The Mayan Ruins of Palenque
The Mayan ruins of Palenque lie in the jungle of the Mexican state of Chiapas. While some areas in Chiapas are considered dangerous, the route from Palenque airport to the town and the amazing ruins are usually safe.
The sounds and sights of the surrounding jungle add to the magic of exploring this well-preserved and fascinating archaeological site. I stayed at the Cabañas Kin Balam which provides comfortable accommodation in an idyllic jungle setting only a short walk from the ruins of Palenque. While I was there, howler monkeys made regular visits. Their roar added immensely to the jungle feel.
While the temples and pyramids of Palenque are not on the scale of other major Mayan archaeological sites such as Tikal (Guatemala) or Chichen Itza, the site was nonetheless an important city and has an impressive collection of structures to explore. Like Tikal the surrounding jungle adds to the adventure of visiting this ancient site.
Palenque flourished during the 7th and 8th century A.D. which is when its most prominent buildings were completed, including the Temple of Inscriptions, the Palace, and the Temple of the Cross.
The on-site museum at Palenque is well worth a visit. Treasures on display have been well-considered and concise descriptions are in Spanish and English.
