Campeche Vs. Merida - Which Gem Should You Discover?

If you’re planning a vacation to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, you may initially think of tourist hotspots like Cancun and Playa del Carmen in the Quintana Roo state.

On the eastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, you will find the Yucatan and Campeche states which house many beautiful cities that are also well worth a visit.

Merida, the capital of the Yucatan state, and Campeche, the capital of the Campeche state are two of the hot spots in the area, both offering a lot to see and do in their own right.

You may be wondering what the difference between Campeche City and Merida are, and which one is more worth a visit.

While I highly recommend a visit to both of these stunning cities if you have time, below I have gone into detail about what to expect from both cities.

So, Campeche vs Merida: which city is better? Find out below.

Campeche

Campeche is both a state and a city with Campeche City being the capital of the Campeche State.

To further complicate this, Campeche City is also sometimes called San Francisco de Campeche.

This coastal city sits on the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Home to nearly 1 million residents, this colorful city has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty as well as some great nightlife.

Campeche is a great city to visit if you want to enjoy a margarita while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Fit with all the best views you’d expect from Mexico, the only downfall with the city is that you won’t find anything like the Yucatan peninsula’s famous beaches with white sand for which Mexico is so famous like those of Cozumel or Isla Mujeres.

While the city itself doesn’t have beaches, if you are using this as a starting point in which to explore the rest of the state, you will be rewarded with some of the best secluded beaches the country has to offer, all within driving distance.

While both Merida and Campeche are known for their beautiful colorful buildings, the streets of Campeche are sure to impress with each building painted a bright and cheerful color.

My favorite thing about Campeche is how beautiful and colorful the city is.

If you’re an influencer or just looking for some great Instagram photos to come home with, Campeche is the place for you.

Every building in the old city is painted a bright color making the city one of the most beautiful old towns we’ve visited.

One of my favorite things to do was just wander the streets, marveling at the area’s beauty.

Where Is Campeche City

Campeche City is a coastal city in the northwestern corner of the Campeche state in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Campeche City has an airport that has connecting flights from Mexico City.

Getting here you can expect an hour and 45 minute flight from Mexico City, or a long 702 mile (1,131 km) 16 hour drive east.

If you are coming from Cancun, you are in for a 6 hour drive 300 miles(488 km) southwest.

What To Do In Campeche

Visit the San Miguel Fort: Due to Campeche City’s location along the Gulf of Mexico, this city was once prone to pirate attacks. To combat this, this historic walled city was formed to protect the people and the city from impending attacks. Since then, this area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a great place to walk through. You will have stunning ocean views while walking past old cannons that were used as the defense pointed toward the sea. You can buy your tickets for $25 MXN ($1 USD) at the Campeche Archaeological Museum on site.
Explore the San Jose Fort: While not in the city center, visiting this fort is certainly worth the 10 minute drive. If you go, be sure to check out the Underwater Archeology Museum, Museo de Arqueología Subacuatica, to see items recovered from the sunken ships in the area.
Watch the sunset at Campeche Malecon: If you’re looking for a great place to catch the sunset overlooking the stunning waters in the Gulf of Mexico, head to the Malecon (walkway). Along this walkway, you will find parks, sculptures, a city sign, and a few nearby restaurants that are great for watching the sunset.
Walk the city: One of my favorite things to do in Campeche is walk through the colorful streets, grab a coffee at one of the many downtown cafes, and marvel at the beauty of this old town. With narrow streets and colorful architecture, this is one of the most beautiful old cities I’ve visited. If you’re looking for a great place to start, head to 59th Street (Calle 59) where you will find a lively atmosphere with a stunning backdrop.
Take a tram tour: If you want to see all the best spots in the city, look for one of these bright red and green tranvias (trams) in Independence Square. There are two types of tours to choose from, each costing $100 MXN ($5 USD).
Explore the rest of the Campeche State: If you have a car rental, I highly recommend exploring all the other great things to do in the state. Isla Aguada is one of the best destinations for explorers looking for amazing beaches off the beaten track. Isla Arena is another great place to check out.

Merida

Merida is the capital city in the Yucatan state of Mexico. This city is incredibly beautiful with many old buildings and a strong colonial influence.

This colonial city is one of the longest cities in the Americas to be continuously inhabited.

Merida has an international airport, Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, making it a central location to fly in and out of if visiting the eastern Yucatan.

Merida is a city rich in culture. If you are interested in learning about Mexican history and diving into Mexican culture, a trip to Merida is a must.

What’s more, you can do all this for free in the city as many museums are free to enter.

The best time of year to be in Merida is between December and March when you will experience the best weather.

One of the best things about Merida is how central the city is to a lot of great hotspots.

Planning day trips from Merida is easy, especially if you have a car rental or are savvy with bus schedules.

Using Merida as a central base in which to explore the surrounding areas was one of my favorite parts of visiting the city.

Some popular day trips from Merida include visiting sacred cenotes, and many different archeological sites including the world famous Chichen Itza, and sipping margaritas in one of the surrounding beach towns.

Where Is Merida

Merida is an inland city located in the northwestern corner of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Merida is the capital city of the Yucatan state.

From Mexico City, you will take a flight that’s just under 2 hours long or drive the extensive 813 mile (1,309 km) journey east taking about 18 hours.

From Cancun, you’re in for a 191 mile (308 km), 4 hour drive west. While the drive may be long, it is quite safe and relatively direct making it easy to do.

If you are looking to take a bus, they depart from the Central Bus Station in Cancun, or from Cancun International Airport, multiple times a day.

What To Do In Merida

Walk around the Grand Plaza: Take in all the beauty of this historic center that was once used for Mayan ceremonies. There are many buildings to see here including the church and a few museums. The plaza itself houses some great stalls with things to buy and great street food.
Take a free walking tour: A free hour long walking tour is offered every morning at 9:30 am, except Sundays. Here you can learn all about Merida’s history from a local guide. This is a great way to get an appreciation of the area and help you build your plans for the rest of your trip. You don’t need to book ahead to take part in this tour, but ensure you are at the tourist office in the municipal buildings about 10 minutes before 9:30 a.m. to ensure you get a tour. While the tour is free, I highly recommend offering a small tip to your tour guides.
Visit some of the many museums in the city: Merida is rich in history and offers many different museums to go to including anthropology museums, colonial and Mayan museums, and more. Many of these museums are even free to enter making them a great activity.
Watch an ancient Mayan ball game: If you’re looking for a unique taste of history, head to the square in front of the church in Merida on a Friday night. You will find a historical demonstration of an ancient Mayan ball game that can be really fun and interesting to watch. Sometimes called Pok-Ta-Pok or Juego de la pelota, this game was used as a way to worship the Gods. If you see some Archeological sites, like Chichen Itza or others, you will often be able to see the remains of these ball fields and this demonstration will give you a much greater appreciation.

Getting Between Campeche And Merida

Merida is located 110 miles (175 km) north of Campeche and takes just less than two and a half hours to drive between.

The drive is fairly direct as you simply follow Highway 180 between the two cities.

You can choose to take a bus, rental car, or taxi between the two cities. I highly recommend a rental car as you can stop at many of the great sights along the way.

Campeche Vs Merida: Which One Is For You?

If You’re Looking For Culture: Merida is the place to go. Merida is a hub for Mexican history and culture and one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a cultural experience. The town holds a colonial charm with many of the museums in the area being free to visit. Additional, it will give you opportunities to see some very underrated Mayan ruins nearby!
If You’re Wanting To Be Close To The Coast: Campeche is a clear winner if your priority is to be close to the water. While Campeche City itself doesn’t have nice white sandy beaches, it does have stunning views of the ocean and offers a variety of different boat tours. This is also a factor for making it a cooler place to visit when it comes to temperatures and weather.
If You’re A Foodie: Merida is the place to go. You will have a much larger selection of everything from delicious cafes and breakfast restaurants to markets like Mercado 60 that have many food stalls and live music to enjoy.
If You Are Looking To Do Day Trips: Merida is the winner again if you are looking for a city to act as a home base in which to visit surrounding areas. Close by you will find many great beach towns, archeological sites, and sacred cenotes. You can easily spend multiple days exploring the area near Merida.

Between these two cities, Merida is my top recommendation for visiting.

We loved exploring the Mayan Ruin at Mayapan and having very little tourists as compared to visiting Chichen Itza or Tulum Archeological Sites.

While both cities offer a lot of beauty and things to do, Campeche offers fewer activities and is better used as a day trip than a main destination.

While Campeche City itself lacks a ton of thrill, the state is packed full of great beaches and ancient Mayan city ruins that are well worth a visit.

If you are interested in the best beaches in the Yucatan Peninsula, try visiting Isla Holbox or Tulum.

It is also a very affordable place to travel that will have you far from the tourist scene.

Merida houses a ton of authentic Mexican culture and charm and the central location allows for the perfect “home base” to take many day trips through the state.

It is one of the most incredible colonial cities in all of Mexico!

Which Will You Choose: Merida Or Campeche?

Mexico is one of my favorite travel destinations. With its proximity to the US, it is a popular hotspot for Americans to visit.

While your mind may go to busy touristy destinations such as Cancun and Tulum, Mexico offers so much more to be explored.

As the Yucatan Peninsula is fairly safe to drive around, renting a car and exploring smaller towns in the area will deliver a fun, cultural, and unique experience.

Merida and Campeche are two amazing towns to visit, both with their own unique charm.

Use our favorite travel resources to plan your trip to either Merida or Campeche: