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The Mayan Train forever changed the way we travel in the Mexican Caribbean, by shortening travel distances between all major resort zones, and the making of a lot easier for foreign tourists to reach lesser-known destinations that were previously accessible by car.
As a result, one of these hidden gems, the charming, remarkably safe city of Campeche, is becoming increasingly popular among holidaymakers to visit, with the Mexican President himself confirming that this is now the ideal city. third most sought after destination on the route.
Since the Mayan Train debuted, there have been a whopping 7,230 tickets for Campeche were sold and exceeded in sales only by Merida and Cancun.
Tourists flock to Campeche for its fascinating culture
Campeche is one of the oldest cities not only in Mexico, but also in mainland North America.
European settlers established it in a strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico as early as 1540, and it’s not a place you’ll want to miss if you’re a culture vulture.
Imagine centuries-old cobbled streets lined with brightly colored facades that still retain their distinctive style Old world charm, squares flanked by monumental, vice-royal Baroque palaces and well-preserved Spanish monasteries and churches built to last forever.
Campeche is easy one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico, and a historically charged one at that.
The main building in the historic center, the Campeche Cathedral, was built as early as the 16th century and is one of the most impressive colonial structures on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Other sights in the city include the Mayan Angel, a monumental statue celebrating Campeche’s pre-Columbian origins, the San José Fortress, one of the city’s main defenses against pirate attacks, and the remaining city walls.
Of all the colonial cities in the New World, only two of Campeche are still protected murals almost intact, the other is Quebec City, Canada’s European, French-speaking city. In recognition of its cultural value, UNESCO added it to the list of World Heritage Sites.
Beautiful beaches, high levels of safety and affordable accommodation
In addition to its historic sites, Campeche is a short drive from several paradise beaches on the Gulf, such as Playa Caracol, a serene, family-friendly swimming location bordered by mangroves, and the aptly named Bahamitas, or ‘Little Bahamas’, where the sand is pristine white and the water clear blue.
In addition to being undeniably beautiful, Campeche has made headlines lately for being one of Mexico’s safest capitals and the only major city, aside from Merida, that a Level 1 statusas granted by US authorities.
If you’re unfamiliar with travel advisories, Washington classifies several destinations between levels 1 and 4, with 1 being the safest possible — including risk-free countries like Iceland, Norway and Finland — and 4 the most dangerous and should be avoided. all costs (Russia, North Korea and the like).
Despite being a fairly large city, with over a million residents in the wider metropolitan area, Campeche can feel incredibly picturesque, with a large number of pedestrianized streets meaning less chaotic traffic and terribly low crime rates.
As is the case with other cities in Mexico, you certainly shouldn’t let your guard down, no matter how encouraging advice sounds, but you shouldn’t expect harassment and scams to be as common, nor pickpocketing or violence, compared to Cancun or Mexico- City.
Campeche is also a lot more affordable than your usual Mexican beach town, with centrally located boutique hotels costing between $112 and $160 per night to book, as noted on Booking.comAnd lower food and consumer prices.
How easy is it to reach Campeche by Mayan Train?
Now that you know why Campeche is popular with Mayan train travelers, you’re probably wondering how easy it is to get there once you land in Cancun, and how much tickets cost.
As seen on the official website, two departures from Cancun to Campeche are scheduled each day, at 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, for a total journey time of five and a half hours. The train stops at a number of stations along the way, including ‘Magical Towns’ Valladolid and Izamal and another colonial gem Merida.
Tickets can be purchased through the Maya Train online store or at any station and authorized point of sale. There are three seating categories: Tourist, Premium and Local.
Tourist tickets start from approximately MXN 1,166 during the opening phase, or about $67.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
