This booming city is one of the biggest prides of natives. Is the seat of the Municipality of El Carmen, which is an island, located in front of the coast connected to mainland by two bridges, over the Términos Lagoon. In 1518 the place was first seen by the Spaniards who called the place Terminos Island, for they thought it was the end of the huge island they thought Yucatan was.
Due to its location, far away but close at the same time from Continental mainland, Carmen Island was a strategic territory for pirates that devastated America during XVI and XVIII centuries. They settled there to fix their ships and to plan their attacks against Spaniards and to newly borne cities, such as Campeche.
Nowadays the zone has turned into one of the most important centers of production in Mexico, due to its oilfields. More than 80 % of oil national production and 40 % of gas is extracted from here. Carmen Island hosts the most important fishing and shrimping port of the State of Campeche.
After a long period of occupation, the Spanish forces, commanded by Alonso Felipe de Andrade evicted the pirates from the island and took control the city. Since then, June 16, 1717, day of the Virgin of Carmen, the city was re-baptized as Island and City of El Carmen.
The Municipality of El Carmen is located in the southeastern part of the Campeche territory, which is known as “The Rivers Region”. A huge part of such zone is located inside the Lagoon of Terminos Natural Protection Area for Flora and Fauna. Mild weather and heavy rainfalls as well as a 26.3 °Celsius average are their main characteristics. It is well known for its tropically lush which comes from the mixture of sweet water from several rivers with salt water from the Gulf of Mexico, which allows riches of both flora and fauna.
City of El Carmen is a population where people use maritime resources as their main source of supply and work. The locality has very particular architecture, which shows in its eldest edifications the usage of European materials from the XVI century.
Among its main architectonical riches, there is the Church of Our Lady of Carmen, The Churches of El Guanal and Jesus, the House of Culture and Former Hospital Victoriano Nieves.
TIME AND DISTANCE
From Mexico City, 919 kilometers, 9:31 hour drive.
From City of San Francisco de Campeche, 213 kilometers, 2:35 hour drive.
From Mérida, 380 kilometers, 4:50 hour drive.
From Villahermosa, 169 kilometers, 2:05 hour drive
From Palenque, 314 kilometers, 4:47 hour drive.
HOW TO GET THERE
If coming from the Capital of the State, you are to take the highway way and after 60 kilometers you arrive to Champoton.
Champoton is a city located at the riverside of the same – named river. It is also a place where you can enjoy the best fish and seafood in the journey. Here you can find several restaurants with affordable prices, as well as the “cockteleros”. This stop is a must to enjoy Campeche gastronomy. It is also important that you consider re-fueling in this City.
Keeping on highway 180, known as “coastal”, after 15 kilometers, you can find the Campeche Playa, Golf, Marina and Spa Resort (www.campecheplaya.com). Two kilometers from that point there is the Punta Zen Turtle Camp, and 20 kilometers ahead is Chen Kan Camp. Those are areas where the Carey Turtle arrives, which is an endanger specie; 29 kilometers ahead you will find a bridge and junction with the Sabancuy town. Near the sea there is a restaurant where you can enjoy fish and seafood.
39 kilometers from that point there is the Isla Aguada town, an ideal site to enjoy the best beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. There you can find a small seafront with its fishermen pier, where several guided tours take you to the Lagoon of Terminos and the Birds Island. These are two of the most important tourist attractions in this area.
To be able to continue the journey, it is necessary to go across the Unidad Bridge, which is 3.2 kilometers long, so you can arrive into Isla del Carmen, in the area known as Puerto Real. In order to get to the city, you are to travel 40 kilometers through the island.
ADVISES
Wear comfortable clothing and a hat to protect you from sunbeams.
