10 Best Things To Do In Campeche, Mexico

1. Explore the city's colonial past at Independence Square

In 1999, UNESCO designated the city center of Campeche a World Heritage site, and it’s for a good reason. Campeche’s historic core is a prime example of a well-preserved Mexican harbor town from the Spanish colonial era. Make sure to check out the grand Independence Square, where the annual International Festival of the Historic Center is held in the month of December.

Independence Square

Address: Calle 55, Zona Centro, 24000 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

2. Visit Centro Cultural Casa No. 6

The maroon facade of this colonial building is unmissable when you walk around Campeche’s Independence Square. Located right across from the cathedral on the square, Centro Cultural Casa No. 6 was believed to be constructed in the 18th century and was considered one of the most prestigious addresses at the time. After a vast restoration project, the mansion was transformed into a museum, meant to showcase the life of Campeche’s upper society in the 19th century. Each of the rooms in the house displays a combination of replica furniture, as well as decorative elements typical for the era.

Centro Cultural Casa No. 6

Address: Calle 57, Zona Centro, 24000 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Website: Centro Cultural Casa No. 6

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 9am - 9pm; Mon - Fri: 8am - 9pm

3. Watch a light and sound show at Puerta de Tierra

Puerta de Tierra, or Land’s Gate in English, was constructed in 1732 as a section of the fortified wall surrounding the city center. It served as the main entrance as well as a line of defense against invasion from further inland. Puerta de Tierra features moats, battlements, casemates, and a defense tower that are largely intact to this day. It also houses a museum where canons and artifacts seized from conquered pirates are being displayed. On some nights during the week, Puerta de Tierra hosts a light and sound show, reenacting scenes from Campeche’s naval history.

Puerta de Tierra

Address: Av Cto Baluartes, Zona Centro, 24000 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)

4. Discover the history of the Mexican Caribbean at Underwater Archaeological Museum

Campeche’s Underwater Archaeological Museum is located in the imposing Fort San of José el Alto. While the stronghold is rich in history itself, having been constructed in the 18th century to assist in defending the city from corsair attacks, the museum established in 2017 takes you further back in time.

Campeche’s Underwater Archaeological Museum boasts a collection of 900 artifacts, including human and animal skeletons, shipwreck remains, and vestiges from the pre-Hispanic Mayan civilization. Through the seven rooms of the museum, you’ll learn the history of the Mexican Caribbean all the way back to the Late Pleistocene era.

Underwater Archaeological Museum

Address: San José el Alto, Campeche, Mexico

Website: Underwater Archaeological Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 3pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 2.5 USD

5. Learn about Mayan culture at Campeche Archaeological Museum, Fort San Miguel

Fort San Miguel is Campeche’s largest colonial fort, built between 1779 and 1801. It features a working drawbridge and a moat, and the roof deck gives you a stunning view of the Gulf of Mexico. Fort San Miguel now houses Campeche Archeological Museum, where pieces from the nearby Calakmul and Edzná archaeological sites are displayed. You can learn a lot about Mayan culture and history in this museum. Some of the prized collections of the museum include jade burial masks discovered in Calakmul, along with vases, plates, and jewelry.

Campeche Archaeological Museum, Fort San Miguel

Address: Escénica, Zona Centro, 24030 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Website: Campeche Archaeological Museum, Fort San Miguel

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 3pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 3 USD

6. Marvel at the beautiful facade of Ex-Templo de San Jose

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, Ex-Templo de San Jose was built by the Jesuits in 1716, on top of an already existing temple to honor St. Joseph. The church was built in a distinct Baroque style; however, the beautiful Talavera mosaic that can be seen in the facade was added later.

Today, the building is part of the adjacent Instituto Campechano and is often used as a gallery and venue for cultural events. During school hours, you can even find a bazaar and temporary exhibits from the institute’s craft center. The church’s right tower doesn’t function as a bell tower, but it was Campeche’s first lighthouse.

Ex-Templo de San Jose

Address: Calle 63 100, Zona Centro, 24000 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Opening hours: 10am - 8pm (daily)

7. See impressive street art in Bazar Artesanal Campeche

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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While most of Campeche’s main attractions revolve around history and heritage, the city is definitely not exclusively about that. Campeche is also home to some of the most impressive street art in the country. What makes Campeche’s street art special is the juxtaposition of the modern style of graffiti with the classical architecture of most of the city. It certainly complements each other, and you definitely shouldn’t skip on these when you visit the city.

Bazar Artesanal Campeche

Address: Pedro Sainz de Baranda, Área Ah, 24014 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

8. Stroll down the Malecón de Campeche

This broad promenade is a popular destination for walking, jogging, cycling, and people-watching in general. The 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) long sidewalk runs almost the entirety of the boulevard, lined with sculptures, fountains, and resting areas. On weekend nights, it attracts families, as well as students who wish to have some fun.

Malecón de Campeche

Address: Golfo de México, Solidaridad Nacional, 24014 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

9. Unwind in Xmuch'haltún Botanical Garden

Part of the reason why Campeche is such an amazing destination is how the city has successfully merged its past with the present. Xmuch'haltún Botanical Garden is a lush oasis that is located in Baluarte de Santiago, a section of the old city wall now repurposed to be the home of at least 250 species of plants. The bastion itself is in a well-preserved state even though it was constructed in 1704, and when you step inside, you can find a manicured garden of tropical plants as well as Mayan medicinal herbs.

The name Xmuch'haltún is a Yucatec Mayan phrase that means “water that springs from the earth.” It’s a nod to the artificial fountain located in the center, feeding several canals that water the plants in the garden. Xmuch'haltún Botanical Garden is a perfect place to unwind from the busy streets of the city.

Xmuch'haltún Botanical Garden

Address: Calle 49, Zona Centro, 24000 Campeche, Camp., Mexico

Website: Xmuch'haltún Botanical Garden

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 8am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm; Sun: 8am - 2pm

10. See a Mayan temple up close at Edzna Archaeological Zone

Edzna Archaeological Zone is considered one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. This complex can easily be visited on a day trip from Campeche as it is only an hour away from the city center. The main attraction of the destination is a well-preserved main temple surrounded by a complex system of canals that were once used to capture, store, and distribute water around the area.

Edzna Archaeological Zone is a window to the past as it is believed to have been inhabited as early as 400 BC and features different architectural styles that span a period of 1500 years.

Edzna Archaeological Zone

Address: Edzna Archaeological Zone, Campeche, Mexico

Opening hours: 9am - 3pm (daily)

A paradise for history buffs

Offering numerous well-preserved historical sites that are worth visiting, Campeche is truly a paradise for history buffs. If your idea of a perfect vacation is slowing down and appreciating the past, then Campeche is the right destination for you. Check out this list of the best things to do in Campeche, Mexico, for a fun-filled trip.