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Palenque Maya Ruins, All You Need to Know About This Amazing Location
Updated: Mar 1
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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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!
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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!
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.
The Temple of the Sun (Templo de Sol, below), was 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.
Who Were the Maya?
The Maya were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for their remarkable achievements in various fields, including architecture, mathematics, astronomy, and writing.
They inhabited a region that includes present-day southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.
⪢ Key Aspects of Maya Civilization
● Historical Timeline: The Maya civilization emerged around 2000 BCE and reached its peak during the Classic period (approximately 250 to 900 CE).
● City-States: The Maya were organized into city-states, each ruled by a king. Major cities included Tikal, Palenque, Copán, and Calakmul.
● Writing System: They developed one of the most sophisticated writing systems in the pre-Columbian Americas, known as Maya glyphs, which were used for recording historical events, rituals, and astronomy.
● Mathematics and Astronomy: The Maya made significant advancements in mathematics, including the concept of zero, and created intricate calendars based on their astronomical observations.
● Religion and Mythology: Their religion was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods associated with nature, agriculture, and celestial bodies. Rituals often included offerings and ceremonies.
● Art and Architecture: The Maya are renowned for their impressive architectural structures, such as pyramids and temples, as well as their intricate pottery, sculptures, and murals.
⪢ Decline and Legacy
The decline of the Maya civilization began around the end of the 1st millennium CE, attributed to factors such as environmental changes, warfare, and social upheaval.
However, many Maya communities still exist today, preserving their cultural heritage and traditions.
The legacy of the Maya continues to influence modern society, particularly in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and cultural studies.
Mexico Travel Tip - Ado Bus
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. You can use our online booking system 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!
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.
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!
⪢ Consider Taking a Tour
One of the most popular ways to visit the Palenque Ruins is with a combo tour including the nearby Roberto Barrios Waterfalls.
Check out a host of different options with Get Your Guide. No matter where your travels take you, Get Your Guide offers the best way to connect with your destination. Book your tickets here.
⪢ Easily Find Hotels in Palenque and Beyond
Use our interactive map to easily locate the top hotels nearby, sourced from a variety of reputable platforms such as Booking, Vrbo, Expedia, Get Your Guide, and Hotels.com.
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Our map offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to zoom in and out, providing a comprehensive view of the area and enabling you to identify the most convenient hotel options based on your current location or desired destination.
Our 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. Book your stay at Hotel La Aldea with booking.com.
If you enjoy our video and want to follow more of our adventures please do like and subscribe! Your support truly is invaluable to us and we will always strive to produce the best content we can from around the world!
Our Palenque Experience Rating
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.
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Your FREE Interactive Map of Mexico
Check out all of the places we visited in Mexico courtesy of this interactive map from Wanderlog. Tap any of the numbers for more information including directions, our blog posts, links to reviews and much more.
Wanderlog is a free travel planning app for iOS and Android devices that allows users to create trip itineraries, organize flights, hotel and car reservations, view places to visit on a map, and collaborate with friends.
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