Essentials
- City
- San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
- Population
- Approximately 260,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-100 Mbps via Totalplay or Telmex Fiber
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.00 MXN. ATMs available at BBVA and Santander on Calle 53.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use purified bottled water (Garrafones) like Cristal or Bonafont.
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (Best coverage), AT&T Mexico. SIMs available at OXXO for $150 MXN.
- Banking for Expats
- BBVA, Santander, Banamex. Revolut and Wise are widely used for transfers.
- Accommodation
- Colonial houses in Centro, modern apartments in Area Ah Kim Pech.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Larger restaurants/hotels accept cards; markets and small shops are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Rentas Campeche'.
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Viatger (approx. $350 MXN/night), Calle 10.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Histórico (Within the walled city) for architecture and safety.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Barrio de Guadalupe or Barrio de San Román for better value and local vibe.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Coworking Campeche (Calle 12), starts at $200 MXN/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Luan (Calle 59). Excellent coffee, reliable Wi-Fi, and laptop-friendly tables.
- Networking Events
- Monthly 'Startup Grind' style meetups at the Universidad Autónoma de Campeche (UAC).
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly language exchange 'Intercambio' at Sotavento Bar on Calle 59.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- DiDi is the primary app; Uber is limited. Local Taxis (approx. $50-80 MXN within city).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bici-Renta on the Malecón (approx. $50 MXN per hour).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Bonita (15 mins south), entry $30 MXN.
- Top Regional Airline
- Aeroméxico Connect (Flying to Mexico City).
- Top International Airline
- Volaris and VivaAerobus (Fly via Merida MID, 2 hours away).
- Highway Access
- Federal Highway 180 (Connecting to Mérida and Villahermosa).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Campeche Tren Maya Station (San Francisco de Campeche).
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass; pay $8 MXN cash to the driver for 'Combies' or buses.
- Regional Travel
- ADO Bus Terminal for luxury travel to Mérida ($300 MXN) or Cancun ($800 MXN).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital General de Especialidades 'Dr. Javier Buenfil Osorio' or Clinica Campeche.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Campeche (Calle 14), drop-in classes from $150 MXN.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Anytime Fitness (Plaza Galerías), approx. $800 MXN/month.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería 'El Siglo XXI' (Calle 55), approx. $25 MXN per kilo.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi and DiDi Food are widely operational.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Pan de Cazón (Shredded shark tortilla cake) at La Pigua.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Natura 59 (Calle 59). Fresh juices and vegetarian bowls.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería El Colón (The Malecón) for traditional sorbets.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Principal Pedro Sáinz de Baranda.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.mx and Mercado Libre (2-3 day delivery).
- Grocery Delivery
- Walmart Mexico app (Delivery approx. $40 MXN).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Calle 59 (Pedestrian street with outdoor tables and bars).
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Artesanal 'La Muralla' (Available at local bars).
- Wine Bars
- Aduana Vieja (Calle 59) offers a great selection of Mexican wines.
- Street Food Stalls
- Portales de San Francisco for 'Trancas' and tacos.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Scattola 59 (Italian/Pizza) on Calle 59.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fuerte de San Miguel and the Malecón (Sea wall).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de la Arquitectura Maya (Baluarte de la Soledad).
- Historical Sites
- Edzná Archeological Site (50 mins from the city).
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción.
- Annual Events
- Campeche Carnival (February) and San Román Fair (September).
- Cultural Districts
- Barrio de Guadalupe for traditional architecture and calm streets.
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Francisco de Paula Toro.
- Local Markets
- Bazar Artesanal for local hammams and Panama hats.
- Music Scene
- Live Marimba music at the Parque Principal in the evenings.
- Street Art
- Colorful murals throughout Barrio de San Román.
- Cooking Classes
- La Casa de los Murmullos (Chef Patrick Louis).
- Art Galleries
- Galería de Arte El Jaguar Despertado.
- Historic Buildings
- The Mansion of Carvajal (Casa Carvajal).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Campechana' identity, a mix of Mayan, Spanish, and Pirate history.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Calakmul Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO site, 4 hours south).
- National Parks Nearby
- Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve (Kayaking and mangroves).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 5km Malecón pedestrian and bike path.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Fuerte de San José el Alto for panoramic bay views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Isla Aguada/Laguna de Términos (2 hours south).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted in the city; permitted in designated camping areas like Seybaplaya.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Calle 10), Estafeta (Calle 12).
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It (Plaza Galerías) for phones and laptops.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Deportivo '20 de Noviembre'.
- Language Classes
- Spanish courses at UAC (Universidad Autónoma de Campeche).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Central 'Francisco Sosa Escalante'.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural El Claustro.
- Gaming Lounges
- Gamer's Arena (Near Plaza Universidad).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Life Campeche (Plaza Galerías).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $22,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $880,000 MXN / $52k USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $15,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $600,000 MXN / $35k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $20,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $1,200,000 MXN / $70k USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $14,000 MXN per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $840,000 MXN / $49k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $18,500 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,480,000 MXN / $87k USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $12,500 MXN per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,000,000 MXN / $59k USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Federal Rate in Mexico)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residency-based: Worldwide income for residents; Mexican-source for non-residents.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (Standard Rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply to low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Annual 'Predial' tax, relatively low (approx. 0.1% to 0.5% of value).
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% to 5% acquisition tax (ISAI) + notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- RESICO regime for small businesses offers rates from 1% to 2.5% for qualifying income.