How to get from Merida to Campeche
A secret gem found in the south-east of Mexico, Campeche is an underrated region to visit in Mexico often missed by many travelers planning to visit this part of the country.
Not only can we enjoy beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico (without the crowds), you can also see a more authentic side of Mexico without feeling unsafe or overwhelmed with vendors constantly at your side.
Merida to Campeche
In this guide we’ll explore some of the most popular ways of getting from Merida to Campeche. We’ll also take a look at the best time to visit as well as some other tips based on our time spent here.
Campeche Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Southern Mexico
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Moderate/Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 2-5 days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: December-February
Things to know BEFORE visiting Campeche
- Very Hot Summer Months – Although all months offer different advantages when heading to Campeche, the summer months (from May until August) can get really hot which is similar in Merida. If you will come during this time, make sure you bring some really good sunblock and also a poncho given that rains are more frequent in this period.
- Visit Lesser-Known Mayan Ruins – The majority of travelers heading to Mexico will usually visit Chichén Itzá, Tulum Ruins or Teotihuacán. However here in Campeche we can also find some awesome ruins without the crowds. Make sure to visit Edzná and Xcalumkín, as well as the notorious site of Calakmul.
- Take Your Time Here – Usually travelers will rush trying to see Campeche in a few days before returning to the more popular Riviera Maya region. We instead think you should plan for at least 4-7 days here, where you can wander all of the colorful streets, eat typical seafood from the region as well as visit nearby ruins and impressive sites.
The Best Time to Visit Campeche
It’s important to note that temperatures are pretty hot in Campeche year-round, although the winter months do tend to offer more of a relief.
The dry season also coincides with the winter, making it the best time to visit Campeche. This runs from November until April, which sees between 0.5-1.5 inches falling throughout each of these months. Overall we would say the best months to visit this region are either December, January or February.
The wet season begins in May and lasts until October. Rainfall spikes dramatically in this period, where we can expect anywhere from 4-6 inches falling in each month.
Couple this with the sometimes overbearing daytime temperatures, it can make it uncomfortable at times to explore the city and nearby regions.
Pre-booking Transport with ADO
Given Campeche isn’t yet a popular hotspot with tourists (especially when compared with say Cancún or Tulum), pre-booking transport here isn’t too easy.
As you’ll see later in this article, the only reliable (and cost-effective) method to do so is with ADO. They have buses leaving hourly, and can easily be pre-booked online using their website or through external providers such as BusBud.
You can read more about the cost and duration of an ADO bus trip from Merida to Campeche below in the next section.
Have you got travel insurance for Campeche?
How to get from Merida to Campeche
A great addition to any trip through Southern Mexico, we’ve found 2 main ways of making the trip to Campeche from Mérida (at this time of writing).
ADO Bus from Merida to Campeche
ADO are a highly reputable bus company who operate all over Mexico, however are especially popular in the south-east of the country.
It’s quick and easy to take a bus from Merida to Campeche, which takes 2.5 hours and leaves from the main ADO terminal every hour (more frequently around noon, whilst less frequently late at night or in the early morning).
The price for a one-way ticket costs around $20, which makes it the overall cheapest and hassle-free option.
Car Rental from Merida to Campeche
Renting a car is also another great way to get here, and especially so for travelers who are more independent and like to do things on their own schedule.
You can either rent a car in Cancún, Cancún Airport or in Merida, and in the latter you’ll find many reputable companies to rent with. These include Avis, Budget and Flexways.
Costs of rental vehicles can vary widely, especially when considering that there are luxury vehicles on offer and those that come with additional perks. Daily rental costs start from $7-10 a day for the more basic vehicles.
Getting from Merida to Campeche
And that’s all for this guide on how to get from Merida to Campeche.
Known for its great seafood, raw Mexican culture and lesser-visited ancient ruins, Campeche is a worthy addition to any trip if you are in the south-east of Mexico. Getting here is also relatively simple, especially given the quality and reliability of the buses here.
In this guide we’ve explored how to get from Merida to Campeche, as well as where to stay and what to do.
Be sure to read our Yucatán Itinerary to learn more about how to best use your time when traveling through this nearby region.
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