Not an easy or quick getaway, take the trip to Campeche, MX and you won’t be disappointed. Campeche can open your mind to new trips in Mexico and make you want to go back for more. If you don’t speak Spanish you better learn or travel with those that do as most of residents speak little to no English. This story is in two parts. The first reviews downtown Campeche and nearby Edzna Ruins with part two visiting the Hacienda Uayamon as it deserves much more attention.
You must connect in Mexico City and there are only a few flights in and out of Campeche a day. Once you get there you will forget the long journey. The city is surrounded by stone walls that were once protection from pirates and strong winds and are now being restored to keep the history alive. Take a taxi or prearrange a ride from the airport and stay at the Hotel Castelmar or the Hacienda Puerta Campeche both located downtown. The Castelmar, http://castelmarhotel.com , is much more affordable and is almost as nice. Each room is unique, clean and the open air patio is a beautiful place to have a light breakfast, which is not included in the price. The Hacienda Puerta Campeche is just a short walk away and the pool is so different from anything you have ever seen! For a small tip the hotel staff will go out and buy you ice, drinks, anything you want or need as hotel amenities are limited. There is a beautiful rooftop bar, the rooms are amazing and each has its own hammock to relax should the mood strike.
The city has unique restaurants that cook up fresh Mexican seafood and serves salsa with bread to start; you won’t find nachos, quesadillas or that sort here. Serving dessert and one of-a-kind drinks late into the night try out the Chocol ha. A chocolate house that serves Chocolate Caliente con Chile and homemade crepes, deliciouso! Another favorite place was the market. Something you may only see on a travel TV show you are right in the mix of fresh fruit and veggies along with the fish and meat market. No joke this is a serious place and how many families make money. There is everything from electronics to Guayaberas and for some reason lots of shoe stores. Now you need to convert your money to pesos as it is considered rude to pay in foreign currency. You can bargain and name your own price and everything is very inexpensive. Although when you get a check for $600 pesos some might get a little nervous seeing so many zeros.
A great day trip will take you about 1 hour southeast to the Mayan Ruins of Edzna, these are the closest ruins to Campeche. A more famous site is Calakmul but a much further drive. Hiring a tour guide is well worth it. For 10 people at $30 a person we got a ride there and a 3 hour tour by a part Mayan man by the name of Alfredo. Your hotel can set you up when you get there. Very knowledgeable and entertaining, our pictures cannot do justice to the historic structures built almost 2000 years ago.
Campeche, MX surpassed expectations! This unique city offers tamarind margaritas, a little history and a lot of heart. People here are excited to see tourists and eager to sell you their handmade souvenirs. Just wait until you take the short ride out of the city and into the jungle to discover the Hacienda Uayamon…you will find yourself asking if they have monkeys!
Comments