Must-see attractions in Campeche

  • Malecón

    Campeche

    A popular path for joggers, cyclists, strolling friends and cooing sweethearts, the malecón, Campeche’s 7km-long waterfront promenade, makes for a breezy…

  • Plaza Principal

    Campeche

    Shaded by carob trees and ringed by tiled benches and broad footpaths radiating from a belle-epoque kiosk, Campeche’s appealingly modest central square…

  • Museo de la Arquitectura Maya

    Campeche

    The Baluarte de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, designed to protect the Puerta del Mar, contains the fascinating Museo de la Arquitectura Maya. It provides…

  • Centro Cultural Casa Número 6

    Campeche

    During the prerevolutionary era, when this mansion was occupied by an upper-class campechano family, Número 6 was a prestigious plaza address. Wandering…

  • Baluarte de San Pedro

    Campeche

    Directly behind Iglesia de San Juan de Dios, the Baluarte de San Pedro served a post-piracy defensive function when it repelled a punitive raid from…

  • Ex-Templo de San José & Bazar Artesanal

    Campeche

    Faced with blue-and-yellow tiles, the Ex-Templo de San José is a wonder; note the lighthouse, complete with weather vane, atop the right spire. Built in…

  • Biblioteca de Campeche

    Campeche

    On the northern (seaward) side of Plaza Principal stands a replica of the old government center, now housing the modern Biblioteca de Campeche. The…

  • Puerta del Mar

    Campeche

    The Puerta del Mar provided access from the sea, opening on to a wharf where small craft delivered goods from ships anchored further out. The shallow…

  • Sculpture of Pedro Sáinz de Baranda

    Campeche

    A block past the Hotel del Mar is a monumental sculpture of Pedro Sáinz de Baranda, a native son who played a key role in defeating the Spanish at their…

  • Museo del Archivo General de Estado

    Campeche

    At this small museum, learn how Campeche came to be. It’s free and air-conditioned, and you get to check out old documents and maps, and watch a video (in…

  • Puerta de Tierra

    Campeche

    The Puerta de Tierra, on the eastern side of the town wall, was opened in 1732 as the principal ingress from the suburbs. It is now the venue for a sound …

  • Museo El Palacio

    Campeche

    This large museum at the plaza has exhibits about the city's logwood industry and salt trading; a section is designed to make you feel like you're inside…

  • Playa Bonita

    Campeche

    About 13km south of downtown, just past the port village of Lerma, Playa Bonita is the closest real beach to Campeche. Don't expect an isolated paradise…

  • Mansión Carvajal

    Campeche

    Once the mansion of wealthy landowner Fernando Carvajal, this beautiful building now houses state offices. Visitors are welcome to take a peek inside,…

  • Monument to the City Gates

    Campeche

    Next to the Plaza Moch-Couoh is this modern monument to the city’s four famous gates (land, sea, San Román and Guadalupe); these entrances were in the…

  • Novia del Mar

    Campeche

    Just beyond the Centro de Convenciones Campeche, the girl gazing out to sea is the Novia del Mar. According to a poignant local legend, the campechana…

  • Museo de la Ciudad

    Campeche

    Named after Spain’s King Carlos II, the Baluarte de San Carlos houses the Museo de la Ciudad. Its rather pathetic exhibitions include a chained pirate in…