You used to fawn over Harrison Ford in the Indiana Jones series. All the adventures the character lived. You wanted to be just like Indy. Well, this site’s ruins are as close as it gets. Hidden deep in the jungles of south Mexico, Palenque’s ruins are adventure and history come to life. Here is a short guide to visiting Palenque.
These Mayan ruins were lost for hundreds of years, meaning a visit here today is like stepping back through time. Palenque’s temples and palaces now sit crumbling within a deep forest with pangs of humidity. In the distance, howler monkeys stand watch.
The ruins at Palenque enjoy hot, humid weather nearly all year long – the short but dry season offers a bit of relief. Visiting Palenque from November to March offers the coolest temps and sparse rainfall. If you’re not used to weather in the tropics, though, the humidity is still noticeable.
Also, if you’re timing your visit to avoid crowds, December and January are peak tourism season, so expect to see more visitors at these temples then. That said, when compared with the Caribbean, not many tourists venture this far, even in the height of the season.
The best time of day to visit Palenque is early morning, when the jungle mists shroud the ruins and the day’s heat has yet to strike.
You’ll find the majority of this temple complex is open to the public. Visitors are allowed to climb several temples, as well as explore the palaces and temples from the inside. Royal burials happened at Palenque. Follow the signs and mind the wardens – some spots may not be visitor-friendly. For instance, some of the temple steps are crumbling; others are rather steep. Take care that you do no damage.
Visiting Palenque is a rare experience. You get to see history and nature side-by-side. Plan your adventure ahead of time to enjoy this off-the-beaten-path temple complex.
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