Wander along the picturesque coastal promenade, attend a religious service at pretty colonial churches and relax on the surrounding beaches.
Ciudad del Carmen is a quaint colonial town known for its churches, picturesque lagoon and impressive bridge. Several beaches decorate the coast. Chat with local residents for a sense of the mixed cultures and ethnicities in this region.
Visit one of the town’s most impressive sights, El Zacatal Bridge, which links Ciudad del Carmen to the rest of Mexico. It runs for 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers), making it among the longest bridges in the state. Snap photos of the picturesque Términos Lagoon south of the structure. Stroll along the nearby Malecón coastal promenade for great views of the bridge and the Gulf of Mexico.
Arrive in the historic center to see the nicely preserved colorful colonial buildings. Among the highlights is Our Lady of Carmen Church, which has an elaborate mahogany wood ceiling and an array of ecclesiastical artworks adorning the walls. Learn about the regional history with a trip to the impressive building of the Victoriano Nievez Céspedes Museum.
Enjoy the year-round warm weather with a trip to some of the beaches in the area, such as Playa Norte. Do some sunbathing and lay down a blanket for a picnic on the sand during the dry season, which runs from January through May.
Dine at one of the town’s many restaurants specializing in seafood. The region has long been known for its jumbo shrimp. Harvesting this seafood was formerly the primary industry alongside the manufacture of chewing gum and dyewood. Today, oil magnates have moved to the area following the discovery of petroleum off the coast. Note the range of inhabitants in this town, the majority of which come from elsewhere due to the oil boom.
Find the town in the southwestern part of Campeche state. It is on a promontory stretching west from the Isla del Carmen between the Términos Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico.
Ciudad del Carmen has an excellent seafood tradition and preserved colonial architecture.