64 Best Sights in Yucatán and Campeche States, Mexico

Since work began at Hochob in the early 1980s, four temples and palaces have been excavated, including two that have been fully restored. Intricate and perfectly preserved geometric designs, typical of the Chenes style, cover the temple known as Estructura II.

The temple doorway represents the open mouth of Itzamná, the creator god, and above it the eyes bulge and fangs are bared on either side of the base. It takes a bit of imagination to see the structure as a mask, as, at one time, color no doubt originally enhanced the effect. Squinting helps a bit: the figure's "eyes" are said to be squinting as well. But anyone can appreciate the intense geometric relief carvings decorating the facades, including long cascades of Chaac masks along the sides. Evidence of roof combs can be seen atop the building.

Ask the guard to show you the natural and man-made chultunes (cisterns) that extend into the forest. They also indicate that these are Chenes ruins.

Hormiguero is Spanish for "anthill," referring both to the looters' tunnels that honeycombed these ruins when archaeologists discovered them and the number of enormous anthills in the area. The buildings here were constructed roughly between 400 BC and AD 1100 in the Río Bec style, with rounded lateral towers and ornamental stairways, the latter built to give an illusion of height, which they do wonderfully.

Note the intricately carved and well-preserved facade of the site's largest structure, Estructura II. Estructura V is also noteworthy owing to the Chaac masks arranged in a cascade atop a pyramid. Nearby is a perfectly round chultun (water-storage tank), and, seemingly emerging from the earth, the eerily etched designs of a still unexcavated structure.

Just north of Parque Hidalgo is one of Mérida's oldest buildings and the first Jesuit church in the Yucatán. It was built in 1618 from the limestone blocks of a dismantled Maya temple, and faint outlines of ancient carvings are still visible on the west wall. Although the church is a favorite place for society weddings, its interior is not ornate. In former convent rooms at the rear of the building, however, you'll find the Pinoteca Juan Gamboa Guzmán, a small but interesting art collection. The most engaging pieces are the striking bronze sculptures of indigenous Maya crafted by celebrated 20th-century sculptor Enrique Gottdiener Soto. On the second floor are about 20 forgettable oil paintings—mostly of past civic officials.

This evocatively faded red church is typical of Yucatán's colonial sanctuaries. It has been ransacked on more than one occasion, but the Cristo Negro (Black Christ) altarpiece is original. The best view might be from the outside, where you can take in the facade and savor the slow pace of the town as families ride by in carts attached to bicycles and locals mill around in traditional Maya dress.

With its flat, boldly painted facade and bells ensconced under small arches instead of in bell towers, the Church of St. Francis looks more like a Mexican city hall than a Catholic church. Outside the city center in a residential neighborhood, the beautifully restored temple is Campeche's oldest. It marks the spot where some say the first Mass on the North American continent was held in 1517—though the same claim has been made for Veracruz and Cozumel. One of conquistador Hernán Cortés's grandsons was baptized here, and the baptismal font still stands.

Like most Franciscan churches, this one is sober and plain, and its single bell tower is the only ornamentation. The equally sparse interior is brightened a bit by some colorful stained-glass windows, and the carved and inlaid altarpiece serves as a beautiful backdrop for an ebony image of Jesus, the "Black Christ," brought from Italy in about 1575. Although understandably skeptical of Christianity, the indigenous people, who the Spaniards forced into perpetual servitude, eventually came to associate this Black Christ figure with miracles. As legend has it, a ship that refused to carry the holy statue was lost at sea, while the ship that accepted it reached Campeche in record time. To this day, the Feast of San Román—when worshippers carry a black-wood Christ and silver filigree cross through the streets—remains a solemn but colorful affair.

On the south side of the town's main plaza stands the large Iglesia de San Servacio, sometimes spelled "San Gervasio." Although many refer to it as a catedral, it is not the seat of the diocese—that's in Mérida. Its limestone exterior is impressive, but the interior is rather plain. The church makes a stunning anchor for the plaza when illuminated at night.

The elaborately carved main altarpiece and matching side altars here were restored inch by inch, and this long, narrow house of worship now adds more than ever to historic Calle 59's old-fashioned beauty. Built in 1565, it was originally called Iglesia de San Francisco for St. Francis. In addition to a statue of Francis, humbler-looking saints peer out from smaller niches.

A ceremonial center of almost Grecian beauty, Kabah was once linked to Uxmal by a sacbé, or raised paved road, at the end of which looms a great independent arch—now across the highway from the main ruins. The 151-foot-long Palacio de los Mascarones (Palace of the Masks) boasts a three-dimensional mosaic of 250 masks. On the central plaza, you can see ground-level wells called chultunes, which were used to store precious rainwater.

The Kinich Kakmó pyramid was the largest pre-Hispanic construction in the Yucatán and is the third-largest pyramid in Mexico, after the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan and the Cholula Pyramid near Puebla. It's all that remains of the royal Maya city that flourished here between AD 250 and 600. Dedicated to a Maya sun god, the massive structure is more remarkable for its size than for any remaining decoration.

Although it has a palace and a small pyramid, the most photographed building at Labná is a striking monumental corbeled arch. With its elaborate latticework and a small chamber on each side, it provided a grand entrance into a sacred precinct for anyone arriving on the road to and from Uxmal. It is believed that Labná was used mainly by royalty and the military elite.

A broad sidewalk, more than 4 km (2½ miles) long, runs the length of Campeche's waterfront boulevard, from northeast of the Debliz hotel to the Justo Sierra Méndez monument at downtown's southwestern edge. With its landscaping, sculptures, rest areas, and fountains lighted up at night in neon colors, the promenade attracts walkers, joggers, and cyclists. (Note the separate paths for each.) On weekend nights, students turn the malecón into a party zone, and families with young children fill the parks on both sides of the promenade after 7 or 8 pm, staying out surprisingly late to enjoy the cooler evening temperatures.

Built in the early 20th century by one of the Yucatán's wealthiest plantation owners, Fernando Carvajal Estrada, this eclectic mansion is a reminder of the city's heyday, when Campeche was the peninsula's only port. Local legend insists that the art nouveau staircase with Carrara marble steps and iron balustrade, built and delivered in one piece from Italy, was too big and had to be shipped back and redone. These days the mansion is filled with government offices—you'll have to stretch your imagination a bit to picture how it once was.

Mayapán, which has an architectural style reminiscent of Uxmal, flourished during the Post-Classic period, making it one of the peninsula's last major Maya city-states. Though it was destroyed in 1450, presumably by war, the city is thought to have once been as big as Chichén Itzá, with a population of 12,000 or more at its peak. Of the site's more than 4,000 mounds, only a half-dozen have been excavated, including the palaces of Maya royalty and the temple of the benign god Kukulcán, where stucco sculptures and murals in vivid reds and oranges have been uncovered.

The site is 42 km (26 miles) northeast of Ticul and 43 km (27 miles) south of Mérida. Be sure you head toward the Mayapán ruins (just south of Telchaquillo) and not the town of Mayapán, since they are far apart.

Located next to the cathedral, the building that houses this museum has served in the past as a seminary, an art school, and even a military barracks. It now showcases the works of contemporary Yucatecan artists and hosts a variety of temporary exhibits featuring leading Mexican and international contemporary artists. It's free to visit; just sign the guestbook.

The archaeological site of Oxkintok (osh-kin-tok)—44 km (27 miles) northeast of Uxmal near the town of Maxcanú—was an important Maya capital that dominated the region from about AD 300 to 1100. Little was known about it until excavations began here in 1987. Structures that have been excavated so far include two tall pyramids and a palace with stone statues of several ancient rulers. Archaeologists debate the meaning of the name: Some say the site's name means "three days of flame"; others interpret it as "three days of hardship." To get here from Uxmal, follow Carretera 261 north to Muna and then take Carretera 184 northeast.

The most compelling of the mansions on Paseo de Montejo, this stately residence was built for General Francisco Cantón between 1909 and 1911. Designed by Enrique Deserti, who also drew up the plans for the Teatro Peón Contreras, the building has a grandiose air that seems more characteristic of a mausoleum than a home: there's marble everywhere, as well as Doric and Ionic columns and other Italianate Beaux-Arts flourishes. It now houses the Museo Regional de Antropología de Yucatán which focuses mostly on Maya history, art, and culture and sometimes other aspects of Yucatecan life. The exhibitions are generally excellent although signage is often only in Spanish, or Spanish and Mayan.

This dramatic museum in the heart of the historic center, designed in a collaboration between four leading architecture firms, opened in 2019 and is devoted to the history of Mexican music. Dozens of listening stations enable you to hear everything from classical compositions and traditional rancheras to current pop and rock songs. The museum also hosts concerts, featuring music from a variety of genres. 

Visit the seat of state government on the north side of Plaza Grande. You can see Fernando Castro Pacheco's murals of the bloody history of the conquest of the peninsula, painted in bold colors and influenced by the Mexican muralists José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros. On the main balcony (visible from outside on the plaza) stands a reproduction of the Bell of Dolores Hidalgo, on which Mexican independence rang out on the night of September 15, 1810, in the Guanajuato town of Dolores Hidalgo. On the anniversary of the event, the governor rings the bell and leads the crowds below in the Grito (battle cry), a ritual performed in town squares across the country.

A half block north of the main plaza is this small, cozy park, officially known as Plaza Cepeda Peraza. Historic mansions, now reincarnated as hotels and sidewalk cafés (including a Starbucks), line its southern and eastern sides, and at night the area comes alive with marimba bands and street vendors. On Sunday, the streets are closed to vehicular traffic, and there's free live music performed throughout the day.

Though small by Mexican standards, this central park is picturesque with a beautiful view of Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción. Half of the old-fashioned kiosk in the park's center contains a branch of the municipal tourist office. The other half houses a pleasant café-bar, where you can sit and watch residents out for a stroll and listen to the itinerant musicians who often show up to play traditional ballads in the evenings.

The simple market in Parque Santa Ana, just to the west of Paseo Montejo and north of Calle 47, is a popular breakfast spot, where locals happily start their days with regional dishes and fresh juices at plastic tables. The tamales are good, and the tortas de cochinita (pork sandwiches flavored with a few drops of sour-orange chile sauce) are heavenly. Most vendors close at 1:30 pm, but some reopen to sell snacks from 7 pm until late in the evening.

This park at Calles 60 and 55 is lined with popular, if a bit touristy, restaurants and draws crowds with its Thursday-night music and dance performances (shows start at 9, but come early if you want to sit close to the performers). On Sunday, couples also come to dance to a live band and dine on food from carts set up in the plaza. The Iglesia de Santa Lucía opposite the park dates from 1575 and was built as a place of worship for the Maya, who weren't allowed to worship at just any Mérida church.

Mérida's top children's attraction features pleasant wooded paths, playgrounds, inexpensive amusement-park rides, an inline skating rink, a small lake you can row on, and a little train that circles the property. It also includes cages that house more than 300 native animals, including exotic ones like lions and tigers (a modern zoo this is not, and you might not approve of those cages). At the exit, you’ll find snack bars and vendors; there are on-site picnic areas, too. The French Renaissance–style arch commemorates the 100th anniversary (in 1910) of Mexican independence.

This village may not have the classic beaches of the Caribbean, but it does have several kilometers of lovely coastline, perfect for long walks and seashell collecting. There are no crowds, even at the main beach in town, and the water is a pretty emerald-green color. The nicest stretch is near Hotel Eco Paraíso, home to 5 km (3 miles) of white sandy beaches, where turtles nest from April through July and bottlenose dolphins can be seen swimming. The waters are usually tranquil until late afternoon; when winds pick up, this isn't the best place for a dip—but it's perfect for relaxing or kayaking (rentals are available at the hotel). There are no lifeguards on duty, so ask hotel staff about rip currents and incoming swells. Amenities: food and drink; water sports (through the hotel). Best for: walking.

The Land Gate, where Old Campeche ends, is the only one of Campeche's four gates with its basic structure intact. The stone arch interrupts a stretch of the partially crenellated wall, 26 feet high and 10 feet thick, that once encircled the city. Walk the wall's full length to the Baluarte San Juan for excellent views of both the old and new cities. The staircase leads down to an old well, underground storage area, and dungeon. Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm, the gate is the site of a one-hour light show accompanied by music and dance.

This lofty redoubt, or stronghold, at the northwest end of town, is home to the Museo de Armas y Barcos. Displays in former soldiers' and watchmen's rooms focus on 18th-century weapons of siege and defense. You'll also see manuscripts, religious art, and ships in bottles. The view is terrific from the top of the ramparts, which were once used to spot invading ships.

Celestún is the point of entry to this 146,000-acre wildlife reserve with extensive mangrove forests and one of North America's largest flamingo colonies. Clouds of the pink birds soar above the estuary all year, but the best months for seeing them in abundance are November through March. This is also the fourth-largest wintering ground for ducks of the Gulf coastal region, and more than 365 other bird species make their home here, as do sea turtles. Mexican and American conservation programs protect the birds, as well as the endangered hawksbill and loggerhead marine tortoises, and species such as the blue crab and crocodile. Other endangered species that inhabit the area are the ocelot, the jaguar, and the spider monkey.

The park, which is set among rocks, islets, and white-sand beaches has several cenotes that are wonderful for swimming. The fishing is good here, too. Popular with Mexican vacationers, the park's sandy beach is pleasant during the morning but tends to get windy in the afternoon. And, unfortunately, mosquitoes gather in great numbers on the beach at dawn and dusk, particularly during winter months, making a walk on the beach uncomfortable. Area hotels generally drape their beds with mosquito netting, but bring along a good cream or spray to keep the bugs away.

Most Mérida tour operators run boat excursions of the ría (estuary) in the early morning or late afternoon, and it's not usually necessary to make a reservation in advance. Alternatively, you can hire a fishing boat at the entrance to town (they hang out under the bridge leading into Celestún). A 75-minute tour for up to six people costs about MX$1,200; a two-hour tour costs around MX$2,500. Although more expensive (MX$990 per person), local expert Alex specializes in ecotours and donates a portion of the proceeds to the Celestún Conservation Program (call Hotel Eco Paraíso to book).

This reserve which encompasses a long estuary, was developed with ecotourism in mind—although few of the crocodiles for which it and the village were named remain. The real spectacle is provided by birds. April through September, thousands of the bright pink, black-tipped flamingos—90% of the Western Hemisphere's entire flamingo population—come to here from their "summer homes" in Celestún, on the Yucatán's west coast, as well as from northern latitudes to mate, nest, and raise their chicks. The largest flock of bird-watching enthusiasts also descends on the reserve during this time.

Although the long-legged pink creatures are the most famous winged beasts found in Ría Lagartos, its red, white, black, and buttonwood mangrove swamps are also home to hundreds of other birds, including including snowy and red egrets, white ibis, great white herons, cormorants, pelicans, and peregrine falcons. Of the reserve's estimated 380 different species, one-third are winter-only residents. Twelve of the region's resident species are found nowhere else on Earth.

In addition, protected leatherback, hawksbill, and green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches at night. The fishing is good here, too. Mosquitoes can gather at dusk in unpleasantly large swarms in May, June, and July. Bring repellent to fend them off.

Archaeologists believe there are around 100 structures at this site, although only 12 have been cleared. The most exciting find was the colossal Palacio in the western plaza. Inside, two inner staircases run the length of the structure, leading to different levels and ending in subterranean chambers. Such a combination was extremely rare in Maya temples. Also noteworthy is the Casa de la Boca del Serpiente (House of the Serpent's Mouth), with its perfectly preserved and integrated entrance: the mouth of the creator-god Itzamná stretches wide to reveal a perfectly proportioned inner chamber. Such zoomorphic features are typical of the Chenes architectural style (circa AD 100 to 1000).