A Guide to Palenque

Situated in the south of Mexico in the state of Chiapas, Palenque is thought to be one of the most important Mayan archaeological sites in Mexico. The area is prone to torrential showers and has a average temperature of 26°C annually. One of its main features is that the remnants of the structures are located deep into the jungle.

The structures date back to Mexico’s classical era of between 400-700 AD. The structures are visually stunning with ‘El Palacio’ which has a tower ominously rising up above the rest of the structure and Los Temple del Sol amongst many others which are a must see if in this region. In the surrounding area the landscape is phenomenal and is perfect for many activities such as hiking and along the way there are a huge number of different species of birds and plant life.

The national park is 4 200 acres and in it there is the possibility of spying some howler monkeys or if you are especially fortunate you may get to see a jaguar. Near the town there is also some lovely areas for camping, which are near the waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, and many other natural tourist attractions.

Back in the town there are many lovely hotels, which are very reasonably priced as well as many restaurants, which serve many regional dishes specific to the area. There is also a chance to sample the culture of the region at the Palenque markets. These attractions make Palenque a must visit for any tourist visiting the area.