We want to talk to you about a place where a bouquet of natural wealth is combined with centuries of history ... where tranquility reigns and where the body and soul find peace and tranquility so coveted today.
That place, friends, is Campeche.
In Campeche, humanity developed one of the most evolved civilizations, the Mayan World, whose ancient cities are scattered throughout the state, from the coastal lowlands to the deep jungles of the south, where the vegetation envelops the enormous vestiges, as desired protect the mystery from its decline.
Campeche is made up of eleven municipalities, and in each of them the tourist discovers an infinity of natural and cultural treasures.
One of these municipalities is Calkiní, in the north of the state, which in May dresses as a mestiza to dance La Vaquería, a festival that combines the indigenous dance of the Mayans with the dance of the Spanish conquerors. La Vaquería is the color of the "Dance of the ribbons" and the showiness of the bullfight.
In Calkiní the indigenous hands weave with the threads of the jipi tree, light and fresh hats of an unequaled elegance.
In the municipality of Hecelchakán, or La Sabana del Descanso, you will wake up every morning to the chirping of birds and perceive the characteristic smell of mestizo cuisine, which mixes little-known condiments in dishes such as cochinita pibil, papapdzules, panuchos de pavo or the chicken in black stuffing.
Carca from there, in the municipality of Hopelchén, you can descend to the underworld of the ancient Mayans in the caves of X’tacumbilxunaán and visit three jewels of the Puuc route, such as Hochob, Dzibilnocac and Santa Rosa Xtampac.
Part of what is ours is Tenabo, where the hands of peasant women transform the fruits of the region into delicious preserves.
Further south is Champotón, with its placid river that flows into the sea and the infinity of species of flora and fauna that inhabit its banks.
You will also find Palizada and Candelaria, where the sunset sun caresses the smooth surface of its throbbing rivers, to the lullaby of the magical weeping willows.
We thus arrive at the municipality of Del Carmen, with its beaches of white and fine sand in Sabancuy and Isla Aguada, and those of Isla del Carmen, such as El Palmar, with a beautiful cypress forest; Bahamitas, facing the Gulf, and El Playón. Isla del Carmen, with its Laguna de Terminos, is the largest dolphin breeding area in the world, and where it is possible to admire them jumping and pirouetting. Located in the extreme southeast of the island is Ciudad del Carmen, a former refuge for pirates and today a quiet tropical place, with comfortable hotels and good food. In their houses the roofs of Marseilles tiles are remarkable, carried there as ballast by the ships that arrived on the island 200 years ago.
A recently created municipality is Calakmul, virgin forest where the jaguar reigns, a green forest that jealously guards the old Mayan cities and where the rumor of its ancient inhabitants can still be heard.
The experience of the jungle is complemented with the well-deserved rest in various ecological hotels, nestled in the middle of the vegetation; they are the perfect place for you to enjoy the comforts of modern civilization, set against the backdrop of the exuberant folksy flora.
But if it is about magical sites, let us invite you to a place known as the “House of Gestures”: the archaeological zone of Edzná, just 60 km from the city of Campeche. Due to its location, outside the conventional tourist routes, Edzná becomes a hidden treasure, enjoyed only by surprise seekers.
We have left for the end of this tour the city and port of San Francisco de Campeche, whose attractions are innumerable, such as its civil and religious architecture, its walks through its Historic Center or along the boardwalk, its museums, etc. The capital city offers an infinite variety of handicrafts, folk dances, good hotels, great food, excellent communication routes, stories and legends of piracy, friendly people and, above all, peace and quiet for the spirit. All this makes the visit to Campeche an encounter with the "hidden treasure of Mexico."
Source: Unknown Mexico Guide No. 68 Campeche / April 2001
