Palenque is considered among the most majestic sites of the Mayan Classic period. Take a journey through the jungle to its well-preserved sculptures and impressive reliefs that earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike other sites, you can still climb up some of the impressive edifices. Note: as of 2021, I heard this is not the case.

Its remote location is hard to get to even from other towns in southern Mexico, but its worth it. And with the new Tren Maya route it’s never been easier to get here from the Yucatán.

How to get to Palenque

First travel to the town of Palenque, one of Mexico’s Pueblos Magico. From there you can easily get a colectivo in town to the ruins which passes by the El Panchan jungle.

From Yucatán cities

By plane + shuttle: Villahermosa, Tabasco is the closest airport to Palenque. From there it takes a little more than 2 hours via an ADO shuttle.

By train: The new Tren Maya route starts in Cancun and terminates in Palenque. If you departed from Cancun, the ride will be a long trip – 11 hours in total. Trips from other cities on the route, like Campeche, Merida, or Chetumal, will be a little shorter.

From San Cristóbal de las Casas

The easiest way to get from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is through a guided tour; this one includes the Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls. Once here, you can stay in Palenque rather than returning to San Cristóbal de las Casas. I think the convenience is worth the cost, but you can also get there for much cheaper…

By minibus (6 hours): You can take colectivo minibuses for 140 pesos total. You’ll first take the colectivo to Ocosingo, about 2.5 hours. You’ll arrive in the same bus terminal as the colectivo headed for Palenque. Ask for the next colectivo going to Palenque and an operator will direct you to the next van, which then takes about 3.5 hours.

By ADO bus (9 hours): The ride is long and price varies depending on your departure time, class, and how far you book in advance. The duration is 9 hours as stated on the website. The bus route from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is different from the one used by the more compact colectivos, which is why it’s longer. This is a ride that many choose to do overnight, but keep in mind that Palenque is HOT and may not be ideal to explore after a redeye bus!

How to visit the Palenque ruins

The Zona Arqueológica Palenque is open daily from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Try to get there as early as possible to avoid the afternoon sun.

Shuttle buses depart regularly from the roundabout near the ADO station in town. It’s also easy to hail a taxi whether you’re staying in town or El Panchan. Ask the driver to wait while you purchase your park tickets and continue the drive to the entrance, saving you the extra walk.

Palenque is considered a medium-sized site so it’s easy enough to navigate on your own. Allot at least two hours for exploration and don’t miss the museum, which houses some of the park’s most impressive works and has information in both Spanish and English.

Do you need to hire a guide? Because the park museum is quite informative, I’d say not necessary but it’s nice to help support the local economy.

Where to stay

You can find hotels in La Cañada, a the tree-lined area popular with tourists and conveniently located near the ADO station in town.

A perhaps more unique experience is to stay in the El Panchan jungle instead of town. The resorts here are secluded but cost only about 40 pesos for trips to town or the ruins. Piedra de Agua Palenque is a boutique-style resort where stylish rooms have A/C and private outdoor spaces with hammocks and a soaking pool. Hotel Maya Bell (go for the A/C rooms) or Chan-Kah Resort Village are family-friendly options.

If you’re traveling in a group, sharing a private room may end up being cheaper than beds in a hostel.

Travel tips

• The ruins are situated in a jungle. Try to go earlier to avoid midday heat, and bring insect repellant!

Have you made the trip to Palenque? Have you done one of the guided tours? I’d love to know your experience!