Palenque is in Chiapas, Mexico famous for the ruins of a Mayan city dating from about 600 to 800 CE. Set amidst thick trees, Palenque still evokes some of the wonder that the early Spanish visitors must have felt when they first came across the ruins. The pre-historic city and the national park have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Palenque is a medium-sized archaeological site, much smaller than Tikal or Copán, but it contains some of the finest sculpture, architecture, roof combs, and bas-relief carvings of the Mayan era.
- Archeological ruins
- Falls
The village has a lovely, tree-sheltered zocalo where bands will play in the evening. Join the Villagers for a drink on the square.
You can get some Maya-style artwork from outdoor vendors who set up unobtrusively at the ruins.
Don Muchos is a great restaurant at El Panchan as well. Great stone-oven pizzas and live music. The stone-oven pizzas cost M$60 and are very good.
Other ruins in the general area are Yaxchilán and Bonampak. These can be arranged by day trip or overnighter with any agency in town.
It is about a six hour trip by shuttle/van from Palenque to Flores. Different companies depart at different hours.