Escárcega

Plaza in Escarcega

Escárcega (full name Francisco Escárcega) is a small city of 31,000 people (2020) in the state of Campeche, at an important junction between Mexico's Federal highways 261 and 186. The route between Escarcega and Chetumal is known as the Ruta Rio Bec where a number of Maya archaeological sites can be found.

Understand

The location of Escárcega at highway intersections has made it a stop for truckers and long distance buses. Widely considered the least charming town in the Yucatan Peninsula, there is no reason for travelers to make a special trip here, nor to linger longer than needed while in transit to elsewhere. Basic food, lodging, and supplies can be obtained here if needed, but don't expect anything beyond that.

Get in

By car

Federal Route 261 provides a secondary, inland alternative to the main route from Villahermosa to Mérida. Route 186 traverses the sparsely populated southern half of the Yucatán, between Escárcega and Chetumal.

By train

Escarcega is a key station on the Tren Maya intercity high-speed rail line. The three train lines converge at Escarcega, making it an important transfer point for changing trains bound for Cancun, Chetumal, or Palenque.

• 1 Estacion Tren Maya Escarcega, Concordia. Full-service station with 2 platforms, ticket sales, baggage check, a VIP lounge and an Oxxo. (updated Dec 2024)

By bus

Several bus companies operate buses between Campeche and Escarcega, buses also arrive from Chetumal. ADO has the most frequent service with 4 daily buses from Campeche. Other companies such as ATS, Sur, and TRT operate as few as 1 bus per day. The trip from Campeche takes 2 hours and tickets cost M$100 to M$200 depending on class of service. From Chetumal, ADO operates 4 buses daily. The 4-hour trip will cost about M$200.

• 2 Terminal de Autobuses (Bus Station). Modern bus station, clean waiting room with a small restaurant on site. (updated Dec 2024)

Get around

Escarcega is a fairly small city and you could get around easily on a bicycle. Most people will use taxis to get around within the city. Taxi sitios are at the main plaza as well as the bus station and the train station. Hotel staff can also call a radio taxi for you.

If you want to get to nearby towns, the best way is to use the combis. These are shared van services that run along a major highway (especially the Carr. Villahermosa - Chetumal). Combis start from a station on the main highway, there are marked stops along the highway, though you can frequently flag down a combi between stops.

• 3 Terminal de Combis, Villahermosa - Chetumal 23, Zona Centro. 

See

Escárcega is a nondescript city with very little of interest to traveler except as a place to wait to change buses or change trains.

Do

Escárcega is a place to change buses. Overland travelers from Cancun, Merida, Campeche, and other sites in the Yucatan pass through Escárcega on their way to Chiapas and Palenque.

Eat

• 1 El Inge, Carr. Villahermosa - Chetumal km 82, Unidad Esfuerzo y Trabajo I. 07:00 - 18:00. Popular roadside restaurant where tour buses often stop. Traditional Mexican dishes served buffet style. M$200. (updated Oct 2023)
• 2 Barbacoa de Borrego Estilo Hidalgo, C. 59 s/n, entre 14 y Calle 12-B, Unidad Esfuerzo y Trabajo II. Authentic pit barbecued mutton. Local place, very informal, cash only. (updated Oct 2023)
• 3 Nuevo Mundo, Calle 34-a & De La 34 B, Jesús García, ☏ +52 982 824 0448. Daily 08:30 - 00:00. Casual restaurant with homemade traditional Mexican food and international favorites like fried chicken. Hearty meals, large portions, and affordable prices. M$150. (updated Dec 2024)

Sleep

• A small, clean budget hotel is located near the bus terminal.
• 1 Hotel Maria Isabel, ☏ +52 982 82 4 00 62, calinrath2009@hotmail.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Av. Justo Sierra 127, Nice, clean rooms with TV and free WiFi, with and without ac. Single rooms starting from M$250. 35 rooms in total. Located in the main street, some blocks west the 2nd class bus terminal. Thus, somewhat noisy from the street. (updated Dec 2024)
• 2 Posada Los Tulipanes, Carlos Salinas Gotari, ☏ +52 982 100 6409. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel in a quiet location. Spacious rooms are minimally furnished but clean. Off-street parking available. No WiFi. M$600. (updated Dec 2024)
• 3 OYO Gran Hotel Colonial Del Sureste, Justo Sierra Méndez S-N X 43 Y 3, Revolución, ☏ +52 800 696 7666. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel with minimal amenities and plenty of wear and tear. Rooms are clean, hot water works, and its good enough for a night, but not luxurious. (updated Dec 2024)
• 4 Hotel Tutul Ha, Héctor Pérez Martínez S/N, entre calle 53 y 55, Unidad Esfuerzo y Trabajo II, ☏ +52 982 116 9791. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic hotel with minimal amenities, worn linens, barebones furnithings. Budget grade. (updated Dec 2024)
• 5 Hotel Real Primaveras, Calle 55 S/N, C. 55 28, Unidad Esfuerzo y Trabajo II, ☏ +52 982 824 0810. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Modern moderate hotel with clean, spacious, comfortable rooms. Off-street parking available. On-site restaurant available. (updated Dec 2024)

Go next

• Follow the Ruta Rio Bec to Xpujil
• To the west along Federal Highway 186 are several less visited Maya ruins, Siviltuk, Chicana, Becan, and Xpujil; beyond that the highway continues into the state of Quintana Roo and its capital Chetumal.
• To the north, Highway 261 leads to the city of Champoton and beyond that the state capital of Campeche
• To the north-east, via 186, 258, and 180, is Ciudad del Carmen.
• To the south-east, 186 continues towards the state of Tabasco, including the city of Villahermosa. The famous Maya ruins of Palenque are a bit south of the highway before Villahermosa.