{"id":4543790,"date":"2022-08-26T07:15:25","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T07:15:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/?p=4543790"},"modified":"2025-02-12T03:27:19","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T03:27:19","slug":"palenque","status":"publish","type":"travelguides","link":"https:\/\/www.geckoroutes.com\/es\/mexico\/palenque\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Palenque Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n <\/i>Exploring Palenque<\/span><\/a> \n <\/i>Where to stay<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>Where to eat<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>How to get around<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>How to get there<\/span><\/a>\n <\/i>Favourite stays<\/span><\/a>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve heard about Palenque before, it\u2019s probably because of its remarkable ruins. The town itself, small but bustling, is situated in the state of Chiapas, in the south of Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unsurprisingly, the main draw to this jungle city is the Palenque ruins or Zona Arqueol\u00f3gica Palenque. The city, which flourished in the 7th century, was considered by the Maya to be just as important as Chichen Itza<\/a> and Tikal. Some travellers argue that these ruins are actually better than Chichen Itza because you can climb the pyramids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Palenque worth visiting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re visiting Palenque soon, you’ve come to the right place. After reading this guide, you’ll know which area to stay in, where to find the best restaurants and how to get around this jungle town in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mayan
Incredible maya ruins in Palenque<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Palenque ruins alone are enough reason to make the journey to Palenque. They’re unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don\u2019t let the ruins steal the limelight. Palenque has plenty of other things to offer. The town is a great jumping-off point for day trips and a nice stop on your way to other destinations, such as San Cristobal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even better, just over an hour away, you\u2019ll find Agua Azul and Misol-ha, two of the best waterfalls in Mexico<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many days should you spend in Palenque?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An ideal itinerary for your time in Palenque is spending one day visiting the ruins and the other day visiting the waterfalls. Staying two nights should be enough for these activities, before continuing your journey to San Cristobal<\/a> or to Bacalar<\/a> on the Yucatan peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make the most of your time in Palenque, we’ve put together a list of the top things to do in Palenque<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Palenque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Palenque is a reasonably small and condensed city, with just two options on where to stay \u2014 in Palenque town or close to the ruins, more in the jungle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location #1: Palenque Town \u2014 close to the bus station and restaurants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for convenience, then we recommend staying within the actual town of Palenque, rather than further out into the jungle. If you\u2019re arriving or leaving by bus, you\u2019ll be closer to the ADO bus station<\/a>, saving time and money on taxis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though staying further out into the jungle may put you closer to Palenque ruins, it\u2019s still easy to get to the ruins from the town. There\u2019s a colectivo that can pick you up from the ADO bus station for just 25 MXN ($1.40) and bring you there in only 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The added bonus of staying in this area is that there are plenty of restaurants and quaint cafes within walking distance of most accommodations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation in Palenque Town<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You won\u2019t struggle for accommodation in Palenque Town. There are a number of cute Airbnbs, homestays and hostels. As a result of not being as touristy, Palenque also offers a number of relatively cheap but really nice hotels. You can indulge in a bit of luxury without having to splash the cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Location #2: El Resbalon \u2014 close to the ruins in the jungle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ancient
Palenque ruins in the jungle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Some travellers choose to stay here in order to be closer to the ruins and to enjoy the gorgeous views and tranquillity (although the howler monkeys might keep you up at night!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation in El Resbalon<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can score a night at a jungle retreat at pretty low prices. There are a number of 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts for $50-100 per night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you dream about spending the day lounging by the pool surrounded by jungle, a hotel like La Aldea del Halach Huinic<\/a> will be one of the best options in the area. And trust us, you\u2019ll need a pool. Palenque is HOT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to eat in Palenque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Overall, Palenque has a pretty good food scene with a variety of options and breakfast for low prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are lots of restaurants and cafes offering breakfast for around 100 MXN ($5.60). These usually include coffee, juice, bread and jam, plus an egg dish such as an omelette or huevos rancheros. It\u2019s pretty much a breakfast banquet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cafe Jade \u2014 the winner of breakfast banquets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Set along a jungle-lined road within Palenque Town is Cafe Jade<\/a>. If you\u2019re looking for a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day, then head here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They provide the combination we\u2019ve described above and they do it well. The juice is fresh, the coffee is delicious and the portion sizes are huge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurante Bajlum \u2014 discover delicious Mayan cuisine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To get a taste of what the food in this area was like hundreds of years ago, don\u2019t miss Baljum. The owners of Restaurante Bajlum<\/a> have spent over 10 years researching the intricacies of authentic Mayan cuisine. It\u2019s not just about enjoying the food, you\u2019ll also get to learn about a nearly lost cuisine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The restaurant only seats 20 people, so best to make a reservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pizza Express \u2014 great cheap pizza by the bus station<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Situated on the main road near the bus station is a tiny restaurant called Pizza Express<\/a>. If you\u2019re looking for a dining experience, this isn\u2019t the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Pizza Express does well is making delicious pizza with a wide selection of toppings, plus mouth-watering garlic bread! You can eat in or take away. Perfect if you\u2019re heading to the bus station or have just arrived from a long journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also read:<\/strong> Top 5 Things To Do in Palenque<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get around Palenque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By foot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Palenque is a relatively small town and great to explore on foot. The perfect way to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By colectivo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Colectivos are essentially Mexico\u2019s version of a bus service, mainly used by locals. They are usually white minivans that are a cheap way of getting around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colectivos tend to advertise some of their destinations, but if in doubt, flag it down and ask. If it\u2019s not going exactly where you want it to, you can just use it to go in the general direction that you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An easy and cheap way to get to Palenque ruins is by colectivo. You can flag them down from outside the ADO bus station<\/a> in town. Plenty of colectivos will drive past you and will have a sign on their dashboard saying \u2018ruinas\u2019. The journey should take around 20 minutes and cost 25 MXN ($1.40).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By taxi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of taxis roaming around that can easily be flagged down from the street. Most destinations are likely to be only a short distance away so taxi fares should be relatively cheap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expect to pay between 40-100 pesos for short taxi rides and around 200-250 when coming from the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We’ve mentioned in the top things to do in Palenque<\/a> that there are a number of day trips in the surrounding area. If you want the freedom to explore, you may be considering renting a car. Is it a good option?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, large car rental companies don\u2019t operate in Palenque, so you\u2019ll either have to rent a car from a local company or pick it up from the much bigger city of Villahermosa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Renting a car from a local company does come with some risks because it can be harder to prove the reliability of the company. And Villahermosa is 2 hours away so picking up the car from there may not be that practical either. Cars can be hired for $17 a day. But then again, day trips from Palenque are relatively cheap too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to Palenque<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Leaving from<\/th>Duration<\/th>Prices from<\/th><\/th>See details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Bacalar<\/td>7.5-8.5 hours<\/td>from 735 MXN ($41)<\/td><\/td>Bacalar to Palenque<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Merida<\/td>5.5-9 hours<\/td>from 1,030 MXN ($58)<\/td><\/td>Merida to Palenque<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
San Cristobal de las Casas<\/td>6-hs 45m<\/td>from 420 MXN ($23.50)<\/td><\/td>San Cristobal to Palenque<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In summary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019ve finished reading this guide, you’re almost ready for your adventure in Palenque. The next step is to create your personalised itinerary with our top picks of things to do in Palenque<\/a>. Simply choose your favourite activities and places to visit, and you’re all set to make lasting memories in Palenque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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