Campeche and Calakmul

San Francisco de Campeche, the capital of the state of Campeche, is on the west coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, facing the Gulf of Mexico. Founded by the Spanish in 1540, it was an important port and heavily attacked by pirates in the 16th and 17th centuries, which led to the construction of walls, bastions and forts. The walled historic center, with colorful houses and straight streets, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.

The city is peaceful, with a long seaside promenade (malecón) for walking and watching the sunset, and a seafood cuisine, such as pan de cazón. Two forts on the surrounding hills, San Miguel and San José, house museums and sea views. About 55 km inland is Edzná, a Maya city with the Five-Storey Building.

In the southern part of the state, near the border with Guatemala, the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve protects one of the largest areas of tropical rainforest in Mexico. In its midst lies the Maya city of Calakmul, one of the most powerful of the Classic period, with pyramids from whose tops you can see the forest canopy to the horizon. The village of Xpujil, on the highway between Escárcega and Chetumal, is the base for visits, together with the ruins of Becán.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Campeche, Xpujil.