The southern peninsular region from Escárcega to Xpujil, which borders modern-day Guatemala, was the earliest established, longest inhabited and most densely populated region in the Maya world. Here you’ll find the most elaborate archaeological sites on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Hwy 186 heads east across Campeche state, climbing gradually from the unappealing town of Escárcega to a broad, jungle plateau and then down to Chetumal, in Quintana Roo.
I decided to stay in Escarcega for one night – in order to break up the journey between Palenque and Chetumal, which would have taken over 7-hours by bus!
I should have realised that Escarcega was not a tourist destination when I was the only person disembarking the ADO bus. As I watched it pull out of the deserted bus station I did begin to wonder what I had let myself into. However, a chatty taxi driver whisked me to my hotel and charged less than a pound for the entertaining 10-minute ride.
The owners of Hotel Yaakunah are a friendly bunch, and my large room proved to be the perfect ‘office’ to catch up on ‘admin’ work.
The hotel can be booked via the usual online booking agents, via their Facebook page, or by phoning them directly.
With only a couple of restaurants to chose from (Pizzas only), Escarcega is certainly not a culinary hotspot! I can honestly say I ate the worst pizza ever in Escarcega.
Next stage: A return visit to Chetumal.
