Discovering Campeche

Today we will head out on a cultural city tour of Campeche, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Our first visit will be at the Museo de Estelas Mayas, exhibiting Mayan stelae and regional art. We will then continue on our way to visit the Puerta de Tierra. An 18th century bronze cannon with the royal insignia welcomes you to Puerta de Tierra. SWe will climb to the top of the ramparts, where we can observe the domes of the Campeche churches. We will then head to the Bastion of San Francisco and the Bastion of San Juan, located in the same complex, where there is a small pirate museum. 

We will then walk along the called Casas de Colores street with its brightly painted housesand colonial doors. There are also a number of art galleries with works of Campeche artists, handicraft stores, churches, the Campechano Institute, Parque de la Independencia, the Cathedral, and the Puerta del Mar, which was the main entrance to this walled city.  

In the evening, there is a fascinating light and sound show at La Puerta de Tierra. We can then head back to the historical centre with cobblestone streets, where a number of stores, restaurants, bars and cafes come to life!. You can also take a stroll down the beautiful boardwalk, leading to a walkway and parks. 

After breakfast, we will continue to the Isla Aguada beach a hidden gem in the state of Campeche. This is not really an island as the name suggests, but a bar that separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Laguna de Terminos. Its privileged location adds to its charm, with sandy beach areas on one side and the beaches of the lagoon on the other. 

This small fishing town has an ocean of different shades of blue, that create a visual spectacle that must be seen! We will then have a boat trip on the Laguna de Terminos to spot dolphins in their natural habitat. We will then sail through mangroves to arrive at the Island of Birds. After this full day enjoying the nature and wildlifewe will continue on ouy way to the town of Candelaria. 

Today, we will head to the El Tigre Archaeological site on the banks of the Candelaria River. El Tigre is thought to be from the Itzamkana. In the ceremonial centre today, the templesare thought to be in honour to deities of chontal origin such as Ixchel and Itzamná. The latter was the god most adored by the ruling classes, who may have attempted to establish monotheism. The site of El Tigre sits on a hill next to the Candelaria River, and is comprised of 6 architectural groups. One of the squares is surrounded by pyramidal foundations and anthropomorphic masks from the Pre classic era. On the way back to Candelaria, we will stop at Pedro Baranda Springs, with its light rustic pier.

Today, we will head to Balamku, where there is a stucco made between 550 and 600 AD. The frieze displays 4 ascension scenarios alternating with 3 jaguars. Every stage  includes an animal having its head flipped back. Along with showing in depth complementary facets of the underworld, the set reveals that the dynastic period is related to the solar cycle. The access throne is represented by the king, emerging from the jaws of a terrestrial monster The king’s death is seen as a sunset, when it falls into the mouth of the Earth Monster, After the sun sets, we will visit the Bats Cave, inhabited by more than 2 million bats 

Today we will enjoy a full day at the Calakmul Archaeological site, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Calakmul means “Two Adjacent Mounds” in Mayan and dominate the jungle. Calakmul was discovered in the early 30’s but in the 80s, systematic research discoverd the essence of the town among the most significant in the Classic Maya period along with Tikal and Palenque.. Hieroglyphic studies have revealed a history of wars between Calakmul and Tikal for almost a century, which speaks to the political rivalry of these ancient cities. 

Calakmul is formed with a settlement pattern that was adapted to the geography of the area and its nuclear is represented by five architectural groups that were connected by squares. 

Today we can enjoy another full day of archaeological adventure, visiting 3 cities along the Rio Bec The first is Chicanna, or the  “House of the serpents’ mouth” referring to the huge  figure head at the centre. According to archeologists, figurehead represents “Itzamna” a reptile personification of their deity. Due to its elegance and decorative richness it is thought that Chicanna was a place for the “privileged”. The earliest sign of occupation of the site goes back to the pre-classical period. We will then head to  Becan, an urban settlement whose development encompassed from the Late Pre-classic period.

The final site we will visit is Xpujil, a group of approximately 17 architectonic groups and numerous platforms for housing. We will then head back to our hotel for the evening

Today we will enjoy a  4X4 adventure to the archaeological site of Oxpemul. Its geographical location makes it a strategic site, as it is close to the limits of two regional states from the Classic period, Río Bec to the north and Calakmul to the south. 

In the evening, we will visit Nadzca’an for a nighttime experience inside a Mayan site including the star’s garden. 

Today, we head back to Campeche for beach extension, we recommend Mahahual in Quintana Roo. 

Today is the final day of this incredible tour and we will take you to the Campeche International airport for your flight back home  or onto your next exciting destination!