Day 22: Visit Edzná in Campeche
Today we are going to visit Edzná in Campeche, a visit that we had to advance, since as we had planned on the trip to Mexico in 45 days, we should have done it tomorrow, on the way to Calakmul.
And as they say there is no trip without surprise or change of plans, visiting Edzna today will be our particular surprise of the day.
The initial route was going to take us to visit the tourist places of Campeche, but after having breakfast at the Francis Drake Hotel, our accommodation in Campeche these days, we have gone to reception to explain a bit and be more sure of the route that we have planned to arrive in Calakmul tomorrow, visiting Edzná and Balamku before and it has been here when it has been time to change plans ...
Initial planning of the route from Campeche to Calakmul
This afternoon we plan to pick up the rental car in Mexico at the Campeche airport, so you have to take into account that we will already have private transportation.
- The idea was to leave tomorrow about 7 in the morning from Campeche to Edzná, get there when they opened at 8 in the morning (the journey is 45-60 minutes)
- Visit Edzná in Campeche 2 hours
- After the visit make the journey from Edzná to Calakmul
- Visit Balamku and sleep at the Puerta Calakmul hotel
- The next day, the idea was to visit Calakmul from 8 in the morning, in about 4-5 hours
- After the visit, continuation of the route to reach Bacalar in the evening
The route from Campeche to Calakmul and Laguna Bacalar that we had planned had been traced with Google Maps, without taking into account the state of the roads, so according to our information at that time, it was totally safe to make this route on the marked roads, which in principle was also the fastest route.
Final route from Campeche to Calakmul and Laguna Bacalar after speaking with reception
After talking with reception and corroborating what we had already read, that the road to Calakmul is not good, they tell us something that we had not taken into account and that is that on the inner and faster road that we had traced the route, In addition to being in very bad conditions, there have been some assaults, so we decided to follow his advice and make some changes in the next two days, with which we can make the paths much quieter, in addition to going much safer.
The main problem if we make the route we had planned, to get to Calakmul visiting Edzná first, is that to take the road they recommend us, we had to go back to Campeche to take the road to Escárcega and from there to Calakmul.
Making the visit to Edzná, in addition to Balamku and arriving at the Puerta Calakmul hotel made us arrive practically at 8 pm in the hotel, being the last hours of driving at night, something that we do not feel like and that have also highlighted us, It is not recommended.
So after the recommendations we choose to make this change in the route and leave it like this:
- Today morning visit Edzná in Campeche, with private transportation for 350 pesos per person
- Pick up the rental car at the airport when we return from Edzná, park it at the hotel and spend the afternoon in Campeche.
- Tomorrow go straight from here to Calakmul, leaving first thing in the morning.
- Arrive at Calakmul at noon and make the afternoon visit to Calakmul.
- Sleep at the Hotel Puerta Calakmul
- The next day, visit Balamkú and add to our itinerary the visits to Chicanná, Becán and Xpuhil (which we added after having won half a day to the trip), on the way to Laguna Bacalar.
Update after making the trip: We have to say, once the trip was made, that our first route option, changing the access road to Calakmul from Campeche, was completely feasible in times, although it is true that we had arrived at the hotel Calakmul gate at mid afternoon.
In the same way we want to highlight that with this change we gain a lot, both in times and in security, in addition to the possibility of visiting Chicanná, Becán and Xpuhil, three of the most incredible sites of the trip to Mexico for free.
And so with the planning of the following days a little modified, in addition to some archaeological sites added to the route, we set course for Edzná when it is 9 am, with a private driver, who will wait for us during the visit and then He will take us to the airport to pick up the rental car in Mexico.
How to go from Campeche to Edzná
- Public transport: Getting to Edzná by public transport is not impossible, but not easy. There are small combis that are taken on Chihuahua Street and that pass every 30 minutes, but for what they tell us, they do not leave you at the door of the archaeological site of Edzná and do not have a fixed schedule.
- Private transportation: We hire you directly with the agency next to the Francis Drake Hotel, for 350 pesos per person and includes round trip transportation plus 2 hours wait (negotiable time) for the visit. In our case, having to pick up the car at the airport, 6 kilometers from Campeche, will leave us directly there.
- Tour with agency: All city agencies do this tour to visit Edzná in Campeche. From what we could see, the prices are around 850 pesos per person and include transportation and guide at the site.
- Rental car: the way we would have chosen if we already had the car. Although we could have advanced the pick-up time to this morning, that would have meant arriving in Edzná later, when there are more people and to lose the possibility of spending the entire afternoon in Campeche, so we have preferred to do it in the way we discussed above.
After a quiet ride, surrounded by greenery, talking with the driver about the planned route, in addition to receiving great advice for the area, we arrive in Edzná when it is 10 in the morning, perfect time to start visit Edzná in Campeche, going straight to the box office where we pay 55 pesos per person
More practical information to prepare your trip to Mexico
- 10 essential places to visit in Mexico
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Mexico
- Best travel insurance for Mexico
- Security in Mexico
Tips for visiting Edzná in Campeche
- The schedule for visiting Edzná is from 8 am to 5 pm and the entrance fee is 55 pesos per person.
- After passing the ticket office you have some bathrooms in which there is a small machine. There you can buy snacks and water, although normally for what they tell us, because of electrical problems it does not work, so we advise you to bring water, since in the archaeological site there are not many places with shade.
- A few meters after the ticket office you will find an information panel with two signs. One that turns left and puts archaeological complex and another path to the right, which leads directly to The Sorceress. The latter is a mound of land, under which there is a pyramidal structure, which is seen from the access road to Edzná, but which is not explored, so that only a mountain of sand is seen. We recommend you go directly to the archaeological complex to start visiting Edzná.
- Although it may seem like a short time, you can visit Edzná in Campeche in about 2 hours, with peace of mind, making stops and photographs.
- If you are looking for the best perspective of Edzná, do not forget to climb the structures of the Great Acropolis. It is from there that you have the best views of the entire archaeological site.
Visit Edzná in Campeche
What to see in Edzná
50 kilometers southeast of Campeche is Edzná, the most important archaeological site in this area and which is another of the essential places to visit in Mexico.
Although initially in extension it may seem larger, the area that can be visited is quite small, recommending starting with the Great Acropolis.
Visit Edzná from Campeche
Great Acropolis
The Main Square or Grand Acropolis, which is the most interesting and impressive area, 100 meters wide and 160 meters long, around which the main buildings of the site are located.
Edzná Main Square
Great Acropolis Visit Edzná from Campeche
Nohochná
This huge structure is the first one seen when you reach the Great Acropolis of Edzná and it is believed that it fulfilled administrative functions.
According to the studies it is said that the banks that can be seen served to observe from there the different representations that were carried out in the Great Acropolis.
Nohochná
Nohochná
Five story building
Without a doubt, the five-story Building will probably be the main reason for visit Edzná in Campeche, since it is one of the most impressive structures you can see, not only in this area of the country, but throughout Mexico.
Five story building
With just over 30 meters high, this is the tallest structure of the site, visible from many of its points.
A high staircase, with 65 steps, which currently cannot be climbed, takes you through the five levels to the top of the building.
Five story building
The best views of the Five Story Building with from the square and adjacent structures.
Five story building
Little Acropolis
In the back, to the south of the Great Acropolis is the Small Acropolis, another area, less restored than the previous one in which you can see several interesting structures.
Little Acropolis
Temple of the masks
The most interesting structure is the Temple of the Masks, today covered by a kind of palapa that protects it in which you can see several incredibly carved engravings.
Temple of the masks
Details Temple of the masks
Ball game
Another interesting point of the Little Acropolis is the restored Ball Game, which is located in this area of the site.
Ball game
It's 12 noon when we finish the visit to Edzná, going directly to Campeche airport, since there we will pick up our rental car in Mexico, with which we will travel from now on Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán.
We arrive at the airport when it is 1pm, doing a quick procedure and especially checking the car very well, in 30 minutes we will be heading to Campeche, to the Francis Drake Hotel, where we arrive in 15 minutes and where we leave the car, which will start Be our transport starting tomorrow.
Tips for renting a car in Mexico
As we have said on several occasions, renting a car to tour the colonial cities, which has been the first part of our trip to Mexico for free, is neither necessary nor recommended.
Given that the distances between cities are quite large and that it is much more comfortable to make these transfers by public transport, as we have done for Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara, we believe that the best option In this case, it is to opt for the bus.
To tour the area of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan, things change a bit, since public transport does not reach many of the points of interest of the Mayan Route, or when they do the schedules are not very wide. That's why we recommend you rent a car in Mexico for this area.
- Check the car well at the time of collection. Better to know that you do not carry anything strange inside or that you have any blow not marked on the form that will later take you a surprise.
- Take pictures of the state of the car both at the time of collection and delivery. These are essential for any claim.
- We had already read that in Mexico it is very common “relet”Your car by the agency if someone offers more money. In this way when you arrive at the agency, it either has no car or is of a lower category.
Although it may sound impossible or reportable this happens. We booked with Europcar and from what we saw they were the only 5 agencies that respected reservations at Campeche airport. We were very lucky! We saw several couples who had run out of cars without being able to do anything ...
- Before going on the road, try to be clear about the route and check beforehand what the roads are like. You can do this directly in the accommodations, it is a quick thing that will allow you to go quieter and travel on the most appropriate roads.
- On some routes, such as the one from Campeche to Calakmul, there are no gas or provision services, so it is worth taking something in the trunk, just in case.
- We have mostly bought at Oxxo supermarkets, which you can find in most villages and the truth is that they have everything at super tight prices.
In addition there are many that open 24 hours and in all you can find coffee to go for 20 pesos.
First purchases at Oxxo
- In Mexico, the badenes are very common, many of them without signaling, so it is best to go quietly and respect the traffic rules.
- There are even roads where there are many cracks and drivers who know them are doing "eses"on the road to dodge them. It is also something to keep in mind to avoid shocks when you see that a car seems to circulate in your lane in the opposite direction, when you are only avoiding a piece of road in poor condition.
- Most of the roads you will travel are in very good condition, do not worry. Of course, most are straight roads, so attention is often lost. Do not say goodbye.
- In many sections the gas stations do not shine for their presence, keep this in mind and try to take the full tank in these sections or better yet, never go out on the road with little gasoline.
- Although it seems obvious, try not to leave valuables in sight.
- Try to avoid driving at night. Not so much because of the danger, but because of the drivers who go without lights, the people who cross… etc. During the day everything looks clearer and therefore is safer.
- Despite what they tell you, driving in Mexico is not dangerous. You can do it perfectly, yes, do it with common sense, as in any other place and taking into account some recommendations such as those we give you in this section.
- In Mexico it is incredible how pedestrian crossings are respected, in addition to crossings, by drivers. Try to be like them and drive with caution. In addition, something that has caught our attention is that the horn is not usually touched.
Rent a car in Mexico
Already in Campeche and with half an day in advance of the itinerary planned by Mexico, the first thing we do is find a place to eat, deciding today for Marganzo, another of the most recommended restaurants in the city, where we ordered an octopus dish, a Cazón bread, typical Campeche dish, beer, chaya and pineapple water plus dessert and two coffees for 633 pesos.
Bread of Cazón in Marganzo
After the experience we cannot say anything more than this restaurant is highly recommended!
It is three o'clock in the afternoon when we finish the meal and we will go to Campeche and walk it these last hours taking advantage of the rest of the afternoon to get lost in the streets of the city enjoying unforgettable hours, with which we say goodbye to this incredible place in the best way.
Campeche
Calle 59 in Campeche
Campeche
Late in the afternoon, after these very necessary moments on long trips, in which it is infinitely grateful to have some morning or afternoon just for a walk, we approach the boardwalk, where we live a unique sunset.
Campeche boardwalk
Unique moments in Campeche
After this walk, it is 8 o'clock when after a beautiful last sunset in Campeche, we return to Calle 59 for dinner, deciding on the Scattola restaurant, where we order a couple of pizzas, water and dessert plus coffees for 230 pesos.
And so, with a most energetic dinner, we say goodbye to Campeche, a place we will surely return to and that has left us an unforgettable memory.
Day 23: Visit Calakmul in Campeche
