Palenque

Palenque is a gorgeous tropical site deep in the Chiapas jungle. It\'s most famous for the ancient Maya city of Palenque. It is smaller than the other great cities of Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Copán, but the architecture here is finer. The sculpture and carvings are in many cases better preserved, and all this despite an obviously encroaching and mysterious jungle. Palenque ends up like the set of some exotic adventure movie. It\'s more accessible than ever.

The modern town dates from 1567 and this is where visitors to the ancient site will meet and stay.  In fact, the town was founded some 200 years before the ancient ruins were rediscovered in the late 18th century. Some documentation occurred in the 19th century, but serious excavations only began in the early 1950s. 

Everyone visits the archaeological zone, but today, visitors stay for the waterfalls at Wejlib Ha, El Salto Waterfalls, Roberto Barrios, Bascan Valley, and Agua Azul. Fresh water swimming can be a welcome relief, particularly in the region south and southeast toward the Guatemala border. Palenque is an important center for the organization of excursions into the surrounding jungles. 

The Fair of the Mundo Maya takes place every year in May, but the town also makes quite a fuss over day of the dead. The street fair of Santo Domingo Guzmán Fair is celebrated in the closing days of July and early in August each year. 

Most of Palenque\'s resort-style hotels are along the road (Carretera Palenque-Ruinas) extending southwest from the city center. But in truth, the town offers a whole range of lodging options. 

The two important train stations are both north of the city, with some plans to combine both the Tren Maya and the Tren Ineroceanico (arriving twice weekly from Coatzacoalco, Veracruz) into the same station. At present, the Interoceanic train arrives to the Pakal-Ná station. The Tren Maya station is a bit more ornate. 

Important: Palenque is also an important destination for Mexicana with regular flights from the AIFA airport in Mexico City. Passengers can also split returns between here, and the airports in Tulum, Cancun, or other points along the Tren Maya.