Surrounded by jungle in the northern region of Chiapas, Palenque ruins are arguable the most magical Mayan pyramids in Mexico. Located off the popular backpacker trail, this destination is the perfect stopover to break up the long distance between San Cristóbal de las Casas and the Yucatán Peninsula.
How to get to Palenque Ruins Mexico
The Palenque ruins are located in the jungle on the outskirts of the town of Palenque, Mexico. Palenque is located about a 5-hour drive north of the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico’s southernmost state, Chiapas or about 6-hours south of the Yucatán Peninsula depending on where you start from (Merida and Campeche have direct services).
Bus to Palenque
ADO public transport is efficient and reliable, this makes backpacking Mexico very easy. If you’re travelling from the north you can get to Palenque via a direct bus from either Merida or Campeche – both are pretty colonial cities with Mayan ruins nearby. There is a 11-hour bus that travels from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, it is longer because it makes a detour via Tuxtla and Villahermosa with no stops along the way. We decided to go on a tour to shorten the travel time, and break up the day with waterfall stops.
San Cristobal to Palenque Ruins Tour
We started our journey in San Cristobal de las Casas. The tour made stops at Agua Azul waterfalls, Misol-Ha waterfall and Palenque ruins. You will see this tour advertised all around San Cristobal. Do not be frightened by old threads saying the route is dangerous, the robbery incidents happened years ago. There were plenty of other tourists doing the exact same tour on the day we left. You can purchase the tour through your hostel or at a local tour operator – just remember to haggle. Prices will vary depending on whether you need an English guide, and whether you’d like an AC van. We ended up paying 500 MX per person.
Stop 1: Agua Azul
The tour starts at 4AM in the morning. The first stop is at 10AM at Cascadas de Agua Azul. You have an hour to relax and swim before hitting the road again. Unfortunately, it had recently rained so the waterfalls were not their usual iconic blue colour when we visited.
I slept the entire way from San Cristobal to Agua Azul so I didn’t mind the long drive. A lot of people complain about the journey because it’s in a van. I recommend setting your expectations low and trying to sleep and the time will wizz by.
Stop 2: Misol-Ha
We drove another 1.5 hours to our second stop, Cascadas de Misol-Ha where we spent another house relaxing and eating lunch. There are food stalls at both stops.
Stop 3: Palenque
The final stop is Zona Arqueologica de Palenque, a 40-min drive from Cascadas de Misol-Ha. We had 2-hours to either explore the site by ourselves or take a guided tour.
Our day finished at 4:30PM when the site closed, it was another 20 min drive back into town. It was a short walk from the centre of town to our accommodation (Hotel Maya Rue). We spent the night in Palenque before catching the bus up to Campeche the next day from the ADO bus station to begin our Yucatán Peninsula travels.
How to get to Palenque from Palenque Town
If you’re not on a tour, Palenque Ruins is only 5 kilometers away from the city centre so it’s very easy to get there yourself.
Public Transport | Getting to the Palenque Ruins is very straightforward. Frequent minivans with a sign Ruinas or Palenque Ruins stop in front of ADO bus terminal near the town centre roundabout, you only have to wait a few minutes for a van to pull over. One ride cost Mx 40 ($1.85) and takes around 20 minutes.
Top tip: Palenque Ruins Guide
If you’re already in Palenque Town (e.g. you caught the bus there from Campeche or Merida) do not bother taking a tour to the ruins from the town. If you want a guide, you can hire one inside the site. Only take a tour if you want to visit other points of interests near Palenque, waterfalls Misol-Ha and Agua Azul.
Things to see and do at Palenque ruins
Your entrance ticket will include both access to the archeological site as well as the museum. We ran out of time to see the museum, but it’s on the way to the archeological site, so remember to ask your the driver to drop you off there otherwise you will have to retrace your steps a bit.
We arrived at around 2:30PM, luckily you don’t have to get there early to beat the crowds. The site is huge so everyone is spread out and it’s no where near as busy as Chichen Itza. When you walk into the site you immediately see two large temples appear from behind the jungle. It’s a goosebumps moment. They have left some of the ruins partially exposed, still covered in roots – so you can really imagine how encapsulated this site was when it was re-discovered.
Palenque Mayan Pyramids
The main pyramid, the Temple of the Skulls, is named after an animal skull sculpture found at the base of one pillar. You can get some great shots of this pyramid if you climb up to the neighbouring, Temple of Inscriptions. The Temple of Inscriptions got its name because of the second longest carved inscription in Mexico.
If you continue on, you’ll find yourself in The Palace. This was one of the most famous structures in Palenque and is where the king ruled. There are many details carved into Palace’s walls. You We then crossed the creek dividing the grounds into two halves and headed to another astonishing part of the Palenque Ruins. The final group of structures is called Grupo de las Cruces alias Group of Crosses, and it consists of several pyramids – you can climb most of them. If there is one site you should climb, it’s the Temple of the Cross from where you”’ get incredible views over the whole archeological site (pictured below).
Entrance fee to Palenque ruins
Admission fee to Palenque Ruins is 75 MX, plus you need to pay the entrance fee to the National Park of Palenque cost 36 MX. In total that comes to 111 MX each.
The ticket includes the entrance to the archeological site and the museum outside. If you’re buying a tour in San Cristobal make sure to clarify if the ticket is included in the price.
Palenque Ruins hours
Tips for Visiting Palenque Ruins
- Protect yourself from mosquitoes! Wear repellant and cover your limbs as much as possible.
- Wear shoes adequate for climbing temples, exploring ruins and hiking through the jungle.
- Prepare for heat and humidity.
- As usual, bring water. In case you forget, there are vendors outside the site, but it’s always best to bring your own reusable bottle.
- Wear sunscreen.
What to pack on a trip to Palenque ruins
Palenque Ruins are located in the jungle, so be ready for hot and sweaty weather all year round. From May to October lasts rainy season when you can experience wet afternoons and storms. Palenque Ruins are close to Palenque, and you will most likely spend there anything between three to four hours, so you don’t need to pack much. Here are my essential things to pack when visiting Palenque Ruins.
- Camera | Try to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon to take beautiful photos of the ruins with soft light.
- Lifeproof FRE Case: my go-to waterproof, dropproof, dirtproof adventure case
- Water Bottle
- Daypack| No matter where I go, I always bring along a quality daypack with a good back support.
- Bug Repellent | You are in the jungle and mosquitos are ruthless, especially in the rainy season.
- Sunscreen
Palenque ruins: Quick facts
Palenque was inhabited from 226 BC to 799 AD, the city was on the top of its power in the 7th century. In region there were several smaller and bigger cities competing for the leadership. The strongest ones were Calakmul, Palenque, Tikal and later Tonina, another archeological site near Palenque Ruins. Palenque city thrived thanks to its rulers, and to prove their power, they built many impressive structures with carvings and paintings we can admire even today. Palenque was defeated several times by Calakmul, and their last war with the city of Tonina was fatal. People living here slowly abandoned the site, and the jungle quickly took over the reign.
Where to stay in Palenque
Although Palenque is not exactly on the backpackers’ trail, many people make a worthwhile detour to see famous Palenque Ruins are waterfalls nearby. Travelers can find more and more accommodation options popping up, and the standard of hotels is increasing as well. These are the three best hotels near Palenque ruins for every budget:
Budget | Hotel Naj Kin – The hotel is centrally located and within walking distance from ADO bus terminal. Rooms are clean, and all of them have a private bathroom for a very cheap rate.
Mid-range | Hotel Maya Rue – Close to the center of Palenque town, this well-rated hotel offers the best value for money in Palenque. Air-conditioned rooms and complimentary breakfast are nice touches.
Luxury | Hotel Boutique Quinta Chanabnal – Excellent hotel set in a tropical garden has an outstanding room design, outdoor pool, and spa.
Alternatively, search Palenque hotels near ruins via Hostelworld.
The jaw-dropping ruins of Palenque are one of the top spots to visit in Mexico and a must-see addition to your itinerary.