Campeche
Discover the land of the Ancient & Present Campeche.
The State of Campeche, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is an undiscovered treasure of early Maya cities and empires dating to the pre-Classic period. The pre-Classic Peten, the transitionary Rio Bec and Chenes and finally the Classic Puuc regions and styles can be seen at Calakmul, Becan and Edzna. Campeche City lies on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and in the 1600’s became an optimal location for pirates to attack ships sailing from Veracruz or taking on cargo in Campeche. Palo de Campeche was a valuable natural dye source that was highly prized in Europe. Finally, in the 1800’s, after 200 years of siege by pirates, sea and land walls were erected to stave off these attacks. Remnants of these great walls and ramparts remind visitors of this treacherous era. Today, the region is known for great seafood and warm hospitality.
Tours in Campeche:
Travel to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve and Calakmul Ruins. Visit the heart of the Rio Bec region of Campeche. Get to know the Classic Puuc site of Uxmal, followed by other sites on the Puuc route, such as Sayil, Kabah and Labna, where we see great examples of the Puuc style palaces and arches, originally discovered by Stephens and Catherwood in the 1840’s…
We will embark on fascinating excursions to meet farmers, fishermen, and ranchers to better understand and appreciate the farm to table relationships and supply chain of uniquely Yucatecan ingredients. Visitors will visit a Yucatecan family to discover the traditional pit cooking style called pib. The culinary traditions of Yucatan are like none other!
This is why we love Campeche:
The ancient ruins of Calakmul a former center of power of the Maya.
The Calakmul Bioshpere Reserve and the flora & fauna of the region.
The ancient Rio Bec sites of Chicanna, Xpujil, Becan, Hormiguero in Southern Campeche.
The walled city of Campeche, a UNESCO World Heritage City; many pirate legends fill the walls!.
The “Campechano” people and warm hospitality.
The cuisine that is based in sea food dishes, such as coconut shrimp, shrimp cocktail and many more!.
The State offers some of Mexico’s richest, yet undiscovered sites. You have to see it!.
Pre Classic to Post Classic Maya
From the early Peten to the Rio Bec, followed by Chenes, no other state in Mexico offers the density and span of periods of Maya civilization, than Campeche. Calakmul was once a dominant power and empire and with various alliances defeated the rulers of Tikal and Palenque. The Rio Bec and later Chenes periods, regions and architectural styles can be seen at sites such as Chicanna, Xpuhil and Edzna. False staircases, towers in sets of three and rounded / curved edges are all characteristic of this unique period and style.
The Age of Pirates in the 1600
For over two hundred years, pirates from the Barbary Coast attacked Campeche and vessels sailing from Veracruz bound for Europe. Among the desired possesions was the Palo de Campeche, or logwood, that was used to dye fabrics in Europe. To stave off these attacks, sea and land walls were errected in Campeche City. Today, these walls and ramparts are still seen in this enchanting, tropical, colonial UNESCO World Heritage city.
Some photos from Campeche