Palenque was a great Mayan city of the classical period and my favorite stop along La Ruta Maya. The site, which is located in one of the rainiest areas of Mexico, flourished from around A.D. 500 to 700, and was later abandoned around A.D. 900. After the ancient city was abandoned the ruins were quickly overgrown and hid from the outside world for centuries. Excavations at the site began in the 1940s under the supervision of INAH (Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History) and today, much of the archaeological site outside of the central plaza remains only partly excavated and surrounded by jungle. Palenque’s dense jungle setting, waterfalls, streams and surrounding hills form an impressive backdrop to the exquisite architecture and the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
From the World Heritage inscription:
A prime example of a Mayan sanctuary of the classical period, Palenque was at its height between AD 500 and 700, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization.
When you arrive in Palenque you’ll have the option of staying in town or in the nearby bohemian jungle compound of El Panchán which is located along the main road leading to the site. Palenque town offers more in the way of services and modern conveniences, but El Panchán offers a much more unique jungle experience. Regardless of where you choose to stay, while in Palenque don’t miss a day trip out to the ruins at Bonampak and Yaxchilán. Limited public transportation in the region makes independent travel to these sites a challenge, but several local tour operators offer daily guided tours.
If you’ve purchased airline tickets to Mexico and plan to visit Palenque it’s important to note that there are no commercial flights into the Palenque airport. The closest airport is Villahermosa International Airport in the neighboring state of Tabasco (roughly 2.5 hours from the site). Travelers arriving on international flights will often have a stopover in Mexico City, Cancun or another hub before a connecting flight to Villahermosa.
Photo credit: via flickr
