Palenque
The most beautiful of the jungle Maya cities - elegant temples and a palace rising from dense rainforest, home to the tomb of the great king Pakal, a UNESCO site.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Palenque is the most beautiful and atmospheric of all the ancient Maya cities, its elegant temples and sprawling palace rising from dense green rainforest alive with howler monkeys and birdsong in the state of Chiapas. Renowned for the refinement of its architecture and carvings, it is famous above all for the Temple of the Inscriptions, beneath which was found the magnificent tomb of the great seventh-century king Pakal.
What you actually see
- The Temple of the Inscriptions - the pyramid-tomb of the great king Pakal.
- The Palace - the sprawling palace with its distinctive tower.
- The jungle setting - the temples rising from rainforest full of wildlife.
- The refined carvings - the exquisite Maya reliefs and stucco.
When to go
November to April for the drier, though still humid, season; go at opening to see the temples in the cool morning mist, when howler monkeys roar in the surrounding jungle, an unforgettable atmosphere.
Honest expectations
It is remote in the jungle of Chiapas, so reaching it takes effort, and the climate is hot and very humid. The early morning mist and monkey calls are magical but mean an early start. Only part of the vast city is cleared, the rest still swallowed by rainforest.
Nearby
The waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha and the highland town of San Cristobal are within reach.
What to pack for Palenque
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
