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The beautiful City of Campeche
was founded in the 16th Century, 1540 to be exact, although a settlement had
been here since 1517. If you love history, culture,
architecture, great weather in the winter and access to wonderful places
like Mayan cities, almost untouched rivers and beaches, you will love
Campeche City.
The city was formally founded in
1540 by Don Francisco de Montejo who gave the settlement the name of San
Francisco de Campeche. The area had been called Kim Pech by the Mayan
natives who dominated this region for centuries. The state is home to the
largest concentration of Mayan ruins in the world with fantastic Mayan
cities like Edzná and Calakmul.
In Campeche city you will find
examples of 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century architecture. In 1999, the
city was designated a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations
UNESCO. The criteria taken in consideration for this designation were:
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The port city of Campeche is
a model of the city planning of a baroque colonial city with regular and
reticular traces. Its planning, a model of the port cities of the
viceroyalty years, shows the important role it played as a commercial,
military and religious meeting point, characterised by its high level of
integrity and homogeneity. More than a thousand buildings of historical
value have survived as witnesses of how space and time were superimposed
in the various important historical stages in Mexico since the XVI
century.
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The forts in Campeche are an
outstanding example of military architecture of the XVII and XVIII
centuries as well as being the basis of the complete defence system
implemented by Spain in the Caribbean to protect its colonies from
Pirate attacks.
Today, Campeche City is a
beautiful destination with hotels that go from the modest hostel for the
backpacker adventurer to luxurious hacienda style hotels and modern business
oriented establishments with all the services one may require for a fabulous
stay during our unforgiving winters. Campeche City, is a sister city to
Halifax, Nova Scotia (caid mille failte). Temperatures in Campeche
state from December to March hover around highs of 25 to 30 degrees
centigrade with lows of 14 to 18 at night.
Consider Campeche for your next
winter vacation. You will be pleasantly surprised (however, if you are
looking for beach and beer with Cancun like development, this is not the
place). In addition to the great places to see in the City of Campeche you
can begin side trips from here to the various Mayan cities like Edzná (half
a day) o Calakmul (two or three day trip). You can also visit various
beaches close to the city, such as Playa Bonita, Sihoplaya or Seybaplaya.
Enjoy.
Hotels in Campeche City | Beach Homes for Rent | The Spanish and Mayan Centre | Restaurants in Campeche City | Campeche City's Cathedral
For all your
expenses in Campeche we suggest you use American currency. Unfortunately our
looney is not traded much in Mexico so the exchange rate is not great.
Better to purchase American dollars, travellers cheques or use your credit
card. |
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Trolleys in the
central square with the Cathedral in the background
The Spanish and Mayan Language Centre. University of Campeche
Bedroom at the Historical Casa #6 in the Main Square, an
example of life in Campeche city in the 18th Century.
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