The fort was constructed specifically to counter constant threats from pirates operating in the Gulf of Mexico during the 1700s.
The museum houses a significant collection of astrolabes and navigational tools used by Spanish galleons during the colonial era.
The fort contains an original vaulted cellar system that historically served as an ammunition magazine and storage.
It is the only museum in Mexico entirely dedicated to the discipline of underwater archaeology.
The museum displays artifacts from the 'flota de 1631', a Spanish fleet that suffered a major shipwreck event.
The Museo de Arqueología Subacuática Fuerte de San José is located inside a 18th-century Spanish colonial coastal fortification designed to defend Campeche from pirate incursions. The museum specializes in underwater cultural heritage recovered from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Exhibits feature recovered artifacts from sunken colonial-era ships, including navigational instruments, weaponry, and personal items from shipwrecked crews. The Fuerte de San José el Alto was built in 1762 and retains its original structural integrity, including defensive walls and artillery positions. Visitors can view maritime archaeological collections alongside the fort's military architecture. It serves as a primary repository for the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) regarding submerged archaeological sites in the region.
The vantage point from the top of the defensive ramparts looking out over the Caribbean Sea.
Combine your visit with a walk along the fort's ramparts for a panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, as the historic stone surfaces inside the fort can be uneven.
Check the museum's social media pages for temporary exhibition updates, as displays often rotate to preserve delicate organic materials.
Do not mistake this for the Fuerte de San Miguel; both are historic forts in Campeche, but they house different collections.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and do not touch any artifacts or historic wall surfaces.
