Mexico’s Safest City Is A Gorgeous Colonial Gem Breaking Tourism Records Right Now

Forget Cancun and its turquoise seas, Cabo’s world-class resorts, and Mexico City’s bustling street markets and shopping scene: Mexico’s trendiest destination right now is a lesser-known historic city that’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Tucked away in the western side of the Yucatán Peninsula—opposite the Riviera Maya, if that’s your point of reference—San Francisco de Campeche is a colonial gem dating back to the Spanish Transatlantic Empire that has seen a 9.7% rise in the number of tourists year-on-year.

In 2024, it welcomed 1,747,057 visitors, and as the local government has reiterated, it’s shown no signs of slowing down this year.

A Not-So-Secret Gateway Back To The Spanish Empire

Given the impressive figures for such an offbeat destination, you may be wondering what it is about Campeche City (its alternative name) that’s drawing in so many tourists.

For starters, it boasts one of Mexico’s best-preserved 16th-century townscapes. The Historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of centuries-old houses, pedestrian-friendly lanes, leafy plazas bordered by antique cafes, and old fortifications.

In fact, Campeche is one of only 2 cities in the Americas to have retained its colonial-era walls, other than Quebec City in Canada: they surround large swathes of the center, and they were formally used as strategic surveillance points against pirates.

There are no longer pirate sightings, but you can still walk along its bastions and gates as they are open as a museum. If you’re looking for the best-preserved sections, check out Puerta de Tierra and Puerta de Mar: they even feature small exhibits on piracy.

The bastions (or baluartes) house exhibits of their own, most notably Baluarte de San Carlos and Baluarte de la Soledad, and even if you’re not exactly keen on museums, the historic appeal is hard to resist.

Colonial Gems Galore

Speaking of History, there’s nowhere better to soak up Campeche’s Old World charm than Plaza de la Independencia: built by the Spaniards upon their settlement of the city, it is flanked by arcaded buildings, local-owned eateries, and dominated by a soaring cathedral.

The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción (we know, that’s a mouthful) was built from the 16th to the 18th century, and its twin bell towers can be seen from afar in numerous points around the Historic Center.

The interior itself is an absolute marvel to look at, with patterned, black-and-white marble floors, and a pyramid-shaped main altar, honoring the region’s pre-Columbian heritage.

Other must-see monuments in town include Casa No. 6, a well-maintained colonial mansion largely built in the 1700s, now converted into a museum depicting life in Campeche during the Spanish era, and the two hilltop forts of San Miguel and San José el Alto.

Part of the city’s impressive fortifications, they overlooking the scenic Gulf of Mexico, and their interiors house both colonial and Mayan artifacts.

Beautiful Gulf Beaches

Campeche sits on the Gulf of Mexico, but unlike Cancun or Tulum, it doesn’t have long stretches of white sand backed by resorts.

It is ringed by a malecón, a boardwalk running along the coastal fortifications, so you won’t exactly find a plethora of beach clubs or your usual Hyatts and Meliás.

Yes, there are a handful of beachfront hotels, like Hotel Tucan Siho Playa, located some 30 minutes south of the city (overnight rates start at around $107), but Campeche is more of a laid-back coastal destination than a beach getaway, per se.

However, if you drive only 15 minutes out of town, you’ll hit Playa Bonita, a small, but remarkably-clean golden-sand beach offering calm, shallow seas, palapas, and a family-friendly atmosphere, or if you don’t mind the long drive, Isla Aguada is among the most famous beaches in Campeche.

It has the wider strips of sands, crystal-clear waters, and it’s usually less crowded than the swimming spots within easy reach of Campeche City.

The Safest City In Mexico Is Right Here!

Besides its obvious cultural charm and idyllic coast, Campeche is distinguished for being the safest city in Mexico, usually competing for the title with Mérida, in the neighboring state of Yucatán.

It is a mid-sized city with just under a million inhabitants, without the big-city problems that affect Mexico City, nor the widespread corruption and chaotic party scene that has swallowed Cancun whole.

In a way, it is far more traditional and family-oriented: whether you’re strolling the picture-perfect streets of the colonial heart of Campeche, or browsing the local street markets, you’re rarely ever feel on edge, or as if you should be looking over your shoulders.

Unlike Quintana Roo, Campeche (and this includes the wider state as well) has not been a hotspot for organized crime, and gangs do not typically operate here due to the strong police presence, and the nature of the tourism itself.

Why Is Campeche So Safe?

You see, most visitors usually come for the tranquility and culture, not drugs and jungle parties, so the prevalence of illicit activities is far lower.

On top of that, the center is heavily patrolled by police, who are instructed to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards criminals in order to maintain the serenity of the zone, and its UNESCO World Heritage status.

It’s not exactly crime-free (nowhere in Mexico is, really), but when compared with other tourist destinations south of the border, it’s definitely on the safer side.

That’s precisely why the U.S. State Department has listed Campeche as a Level 1 destination, one of only two cities in Mexico to have obtained the coveted status (the other one being Mérida).

This means Americans can exercise ‘normal precautions’ when visiting, instead of being in a state of high alert.

Campeche has it all: stunning streets, amazing sights, and a safety record that beats most sprawling Mexican metropolises. It’s no surprise it’s becoming the place everyone’s flocking into lately.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.