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Closer Lives Travel and Lifestyle Blog: Your Guide to Adventure and Cultural Discovery

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We are digital nomads slow traveling the world full time, budget and bougie style! Jenn & Leon Travel Blog is for you if you enjoy relationships, history, getting to know local people & communities, are looking for travel & tourism, world culture & cuisine, digital nomadic how to's, tips, tricks & recommendations from 42 countries and counting. We also review restaurants and our Airbnb stays!

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Palenque Maya Ruins, all you need to know about this amazing location

Updated: Jun 16

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.


Ruinas de Palenque in Mexico.

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.


Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque Ruins, Chiapas State, Mexico
One of the largest structures at Palenque and best preserved, the Temple of the Inscriptions


 


Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. Tap here for more information.


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Skip-the-line ticket for Palenque with Klook


● Explore Palenque, an archaeological site and former Mayan cultural center

● Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of the archaeological park

● Marvel at the history of the Mayan people and archaeological finds

● Admire the beautiful historical architecture of various structures on the site

● Learn more about the beliefs, rituals, and legends of the Mayan people


 

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.



Temple XIII at Palenque, Chiapas state, Mexico
Temple XIII at the main entrance to Palenque, Mexico

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!


Temple de Sol at Palenque, Chiapas state, Mexico
The rear view of the Temple de Sol at Ruinas de Palenque, Mexico


 
 

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.


El Palacio at Palenque, Chiapas state, Mexico
The stunning El Palacio, the central point of the Palenque Site

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!



Right click on the images to download the Palenque site maps:




Two grassy mounds with stone steps on them at Palenque

Ruined structures on a grassy hill at Palenque

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.


A carving of a deity in a wall



 
 

Mexico Travel Tip


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. The online booking system can be a little temperamental though so sometimes it is best just to head to the bus terminals to buy your tickets.


A red coach with Ado written on it

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.


Two old pyramids at Palenque

El Palacio at the Ruinas de Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico
El Palacio is the largest complex in Palenque and dates back to the 5th Century

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. This may only be a price hike / tactic due to the Covid pandemic, but be prepared for this just in case.



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!


Temple of the Sun, Zona Arqueológica, Palenque

Temple of the Sun (Templo de Sol, above), 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.



 
 

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.


Alternatively you can find out more about the location and how to book here.



Plus on our YouTube channel you will also find our Mexico series. detailing our adventures and accommodations in 10 cities over 6 amazing months in this magnificent country!



 
 

Our Palenque experience rating


Templo de la Cruz, or Temple of the Cross, at Palenque Ruins in Mexico

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5


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.


As always a big thank you for following along on our journey!



 
 

How to follow our Blog


There are lots of ways for you to stay up to date with Jenn and Leon Travel. If you follow us on Instagram, you can join our broadcast channel for our latest updates and posts. You will also find us on YouTube of course, or you can simply subscribe to our blog, and we will drop our latest posts straight into your email inbox. It is that easy!



 

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. It is super handy and has made a big impact on our travel planning. It saves time and is super easy to use!



 

Explore Mexico with Klook


Klook offers a wide variety of tours to help you experience the best of Mexico. Whether you're looking for a historical tour, hop on and off bus experiences, or even water parks, Klook has something to offer. In addition to their wide selection of tours, Klook also offers great deals on transportation, accommodation, and activities.



All tours are led by experienced guides who can help you learn about the history and culture of Mexico. Klook's tours are all-inclusive too, so you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying your experience!


 

Your GUIDE to visiting Mexico


First time in Mexico? Check out our comprehensive guide with all you need to know including our latest posts, must-see places, and key information about health & safety, transport, local customs, internet availability and much more!


Your guide to visiting Mexico.



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