on the Circuito Baluastes, in the city centre. Avenida Gobernadores comes in from Merida Highway northeast of the city, crosses the peripheral highway, and passes the airport, train station, and bus terminals on its way to the Circuito. In order to arrive at the park, catch catch the “Gobernadores” bus across the street from the terminal station.
You can get a taxi from your hotel to the park since the taxis are quite cheap. The city centre’s east-west streets have odd numbers that increase to the south. Calle 8 runs north-south between the principal and the western city wall. Parallel to Calle 8 to the east lies Calles 10 and 16. The principal lies near the sea, bordered by Calles 8, 10, 55 and 57. To the west, outside the city wall, Av. 16 de Septiembre and Ave. Ruiz Cortinez also run parallel to Calle 8. North of the centro, Calle 8 becomes Malecon Miguel Aleman, running past the Iglesia de San Francisco, uphill to Fuerte de San Jose El Alto. Avenida Resurgimiento, the coastal boardwalk south of the city, runs past the youth hostel and the Fuerte San Miguel on its way to san Lorenzo and Seybaplaya. The Buses do not enter the historic and colonial centers. The best time to enjoy Campeche is during the night when the city is light up by city lights.

The Sites to Visit During Your Stay:

Fuerte de San Miguel:

This fort houses exhibits which clearly describe nearby ruins and displays Mayan jewelry, pottery, vessels from Edzba and a jade mask from Calakmul. If you like weaponry, the top level of the fort, proudly displays 19 cannons which gloom over the sea and Campeche to the north of central watchtower. To visit the fort, you can take the “Lerma” bus from the eastern end of the Circuito Baluartes. Ask the bus driver to drop you off at the Castillo parade and then walk up the steep hill on the left until you reach the fork on the road. Take the left turn leading up to the fort.

Fuerte de San Jose El Alto:

This fort was built in 1762, San Jose was well-designed for defense during its time. The great defensive tactic was in its design; the path leading to the portcullis winds deliberately so that battering rams could not be used on the gate. The fort’s moat was crowded by pikes hidden beneath the murky waters. Currently, the ships and armaments have moved inside the fort for an impressive exhibit. The view from San Jose spreads over kilometers of green shoreline giving way to the urban waterfront development. The “Bellavista” and “San Jose El Alto” bus from the market will drop you halfway up the hill: a five-minute walk will get you to the fort at the top. (Open Tu-Su 8-8, Sunday free admission.)

Museo de las Estelas Maya:

Inside de Baluarte de la Soledad, off Calle 8 near Calle 57 behind el parque principal, the museo houses a small collection of well-preserved Mayan stelae and reliefs taken from sites in the Campeche province. Visitors may climb the walls of the fort, which is surrounded by a park. A showroom across from the museum occasionally features free exhibitions. (museum open M 8-2, tu-sa 8-8 Su 8-6)

Jardin Botanico Xmuch’Haltun:

Enclosed by the walls of the fuerte Santiago at the northwest corner of the city on Calles 8 and 51, the garden is a great place to stop and rest. Over 250 species of plant thrive in a tiny open-air courtyard shaded by trees and marked by benches, fountains, and frogs. Open M-F 9-4 Sa 9-1 and Sun 9-1

La Purisima Concepcion:

This glorious cathedral served as a second refuge gathering place for the Maya and Spanish communities. Right below it you can see El Parque Principal. The construction of the cathedral was ordered by Francisco de Montejo in 1540. However, the cathedral has not been fully constructed until 1705. The cathedral’s main attraction is its façade. Inside, you will find the Santo Entierro (Holy Burial), a sculpture of Christ in a carved mahogany sarcophagus replete with gold ornaments inside a glass case with silver trim. (open daily 7-noon FREE)

Iglesia de San Francisco:

This church can be encountered a rather farther distance from the city center. It was built in 1546 and is the first official place where the first Mesoamerican mass was held. This church was also a baptismal site of Hernando Cortes’s grandson. The three bells toll for humbleness, obedience, and chastity. Inside, yellow Corinthian arches project toward an ornate altar. (Open daily 8-12)

Right now, you can own a condo in Mayan Riviera, use it as home-base and explore parts of Yucatan Peninsula such as Campeche. The best thing is that this condominium property can be rented out as a vacation spot and generate income to off-set your mortgage payments.
For more information visit: Luxury Condominiums Mexico

Other sights: Sand and Beaches. The closest stretch of sand is at Playa Payucan – great for snorkeling. Fauna, flora and ecotourism escapades are well programmed in Calakmul, which is the largest biosphere reserve in Mexico covering 1.7 million acres. This reserve in Campeche was a former Maya ceremonial powerhouse containing over 6000 ruins. From Campeche go south on 261 towards Escarcega-Chetumal until you reach Rte. 186 Go 95 km on Rte. 186, the town of Conhuas. The entrance is on the right, through a 60 kilometer one-lane road.


Tomek W. Copyright © Ottawa sellers