Zona Arqueologica de Palenque

Zona Arqueologica de Palenque

Zona Arqueologica de Palenque
5
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & Landmarks
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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  • sharpshot201
    London, United Kingdom39 contributions
    Morning of a Day Trip
    We arranged a day trip to Zona Arqueologica de Palenque and Casacadas de Agua Azul via our hotel for 750 pesos each. (for two people) We were picked up by a minibus at 09:00 AM from out hotel and had around 2 and half hours at the ruins. They offer tours, including a jungle tour at the entrance. From speaking to other travellers, the jungle tours are impressive - you can see monkeys and uncovered temples ala Indiana Jones etc., but be prepared to haggle, walk away, talk to different tour guides at the entrnace and pair up with other travellers to reduce the price. (also dress jungle appropriately, long sleeves, mosquito repellant etc.) We were quoted very high prices, so didn't decide on a tour, but other travellers found cheaper options. The ruins are amazing and unlike anything else we saw in Mexico. You can climb a few of the pyramids also. Our minibus dropped us off directly at the entrance to the ruins, but we had to pay a collectivo to take us from the entrance to the car park where our minibus was waiting to pick us up, so have change for the collectivo. (around 10/20 pesos each)
    Visited October 2022
    Written January 5, 2023
  • Maryann L
    Fair Oaks, California1,319 contributions
    Incredible Mayan Ruins and Museum
    As you enter the Main Plaza of the site, the most imposing structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions. This temple was built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the reign of King Pakal. After his death his son,Chan-Balum, completed a burial chamber in the Temple for his father. The chamber was not discovered until 1952. Sometime later another burial chamber of a woman was discovered. Further along the site is the Sun Palace, Royal Palace and the Group of the Cross. The four story observation tower here is unique in the Mayan world. To preserve many of the artifacts they were moved to an on-site museum. The museum contains an incredible collection of artifacts, petroglyphs and photos of the excavation of the burial chamber of the woman known as the Red Queen. In a lower chamber is a replica of the sarcophagus of King Pakal. This was truly one of the great Mayan cities and an archeological site not to be missed.
    Visited April 2023
    Written April 28, 2023
  • Jeff F
    Harpenden, United Kingdom316 contributions
    Exceptional sculptured remains
    The archaeological site of Palenque in the state of Chiapas is one of the most outstanding classic period of the Maya area, known for its exceptional and well conserved architectural and sculptured remains. The elegance and craftsmanship of the construction as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs illustrating Mayan mythology, attest to the creative genius of this civilisation. We visited in January 2023 on an overcast day but the experience was not diminished, we loved the forest and the waterfalls too.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written June 1, 2023
  • anne-marie k
    9 contributions
    If you need a very good guide, ask for ( the long) Edgar who is born and raised in Palenque
    If you need a very good guide, ask for ( the long) Edgar who is born and raised in Palenque and has seen almost all Maya sites in Mexico. . He is a very knowledgeable guide with 20 years of experience and a particular fondness of Dutch people. We learned a lot and had fun too.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written July 17, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Lynda T
Haughley, UK102 contributions
Mar. 2023 • Friends
A truly wonderful historical site steeped in history. If you are visiting the ruins of Mexico do nit miss this one. It is very hot but plenty of shade and on leaving we took the option of descending 200 steps through the jungle. Fabulous
Written November 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

anne-marie k
9 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
If you need a very good guide, ask for ( the long) Edgar who is born and raised in Palenque and has seen almost all Maya sites in Mexico. . He is a very knowledgeable guide with 20 years of experience and a particular fondness of Dutch people. We learned a lot and had fun too.
Written July 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chass H
18 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Solo
Very expensive, not impressive. Difficult & full of drug dealers & touts.

It's much worse than Ocasingo, but triple the cost. Then you need to walk 1.5km. but you have to get passed aggressive drug dealers & "guides".

The only place in Mexico I've been that has felt abusive. When you get to the ruins they are ordinary only. Skip it if you are not on a package tour. Horrible
Written June 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jeff F
Harpenden, UK316 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
The archaeological site of Palenque in the state of Chiapas is one of the most outstanding classic period of the Maya area, known for its exceptional and well conserved architectural and sculptured remains. The elegance and craftsmanship of the construction as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs illustrating Mayan mythology, attest to the creative genius of this civilisation. We visited in January 2023 on an overcast day but the experience was not diminished, we loved the forest and the waterfalls too.
Written June 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maryann L
Fair Oaks, CA1,319 contributions
Apr. 2023
As you enter the Main Plaza of the site, the most imposing structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions. This temple was built in the 7th and 8th centuries during the reign of King Pakal. After his death his son,Chan-Balum, completed a burial chamber in the Temple for his father. The chamber was not discovered until 1952. Sometime later another burial chamber of a woman was discovered. Further along the site is the Sun Palace, Royal Palace and the Group of the Cross. The four story observation tower here is unique in the Mayan world. To preserve many of the artifacts they were moved to an on-site museum. The museum contains an incredible collection of artifacts, petroglyphs and photos of the excavation of the burial chamber of the woman known as the Red Queen. In a lower chamber is a replica of the sarcophagus of King Pakal. This was truly one of the great Mayan cities and an archeological site not to be missed.
Written April 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sharpshot201
London, UK39 contributions
Oct. 2022
We arranged a day trip to Zona Arqueologica de Palenque and Casacadas de Agua Azul via our hotel for 750 pesos each. (for two people)

We were picked up by a minibus at 09:00 AM from out hotel and had around 2 and half hours at the ruins.

They offer tours, including a jungle tour at the entrance. From speaking to other travellers, the jungle tours are impressive - you can see monkeys and uncovered temples ala Indiana Jones etc., but be prepared to haggle, walk away, talk to different tour guides at the entrnace and pair up with other travellers to reduce the price. (also dress jungle appropriately, long sleeves, mosquito repellant etc.) We were quoted very high prices, so didn't decide on a tour, but other travellers found cheaper options.

The ruins are amazing and unlike anything else we saw in Mexico. You can climb a few of the pyramids also.

Our minibus dropped us off directly at the entrance to the ruins, but we had to pay a collectivo to take us from the entrance to the car park where our minibus was waiting to pick us up, so have change for the collectivo. (around 10/20 pesos each)
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen B
Derry, UK44 contributions
Nov. 2022
Magnificent ruined city only partly excavated in a stunning jungle setting. Streams and waterfalls a plenty with monkeys and tropical birds. Temple of inscriptions and Great palace principal buildings though access to these particularly palace somewhat restricted. Safety and ongoing restoration methinks
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nick S
New York City, NY16 contributions
Oct. 2022
We just went (late Oct 2022) to Palenque and also managed to go swim in the Misol-ha waterfalls nearby. Overall, a great experience.

The Palenque site is unique among Mexican archeological marvels in that it is located in a middle of a beautiful selva. Giant trees, tropical flowers and birds make a great backdrop for the visit and for your photos. They even have monkeys.

The ruins are in good shape with some additional restoration work being done. The site is mostly from the 400-700AD period and it was abandoned and "lost" in the jungle until 1800s, so many structures have preserved quite well. Amazingly, what you visit is just about 10% of the ancient city, with most of it still covered by the jungle. What you can see is manageable in size but be prepared to spend about 2.5 - 3 hours easily, there's so much to see. Unfortunately, many buildings are closed for entering, but they allow to climb some of the pyramids.

Here are some tips:
- It can get very hot and humid, be prepared (water, clothes, sun screen and hat).
- There are some mosquitoes in the forest although in our case it was no big deal. They sell some cheap spray at the site if you need one.
- As always, you will be offered all kind of cheap artezanias and your guide likely will "highly recommend" some of them.
- In general, your guide is the critical part: ours was recommended by our driver, with no bad intentions, but reflecting on the experience we would be better off going without the guide or looking for one in advance, as some of other comments suggest.
Our guide provided a very basic info, spiced with some horoscope parallels wild theories of her own, like that the site rulers had arrived from space. Unfortunately, with this she demonstrated a poor knowledge of the actual site detail. Considering the quality of info offered, it was a poor value for the money paid.

Note that the price they offer includes two parts: the archeological tour and a guided walk through the jungle. Although as most people we took both I think we would be better off just doing the first. The jungle part wasn't an Indiana Jones' temple experience, just a small hike in a rainforest. Note that the price written on the poster is not necessarily the one you need to pay, you still can bargain.
We saw many people just relaxing and enjoying the wonderful site lawns, and taking pyramid selfies. Without doubt, one of the prudent ways to enjoy the area.

We also went to the Misol-Ha waterfalls that are about 30 min drive from Palenque. I strongly recommend that. Bring your swimming suit, you can swim there. It was perfect after the heat and humidity of Palenque.
Enjoy
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MissNinaC
Paris, France80 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Friends
We visited the site yesterday and were lucky to had Edgard has a guide.
During a three hours tour, he explained the Maya civilisation and showed us all the little details on the monuments not visible without a guide.
He has a very important knowledge center ne you can ask him any question about Palenque and the Mayas.
After more than an hour in the ruines, he took us in the jungle for another incredible experience.
We went deep in the jungle and could only hear some animals and the nature.
He showed us many various plants and took us to a pool build by the Mayas and that was discovered only seven years ago.
He then has another little surprise and fun experience to share with us.
If you visite Palenque, do look for Edgar has a guide. Yo won’t regret the tour, especially the end!
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kobi A
Ein Gev, Israel5 contributions
Aug. 2022 • Friends
I recommend to hire a professional site guide in advance. It will contribute more to your visit.
Viktor - was a big mistake.. not recommended. Around 70 y/o or more. Knows many languages. However his knowledge of the site lacks profoundly! He uses his own understandings that were revealed to him in dreams… Fortunately we had more knowledge from other relatable ressources.
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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