Palenque Maya Ruins, all you need to know about this amazing location
Updated: Mar 31
The Ruins of Palenque are located in southern Mexico, just north of Guatemala in an area known as the Maya Lowlands. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Mesoamerica and with its breath-taking beauty and preservation you can see why. Also listed under UNESCO World Heritage, more of the site is being excavated every day.
Read on for more about our visit, the history of this once great and vast Mayan city, and how you can travel here! Plus get offers from Klook, and check out our exclusive Mexico Travel Guide.
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Skip-the-line ticket for Palenque with Klook
● Explore Palenque, an archaeological site and former Mayan cultural center
● Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of the archaeological park
● Marvel at the history of the Mayan people and archaeological finds
● Admire the beautiful historical architecture of various structures on the site
● Learn more about the beliefs, rituals, and legends of the Mayan people
Introduction to Palenque
For those of you who love south American history, archaeology and all things Maya, then this is the adventure for you. This epic city may be lesser known than places such as Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan but that may well change as more of the site is uncovered after being buried for well over a thousand years.
The ruins are part of the Zona Arqueológica of Palenque, located just outside of the main city in the Chiapas region of Mexico. We travelled here from the amazing city of San Cristobal via a 6 hour coach ride which went very smoothly thankfully! When we arrived at the main bus terminal we took a minibus to the site and it was pretty straight forward overall. But more on that later!
The history of Palenque
The earliest evidence of occupation dates from 200BC and it grew steadily from a simple farming village to a power center that ruled over most of Mexico’s south by 600AD. It was literally known as ‘big water’ due to natural streams and a major river that run through the site. It was abandoned in 799AD and as mentioned was completely overgrown by the jungle that surrounded it until its excavation and restoration in recent years.
It houses many tombs, temples and administrative buildings alongside general accommodation. It is a hugely impressive site and one that is still waiting to be fully discovered; it is estimated that almost 80% of the original city is still completely covered by the jungle and is just waiting to be explored. As of 2017 Palenque recorded nearly 1 million visitors and no doubt this will continue to grow as more of the city is revealed!
Right click on the images to download the Palenque site maps:
This once powerful and important political centre is also famous for its decorative stucco sculptures and carvings which present some of the greatest works of Maya art. The wide courtyards, ornamental fountains, and artificial pools and waterways also demonstrate a great understanding of city planning and organisation.
Mexico Travel Tip
Mexico's ADO Bus network is extremely efficient and operates out of main bus terminals in all major cities. We used the service several times while traveling in Mexico and we always had a good experience. The online booking system can be a little temperamental though so sometimes it is best just to head to the bus terminals to buy your tickets.
The coaches are well cleaned and tend to stop off every couple of hours at different terminals for refreshments, bathroom breaks and new passengers. There tends to be a fair few security checks along certain routes so be prepared to show your passport during these. We also found that these 'inspectors' may not always be dressed as government officials either; we suspect that the local cartels also conducts checks. It is nothing to be too concerned about, even if it is a little unnerving at the time.
We would recommend having some change handy as all of the bathrooms usually require a few pesos for entry. At most stops you can also find fairly decent food and refreshment options although it is always a lot more cost effective to pack your own food!
Find out more about the service and how to book here.
How to get to Palenque Ruins
The best way to visit Palenque is by using the ADO Bus network; it is cost effective, comfortable and easy to access. From the ADO Bus Terminal in Palenque you can hop on a Bus / Mini Van directly outside, and for around 20 pesos per person you will be taken on a short ten minute trip to the Palenque Ruins Museum.
The museum is located at the base of the hill the ruins sit atop of, and is approximately a 1km walk away. At this point you will be coaxed towards the museum to buy tickets for access to the park and the museum itself. At the time we visited we were unable to choose between the two, and were forced to buy tickets for both attractions which came in at 90 pesos each. This may only be a price hike / tactic due to the Covid pandemic, but be prepared for this just in case.
After purchasing these tickets you will see a barrier at the road directly opposite, and here you can hop on another mini bus to avoid the uphill walk. This should cost you 10 pesos per person. From there you will be taken to the site entrance after navigating the usual stalls and traders. Then be prepared to be amazed!
Temple of the Sun (Templo de Sol, above), built in the late 7th Century. It is one of a complex of three different sized structures thought to correspond to three different levels of the Maya universe: heaven, earth/surface of water and the underworld.
Accommodation in Palenque
We spent a night at the 4 star Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic which is just a short walk from the Museum area of the Palenque Ruins site. We had a great time here; the room was great and there was a lovely pool to enjoy alongside a nice restaurant. For a detailed review please check out our video below.
Alternatively you can find out more about the location and how to book here.
Plus on our YouTube channel you will also find our Mexico series. detailing our adventures and accommodations in 10 cities over 6 amazing months in this magnificent country!
Our Palenque experience rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
We had a fantastic time exploring here and would highly recommend it. We had visited several other Mayan sites prior to this, such as those at Tulum, and this was our best experience by far. Be sure to add Palenque to your list - you will not be disappointed!
We would love to hear from you and if you have any questions about Palenque or our experience please do not hesitate to ask! We are always happy to help.
As always a big thank you for following along on our journey!
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