Attractions
The Mayan ruins are the zone’s principle attraction, but jungle hikes allow you to observe the rich flora and fauna. Jungle excursions provide the opportunity to take photographs of the gorgeous jungle landscapes. It's also possible to investigate on your own, to simply visit the archeological site’s museum, and to purchase local handicrafts
Palenque
The archeological zone known as Palenque was built by the Mayans, one of the most enigmatic and fascinating cultures in history.
This zone forms part of the Lacandon jungle, brimming with incredible vegetation, including trees that are hundreds of years old, such as the ceiba, sapodilla, nargusta, zopo, and the cork tree, as well as numerous species of mushrooms and wildflowers.
In the archeological zone, you'll find different complexes of the Mayan city joined by stairways and plazas. These complexes are characteristic of an architectural style extravagant in its voluminous constructions. Among the most conspicuous structures are: the Northern Temple, the Temple of the King, the ball court, the Temple of the Sun, the aqueduct, and the Palace.
The archeological site includes a museum that features objects found during various archeological excavations.
Recommendations:
The region is generally warm and humid, and it rains frequently. We recommend wearing light, comfortable, clothing, and good walking shoes waterproof if possible. And don't forget a raincoat or umbrella.
Open: daily.
Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Services: Site museum, parking, security, bathrooms.
Representative fauna include howler monkeys (our visitors have had the good fortune to hear them at night) spider monkeys, parakeets, bats, eagles, pacas, squirrels, armadillos, raccoons, iguanas, and more
The Mayans
The Mayans were the only culture in the heart of a tropical rainforest to reach the highest level of civilization. Mayan culture flourished for over 1000 years and made sophisticated contributions in mathematics, astronomy, writing, sculpture, hydrologic management, and charting time. The Mayan calendar is more precise then the Gregorian calendar still used today.
Located in the middle of the jungle, Palenque is considered a jewel of civilization, one of the most impressive human creations of Mesoamerica. Palenque was developed and organized around a political and social system sustained by high religious, humanistic, artistic and scientific values, long before the Americas had any contact with the western world.
