Campeche
Fortified colonial walls line the historic centre of Campeche, a city whose old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The capital of the state of the same name sits on the Gulf of Mexico in southeast Mexico, where a flat landscape stretches for 523 km of shoreline. Founded in 1540, the city grew as a key port during the colonial era before its fortunes waned after independence.
The state’s terrain is largely low and sedimentary, with modest hills such as Cerro Champerico and Cerro El Gavilán rising near the Guatemalan border. Rolling hills of the Sierra Alta, also called the Puuc, extend northeast toward Yucatán, while the central Sierra Seybaplaya breaks the flatness with modest elevations. Rainforest types range from tall evergreen to semi‑deciduous, supporting trees like Spanish cedar and Campeche logwood, and palms such as coconut and royal palm along the coast. Wildlife includes jaguar, ocelot, Yucatán spider monkey and a variety of birds, while the brackish waters of Laguna de Términos host sea bass, small sharks, crabs and turtles.
During the colonial period the city of Campeche served as a prosperous port, its fortified walls protecting merchants from pirate attacks. The discovery of offshore petroleum in the 1970s revived the coastal economies of Campeche and Ciudad del Carmen, turning them into important centres for the oil industry. Although the state contains Mayan ruins and other colonial sites, they receive fewer visitors than those in neighbouring Yucatán. The preserved bastions and walls that still frame the waterfront illustrate why the old town earned its World Heritage designation.
Experiences in Campeche
Explore hand-picked Campeche tours and experiences led by local insiders, from wildlife encounters to cultural deep-dives.
Where to stay in Campeche
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Campeche accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Casa Don Gustavo
Ten rooms fill this Beaux Arts hotel in central Campeche, where guests step straight out onto Calle 59. Casa Don Gustavo sits inside the walled city center in Mexico, close to historic ramparts and stone gateways. Upper floors are reached exclusively by stairs, as the property does not feature elevator access or wheelchair accommodations.
