There are almost too many great destinations in Mexico that can offer a warm and sunny escape from the American winter.
While the likes of Cancun and Cabo San Lucas may be the first places you think of, there are plenty of other choices in this amazing country to get your winter sun fix.
If you’ve never been there before, then a great place to check out is Campeche – a stylish colonial city on the Gulf of the Mexico Coast in the Yucatan Peninsula.
It’s safe, has beautiful beaches, and some hidden gems too – here are five reasons why you should consider Campeche.
One Of The Safest Parts Of Mexico
The latest information from the U.S. Department of State lists Campeche as one of only two Mexican states with its ‘exercise normal precautions’ rating, which is its lowest level.
This means that you can travel there with peace of mind that you are unlikely to become a victim of crime, however we would always advocate being sensible when you travel abroad no matter where you go.
General advice such as not being careless with expensive belongings, not walking around in strange areas at night, and being vigilant when visiting nightclubs and bars are all sensible things to follow along with.
And if you were interested, the only other Mexican state with this low rating is Campeche’s northern neighbor, Yucatan.
You Can Now Reach It By Train
The hotly anticipated Maya Train has been the cause of much excitement among travelers who love the Yucatan Peninsula.
On 15 December this year, the first stretch of this new train network opened and began operations – it connects Campeche with the popular holiday hotspot of Cancun.
Initially, there will be two trains a day on this route, which should take about five hours to complete its journey.
You can buy tickets directly online at the official website.
Other parts of the network, including the stretch from Cancun down the Caribbean coast to Tulum and Chetumal are expected to open in February, according to local officials.
A Colorful And Captivating City
San Francisco de Campeche, to give it its full title, is a beautiful city of exquisite colonial-style buildings and churches, as well as charming and colorful streets of houses and shops.
The center of Campeche is so beautiful and historically significant that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1999.
Away from the lively markets and authentic restaurants in the center, you can head out to the docks and see the Fuerte de San Miguel, which is the oldest colonial fort in the area.
It’s also home to the fascinating Archeological Museum of Campeche, where you can dive deep into this area’s rich Mayan history.
After that, why not take a stroll along the Malecon?
This four-mile promenade along the seafront affords fantastic views of the Gulf of Mexico and is a perfect place to watch a sunset.
Quiet And Unspoilt Beaches
Away from the city itself, the coastline of the state of Campeche is home to some truly stunning and relatively quiet beaches that are perfect for winter sun seekers.
There are several beaches very close to the town, including the idyllic Playa Bonita.
However, the best beaches in Campeche can be found in the south of the state in the area around Laguna de Terminos.
The pure white sands and luxury resorts of beach destinations such as Isla Aguada and Playa Norte are the picture postcard setting for what you may imagine a Mexican beach to be like.
See Lesser-Known Maya Ruins
While arguably Mexico’s most famous ancient site, Chichen Itza, lies in the state of Yucatan, Campeche state has many of its own Maya ruins for you to explore.
Hidden away in dense rainforest in the south of the region lies Calakmul, which is one of the most well-preserved Maya sites in the entire region.
There are more than 6,000 ancient structures within this site, and the main pyramid is so tall that you can see into neighboring Guatemala away to the south on a clear day.
Other recommended Maya sites in Campeche state include Chicanna, Edzna, and Becan.
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