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: Villahermosa, Tabasco is the closest airport to Palenque. From there it takes a little more than 2 hours via an ADO shuttle, or you can hire a private driver for a more comfortable ride.

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 MXN 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 shared shuttle (10 hours): Technically a tour, you can take the 4:00 AM shuttle that makes stops in Misol-Ha and Agua Azul. At $45 USD, this is a great value!

By ADO bus (9 hours): The ride is long and price is around $25 USD but will vary depending on various factors including how far you book in advance. The route differs 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.

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

Where to stay

Most hotels in town are in the tourist area of La Cañada, a tree-lined neighborhood 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 MXN for trips to town or the ruins.

• Piedra de Agua‘s rooms all have private outdoor spaces with hammocks and a soaking pool
• Hotel Maya Bell has a serene environment with two pools. Get the A/C rooms
• Chan-Kah Resort Village is an established family-friendly option

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!