The Island of Carmen and its surrounding areas, is one of the areas in the southeast of the country with the greatest tourist potential, its territory is framed by beautiful landscapes of lake and marine type, complemented by the existence of archaeological remains and by the lush tropical vegetation . Similarly, Ciudad del Carmen retains that natural framework that represents being located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Laguna de Terms, which gives the population a very interesting tint. From Carmen, you can visit several sites with various tourist attractions, located in the southwest of the State of Campeche, stories like Palizada, Isla Aguada, Atasta, Sabancuy and Candelaria. Underpinning the tourist activity the emblematic places in Ciudad del Carmen are:
- Beaches
The coastal area of Ciudad del Carmen and of the Isla del Carmen, is made up of beautiful beaches; Some have various tourist services. In the urban area of Ciudad del Carmen the following beaches are located: Snail, Lace, Manigua, and North Beach.
To the east of Ciudad del Carmen, on the Isla del Carmen, there are the following beach areas: Bahamitas, Tortugueros, Port Royal, and Punta San Julián.
- Terms Lagoon
Bathed by its waters, to the south of Ciudad del Carmen is located Laguna de Terms, name that is due to the Spaniards who discovered the Isla del Carmen in 1518, believing that the lagoon separated what was believed then was the Yucatan island of mainland. The Laguna de Terminos is the estuarine lagoon system of greater dimensions and volumes of the country, in it a part of the main hydrological network of the coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico flows. Species such as bass, crustaceans, shrimp, manatee and dolphins, among others, reproduce successfully in its waters. Its great diversity is due, in large part, to the river discharge it receives.
Beyond the Terms Lagoon extends the Protection Area of Flora and Fauna of the same name, in which Ciudad del Carmen is immersed. Large mangrove forests, swampy areas, low flood forests, medium and high jungles, tular, carrizales and popales serve as a reservoir of species - crustaceans and fish -, and form a favorable site for nesting and habitat for Birds, reptiles and mammals. The Laguna de Terms Flora and Fauna Protection Area has an extension of 705,016 hectares, which makes it one of the largest Protected Natural Areas in Mexico. The particular characteristics of the Laguna de Terminos - unique on the planet - deserved that since 2004, it was declared a site Ramsar. In 2008 the wetlands of the protected natural area entered the indicative list of Mexican sites to be part of the world heritage of UNESCO. Due to the enormous natural wealth in which it is immersed, one of the natural vocations of Ciudad del Carmen is that of ecological tourism, forming the ideal scenario for the development and enjoyment of various activities ecotourism .
- Streets and historical buildings
Ciudad del Carmen has ancient and narrow streets, which allow tourists or visitors to permeate their history and traditions, such as the old Calle del Comercio (now 22), which along with the adjoining roads, were silent witnesses for more than 290 years of the development of extractive commercial activities such as dye stick, precious woods and chewing gum.
Other sites to highlight are:
- 'Marian Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen and Zaragoza Park.'
The urban heart of Ciudad del Carmen is located in the area formed by the Marian Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Carmen and Zaragoza Park, the construction of the first begins in 1856, its architecture presents harmonious lines well proportioned in Your frontispiece. A hall, two towers and an angled eardrum between the edges of the gable roof, three against forts give solidity to the lateral structure and its gray and white marble altar serves as accommodation for the beautiful image of the Virgen del Carmen, Patroness of the sailors. The Zaragoza park, with a beautiful area of wide vegetation, is located integrating this civic religious area, where besides the church, the City Theater, the University Cultural Center and the fountain named “Monument to the History of the Laguna de Terminos ”. Highlights the beautiful and traditional kiosk, one of the representative images of the city.
- 'Victorian Snow Museum.'
Located in an old hospital, it reviews the pre-Columbian times, as well as the history of Ciudad del Carmen and its impressive incorporation into the economy of modern Mexico. They highlight here the excellent examples of Mayan pottery, a ship integrated to the permanent exhibition, the early history of the Island of Tris, the expulsion of English pirates and the foundation of the Carmen prison, in addition to the large stick extraction of dye during the first half of the 19th century. In this enclosure you can know the various historical scenarios of the Carmen Region from pre-Hispanic times, through the conquest and colony, to the present day.
- 'El Zacatal Bridge and Malecon.' The El Zacatal bridge is the longest bridge in Latin America of its kind, with a length of 3861 meters and a width of 9 meters. It is one of the busiest in the country as it is the entrance to the Yucatan Peninsula, it has two lanes, one in each direction, passable by any type of vehicle.https://web.archive.org/web/20120309235540/http://www.carmen.gob.mx/respaldo%20carmen/W_Principal/Turismo/Turismo.htm
Every day, at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. there is a light and sound show that praises the greatness of this civil engineering work. Illuminating the bridge synchronously with the decorative elements of the boardwalk, during this show a video about the history of the island of Carmen called "Ventanas" and a video about tourism in Campeche is transmitted. The illumination of the bridge and the boardwalk remains late at night. If you are lucky you can see dolphins from the bridge and on the boardwalk at sunset.
- Other sites of interest
The City and Port of Carmen, offers the visitor in addition to its natural beauties, places to visit within its modernity stage; shopping centers, entertainment venues, modern hotels, restaurants and zoo, among others.
Without losing its essence and flavor of an island, Ciudad del Carmen has been incorporated into the modernity demanded by the population increase itself and by the economic dynamics imposed by the oil industry, which is why it now offers visitors a variety of options in gastronomic, lodging, culture, fun and entertainment. The comforts and commercial offer of any modern city, are an excellent complement to its beach s and natural attractions.