palenque tours from san cristobal

• Mexican Food + Mezcal
• Mexico Beaches
• Guadalajara
• Mexico City
• Oaxaca City
• Oaxaca Coast
• Oaxacan Food + Mezcal
• Puerto Vallarta
• San Miguel de Allende
• El Salvador
• Dominican Republic
• Aguas de Sabor/Flavored Waters
• Main Dishes
• Recipes + Cooking
• Hotel Reviews
• Tour Reviews
• Beach Escapes
• Cultural Destinations
• Eat Well in Latin America
• Housesitting
• Off-the-Beaten Path
• Clothing + Accessories
• Hiking + Adventures
• Travel Planning Resources
• Budget Travel Tips

Palenque Ruins Guide: 1 or 2 Day Palenque Tour Itinerary with Hotels, Misol Ha + Agua Azul

Planning my Palenque tours from San Cristobal was probably the most difficult part of my Chiapas travel planning. The Palenque ruins are quite far from San Cristobal, and there is mixed information online about the safest way to get there. So after lots of research and actually doing the trip, I want to write about my 2 day side trip to Palenque, the transportation, the Agua Azul and Misol Ha waterfalls, and some Palenque hotel suggestions to hopefully make your planning easier!

San Cristobal to Palenque Transportation : Palenque Ruins, Misol Ha, Agua Azul Guide

This was the most confusing portion of my Palenque travel planning. There are two main routes from San Cristobal to Palenque – the shorter route via Ocosingo and the longer route via Villahermosa.

I had read many things online about the route via Ocosingo being dangerous due to bus/van robberies, but couldn’t tell if it was still recommended to avoid this route. From what I could tell, it was still better to take the longer route, so we planned to take the ADO bus via Villahermosa that takes 9 hours. This was in April of 2019.

A few ways you can find out what the current situation is: email your hotel to ask, check ADO’s route to Palenque (ADO is a reputable first class bus line in Mexico, if they don’t feel the shorter route is safe, they will route through Villahermosa), or check online travel forums like Tripadvisor or Lonely Planet. The forums to me are the least reliable, as they often are sensationalized accounts or out of date, so just keep that in mind.

The ADO bus offers an overnight option, which is what we did, to try to save time with the long 9 hour trip. We took overnight buses each way – leaving San Cristobal at 10:30pm and arriving in Palenque at 7:30am. And then on the return trip, leaving Palenque at 11pm and arriving in San Cristobal at 8am. Check the ADO website for current schedules, prices and routes.

We did find out that there are still tour companies that take the shorter route through Ocosingo to do the Palenque tours that stop at Misol Ha and Agua Azul on the way. I didn’t feel comfortable with this option since it doesn’t make sense to me that the buses find the route unsafe but tourist shuttles do. But you can ask around and make your own decision about what you feel is best for you.

How to Visit the Palenque Ruins

The Palenque ruins are incredible easy to visit. We had looked at some Palenque tours to the ruins, thinking this would help us save time to pack a lot in. We didn’t end up by taking a tour, and found the ruins so easy to get to and explore on our own.

To visit the Palenque ruins, you can take any colectivo van that goes from the Palenque town and down the road to the ruins. We stayed at a hotel outside of town on the road to the Palenque ruins, and found it extremely easy to catch one of these colectivos to the ruins at any time of day.

The colectivo will drop you off right at the entrance. You buy your ticket here and enter the Palenque ruins site. It’s a large site with lots of pyramids and areas to explore. We were on a time crunch so we powered through climbing lots of pyramids, and walking the grounds within a couple of hours. However, you could spend a full morning or even full day here if you wanted to explore slowly and thoroughly. You can also hire a guide at the entrance if you’d like to learn more about the Palenque ruins history.

We went fairly early in the morning and I really loved the weather at that time of day. We had an overcast and misty morning, which was the perfect dreamy backdrop to the ruins. It also kept the tropical weather more comfortable and less hot.

Misol Ha + Agua Azul Palenque Tours

Since we were short on time, we scheduled one of the half day Palenque tours to the waterfalls of Misol Ha and Agua Azul for same day that we visited the Palenque ruins. We arrived from the night bus in the early in the morning, visited the Palenque ruins during the morning, then grabbed the tour to the waterfalls at Noon from our hotel. It didn’t feel as crazy or rushed as I expected – this is definitely doable and comfortable if you only have one day, or are short on time.

The Palenque tours to the Misol Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls are comfortable and pleasant. You do spend a pretty good amount of time in the van – the waterfalls are not very close together and are a decent distance from the Palenque town. But our tour van was comfortable enough, had a/c, and was a pretty comfortable ride.

The Palenque tours visit the Misol Ha waterfall first and spend about a half hour there. Misol Ha is a narrow but tall and impressive waterfall. You can get in for a short swim here, or just sit and enjoy the epic waterfall.

Then you travel the distance to the Agua Azul waterfall and spend a couple of hours here. Agua Azul is a large waterfall with lots of pools and mini falls that cascade down the hill. The water is usually clear and blue, though I have heard it can become more obscure and darker during rainy season.

Agua Azul is a beautiful spot for swimming, and has lots restaurants and tourist shops. We didn’t realize it until the end of our time there, but you can keep climbing up and up to admire the falls from above. And there is even a hiking path at the top to wind through the jungle. I would have loved to explore that if I had known about it when we first arrived.

Both waterfalls are impressive and beautiful and worth taking one of the Palenque tours if you have the time.

To book Palenque tours, you can arrange anything through your hotel or local agencies when you arrive. But if you are short on time and want to have a tour arranged for as soon as you arrive (like we did), I’d recommend arranging through your hotel by email ahead of time.

Palenque Hotels : Palenque Tours + Ruins Guide

I’ll give 3 different suggestions for Palenque hotels based on where I stayed, another hostel complex I visited, and a final couple options in town. The main things you want to consider are – if you want to stay in town, or in a more natural/jungle setting, what your budget is, and how social you want to be.

Quiet and Peaceful Mid-Range Hotel: Casa Lakyum – Palenque Hotels

Casa Lakyum is the Palenque hotel that I stayed in with my friend. We had a very large double room with two beds. The beds were comfy, the space was ample, the bathroom had everything we needed + plenty of hot water, and we had a large patio out front.

The grounds are very lush and full of tropical palms and plants. There is an onsite restaurant where you can order breakfast or small lunch items/snacks. The food wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, but seemed to be on par with what is available in Palenque. The staff was helpful and available, and helped us a lot to arrange tours ahead of time, and answer any questions.

We were also able to see some amazing wildlife in and around our hotel – monkeys, lots of parrots, lizards, and more.

It is a very quiet hotel, so if you are looking for more social opportunities, check below.

Budget Jungle Hostels with Social Vibe: El Pachan Palenque Hotels

If you want a more social vibe, I’d recommend checking out the hostels at El Pachan. This little compound that feels like a mini village. There are a couple of onsite restaurants (that we visited) with good food and a good vibe. They often have live music, so this is a fun place to hang out and socialize. It’s a laidback, hippie vibe that I found welcoming.

There are several different options to stay ranging from camping to private rooms. Most options are pretty basic and this is in the middle of the jungle, but would be a good budget option, or good option for those that want to meet people and have a good time.

Most options in this complex are not available for online booking, though I was able to find one online: Chatos Cabanas . The most popular seems to be Margarita. Or you can ask around when you arrive. Check Tripadvisor for current reviews and info.

Palenque Hotels in Town Budget Options: Casa 5 B&B or Casssa Vlanca

I didn’t stay at either of these Palenque hotels, but communicated with them several times before my trip. They both were very helpful and communicative with info about Palenque tours and Palenque hotels. They both have very good reviews, are in convenient locations in town, and are well priced.

Click through the links to read reviews or find out pricing: Casa 5 B&B or Casssa Vlanca .

Or check the below map for more Palenque hotels:

Other palenque tours: cascada de roberto barrios, bonampak ruins, and yaxchilan.

Another beautiful waterfall in Palenque is the Roberto Barrios waterfall . We didn’t have a chance to visit this one, but you can take one of the Palenque tours here, either on its own, or in combination with the Palenque ruins. Or if you are comfortable with public transportation, you can take a colectivo from town. This waterfall is visited less frequently by tourists and looks gorgeous.

Bonampak & Yaxchilan ruins are two smaller ruins tucked in the remote jungle in the Montes Azules/Lacandon jungle on the Mexico/Guatemala border. We had planned to do a long day tour to this beautiful area on our second day, but my friend wasn’t feeling well so we decided to play it safe. I really really want to visit these sites though, so it is at the top of my list for next visit.

These two ruins take quite a long time to get to from Palenque, so they could be their own side trip, staying in nearby cabins. But you can take a long day tour Palenque if you are short on time.

Our 2 Day Itinerary: Palenque Ruins + Palenque Tours, Misol Ha + Agua Azul from San Cristobal

Day 1 – Night Bus from San Cristobal, arriving at 7am.

Taxi to hotel, check in.

8am – Breakfast

9-11:30am – Palenque ruins

12-6pm – Misol Ha, Agua Azul Palenque Tour

Day 2 – We had planned to do a full day tour of Bonampak & Yaxchilan ruins but had to cancel due to sickness. Otherwise we would have been on the tour from 5:30am-8pm

Instead we had a more leisurely day, having breakfast at the hotel, then went for a hike in the nearby Sendero Motiepa. This simple trail is near the Palenque ruins, and is an easy loop with lots of nature to enjoy. Not a necessity if you are short on time, but a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Later we had dinner at El Pachan

Then headed to our night bus that left at 11pm.

I found the night buses very comfortable and was able to get a good amount of sleep (not always easy for me on transportation). If you are really short on time you could pack Palenque ruins and waterfalls into one day and take the night bus on either end. Or if you have two days you can spread out the activities, or pack in a long day trip to the Bonampak and Yaxchilan ruins.

There are also tourist vans that do very long full day tours to the Palenque ruins and Agua Azul/Misol Ha from San Cristobal. To me, I’d prefer to do the night bus option, because the tour vans would not be comfortable for sleeping – so I think the day would feel a lot more exhausting.

Palenque is a really special part of Chiapas and completely different from the mountainous highlands of San Cristobal. If you can make the time, you’ll find this beautiful and lush jungle a very interesting stop on your Chiapas itinerary.

Check out my other posts about what to do in San Cristobal and Chiapas . Or find all my many Mexico posts here .

Pin it for Later! Palenque Hotels, Ruins, Tours, Misol Ha + Agua Azul

2 Responses

You mentioned you had a trip planned Yaxchilan & Bonampak? We would like to stay for 1 night in that area & need a tour guide. Can you recommend someone?

I had wanted to visit Yaxchilan and Bonampak, but unfortunately didn’t have time. I do know that you can find guides and tour operators in Palenque, and most likely in San Cristobal as well. Good luck.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy Policy

Palenque tour: Explore Wonderful Chiapas and Beauty Waterfalls (10 Days)

Mexico Tours Chiapas Palenque tour: Explore Wonderful Chiapas and Beauty Waterfalls (10 Days)

With the Palenque tour, journey to an enchanting realm and have a vacation full of unique adventures and experiences! Immerse yourself in the echoes of Mayan history at the renowned Palenque Archeological Zone. Feel the colonial charm of Chiapa de Corzo, setting the stage for wonderful discoveries. Sail through the awe-inspiring Sumidero Canyon and cool down in impressive cenotes. Dive into turquoise-blue lagoons and explore the misty jungle of Chiapas. Experience the region’s rich biodiversity, and visit Lagunas de Montebello National Park, a 140-year-old coffee farm, and the gorgeous town of San Cristobal de las Casas. Embrace the captivating blend of Mexican history, culture, and nature in this fantastic adventure!

• Swim in the crystal-clear waterfalls and multiple cenotes on a tour of Mexico, Chiapas.
• Explore the astonishing Sumidero Canyon.
• Discover the rich colonial history, culture, and architecture of the Magical Towns of Chiapa de Corzo, Comitán de Domínguez, San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque.
• Visit the fascinating UNESCO-listed Mayan ruins of Palenque.
• Discover the stunning Lagunas de Montebello National Park.

How is this tour different?

Authentic    how this tour provides an actual image of the destination, life, and practices of the host community..

We do our best to make our trips educative and fulfilling, in which travelers can interact with local populations, learn about their traditions, and culture, and connect with their core values.

A tour with impact   ? How this tour positively affects the destination and local communities on economic, socio-cultural, and environmental dimensions.

We support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our tours are aligned with SDG 8 and 12, focusing on empowering local communities and promoting sustainable consumption and production practices. We take tourists to underdeveloped regions, creating opportunities for economic growth while respecting local traditions and educating communities on sustainable approaches.

Other   ? Other advantages this tour offers to travelers.

• Small groups of up to 12 travelers: closer communication, easier coordination, more adventures, and fun!
• Off-the-beaten-track tours with maximum immersion in local nature, culture, and traditions.
• The easy-going atmosphere of our tours is perfect for informal travel and making new friends among co-travelers and locals.

Day 1: Chiapa de Corzo

Start the Palenque tour in colonial Chiapa de Corzo. Considered one of the oldest towns in Latin America,  it’s well-known for being an entry point to the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. Arrive at the airport at any time and take an independent transfer by taxi/shuttle bus to your accommodation. Once there, take your time to rest or explore the town. In the evening, meet your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for a welcome meeting and dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Chiapa de Corzo
• Meals Included : welcome dinner
• Activities Included : welcome meeting

Day 2: Chiapa de Corzo - Cañón del Sumidero National Park - Tuxtla Gutiérrez - Puerto Arista

In the morning, leave Chiapa de Corzo and visit the impressive Sumidero Canyon by boat. After that, head to the regional capital Tuxtla Gutierrez to discover its historic center and visit the famous Marimba Museum. Then, go to Puerto Arista, a quiet regional beach town famous for its extensive golden-sand beaches. Once there, ride an ATV and enjoy the stunning sunset on the beach. Finally, join an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Puerto Arista
• Meals Included : breakfast
• Activities Included : boat tour in Sumidero Canyon; ATV ride in Puerto Arista

Day 3: Puerto Arista - Iglesia Vieja Archeological Zone - Finca Argovia - Huixtla

In the morning, continue the tour with a guided visit to Iglesia Vieja, one of the 10 archeological sites in Chiapas. Those fascinating ruins use to be an important Mayan city in the Early Classic period of Mesoamerica. Later, go to the lush tropical highlands of the Sierra Madre to visit a coffee farm founded by the Swiss family in 1880. After that, transfer to the nearby town of Huixtla and join your Tour Leader for an orientation walk of its compact historic center. Finally, have an optional dinner and get together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Huixtla
• Activities Included : guided visits to Iglesia Vieja Archeological Zone and coffee farm near Tapachula; orientation walk of Huixtla

Day 4: Huixtla - Piedra Partida - Cascadas De Monte Cristo - Comitán de Domínguez

In the morning, continue our “Mexico Chiapas, Palenque, San Cristobal & Waterfalls Tour” in Piedra Partida, a fascinating place where you can see the stunning sunrise. Thereafter, explore nearby Cascadas de Monte Cristo and swim in its sweet thermal waters. Later, continue to a Magical Town of Comitán de Domínguez famous for being the cradle of the state’s independence. Once there, join your Tour Leader for an orientation walk of its charming colonial center. Finally, finish the day with an optional dinner and get-together in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Comitán de Domínguez
• Activities Included : visits to Piedra Partida and Cascadas De Monte Cristo; orientation walk of the historic center of Comitán de Dominguez

Day 5: Comitán de Domínguez - El Chiflón Waterfalls - Chukumaltik Cenote - Lagunas de Montebello National Park

In the morning, check out and transfer to El Chiflón Waterfalls. Once there, tour around and discover several stunning waterfalls such as “El Suspiro”, “Ala de Ángel”, “Arco Iris”, and “Velo de Novia”. Additionally, explore this impressive place with a guided hike, and then, swim in its refreshing waters. After that, transfer to Chukumaltik Cenote to see a unique underground cave, perfect for swimming and diving. Then, head to Lagunas de Montebello National Park, a magical place consisting of 52 beautiful lakes. In the evening, see a breathtaking sunset over the lake before an optional dinner and get-together with your group in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Lagunas de Montebello
• Activities Included : guided visits to El Chiflón Waterfalls Ecotourism Center and Chukumaltik Cenote

Day 6: Lagunas de Montebello National Park - Ya´ajche Ecotourism Center

In the morning, wake up early to see the gorgeous sunrise. After that, take a balsa trip on Lake Pojoj , a unique place with multi-color waters, beautiful nature, and a little charming island. Thereafter, transfer to Ya´ajche Ecotourism Center, a peaceful beautiful place next to the jungle, and immerse in its enchanting nature. Finally, in the evening, join your group for an optional dinner and get-together in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Ya´ajche Ecotourism Center
• Activities Included : balsa trip on Lake Pojoj

Day 7: Ya´ajche Ecotourism Center - Bonampak & Yaxchilán Archeological Zones - Palenque

In the morning, visit the famous archeological site of Bonampak. Once there, learn about this enigmatic ancient place located in the middle of Lancandon Jungle in the state of Chiapas. After that, go to explore the ancient ruins of Yaxchilán Archeological Zone famous for the important Mayan texts found there. Then, transfer to Palenque, one of the Magical Towns in Mexico. It’s a paradise for lovers of archaeology, history, and nature. Eventually, after check-in and rest, join your Tour Leader and the rest of the group for an orientation walk of the center of Palenque followed by an optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in Palenque
• Activities Included : guided visits to Bonampak and Yaxchilán Archeological Zones

Day 8: Palenque - Palenque Archaeological Zone - Agua Azul Waterfalls - San Cristóbal de las Casas

In the morning, continue our “Palenque tour” to discover Palenque, one of the most important archaeological sites in Chiapas and Mexico. Once there, appreciate its UNESCO-listed monumental structures and learn about their history. Then, visit Agua Azul Waterfalls, another must-see attraction in this area, known for its fascinating turquoise waters. After that, transfer to San Cristobal de las Casas, a Magical Town famous for its beautiful colonial architecture, traditions, and gastronomy. Once there, have some rest before taking an orientation walk to its charming historic center. Finally, get together with your group for an optional dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Accommodation : conveniently located, locally-owned hotel/B&B in San Cristobal de las Casas
• Activities Included : guided visit to Palenque Archeological Zone; entrance to Agua Azul Waterfalls; orientation walk of San Cristobal de las Casas

Day 9: San Cristóbal de las Casas  - Zinacantán - San Juan Chamula - San Cristóbal de las Casas

In the morning, experience a 1200-year-old Mayan ceremony of temazcal, a therapeutic steam bath with pre-Hispanic roots. After that, visit Zinacantán, a Tzotzil village famed for its traditional textiles, fruits, flowers, and handicrafts.  Later, transfer to a nearby San Juan Chamula, another self-governing Mayan village. Once there, visit its mysterious centuries-old church where locals keep practicing unique religious syncretism. Afterward, transfer back to San Cristobal de las Casas to continue exploring this charming colonial town. Finally, get together with your group for an optional farewell dinner in one of the local restaurants.

• Activities Included : temazcal ceremony; orientation walks of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán

Day 10: San Cristóbal de las Casas

Last day of our “Palenque tour” . Thus, decide by yourself what time to leave or extend your vacations and stay longer!

• Accommodation : n/a
• Activities Included : n/a

• This tour is private : only your group will participate.
• The price per person is variable and depends on the size of your group (please choose the number of participants in the booking calendar ➡️ to see the final price).

Local Expert Guides

English/Spanish bilingual Tour Leader service.

Accommodation

9x nights in conveniently located, locally-owned B&Bs/hotels

Transportation

Private vehicle

8x breakfasts, 1x dinner

Walking tours & orientation walks: Chiapa de Corzo, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Huixtla, Comitán de Domínguez, Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula, Zinacantán Guided visits: archeological zones (Iglesia Vieja, Bonampak, Yaxchilán, Palenque); Museo de la Marimba; Finca Argovia, waterfalls (El Chiflón, Monte Cristo, Agua Azul), Chukumaltik Cenote and Lagunas de Montebello National Park Other activities: balsa trip in Lagunas de Montebello National Park, ATV ride on the beach in Puerto Arista, entrance to Ya´ajche Ecotourism Center, temazcal ceremony in San Cristobal de las Casas

Personal expenses

Flights are not included: check our partner deals .

Travel insurance is not included: find insurance tailored for you.

Cancellations

Most of our 1-day tours can be canceled up to 48 hours prior to the departure.

Please see our Cancellation Policy for more info.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to book.

To reserve the tour, please choose the date and complete the booking form. Once finished, you will receive a booking confirmation in your email.

How can I contact the tour organizer?

You can find the contact phone number and email of the tour organizer in the confirmation email.

Can I talk to someone?

Except for the information on this page, you can see full terms & conditions from each tour organizer before completing your booking.

About Vibe Adventures

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the tour and activity providers (“Organizers”) listed on vibeadventures.com are independent third parties and are not agents or affiliates of Vibe Adventures. Therefore, Vibe Adventures shall not be held liable for any injuries, sickness, accidents, delays, neglect, fraud, poor weather conditions, negative consequences, or expenses arising from or associated with the Organizers, their tours and activities, or those of their affiliates. If the tour does not include insurance, the travelers are responsible for obtaining travel insurance, as well as passports, appropriate visas, and necessary vaccinations.

Cancellations & Modifications

To cancel or modify your booking, please contact the Organizer directly using the email or phone number provided in the booking confirmation. Cancellations and modifications are subject to availability and the approval of the Organizer in accordance with their booking terms and conditions, which are made available to you during the booking process.

If you have any other questions please contact us .

Related tours

Nevado de Toluca Hike: Volcano Hiking Tour and Temazcal (12 h)

Bike Tour Teotihuacan: History, Culture and Pulque Tasting (8 h)

Chocolate Tour Mexico City: Mexican Coffee, Chocolate and Desserts (4 h)

Cooking Class Mexico: Culinary and Cultural Tour to Puebla (12 h)

Mezcal Tour Mexico: Discover Atlixco, Local Food and Beverages (12 h)

Day of the Dead Tour: Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Ocotopec (12 h)

Bus Tour Mexico City: See All Major Landmarks In One Day (9 h)

Guided Tour Mexico City: Learn All About Mesoamerica to Metropolis (7 h)

Mexico City Day Tour: History, Tastings and Stunning Views (4 H)

See all Chiapas tours

Get 5% off this tour with "Back2Travel" promo code or check similar tours 🌎 Keep safe & travel soon!

7 EPIC Things to Do in Palenque + Itinerary

by Julie | Mexico , Travel

Palenque is one of those underrated destinations in Mexico. People don’t realize it has so much to offer travelers. I’ve put together a list of 7 epic things to do in Palenque. You’ll also find a suggested itinerary that you can adjust to fit your Mexico itinerary as well as loads of other practical travel tips.

So, let’s get started!

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website’s  Disclosure  for more info.

Whenever I tell people I stayed ten days in Palenque, they think I’m crazy.

What’s there to do in Palenque for ten days?

Palenque is not the most charming or beautiful city like Merida , San Cristobal, or Oaxaca .

the seven things you can do in Palenque are pretty darn spectacular.

You’ve got three of the best ancient Maya ruins in Mexico: Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak.

Three gorgeous waterfalls: Agua Azul, Misol Ha, and the fabulous Roberto Barrios .

And if you’re a digital nomad, you’ve got stable and relatively fast WiFi–enough to teach classes on Zoom.

Plus! There are some great places to stay in the city of Palenque as well as on the outskirts of the city.

I had my own bungalow with my own private terrace surrounded by the jungle. I could work outside on my laptop while listening to the birds chirping and the howler monkeys howling and watching the iguanas scampering around and the peacocks strutting their stuff.

Oh, and with a swimming pool a few feet away. All for around US$30 to $40. Dorm rooms were even cheaper! Jump to the section Where to Stay in Palenque for all the details.

Can you find that in Oaxaca ?

In San Cristobal?

In this post, you’ll learn exactly what you can do in Palenque. Not for ten days, of course. Unless you need somewhere soothing to work. But at least three or four or five.

Table of Contents

About palenque.

• How to Get to Palenque
• Maya Ruins of Palenque
• Palenque Museum
• Yaxchilan and Bonampak Maya Ruins
• Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
• Misal Ha Waterfall
• Agua Azul Waterfalls
• Palenque Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Palenque
• Where to Eat in Palenqu e
• Where to find an ATM
• Where to find a pharmacy
• Where to find a good grocery store

All of the ruins, waterfalls, and museums are outside of the city of Palenque. To get to them, you’ll need to take a colectivo (white van) or taxi or join a tour.

You can stay inside the city or outside on the road to the Palenque ruins. Jump to the Section Where to Stay for info on the best hotels and hostels in Palenque.

How to get to Palenque

In this section, I’ll explain all the different ways to get to Palenque. It can be a bit complicated due to highway robberies and nosey immigration officials.

• Merida to Palenque
• Campeche to Palenque
• San Cristobal to Palenque

Getting to Palenque by plane

If you’re going by plane, you’ll fly to the airport in Villahermosa , and then from there take a bus or private car to Palenque. There are buses that go directly from the airport to the ADO Bus Station in Palenque.

Check the ADO Bus schedule for buses from the airport to Palenque.

How to get to Palenque by bus

For those traveling to Palenque by bus, there are nice and comfy first-class ADO buses from Merida , Campeche , San Cristobal, Villahermosa, and other cities.

You can also get to Palenque by colectivos (white vans) and by tours, which I’ll get into more detail below.

Here is a timetable of the ADO Buses traveling to Palenque as of November 2021. However, check the current first-class bus schedule on ADO’s website .

Here is a timetable for ADO first-class buses going to Palenque:

Here is the timetable for buses leaving Palenque to other popular destinations around Mexico:

You can buy your tickets on the ADO websit e as well. Tickets will be emailed to you. Just save them to your phone and show the ticket’s QR code to the bus driver when getting on the bus.

If you buy your bus tickets online AND in advance, you can sometimes get a discount .

How to get from Merida to Palenque by bus

You can take a first-class ADO bus from Merida to Palenque during the day and in the evening. It takes nine hours.

The Merida bus passes through Campeche .

On the night bus, there have been incidences of theft. It might be better to travel during the day.

How to get from Campeche to Palenque by bus

I took a first-class ADO bus from Campeche to Palenque during the day. It took five hours . For me, it was perfectly comfortable and safe. The roads were in perfect condition.

On the night bus, there have been some incidents of theft .

How to get from San Cristobal to Palenque

There are 3 ways to travel between San Cristobal and Palenque.

Route 1 – Via Ocosingo:

This route travels directly between San Cristobal and Palenque via the town of Ocosingo .

At 5 hours , it’s the quickest route.

However, it’s unsafe , so ADO buses were not doing it while I was there .

The reason it’s unsafe is that gangs often stop vehicles and rob passengers. The government can’t do much about crime on the route because this part of Chiapas is an autonomous indigenous area and the government has no control over it.

Colectivos were still doing the route, though. You can get a colectivo to San Cristobal from this transportation service company.

Route 2 – Tour Company Route:

A few tour companies in both Palenque and San Cristobal do this route.

They pick you up at your hotel in  San Cristobal or Palenque, stop at the Misol Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls for sightseeing and swimming , and end by dropping you off at your hotel in Palenque or San Cristobal.

For those leaving from Palenque, there’s an option to add the ruins to the itinerary in the morning.

Tulum Tours was doing this route for MXN$500 (US$25) . I know people who did this route and were perfectly happy.

I knew someone who did this route and arrived safe and sound in San Cristobal.

Route 3 – Via Villahermosa

ADO buses avoid Ocosingo and instead take a detour and stop in Villahermosa before heading to Palenque or San Cristobal. You don’t need to change buses.

It takes 9 hours total.

You can do the route during the day or overnight .

I sort of did this route. I traveled from Palenque to Villahermosa, stayed overnight to see the Olmec heads at an outdoor museum (it was closed due to the pandemic, unfortunately), and then grabbed a bus to San Cristobal.

This route was comfortable and safe.

My bus from Palenque to Villahermosa was stopped three times by armed immigration officials to randomly check people’s identification.

Pro Tip: I used Tulum Tours , located next to the ADO Bus Station for all my tours. I was more than happy with their service, and prices. They are also cheaper than other travel agencies. Here is a list of the tours they had and their prices in July 2021:

Best Things to do in Palenque

For Indiana Jones wannabees and history nerds and for just people who want to see something beautiful, Palenque has three of my favorite ruins in Mexico. The most famous is Palenque, and it’s just a 30-minute colectivo ride from the ADO Bus Station,

The other two, Yaxchilan and Bonampak, require joining a tour group, which is easy and not too expensive.

1. Ancient Ruins of Palenque

• OPEN: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission is at 4:00 PM)
• COST: MXN$80 (US$4) for the park + MXN$90 (US$4.50) for the archaeological ruins
• LOCATION: Google Maps

During my six months in Mexico, I visited over 15 ancient ruins.

Hands down!

Palenque was my absolute favorite.

Palenque may not have the tallest or grandest pyramids, but what they do impress visitors with is their craftsmanship. They have some of the most unique and beautiful pyramids in Mesoamerica.

But Palenque’s beauty is more than its temples and pyramids. It’s also in its setting. It’s in how the lush and verdant jungle towers over the ancient ruins as if it wants to swallow them up.  If you get to the ruins early enough, you can see the early morning mist shrouding the pyramids. As you’re walking through the ruins, you can hear the sound of a stream and perhaps a waterfall off in the distant jungle and the howling of monkeys and the chirping of birds somewhere in the trees above you.

Get to the ruins when they first open at 8:30 AM to avoid the crowds that come in at 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM. When you get there early you’ll also get to see the ruins covered in a beautiful mist.

How to get to the Palenque Ruins:

You can easily get to the ruins by taking a colectivo (white van) from in front of the ADO bus station and across from Glorieta de la Cabeza Maya (the Maya Head Statue in the center of a roundabout). 

The van should say “Ruinas” on the front and “Chambalu” on the side.

The ride to the ruins is not so straightforward. The van stops at the entrance to the national park. It will wait while you get out and pay the MXN$90 park (US$5.50) entrance fee.

Then the colectivo stops a second time for tourists to pay the fee to the archaeological zone, which is MXN$80 (US$4).

Then it drives about 5 more minutes to the parking lot and entrance to the ruins.

Make sure you keep your tickets because you’ll have to show them to enter the ruins.

In July 2021, the trip to the ruins cost MXN$20 and took 30 minutes. Pay when you leave the colectivo. The last colectivo is at 6:00 PM, but that is not consistent (I found out the hard way), so shoot for 5:30 PM instead.

2. Palenque Museo de Sitio

• OPEN: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Tu – Su)
• COST: Free with your Palenque archaeological zone ticket

Not many people make it to this fantastic museum, probably because it’s not in the best location and it’s also not advertised very well. However, it’s definitely worth a stop.

The Palenque site museum of “Alberto Ruz L´Huillier” contains the tomb of the Red Queen, the wife of Pakal and the mother of two rulers. Archaeologists named her the Red Queen because her corpse was covered in cinnabar.

There are also some intricately carved incense burners, a beautiful stone piece covered in Maya writing, stelae still holding the original blue and red, and a copy of the lid of Pakal’s sarcophagus.

And unlike in most museums in Mexico, you’ll find detailed explanations of the artifacts in English.

You shouldn’t have to pay extra for the museum as the museum is included in the Palenque Archaeological Zone ticket.

How to get to the museum:

The museum is located at the ticket booth for the archaeological zone.

To get to it from the ruins, take a colectivo.

I walked from the ruins to the museum. This wasn’t the most pleasant or safest walk. It took 15 minutes and was along a narrow windy semi-busy road without any space on the side to walk to avoid the cars speeding up and down the hill.

How to get from the museum to Palenque city:

After you leave the museum, you’ll cross the road (the same road you took to get to the ruins) and wait on the side for a colectivo to pick you up (the same one that brought you to the ruins). Expect to pay MXN$20 (US$1).

3-4. Yaxchilan and Bonampak

• OPEN: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (every day)
• COST: No entrance fee for Yaxchilan (Nov 2021) and MXN$75 + fee for transport to Lacandon community
• TOUR: 5:30 AM pick up and returned at 9:00 PM
• TOUR COST: I went on a tour with Tulum Tours and it cost me MXN$950 (US$48). This price included transport, breakfast and lunch, and entrance fees.

The two other Maya ruins that you should definitely make time for are Yaxchilan and Bonampak . These are fantastic ruins but for two very different reasons.

The Classic (400 – 900 AD) archaeological site of Yaxchilan is famous for its location, historical importance, elaborate and beautifully crafted temples, and illuminating stelae.

The setting is as special as Palenque’s. It’s located on a horseshoe bend in the Usumacinta and is surrounded by a lush jungle. You can hear the howler monkeys making their dinosaur-like sounds off in the distance. They never seem to stop. You can also see spider monkeys jumping from tree to tree.

Historically, Yaxchilan was one of the most important cities in the Classic period. Its location along an important river allowed it to control trade between the Peten and the Gulf of Mexico . During ancient times, there was a bridge that connected the two sides of the river.

The temples are also stunning in their design. Structure 33 with its beautiful roof comb is found on a hill above the ancient city. It’s worth the climb as you’ll find some intricate carvings in the doorjambs and a row of carvings on the steps in front of the temple.

Yaxchilan has some of the best stelae in Mesoamerica. Two of the most famous ones (stelae 24 and 25) portray blood-letting rituals in which the king pulls a rope through his penis and another one in which the wife pulls a rope through her tongue. Unfortunately, you have to travel to the British Museum to see them. The Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City has several as well but not the bloodletting ones.

Located in the Lacandon jungle, Bonampak is most famous for its colorful frescos. There are three rooms of murals. Room 1 shows a celebration for a king’s heir. The second room depicts a war with a rival kingdom and the capture of their enemies and the presentation of the captured enemies to the king. The last room is a victory celebration. People are dancing on the temple steps and there is a bloodletting ceremony. These are the best-preserved and most illuminating frescoes of the Maya world. They give us a really good idea of what court life was like, how people dressed, and how the Maya celebrated victories and births.

How to get to Yaxchilan and Bonampak:

I went to Yaxchilan and Bonampak with a tour group called Tulum Tours ( Google Maps ). The cost was MXN$950.

The tour company picked me up from my hotel at 5:30 AM in a white van.

We stopped for a terrific buffet breakfast with all the other tour groups at 7:30.

We got to the banks of the Usumacinta River at around 10:00 AM. Here we hired a guide who spoke English. We split the cost between the five people on the tour. Unfortunately, I don’t remember how much we paid. The guide was pretty friendly and knowledgeable but we also didn’t see everything in the park.

If I had to do my tour over again, I wouldn’t hire a guide for Yaxchilan. Just do some research before visiting the ruins and I think you’ll see more. We wasted too much time waiting for others to take photos and the guide spoke Spanish most of the time anyway.

It took about an hour to reach the ruins by boat.

We got a couple of hours to explore the ruins before we had to get back in the boat at 1:00 PM.

After that, we had a pretty good lunch near the boat docks. It wasn’t until 2:00 PM that we left the border area to drive to Bonampak.

At 3:20 PM we arrived at a place where we needed to change vehicles to enter Bonampak. The Bonampak ruins are located in an area controlled by the Lacandon community. They have experienced incidences of outsiders coming into the archaeological park and stealing artifacts and pieces off the structures, so to control the access, you can only enter when one of their members drives you in.

It took 15 minutes to get to the entrance of Bonampak, arriving at a bit after 3:35 PM. They stop allowing people in at 4:00 PM.

We had around an hour to see the murals, stelae, and temples.

Finally, we dropped one member of our group at an Ecolodge and picked up two other travelers from the same lodge and drove back to Palenque.

Can you get to Yaxchilan and Bonampak on your own?

You can take public transportation to Frontera Corozal, a city on the border with Guatemala. Then hire a boat and guide to take you down the Usumacinta River to the ruins.

However, it might be harder to get to Bonampak on your own given the uncertainty of public transportation to Bonampak and the security concerns the Lacandon have about outsiders.

You need to get to Crucero Bonampak ( Google Maps ), where you’ll pay to enter the town and pay to be driven to the ruins of Bonampak by a member of the Lacandon community. Lonely Planet Mexico says MXN$30 per person to enter the town and MXN$250 for the transport (that was a few years ago).

I think you’ll have a hard time seeing both sites on the same day. You’ll have to stay overnight somewhere. Lonely Planet has information about accommodations.

5. Roberto Barrios Cascades

• OPEN: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• COST: MXN$30 (US$1.50)

If you can only make it to one waterfall while in Palenque, visit Roberto Barrios Cascades . It’s the most fun waterfall to visit as there are tons of crystal clear pools to swim in. The water is this beautiful greenish-blue juxtaposed against beige-colored rocks, making it just as beautiful as Agua Azul.

Unlike Agua Azul’s plethora of shops, restaurants, and people just hounding you to buy something, Roberto Barrios has none of that once you enter the park. The facilities consist of someone selling lifejackets, one restaurant that I’m not even sure is open, and bathrooms.

The rest of the park is a maze of unpaved trails that go from one cascade to another. You can easily find yourself the only one at a cascade.

 I’m not sure how many levels the cascades are but there are a lot. One moment you think, you’ve seen all the cascades, and the next you’ve spotted another one.

The park gets busier in the afternoon.

How to get to Robert Barrios Cascades:

You can check out my detailed post on how to get to the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls by public transportation here. You’ll find step-by-step instructions on where to get the colectivo to get to the falls and how to get back to Palenque.

6. Misol Ha Waterfalls

Located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Palenque is the waterfall of Misol Ha. The waterfall is worth a visit as long as you combine it with a trip to Agua Azul waterfalls.

The best thing about the waterfall is when I took the path behind the waterfall to a secret cave. Inside the cave, you’ll find another smaller waterfall and a lot of bats hanging from the ceiling. Guides hang out at the entrance to the cave and will bring you in for a tip (MXN$20). You’ll need to take off your shoes as you’ll be walking through the water. It’s best to wear water shoes.

How to get to Misol Ha and Agua Azul

Most people combine a visit to Misol Ha with one to Agua Azul. Some people even combine the two waterfalls with a trip in the morning to the Palenque ruins and/or a one-way ride to San Cristobal. I think it’s the best way to get to San Cristobal. You can read more about in the section on Getting to Palenque .

I went to Misol Ha with Tulum Tours . It cost MXN$350 and included transportation to Misol Ha and Agua Azul as well as the entrance fees for both tours. There were only eight of us on the tour.

The tour started at 12:00 PM. Everyone was picked up from their hotels. By the time we left Palenque, it was 12:30 PM.

We arrived at the waterfall at 1:00 PM. We were told we had 40 minutes at the waterfall, which turned into 50.

Then we drove over an hour to Agua Azul, arriving at around 3:00 PM. We had 2.2 hours to explore Agua Azul.

On the trip back to Palenque, the van stopped at the intersection for the turn-off for Agua Azul and the people who were going on to San Cristobal got into a new van. We had to wait over 30 minutes for their van to arrive before we could take off back to Palenque. Luckily for them, the tour company didn’t leave them waiting alone on the side of the road.

I’m not a fan of tours because I often feel rushed and never given enough time to see everything. On this tour, I didn’t this way, maybe because I didn’t swim at either of the waterfalls. If I had both swam and eaten, I might have felt rushed.

How to see Misol Ha and Agua Azul on your own

You can get an Ocosingo-bound colectivo that stops at Misol Ha from Autotransportes de Pasaje y Turismo Brisas de Agua Azul (Google Maps) next to Trota Mundos Restaurant (photo below).

According to the staff at the colectivo station, it cost MXN$40 to get to Misol Ha and another MXN$50 to get to Agua Azul. Plus, the colectivo doesn’t drop you off right at Agua Azul. You need to hire a taxi from an intersection on the main road going to Ocosingo. The taxi costs at least MXN$50 one way (MXN$100 round trip).

Then you need to get a taxi back to the main road where you wait for a Palenque-bound colectivo. That is at least MXN$50. In addition to transportation fees, you’ll need to pay the fees to the waterfalls.

In the end, you’re probably paying more to do both waterfalls on your own than with a tour.

Plus! Chiapas is known for its blockades ( bloqueros ) where locals block the road and won’t let vehicles pass until the driver and passengers pay a fee. That can add to the cost and time.

7. Agua Azul Cascades

Ideally, combine a trip to Misol Ha with a visit to the gorgeous waterfalls of Agua Azul.

The water of Agua Azul is supposed to be a beautiful blue, hence the name “Blue Waters.” I went during the rainy season and the water wasn’t the blue as advertised. But the layer upon layer of cascades is stunningly beautiful and well worth the visit.

The facilities are very developed. Unlike Roberto Barrios’s dirt pathway, you’ll find yourself walking on paved paths. To the right is the fall and to the left are restaurants, shops, restaurants, shops, and on and on. Then you’ve got the children after children trying to sell you snacks and trinkets. Eventually, if you walk up far enough to the higher level of cascades you’ll lose the vendors and restauranteurs.

There are so many restaurants that it’s hard to choose where to eat. I thought that the food would be fresher at the restaurants in the parking lot since it seemed that most people ate there. Prices vary by a lot, so shop around. One restaurant was charging on average MXN$140 for a dish, while the restaurants next to it had the same meal (whole fried fish or chicken) for less than MXN$100. I had one of the best meals in Chiapas here.

How to get to Agua Azul:

I combined a tour of Agua Azul with Misol Ha. Please see the section on Misol Ha on how to get to Agua Azul with a tour..

How to get to Agua Azul on your own:

Please see the section on Misol Ha to find out how to get there on your own.

Suggested Palenque Itinerary

Depending on how much time you have, you can see everything on this list of things to do in Palenque in four days. However, I recommend adding an extra day to relax.

Day 1 – Palenque ruins and museum

Day 2 – Roberto Barrios Waterfalls

Day 3 – Yaxchilan and Bonampak ruins

Day 4 – Rest and relax

Day 5 – Misol Ha and Agua Azul Waterfalls

Where to stay in Palenque

You can either stay inside the city of Palenque or in the jungle outside the city. I stayed in both places during my ten days.

Staying in the city has some benefits. First, there are some great hotels and hostels located in the La Canada neighborhood, a quiet, safe and pleasant area with narrow streets and lots of trees. The area is also just a five-minute walk from the ADO bus station. Perfect especially for those arriving after 6:00 PM>

Second, you have far more options for places to eat, pharmacies, lavanderias for washing your clothes, grocery stores, tour companies, and banks than if you stayed outside the city.

The downside is that the town of Palenque doesn’t inspire much in the traveler.

For my first five days in Palenque, I stayed in a private room at Casa Janaab Palenque.

When people stay outside of the city, they usually stay along the road going to the ruins. The most famous place is El Panchan, but it has no WiFi. There’s a better place that I’ll tell you about later.

Staying outside the city is all about the experience of being surrounded by the jungle and wildlife. You can hear the sounds of howler monkeys and insects and spot colorful tropical birds and exotic lizards. It’s a wonderful way to just relax and experience a tropical forest but with modern conveniences.

There are, however, some downsides. First, you have few (often just one or two) choices for restaurants, lavanderias, and tour companies. All of these places might even be more expensive than the ones in town.

You can get to these hotels and hostels by colectivos that ply the route from early in the morning to 6:00 PM at night. After that time, you can get a taxi for MXN$75 – $100 (US$4 – $5).

Staying on the road to the Palenque ruins is not going to get you within walking distance of the ruins, though. You’ll still need to stand on the side of the road and catch a colectivo, join a tour group, or arrange for a taxi to pick you up from your hotel.

1. Casa Janaab Palenque

( Booking.com | Agoda )

Located just five minutes by foot from the ADO Bus Station in the safe and quiet La Canada neighborhood, this wonderful hotel has both dorm rooms and private rooms with baths. The facilities in the private rooms on the second floor are better than the ones on the third floor. They’re spacious with comfy beds and big clean bathrooms. I paid US$35 a night.

It’s also got a kitchen and the only self-service washing machine and dryer in all of Mexico! It was expensive, though. I paid MXN$120 for one load of laundry. They also charge you to refill your water bottle.

The WiFi was fast and stable enough for me to teach my classes on Zoom.

2. Cabana Kin Balam

Located halfway between the ADO Bus Station and the Palenque ruins, this wonderful hotel has both dorms and private cabins, some of which have bathrooms and some without and some with air conditioning and some without. Cabins cost between US$30 and $50.

My private cabin was in a secluded area surrounded by trees, a stream, and wildlife. I spent several days on my private veranda working online and teaching classes over Zoom. As I was working, I would see colorful tropical birds flying by and lizards sneaking around in the forest. Plus there were two peacocks that live on the property and that love to come up to your veranda and plop down right next to you. It’s fabulous!

In the morning, late afternoon, and evening I could hear the howler monkeys. If you’ve seen the movie Jurassic Park, then you know what these monkeys sound like because the film’s creators used their howls for the sounds of the dinosaurs in the movie. Yes! Howler monkeys sound like dinosaurs! Or at least what we think dinosaurs sounded like.

There’s a swimming pool, hammocks, a not-so-good restaurant, and a tour agency.

From the city, expect to pay between MXN$70 and $100 for a taxi or take a colectivo from in front of the ADO Bus Station for MXN$20. Tell the driver the name of the hotel and they’ll know where to drop you off. Pay when you exit the van. The last van is at 6:00 PM.

Where to eat in Palenque

The La Canada neighborhood is where you’ll find medium-priced to upper-priced restaurants serving decent to pretty good food. Here are the ones that I tried.

Café Jade ( Google Maps ) – (Mexican; Excellent breakfasts) This restaurant has excellent set breakfasts that come with your choice of typical Mexican egg dishes like huevos ranchero, huevos Mexicana, etc. The huevos ranchero was the best one I had in Mexico. The set breakfasts also come with coffee, juice, fruit, and toast.

Hotel Xibalba ( Google Maps ) –  (Mexican) If you want simple food at a cheaper price than Café Jade, then head to the restaurant attached to Hotel Xibalba. They have outdoor seating that offers you good views of the comings and goings of the La Canada neighborhood.

Casa Antoliana ( Google Maps ) – (Mexican) Casa Antoliani serves some creative dishes, many of which are seafood-based. Get the tostadas topped with shrimp.

Trota Mundos ( Google Maps ) – (inexpensive Mexican, specialty is chicken) Trota Mundos was recommended to me by the hostel staff as a place with really good and inexpensive local food conveniently located about 10 minutes from the hostel. Dishes are less than MXN$100. The restaurant specializes in chicken dishes.

Don Mucho’s ( Google Maps ) – (Italian; good pizzas) Don Mucho’s is located right across the street from Cabana Kin Balam. It’s got a huge menu of items like pizza, pasta, and steak dishes. The pizza is actually quite good. In the evening, they have live music.

Palenque Essentials

Atms in palenque.

Finding an ATM turned out to be harder than I’ve ever experienced in my travels. I ended up calling my bank for help.

The best ATM I could find within walking distance from the ADO Bus Station was the one inside Chedraui ( Google Maps ), similar to Target or Walmart that sells food, clothes, and everyday items. The ATM is near the exit.

The ATM inside the ADO Bus Station doesn’t take foreign credit cards.

Other banks like Banco Azteca don’t take foreign cards either.

There is a Banco Norte ATM ( Google Maps ) on Benito Juarez street in front of the general hospital, but I was worried that because of how open it is, it might have been easily tampered with.

Pharmacies in Palenque

There is a large and well-stocked Farmacia Ahorro near Trota Mundos Restaurant on Benito Juarez Street . You can find insect repellant and suntan lotion.

When going to a pharmacy in Mexico, bring your original medication container and show them the name.

Grocery Stores in Palenque

There’s a great grocery store within walking distance of the ADO Bus Station called Chedraui ( Google Maps ).

I really hope you find the time to visit Palenque. It might not be as beautiful as San Cristobal or San Miguel, but I think there are more spectacular things to do and see in Palenque than in those two cities. The opportunity to spend the night somewhere listening to the howler monkeys is worth more than you can imagine.

SAFETY TIPS: Don’t travel anywhere without bringing these essential items with you to keep you safe and secure:

Combination lock – You MUST bring a combination lock with you if you’re staying in hostels. Hostels provide lockers and you provide the lock.

Money belt – Even though these are not the most comfortable things to wear, a money belt is essential. I’ve tried both these traditional travel belts and ones that runners use .

Anti-Theft Purse  –  Travel-on Anti-theft purses are great because they’re made of a material that’s difficult for thieves to slash. They’ve got lots of pockets as well and a way to lock the zippers.

Are you on Pinterest?

Hey! How about saving one of these pins to Pinterest to read for later?

And feel free to follow me on Pinterest, where you’ll find lots of travel articles for everywhere around the world.

LOOKING FOR MORE TRAVEL INFO ON MEXICO?

• You can find lots of fun things to do in Merida in my list of   23 things to do in Merida
• Looking for things to do in the Yucatan? Here is a list of   15 day trips that you can take from Merida ! Includes detailed instructions on how to get to each place by public transportation–tried and tested!
• Here’s a detailed guide on how to   visit some of the best cenotes in the Yucatan .
• Read this post on travel info on what fun things to do in Campeche .

I must admit I hadn’t heard of Palenque before but this is such a useful and detailed post I’d love to visit having read it.

Sold! Palenque sounds & looks amazing. I love the sound of all the ruins & the waterfalls. I am mulling over a return to Mexico & when I do you have added Palenque to my itinerary! Really comprehensive guide, thank you!

Palenque does sound like a good deal! Mexican archaeological sites are in my bucket list (sigh, someday!) so I would be interested in sites that are high value but lesser known like these.

this is a great post. I am in Mexico right now and have been for a month in Puerto Escondido and Mexico City. We plan to come back next year and I am definitely going to add this to our itinerary. Thanks for all this great info.

I’ve been to several places in Mexico, but l have never heard of Palenque. Looks like l am missing out on a delightful little place. Thanks for the detailed itinerary.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

What are you looking for?

About the bamboo traveler.

Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

Follow the Bamboo Traveler

Traveling to Japan soon?

Get all my great travel tips as well as this FREE Japan travel and itinerary guide sent to your email right away!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Recent posts.

• Best & Worst Books on Myanmar
• Me Encanta Oaxaca Food Tour Review: Is It Worth It?
• 24 Best Things to Do in Puebla, Mexico (+ Itinerary)
• 17 BEST Things to Do in Campeche, Mexico
• How to Get from Oaxaca City to Puerto Escondido in 2024
• BEST Books on Guatemala: Read Before You Go!
• Best Books on Vietnam That’ll Give You Serious Wanderlust
• Oaxaca Street Food Guide: A Culinary Adventure
• Japan Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan
• En Vía Oaxaca Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

Get Your FREE Japan Itinerary Guide Here!

Subscribe to my newsletter to receive the latest travel tips for Asia and get a free 4-page PDF version of my 3-Week Japan Itinerary.

Pin It on Pinterest

What to Do in Palenque: Perfect Two-Day Itinerary

Posted 20/06/2024 | 20th June, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, and products that I love. These links help me earn a small commission on all qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you. Thank you! a

Palenque is a beautiful area of Mexico. In fact, it’s one of my favourites! The ruins are absolutely breathtaking. Personally, I found them much more interesting than Chichen Itza , and only a fraction of the price. 

The town itself isn’t the most magical you’ll find. But, there’s plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes to keep you fed and watered throughout your whistlestop tour of the area. 

Two full days in Palenque is the minimum you should spend here. This will allow you to see four main highlights: the Palenque Ruins, Roberto Barrios Waterfalls, Misol-Ha Waterfall and Agua Azul.

Table of Contents

Getting to Palenque

There are three main hubs where travellers tend to arrive in Palenque from:

San Cristobal de Las Casas (8 hours), Campeche (6 hours) or Merida (10 hours). Although these buses are long, the ADO service in Mexico is very comfortable and reliable. 

Villahermosa is the closest airport, and the bus from here to Palenque takes around 2.5 hours.

To Tour, or Not to Tour

Before getting to Palenque, I was unsure about the public transport options and had read conflicting reports about the safety of this area. 

Whilst I think it is a little beyond this article to discuss the security situation in Palenque and the wider state of Chiapas, I can say that plenty of travellers visited the sites without a tour and loved it!

I did note that the cost of an organised tour was only marginally more expensive than paying for the public transport and entry fees. 

It is important to note that throughout Mexico, most ‘tours’ do not operate as tours you might experience in other countries. In Palenque, tours simply include transport and entry fees, so don’t be worried that you’re going to be shackled to a group of strangers all day. 

You do have a third option, which is to rent a car and drive. Personally, I wouldn’t take that option as we saw lots of evidence of roadblocks as we were driving through the state and have read about many unsavoury experiences in the area.

None of the above is written to sway you either way (I read enough scaremongering whilst planning my four months in Mexico, trust me!). In each attraction featured below, I have included links to relevant tours and info on accessing them without a tour. 

I took tours on both days and absolutely loved it! Day one in Palenque was a fun group of 12, and the second day was a much quieter group of six. These trips also offer a great opportunity to practice your Spanish as you will find a unique mix of domestic and international tourists. 

Palenque Day One (Ruins and Roberto Barrios Waterfalls)

Get Your Guide Tour: Palenque Ruins and Roberto Barrios

Palenque Ruins

The Palenque ruins, nestled in the dense jungles of Chiapas, Mexico, stand as a testament to the ancient Maya civilisation’s architectural and cultural prowess.

The ruins date back to the Classic period (c. 600-900 AD), when Palenque thrived as a political and cultural centre. The archaeological site showcases meticulously crafted structures, including the iconic Temple of the Inscriptions, which houses the tomb of the notable ruler Pakal the Great.

The site’s intricate carvings, stelae, and hieroglyphic inscriptions provide invaluable insights into Maya history and mythology. I was honestly blown away by the Palenque ruins. I really enjoyed Monte Alban in Oaxaca, so I knew this site had a lot to live up to, and it did not disappoint!

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Palenque remains a destination where visitors can marvel at the ancient wonders while appreciating the rich cultural legacy of the Maya civilisation. The tour allows you around three hours to explore the area, which is perfect.

Visiting Palenque Ruins Without A Tour

🚎 Palenque Ruins are the easiest item on this list to visit without a tour. If you’re hugely into ruins and know you will want to spend a long time here, I recommend going on your own rather than on a tour to enable you to move at your own pace. 

Simply jump in a colectivo outside the Ado bus station which costs just 25 MXN. This takes around 25 minutes to get to the ruins, where you will need to pay 104 MXN to enter the National Park, plus 90 MXN to enter the ruins.

You can either then hop back in the colectivo to the park (if it waited) or walk up to the entrance to start your Palenque adventure!

Roberto Barrios Waterfalls

This is the lesser-known but most beautiful natural attraction in the Lacandon Jungle, offering visitors a chance to experience the region’s lush tropical environment.

Roberto Barrios features a series of cascading waterfalls flowing over limestone formations, creating picturesque landscapes and natural pools. The water in the pools is bright turquoise and crystal clear. You can swim in the pools, explore the surrounding jungle, and enjoy the serene and tranquil atmosphere.

It’s a relatively off-the-beaten-path destination compared to more famous waterfalls like Agua Azul or Misol Ha, providing a quieter and more secluded experience for those seeking a nature retreat.

Of the three, Roberto Barrios is by far my favourite! There is so much room to swim and relax, making it feel like the most authentic experience. 

I recommend taking some flip-flops you’re happy to swim in with you. Getting in and out of the water was a little challenging, but this will help prevent any cuts on the bottom of your feet. 

Visiting Roberto Barrios Without A Tour

🚎 If you’re visiting Roberto Barrios without a tour, you will need to take a shared colectivo. When we left the ruins, there were heaps of drivers that would take you back into town. From town, you can then take another direct colectivo to the Roberto Barrios falls. 

The colectivos cost around 50 MXN per person.

Palenque Day Two (Misol-Ha Waterfall & Agua Azul)

Get Your Guide Tour: Misol Ha and Agua Azul Waterfalls Tour from Palenque

Misol-Ha Waterfalls

Misol Ha is a single waterfall that drops about 35 meters (115 feet) into a natural pool below. 

You can appreciate the beauty of the cascading water from a viewing platform or take a closer look by walking behind the waterfall, as there is a cave-like area behind the water curtain. The mist generated by the falling water creates a refreshing and cool environment.

On our tour, we only had forty minutes to enjoy the falls, which I was initially very disappointed with. But this was plenty of time to walk behind the water, marvel at the falls, and take some great photographs. 

A handful of people were swimming, but most saved themselves for an afternoon at Agua Azul. 

Visiting Misol-Ha Without A Tour

🚎 You can certainly visit Misol-Ha waterfall without a tour, but expect a long, bumpy journey! There is a colectivo that runs through the centre of town, which costs 50 MXN.

When you get on, just tell the driver that you’re heading to Misol-Ha, and he will give you a shout when you’re there.

The mineral-rich water at Agua Azul gives the falls a distinctive blue colour (hence the name!), creating a visually striking landscape.

Agua Azul is by far the most popular of the three water attractions in Palenque. Because of this, it is the most built-up (With plenty of toilets, changing facilities, restaurants, and shops). 

I also didn’t find swimming as appealing in Agua Azul as in Roberto Barrios. This is because the swimming areas have much shallower water and many more crowds. However, there was no denying that the cool water was refreshing in the Palenque heat!

Visiting Agua Azul Without A Tour

🚎 If you’re visiting Agua Azul without a tour from Misol-ha waterfall, you just need to head back onto the main road and jump into the same colectivo. However, please be aware that the colectivo will drop you around 4km from the entrance site of Agua Azul. 

There will be taxis waiting here, and they will complete the last leg of the journey for around 50 MXN. 

Visiting San Cristobal de las Casas From Palenque

There are many tours offering a visit to San Cristobal de las Casas from Palenque. I honestly do not recommend this . The journey is extremely long, and if you’re not staying overnight, you won’t have more than a couple of hours in the magical city. 

San Cristobal de las Casas absolutely blew me away. There is so much to see in the city and plenty of excellent day trips. To explore the best Chiapas offers, I urge you to spend a few nights in San Cristobal de las Casas rather than visiting via a day trip.

When to Visit Palenque

The weather in Palenque is tropical, so hot all year round! March to May are the hottest months, June to October have the most rain, and November to February is considered the most pleasant. 

I visited at the start of March, and although it was very warm, it was a beautiful temperature to explore (and cool off in the falls!).

Where to Stay in Palenque, Mexico

There aren’t too many budget options in Palenque, Mexico. In fact, Palenque only has three offerings on Hostelworld. However, Palenque is still very much worth the visit and shouldn’t be missed from your Mexico itinerary!

When looking for a Pelqenque hotel, you have two main options: staying in the town or closer to the ruins. I personally recommend the first option, as you can walk to restaurants and bars in the evening. 

However, if the ruins are your priority, there are many beautiful options in the heart of the jungle (where you may even get the option to spy a Howler Monkey if you’re lucky!).

MORE MEXICO INSPIRATION:

Amazing Things to Do in Mexico City

13 Fun Things to Do in San Cristobal de Las Casas

8 Fabulous Beaches in Oaxaca

Tequila Jalisco Tour – Best Day Trip From Guadalajara

How to Get to Hierve El Agua From Oaxaca

13 Best Things to Do in Puebla, Mexico

How to See Lucha Libre in Mexico City (Without A Tour!)

Top Mexico City Travel Tips

21 Unmissable Things to Do in Oaxaca City

PIN IT FOR LATER:

All The Best Things to Do in Salento, Colombia

Tatacoa Desert Colombia: Tourist Trap or Hidden Gem?

Welcome to what amy says.

Welcome to my website!

I’m Amy, the voice behind the blog. In 2023 I left the London life behind to explore Latin America and beyond!

This website is packed with all of my travel tips, including budget guides, unique itineraries and where to find all the best food along the way.

search the site:

Popular london posts.

102 Amazing Things to do in London in 2024

14 Delicious Food Markets in London

19 Fantastic Things to Do in London Alone

East London Guide - 10 Epic East London Areas

Best Bookshops in London - 20 Amazing London Bookshops

How to Get From --> San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

Leaving from...

Going to...

What to expect when visiting Palenque

Palenque is a top destination in Mexico for archaeology and Mayan history lovers. There’s really not much to see in Palenque town, but its jungles are another story. Palenque’s real attraction lies in the archaeological ruins hidden within the rainforest, just 20 minutes outside of town.

The whole complex has an Indiana Jones feel to it. Its structures are impressive, but they are unfortunately not as well-preserved as Chichen Itza. Still, some people actually prefer the ruins in Palenque because you’re able to climb on them, literally taking the experience to whole new heights.

Road Safety from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque are two of the most famous destinations in Mexico and have a good safety record.

However, there have been some issues regarding the roads in between these towns, particularly the one from San Cristobal to Ocosingo . This route is infamous for its roadblocks and has had several incidents of robbery.

Alternative route via Villahermosa

Thankfully, there is a good alternative route to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque , which is via Villahermosa. This town is part of a different state (Tabasco) and is much safer.

The route via Villahermosa takes 7 to 9.5 hours, a bit longer than the direct route via Ocosingo , which is just 5 to 6 hours. But we think the security of the Villahermosa route is well worth the extra time.

To be clear, the road via Villahermosa also has occasional roadblocks. But they happen only once in a while, unlike the daily roadblocks in Ocosingo. Also, more cars and public transport operate on this route so if ever there is a roadblock, you most probably won’t be alone.

Buses take a safer route than taxis

Bus operators know the dangers of passing through Ocosingo, so they only take the route via Villahermosa. However, taxis and some other private transfers often prefer the shorter route via Ocosingo.

To be fair, taxi’s normally travel in a convoy as a form of defence. They travel on a short line of minivan shuttles and other private transfers for safety. Still, the convoy isn’t always effective, so we would recommend asking the taxi driver to take the route via Villahermosa instead.

Renting a car?

Driving on your own from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque is possible, but we don’t recommend it.

Buses and taxis are safer as you will have a local driver who knows the area very well. They are trained to take the safest roads and know how to act in case they drive into a roadblock.

But if you’ve already decided on renting your own car, then make sure you take the Villahermosa route. Study the route beforehand too. Some roads can be very bumpy and it always pays to be prepared!

If you drive via Ocosingo and in just one car (not as a part of a convoy), you’re an easy target.

Why we don’t recommend travelling via Ocosingo

• Roadblocks . You will pass by some of the poorest towns in Mexico. The locals have created roadblocks to be like toll gates. For each roadblock, you will be asked to pay around 100 MXN ($5.20) to be able to pass. You will encounter several of them along the way. Prepare your 100-peso bills beforehand so you won’t have to get them from your wallet (or they might take your entire wallet too).
• Robbery . This isn’t common, but there have been instances of robbery and you can easily be the next victim. It has even happened to a convoy of 2 cars before. The cars were stopped and everything of value was taken away. We don’t think it’s worth taking the chance when there is a safer route via Villahermosa.
• Narco territory. The road between Ocosingo and San Cristobal is a well-known Narco territory, as well as the base of a few political and militant groups. Their enemy is the government, not the tourists. But that also means the government has very little control over this area.
• No order . Because of low government presence, if anything happens to you, you are most likely on your own. Authorities may not be able to help you to take back your lost things or post a complaint for an injury. There have been incidents where the government even covered up crimes to stop any further investigation.

While speed is important, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. For guaranteed safety, always pick the Villahermosa route.

2 ways to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

Where to stay in palenque.

Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Palenque at the bottom of this page.

San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque by Bus

There are 3 bus departures from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque every day – one at noon and two at night. These buses are operated by OCC, a sub-branch of Mexico’s most popular bus company (ADO). OCC offers first-class buses that include AC, reclining seats and a toilet.

Looking to save time as well as a night on accommodation? Then go for the night bus. If you are a good sleeper, you will be able to get a good night’s rest and wake up the next morning in your new destination.

The buses do make a few stops along the way where you’ll be able to stretch your legs and go to the toilet.

A bus ticket costs 420 MXN ($22) and the fastest bus can complete the journey in around 8h 45m.

Bus schedule from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

One of the worst things when travelling is turning up at the station and finding out there are no tickets left. As tickets can sell out quickly, we recommend booking in advance to secure a seat.

Bus departure in San Cristobal de las Casas

Buses to Palenque depart from the Main Bus Terminal in San Cristobal de las Casas , just a 10-minute walk from the town’s main square.

You can also get to the terminal by taxi that takes around 5 minutes from the city centre. Rates start at 40 MXN ($2.10).

Bus arrival in Palenque

Once you arrive in Palenque, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal . There are a number of accommodation options within a short walking distance from the bus station.

If you’re staying outside of town, or just don’t want to walk around with all your luggage, the best option is to take a taxi with rates starting from 60 MXN ($3.10).

San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque by Taxi

When taking a taxi or other forms of private transfers from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque, you can choose which way to take: via Villahermosa or via Ocosingo.

We won’t get tired of saying this: pick the Villahermosa route. It really is the more logical option especially if you’re travelling with kids.

The safer route via Villahermosa is more expensive

Because the way via Villahermosa is longer, it is also more expensive. Travel time is around 7 hours and rates start from around 5,000 MXN ($260) for a 3-seater car, about 1,340 MXN ($70) pricier compared to a taxi ride through Ocosingo.

This is why many taxi operators and travel agencies choose to take the 6-hour Ocosingo route. There are roadblocks, but the drivers are trained to react and deal with the locals.

They also know the safest roads, so most of the time you can really complete the trip by just paying a few hundred pesos extra. But don’t expect to get any peace of mind throughout the journey.

Recommended taxi companies

We recommend travelling with Taxi Seguro San Cristobal for an affordable and secure ride. Taxi rates from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque via Ocosingo start from 4,380 MXN ($230). That’s for a car that can seat 3 people.

Travelling with more people? You can also get a 9-seater shuttle from Wayak for 7,100 MXN ($370).

Note that you can always ask taxi operators to take you via Villahermosa for an additional cost (which we think is worth every penny). If time and budget are more important to you, make sure to be very prepared when taking the way through Ocosingo.

Safety tips when travelling via Ocosingo

• Pick a trusted taxi company. We don’t advise just hailing a taxi from the street. Pick one that receives good reviews or ask your hotel’s staff to help you find a trusted ride.
• Ask if they’re travelling in a convoy. Many tour operators choose to travel on a convoy when taking on the Ocosingo route. Make sure that your taxi driver plans to join one. If he doesn’t, find another taxi.
• Secure your valuables. Hide all gadgets and anything flashy (especially jewellery!).
• Separate a few 100-peso bills (96 MXN ($5)) from the rest of your cash. This way, you can easily pay for roadblocks without showing all your money. A wallet full of cash can be very tempting for the hungry locals.
• Look brave, not fierce. One wrong look can piss off the locals. Try to look calm and confident, but be careful not to seem annoyed, aggressive, or even scared.
• Travel during the day. No taxi will want to travel at night anyway. That would be like asking for trouble.

Taxi options from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

Best places to stay in palenque.

Hotel Chan-Kah Resort Village - Treating Yourself

If you’re looking to treat yourself, Chan Kah Resort is one of the best places to do that in Palenque. You can give yourself the gift of relaxation without the expensive price tag. Plus, you can speed up the relaxation process with a delightful massage at the onsite spa facilities, or by enjoying a drink at their bar.

Possibly the best part, as you splash around in the lagoon-style pools, you’ll be able to hear the monkeys cry in the jungle trees all around you. Alternatively, you can enjoy the jungle symphony whilst enjoying dinner in one of the two restaurants.

• Bungalow-style rooms
• Situated within the jungle
• Spa facilities
• Large swimming pools

Double rooms start from  $80  per night

Check Available Rooms

Hotel Chablis Palenque - Mid Range

The central courtyard of the hotel truly feels like a magical oasis, with its palm trees and thriving greenery. And you’ll find not only a swimming pool, but also a hot tub. You won’t ever want to leave, and don’t have to, with their on-site restaurant that serves both delicious international and local dishes.

Located a short walk from the bus station, you won’t need to be dragging your luggage all around town. It’s location also makes your visit to Palenque ruins easy and convenient.

• 15 minutes from Palenque ruins
• Close to the bus station
• On-site restaurant
• Outdoor swimming pool and hot tub

Double rooms between  $40-$80  per night

Cabañas Bambután - Budget Friendly

When you think of Palenque, the ruins surrounded by jungle immediately come to mind. Staying at Cabanas Bambutan is the perfect way to experience Palenque, surrounded by nothing but nature and wildlife.

Their bamboo-style buildings help you to feel connected to nature, whilst still providing ultimate comfort and a good nights sleep. Enjoy a drink at their onsite bar or chill out in the lush gardens.

• Unique accommodation
• Friendly and helpful staff
• Surrounded by nature

Double rooms start from  $15-40  per night

Frequently Asked Questions about San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque

What is the distance from san cristobal de las casas to palenque.

The distance from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque is 220 kilometers (137 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque?

The fastest way to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque is by taxi and takes 5h 5m.

What is the cheapest way to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque?

The cheapest way to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque is by bus with ticket costs starting from 420 MXN ($22).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Cristobal de las Casas to Palenque . If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!

Palenque Travel Guides

The Ultimate Palenque Travel Guide

5 Best Things to Do in Palenque

Routes from Palenque

Palenque to Bacalar

Palenque to San Cristobal de las Casas

Palenque to Merida

Most popular routes in Mexico

Cancun to Chichen Itza (and back)

• Cancun to Cozumel
• Cancun to Isla Holbox

Cancun to Isla Mujeres (and back)

• Cancun to Merida
• Cancun to Tulum
• Playa del Carmen to Tulum

Join the Gecko Routes Community

Get the best travel tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Was this post helpful?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 7

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post didn't meet your expectations.

Your feedback is very valueable to us

What was missing in this post? (TIP: If you want us to reply to your feedback, you can leave your email in this text box.)

• Facebook Messenger

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Explore more
• 5 Best Things to Do in Pale...
• The Ultimate Palenque Trave...
• Palenque To Bacalar
• Palenque To Merida
• Palenque To San Cristobal D...
• Cancun to Chichen Itza (and...
• Cancun to Isla Mujeres (and...

To enhance your experience on our website, we utilize cookies. By browsing our site, you agree to our cookie use. For details, please read our privacy policy .

4 Best Ways to get from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque, Mexico

This article may be sponsored or include a provided product or affiliate link. See the footer and  Affiliate Disclaimer  for full details.

You can get from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque by bus, private transfer, rental car, or taxi.

The cheapest option to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is by OCC bus , which costs USD 31. The journey takes about 9 hours and 15 minutes.

The most popular option is also the OCC bus since it provides convenience at a very affordable price.

The fastest way to travel to Palenque from San Cristóbal de las Casas is by private transfer, rental car, or taxi , which takes about 6 hours.

Mexico’s vibrant landscapes and cultures have lured me in repeatedly, each journey revealing new secrets of transit within its borders.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best tips and tricks I’ve accumulated to ensure smooth and memorable travels across this captivating country. Dive in and get ready for the adventure!

Check our guide for the best options to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque.

Table of Contents

Transportation Options from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque

The following table outlines all transportation options from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque:

How far is Palenque from San Cristóbal de las Casas?

The distance from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is 132.4 miles or 213.1 kilometers. It takes around 6 hours to get from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque by car.

Getting to Palenque from San Cristóbal de las Casas

1. occ coach bus from san cristóbal de las casas to palenque.

Journey Duration: 9 hours 15 minutes

The OCC Coach Bus is one of the most popular transportation options from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque in Mexico ! 

The OCC Coach Bus is a reliable and comfortable way to travel approximately 213 kilometers between the two cities.

The OCC Coach Bus company offers two departures daily from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque, with a travel time of approximately 9 hours due to their safer route via Villahermosa.

The buses have air conditioning, comfortable seats, and restrooms, ensuring a pleasant journey.

The bus route from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque offers stunning views of the Chiapas state’s lush green landscapes and picturesque towns along the way. 

To take the OCC Coach Bus, you can purchase your tickets online in advance here!

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque OCC Coach Bus Schedule

The table below displays the OCC bus timetable for trips from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque , detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.

2. Private Transfer from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque

Journey Duration: 6-7 hours

Another transportation option to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque in Mexico is a private transfer! 

A private transfer allows travelers to customize their itinerary and travel at their own pace, making it an ideal option for families or groups of friends.

Private transfers are typically arranged through local tour operators or transportation companies, and travelers can choose the type of vehicle that suits their needs.

The advantages of a private transfer are numerous. Firstly, travelers can enjoy the comfort and convenience of having a private vehicle with a professional driver who will pick them up from their hotel or a designated meeting point and take them directly to their destination in Palenque.

Some tour operators offer bilingual guides who can provide insights into the area’s history, culture, and geography, enhancing the travel experience.

While private transfers may cost more than public transportation options like buses, they can be cost-effective for larger groups. Travelers can split the private transfer cost among the group members, making it an affordable and convenient option!

Prices for a private transfer from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque:

• Up to 3 passengers: USD 261
• Up to 8 passengers: USD 366

3. Driving with a Rental Car from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque

Journey Duration: ~6 hours

A third transportation option from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque in Mexico is renting a car. Renting a car is ideal for those who prefer the independence and freedom to explore the Chiapas region on schedule.

Several car rental companies, including well-known international brands, operate in San Cristóbal de las Casas. 

The driving distance between San Cristóbal de las Casas and Palenque is approximately 213 kilometers, and the journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the route taken. 

The most popular route is via Villahermosa, which is the longer route, but it is much safer than taking the route via Ocosingo. Analyze the route in advance as well.

Travelers renting a car should ensure they have a valid driver’s license and familiarize themselves with local traffic laws and regulations.

Although we don’t recommend renting a car due to safety concerns in the area, this option also has its advantages. One advantage of renting a car is the flexibility to stop at local attractions or scenic spots along the way.

Rentalcars compares 900 companies at over 53,000 locations. Click here to guarantee you the best car rental price.

4. Taxi from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque

A taxi is The last transportation option from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque in Mexico. 

Taxis can be found in San Cristóbal de las Casas at designated taxi stands or by hailing them on the street. However, we don’t recommend hailing a random taxi but instead finding a reliable taxi company that will ensure your safety. 

Negotiating the fare before beginning the journey is important, as some drivers may attempt to overcharge tourists. The fare for a taxi ride from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque may vary, but expect to pay somewhere around USD 180.

However, it is essential to note that you should ask your driver to take the route via Villahermosa possibly. Although this route is longer and might cost you more, taking the Ocosingo route is generally considered unsafe.

So, choose a reputable taxi driver or company, and ensure that the taxi is adequately maintained and insured for a safe and comfortable journey from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque!

Best day tours in Palenque, Mexico

Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.

Here, you can find some of the  best tours in Palenque, Mexico .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to travel from san cristóbal de las casas to palenque.

The cheapest way to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is by coach bus. The OCC Coach Bus operator offers bus tickets for only USD 31!

What is the fastest way to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque?

The fastest way to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque is by car. Traveling this distance by car will take you about 6 hours.

Are there any tolls on the highway from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque?

Yes, there are tolls on the highway from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque, and the cost varies depending on the type of vehicle.

Is it safe to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque?

Yes, it is generally safe to travel from San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque. However, if you’re traveling independently, we do not recommend taking the route via Ocosingo due to roadblocks, robbery, and other safety concerns in some of the narco territories in the area.

Can I purchase bus tickets in advance?

Yes, you can purchase your bus tickets in advance online here!

Are there any recommended taxi companies or drivers?

Choosing a reputable taxi company or driver is recommended, and negotiating the fare beforehand to avoid overcharging. Some popular San Cristóbal de las Casas taxi companies include Taxi Seguro and Wayak.

More Routes from San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Agua Azul Waterfall

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Misol-Ha

San Cristóbal de Las Casas to Palenque Ruins

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Montebello Lakes

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Palenque

San Cristóbal de las Casas to Bonampak

• About the Author

AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica , Transportation in Mexico , Transport in Guatemala , Transport in Peru , and Transport in Thailand .

Expertises: Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand

Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo , an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in  Transport in Costa Rica ,  Transportation in Mexico ,  Transport in Guatemala ,  Transport in Peru , and  Transport in Thailand .

Expertises: Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Change Location

Find awesome listings near you.

San Cristobal & Palenque Holidays

The southern state of Chiapas is one of the most fascinating regions of all Mexico, combining as it does rich tropical forests. dramatic canyons, multi-coloured lakes, indigenous Mayan villages and the ruins of Palenque, with a jungle setting that makes it arguably the most atmospheric and beautiful of all the Mayan sites.

San Cristobal de las Casas

San Cristobal de las Casas is a characteristically indigenous Chiapaneca town nestled in the heart of the jungle highlands. Reach San Cristobal in a two-hour drive from Tuxtla Gutierrez via the spectacular Sumidero Canyon. En route, the tropical heat and vegetation gradually give way to the cooler mountain air and pine forests that surround San Cristobal.

In the foothills of the Tumbala mountains, the ancient Maya site of Palenque sits on a ledge overlooking the swampy plains that stretch northward all the way to the Gulf coast. Palenque was at its height between 500 and 700 AD, when its influence extended throughout the basin of the Usumacinta River. The elegance and craftsmanship of the buildings, as well as the lightness of the sculpted reliefs with their Mayan mythological themes, attest to the creative genius of this civilization.

Yaxchilan and Bonampak

For the more adventurous and those who wish to explore the lesser visited Mayan sites, journey further south to the Guatemalan border to Yaxchilan and Bonampak. Accommodation is basic and roads are bumpy but it does provide a good overland route into northern Guatemala towards Flores area and the site of Tikal.

A tour to San Cristobal and Palenque is a great way of discovering all the spectacular Mayan sites in this southern region for those who are fascinated by the history and architecture of the Maya civilisation.

Kristen Lanskail-Morris

Travel Specialist

Explore Mexico

Mexico combinations.

Magical Mexico

Mexico is filled with ancient traditions, rich history, gorgeous natural beauty and delicious cuisine. Travel across Mex...

Quinta Cha Nab Nal

Only three kilometres from the archaeological site of Palenque, this luxury resort evokes a Mayan palace complex of the ...

Parador San Juan de Dios

Parador San Juan de Dios is a peaceful and pretty retreat, only a 10 minute walk from the centre of San Cristobal de las...

Casa del Alma

Located in the heart of the historic centre of the magical city of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Casa del Alma Hote...

Diego de Mazariegos

Diego de Mazariegos is the epitome of colonial style, evident in the beautiful architecture of the hotel. Using traditio...

Chan-Kah Palenque

Rustic in style, Chan-Kah Palenque is conveniently situated close to the Palenque UNESCO ruins. Awarded four ecological ...

Casa Mexicana

Casa Mexicana has a central location in the beautiful colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico’s moun...

Marvellous Mexico & Beach

On this vibrant tour take in the highlights of Mexico City, explore the heartlands in the Chiapas region and visit all t...

Looking for inspiration?

You'll find expert travel guides, holiday ideas and insider tips now on the Rainbow blog

How to be a Responsible Tourist

Best Time of Year to Visit Chile: Going from North to South

Kirindy Forest - Endangered Wildlife among the Baobabs

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts.

• We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
• Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
• We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

• You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
• We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
• Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

• We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
• For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
• We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe for our newsletter and to hear about exciting offers and experiences

Stay in Touch

Rainbow Tours is part of ITC travel group and is a trading name of International Travel Connections Limited, Bridgetown House, 80 Lower Bridge Street, Chester, CH1 1RU Registered in England No. 01030986 Vat No. GB 203 9167 24

Make an Enquiry

We just need a few details about your trip so we can create a bespoke quote for you.

Your travel plans

Thanks for your enquiry.

You're one step closer to your next wild and wonderful adventure.

One of our knowledgeable Travel Specialists will now be assigned to your enquiry. They'll contact you as soon as possible to share their expert knowledge and start planning your trip.

In the meantime, why not find out more about our responsible tourism efforts?

Thanks for your brochure request

Your brochure is on its way.