Campeche City, Mexico. Is it still a Hidden Treasure? #Travel

In 1999, no one would have given a cent for Campeche City in the Yucatan Peninsula. Except for those of us who have loved that city since forever. My dear mother was born in this city. As were my grandmother, great aunts and uncles and countless cousins and friends. When I was a kid, we used to spend weeks there in the summer. Unfortunately, I don’t have pictures of those days, so I could show you how different the place was compared to today. But something happened in 1999. The UNESCO gave Campeche City the designation of a World Heritage Site. More specifically, it gave that designation to the old city, the walled city by the sea, the historic downtown district. I don’t know how long it took, but all levels of government worked with the UN to refurbish the downtown core. And the work since has been remarkable. The Old Campeche City is a beautiful town where one can appreciate beautiful architecture that goes back to the 16th century. In the last 15 years, the historic city and surroundings have seen a proliferation of new boutique hotels, restaurants and cafés.

There are many interesting and beautiful spots to see and appreciate in and around Campeche City. Old Spanish fortresses to guard against pirate attacks, for example. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

There are many Catholic Churches in Campeche that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Even if you;re not Catholic, you will appreciate their beauty. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

While not as sophisticated (or big) as Merida, its rival city in the peninsula, Campeche today holds its own as a destination. For one, Campeche is right by the ocean. It’s a sister city to Halifax, Nova Scotia, by the way. If you travel to the Yucatan, make a point to spend 2 or 3 nights in Campeche City and explore the historic downtown and surroundings – and go see the fortresses on hills on either side of the city like the Fuerte de San Miguel.

At Casa Don Gustavo hotel downtown Campeche City. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

10 or 12 years ago, Campeche State’s slogan was “The Hidden Treasure of Mexico.” But since then Mexican and international tourists have discovered Campeche in large numbers so it’s not such a secret anymore even though it’s not a “famous” destination. Yet. It appears to still be a destination where people spend 1 to 3 nights for the most part. In the future it may become a snowbird paradise to mirror the larger Mérida. We’ll see. I personally want to see balanced growth in order for local authorities to have plenty of time to plan ahead so the character of the place is not transformed negatively. Having said that, I think the state’s government led by charismatic Governor Alejandro Moreno is doing a very good job. And the tourism industry is in good hands under the leadership of Secretary Jorge Manos (with whom I had the pleasure to work on a tourism promotion campaign several years ago).
Besides Campeche City, you may be interested in some of the most impressive and fantastic Mayan archaeological sites in the world, which are found in Campeche state. Bekán, Chicaná, Edzná and Calakmul. More on that in future blog posts.
There are many good hotels to choose from in Campeche City, here are some of my suggestions:

A hammock suspended above the pool at Campeche’s Hacienda Puerta Campeche Hotel. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

Hotel Hacienda Puerta Campeche

. Starwood Luxury Collection. A beautiful boutique hotel with a gorgeous pool (not quite for swimming laps though). Tends to be pricey, but it’s wonderful for couples who want a quiet, romantic place.
Hotel Gamma Fiesta Inn. A modern hotel outside the wall city on near the Sea Gate. I like this hotel because I like to swim laps and it has the best pool for that in the city. I also like its location across the street from the boardwalk where I go for long runs.
Casa Don Gustavo. I’ve stayed here a couple of times. It’s a nostalgic place for me because this property used to be my grandmother’s house, where my mother grew up. Of course, it didn’t look like it does today when I was a kid, but still. It’s a wonderful boutique hotel at the foot of Calle 59, the main touristy street in the old Campeche City (warning – weekends can be noisy because of all the restaurants and bars on the street).
Travel Happy, Happy Travels

More of Campeche City’s Hacienda Puerta Campeche Hotel. © Canadian and World Tourism/Cactus Rock New Media Ltd.

Source: canadianandworldtourism.com

Cheap Hotels & Flights