Activities

There are plenty of things to do in Palenque, particularly for those who appreciate local culture and eco-tourism.

The archaeological sites of Palenque, the crib of King Pakal, who flourished during the Classic Period (400 – 700 A.D.) consists of about 200 architectural structures of various sizes and complexity. Most of the city is still hidden in the dense jungle, but among those that have been restored, buildings include the Temple of Inscriptions, the Palace and the Temple of the Cross.

The forest surrounding the archaeological zone covers an area of 3,500 km2. In the midst of the vegetation one can find rivers, waterfalls, lakes and a variety of flora and fauna, which makes the area an ideal place for hiking, camping and horseback riding. Two of the most visited places are the waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha.

Using Palenque as a base, you can easily reach 2 more important archaeological sites of Mayan culture: Bonampak and Yaxchilan.

There are also museums and craft markets where you can find the famous and beautiful embroidery of indigenous Chamula and bows and arrows of the Lacandon. It is rare to find the Lacandon Indians wearing their traditional costumes which have been used for centuries in the streets of Palenque in.