DaylightSunset about 5:43 PM. Daylight is short, so plan the views for the early afternoon.
HappeningDry and the coolest of the year, with a fresh, windy northern front some days. The best time of year for the long walks, and the road south is at its driest.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: days that are warm but not hot, with few rainy days, score highest. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. Campeche is your base for all four nights, and the long day south starts from here.Details
Getting here
Campeche has a small airport, and many travelers come by a long bus or road trip from Mérida or from the Yucatán coast. Book the ride to your door ahead, and plan to arrive in daylight.
Getting around
The walled city is small and flat, so walk it. The fort sits on a hill outside the walls, a short taxi ride away. Edzná and Calakmul need a car with a driver, a rental or a small group trip with a local operator.
Heat and care
The Gulf coast is hot and humid for much of the year, and the sun is strong even on cloudy days. Bring a hat, sun cream, repellent and water, wear light long sleeves, and plan your walking for the morning and the evening.
First evening
Day 1 starts in the cathedral square, so settle in and take an easy stroll after dark, when the streets cool and the old walls are lit. Spanish is the language of the streets, and a few words go a long way.
How much walking? On foot, about 0.2 to 1.4 kilometers a day, and 560.3 kilometers by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
Day 1. The walled city and the waterfront
4 stops · 1.4 km on foot
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
1
MorningIndoor
Campeche Cathedral
The cathedral on the main square of the old town, a church of the Immaculate Conception built over a long stretch of the colonial period, with two towers and a pale, carved front. The square in front of it has trees, benches and a bandstand, and it is where the town meets. It is a working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go whenMorning, while the square is cool and quiet.
Local tip It is a working church, so cover your shoulders and stay quiet during services. Sit on a bench in the square afterward and watch the town wake up.
A bastion on the land side of the old walls, near the market, with cannons and a view along the stone curtain of the wall. A short stop on a walk around the walls.
Go whenMorning, on a walk along the walls.
Local tip A bastion on the land side of the old walls, a short walk from the market. Take a few minutes to look at the stone and the cannons.
Lunch
Pan de cazón
A dish of Campeche: layers of tortilla filled with shredded dogfish, black beans and a tomato sauce, eaten with a squeeze of lime.
Local tip Ask for the sauce on the side and eat it soon after it is made.
About 2 min walk0.2 km
3
MorningIndoor
Pedro Sainz de Baranda Market
The main market of Campeche, just outside the walls on the land side, with stalls of fruit, fish, spices, cloth and household goods.
Go whenMorning, before the heat.
Local tip The main market of Campeche, just outside the walls. Taste a fruit you do not know, look at the dried and salted fish, and ask what is in season.
About 9 min walk0.7 km
4
Midday
Baluarte de Santiago garden
Another bastion of the walls, whose inner courtyard has been turned into a small botanical garden of tropical plants, with paths and shade. A quiet, green stop for the heat of the day.
Go whenMidday, in the shade.
Local tip A small garden of tropical plants set in a bastion. Take your time, and carry water on a hot day.
Dinner
Shrimp and a cold drink
Campeche is known for its shrimp, served in a cocktail with lime or fried with garlic, at a table where the street is cool.
Local tip Ask what came in today, and drink plenty of water.
If it rains. Campeche Cathedral and Pedro Sainz de Baranda Market are covered, so keep them. Move Baluarte de San Pedro and Baluarte de Santiago garden to a dry day if you can.
Day 2. The walled city and the waterfront, part 2
4 stops · 1.2 km on foot
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
1
MorningIndoor
Baluarte de la Soledad
A bastion of the old walls that now holds the Maya Architecture Museum, with carved stone panels and stelae from sites across the state, arranged around a small courtyard. A cool, indoor start to the day.
Go whenMorning, as an indoor start.
Local tip Look closely at the carved stone and ask what each stela once recorded. A cool, shady stop when the weather is hot or wet.
About 7 min walk0.6 km
2
Midday
Puerta de Tierra
The land gate of the old walls, on the side that faces inland. The town was walled in the 17th century after pirate raids, and this was the main way in by road. A bastion stands beside it, and the walls are easy to follow on foot from here.
Go whenMidday, before the heat, or late afternoon.
Local tip Walk a little way along the top of the walls if they are open. The stone holds the heat, so bring water and a hat.
Lunch
A fish lunch in the shade
Grilled or fried fish with rice, a salad and tortillas, with a fruit drink, at a shaded table.
Local tip Choose a table in the shade, and eat a little slowly in the heat.
About 5 min walk0.4 km
3
Afternoon
Calle 59 and Calle 57
Two of the pedestrian streets of the old town, lined with painted houses in pastel colours, with iron balconies and tiled floors. Calle 59 runs between the two gates and has arcades and cafes. Walk slowly and look up at the cornices.
Go whenAfternoon into evening, once the shade returns.
Local tip Look up at the colours of the houses and down at the old tiled floors in the doorways. Stop in the shade of an arcade when the sun is strong.
About 2 min walk0.2 km
4
Evening
Puerta de Mar
The sea gate of the old walls, where goods from ships once entered the town. Today it opens onto a small plaza, and the walls on either side hold the bastions. A good place to be as the light turns gold and the town comes out to walk.
Go whenEvening, as the light softens (about 5:43 PM).
Local tip Stand in the gateway and picture the ships at the quay beyond it. It is a good place to wait for the evening walk.
Dinner
Street snacks on the seafront
Small tamales, fried snacks and fruit cups from the stalls along the waterfront, eaten as the town cools.
Local tip Share a few between two, and pick the busiest stall.
If it rains. Baluarte de la Soledad is covered, so keep it. Move Puerta de Tierra, Calle 59 and Calle 57 and Puerta de Mar to a dry day if you can.
Day 3. The walled city and the waterfront, part 3
3 stops · 0.2 km on foot, 7.5 km by car
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Travel from Puerta de MarAbout 12 min by car or transit3.9 km
Where Day 2 ended.
1
AfternoonIndoor
Fuerte de San Miguel
A fort on a hill south west of the town, built in the 18th century to guard the coast, with a moat, ramparts and cannons that look out over the Gulf. Inside, a museum shows Maya objects from sites across the region. A short taxi ride from the old town.
Go whenAfternoon, once the heat begins to ease.
Local tip Walk the ramparts for the view over the Gulf, and ask the taxi driver to wait or to come back for you. The museum inside is a cool, indoor stop.
The waterfront promenade that runs along the Gulf outside the old walls, a place for a long walk, a cold drink and a look at the water. In the evening the locals come out to stroll, cycle and watch the light on the sea.
Go whenEvening, as the heat eases (about 5:43 PM).
Local tip Walk along the water rather than along the road, and stop at a stall for a cold drink. It is where the town spends its evening.
About 2 min walk0.2 km
3
Evening
Baluarte de San Carlos
A bastion on the sea side of the old walls, at the western edge of the town, that looks out over the Gulf. It holds a small museum about the defences of the port. A fine place to end the day, since the sun sets over the water.
Go whenLate afternoon into evening (about 5:43 PM).
Local tip Walk to the end of the bastion for the view over the water, and see the small museum about the defences of the port.
Dinner
A seafood supper by the Gulf
Grilled fish or a plate of shrimp with rice and tortillas, as the light goes over the water.
Local tip Share a fish between two, and leave room for something cold.
If it rains. Fuerte de San Miguel is covered, so keep it. Move Campeche Malecón and Baluarte de San Carlos to a dry day if you can.
Day 4. Calakmul and the southern road
2 stops · 264.1 km by carAbout 3 h 56 min driving
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from Baluarte de San CarlosAbout 2 h 55 min by car208.0 km
Where Day 3 ended.
1
Midday
Calakmul
One of the largest Maya cities, deep in the Calakmul biosphere reserve, a vast area of protected forest. Tall pyramids stand among the trees, and from the top of the highest the forest spreads in every direction. Wildlife such as monkeys and birds lives in the reserve, but it cannot be promised on any visit.
Go whenMorning, as early as your road allows.
Local tip The road in is long, so check its condition, the distance and any guide or entry rules ahead, and consider a night nearby. Bring water, food, repellent and a layer, and keep wildlife at a distance. It cannot be promised.
A small Maya site in the forest of the southern road, known for a doorway carved as the open mouth of a creature, in the style of the region. Near Becán.
Go whenMorning, after the long road in.
Local tip A small Maya site whose carved doorway is shaped like the open mouth of a creature. Allow a short hour, and bring repellent.
A simple lunch of sandwiches or tortillas with fruit, eaten in the shade, as the site has few places to eat.
Local tip Carry more water than you think you need, and take your rubbish with you.
Dinner
A plain supper after the long road
A bowl of soup or a plate of tacos, a simple supper at the end of a long day on the road.
Local tip Order something light, and plan the morning after to be slow.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Day 5. Calakmul and the southern road and Edzná
2 stops · 288.8 km by carAbout 4 h 14 min driving
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
Drive from ChicannáAbout 2 h 7 min by car144.2 km
Where Day 4 ended.
1
MiddayBest early
Edzná
A Maya city inland from Campeche, set in open country. The central pyramid, called the Building of Five Floors, rises above a wide plaza, and the people who lived here dug canals and water works around it. Climbing rules can change, so check ahead on what is open.
Go whenMorning, as early as you can.
Local tip There is little shade in the wide plaza, so bring a hat and water. Ask about climbing rules on the day, and walk slowly to look at the stonework.
A Maya city that was fortified with a deep dry moat around it, on the way back toward the main road. Tall towers and a long plaza stand among low forest, with passages and rooms to explore. A good stop to break the long drive.
Go whenAfternoon, on the way back.
Local tip Look for the dry moat that circled the city, and the narrow passages through the towers. Bring repellent and water.
If it rains. Everything today is outdoors, so swap this day with a drier one if you can.
Departure day
After the last day. Calakmul is a very long day, so the morning after it is best kept free.Details
Getting out
Book the ride to the airport or the bus station the day before, since the long road from Calakmul can run late. Leave a little margin on a wet day, when the highways slow down.
What to take home
Look for handwoven hats, embroidered cloth and sweets made from local fruit. Carry the sweets in your hand luggage, and ask the seller to wrap anything fragile.
If you have a few hours
Walk the Malecón once more in the cool of the morning, or sit in the cathedral square with a cold drink under the trees.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Campeche?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to February and November to December are the most comfortable months for walking around Campeche. This plan is built for january to March, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in Campeche, planned for january to March. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
On foot, about 0.2 to 1.4 kilometers a day, and 560.3 kilometers by car in all across 5 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
8 days in the Yucatan and its cenotesAbout 190 km awayAn easy add-on
4 days around the lagoon of seven blues in BacalarAbout 250 km away
5 days of cacao farms, rivers and jungle ruins in TabascoAbout 300 km away
