Western Yucatan
For many, the Yucatan Peninsula begins at Cancún and stops at Cozumel. But head southwest along the Gulf of Mexico and you’ll discover so much more. The colonial town of Campeche and the former Olmec stronghold of Villahermosa both offer a glimpse into life in Old Mexico. Mérida, too, is full of historic sights, but has a thoroughly modern cultural scene.
Activities and Attractions:
Around Mérida’s central Plaza Mayor, you’ll find the oldest cathedral in North America, constructed starting in 1561. Right next door, though, is a contemporary art museum, well worth a visit. And so it is with Mérida; all over town you’ll find colonial administration buildings and plantation owners’ mansions punctuated by upscale restaurants, clubs, folk-art shops, and regional theaters.
Campeche, by contrast, is a city that revels in its colonial past. The city came under assault by both conquistadores and pirates; as a result you can now visit not one but two 18th-century forts, the Fuerte-Museo San José el Alto, and the Fuerte-Museo San Miguel. Both have museums. The one at San Miguel goes into the city’s sometimes overlooked Mayan history.
To learn more about pre-Columbian Mexico, visit Villahermosa. Unless you’ve been to Easter Island, the Parque-Museo La Venta will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Half park, half museum, the grounds are punctuated by six-foot-tall stone heads, carved about 3,000 years ago by the Olmec, founders of Mexico’s first civilization. Wander around here in awe, then visit the more traditional anthropology museum on the river to see some of the exquisite artifacts left behind by other indigenous Mexican people.
Insider Tip:
In this part of Mexico, it’s considered rude to launch right into a request. Whether you’re speaking English or attempting Spanish, it’s polite to slow down the pace of your conversation and make a little small talk before getting down to business.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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