Top Things to do in Palenque
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What to do and see in Palenque, Chiapas: The Best Archaeology Tours
Discover the best top things to do in Palenque, Mexico including Palenque Archaeological Site from Villahermosa, PALENQUE MAYAN RUINS (Private), PALENQUE RUINS, AGUA AZUL and MISOL-HA WATER FALLS (Private), 5 Days Mayan Heritage visit Tulum Kohunlich Chicanna Becan Misol-Ha Palenque Edzna Uxmal and Chichen Itza, Bonampak and Yaxchilán from Palenque, Palenque and Jungle Waterfalls from Tuxtla Gutierrez, Day Trip to Agua Azul Waterfalls and Palenque from San Cristobal, 8-Day Best of Mexico Tour: Mexico City to Cancun, Lacandona Jungle, Yaxchilan and Bonampak Day Trip from Palenque, Palenque Archaeological Site from Palenque.
Restaurants in Palenque
1. Palenque Archaeological Site from Villahermosa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Visit the incredible archaeological site of Palenque, declared as a World Heritage list by UNESCO. Your tour includes guided visits to the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Temple of the Foliated Cross, and the palace belonging to Maya royalty. If option selected, take in the beauty of the mountain landscapes around Palenque and visit Cascadas de Agua Azul, where you'll descend on foot to the stunning waterfalls, with time for swimming in a deep pool at the base of jungle-covered cliffs (if the weather allows). Travel on an air-conditioned vehicle round-trip to Villahermosa.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Local guide, Entrance Fee
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By pedroCali
We had a great tour with Juan Carlos. He was very knowledgeable and had a wonderful personality. We had an awesome time on the tour at Parque La Venta and then got to see more artifacts at the museum. Definitely recommend!
2. PALENQUE MAYAN RUINS (Private)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Located on the first rise of the Tumbala mountains, Palenque archaeological site looks out over the Usumacinta River flood plain. Here you’ll be confronted by the largest Mesoamerican step pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, spotted with hieroglyphics that have contributed significantly to the study of Mayan civilization. It is considered one of the most emblematic mayan site having been the empire of Pakal, Governor, Warrior and God of Mayan Civilization.
Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Everything not included in the list "What`s Included".
Reviewed By nparmelee
Salvatore was very knowledgeable and gave us a great day! He was flexible in the order we did things, suggested Tulum first before it got too hot, then lunch, Coba and then a Cenote. For us this was perfect! We all (2 couples) felt like we learned something and got some great insights to the Mayan culture and lively conversation during the drives. Absolutely recommend this tour!
3. PALENQUE RUINS, AGUA AZUL and MISOL-HA WATER FALLS (Private)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Located on the first rise of the Tumbala mountains, Palenque archaeological site looks out over the Usumacinta River flood plain. Here you’ll be confronted by the largest Mesoamerican step pyramid, the Temple of Inscriptions, spotted with hieroglyphics that have contributed significantly to the study of Mayan civilization. It is considered one of the most emblematic mayan site having been the empire of Pakal, Governor, Warrior and God of Mayan Civilization. The Misol Ha Waterfall is a worthy representative of the eco-tourism of Chiapas, which offers a unique experience where the interaction with the flora and fauna of the place is the most important element. The Cascadas de Agua Azul (Spanish for “Blue Water Waterfall”) are found near the Municipality of Tumbalá, in the middle of the Chiapas rainforest. It consists of many cataracts following one after another in the Cascadas de Agua Azul Natural Park. The larger cataracts may be about 6 meters (20 ft.) high.
Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Everything not included in the list "What`s Included"
Reviewed By nparmelee
Salvatore was very knowledgeable and gave us a great day! He was flexible in the order we did things, suggested Tulum first before it got too hot, then lunch, Coba and then a Cenote. For us this was perfect! We all (2 couples) felt like we learned something and got some great insights to the Mayan culture and lively conversation during the drives. Absolutely recommend this tour!
4. 5 Days Mayan Heritage visit Tulum Kohunlich Chicanna Becan Misol-Ha Palenque Edzna Uxmal and Chichen Itza
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 10 reviews
This 5 days tour has been specially created for all those people interested in knowing more about the south east of Mexico. A trip back in time to learn more about one of the greatest civilization ever: The MAYAS. We will visit: Tulum, Kohunlich, Chicanna, Becan, Misol-Ha, Palenque, Edzna, Uxmal and Chichen Itzá and a few beautiful colonial towns along the way. Our hotels rates are 3 star comfortable hotels for 4 nights. The type of vehicle used for this trip is regularly a comfortable Ford Transit Van with capacity of either 6 or 12 people depending on the number of reservations.
Inclusions: 4 nights accommodation. Hotels: Calakmul Xpujil (Night 1), Nutuntun Hotel (Night 2), H177 Hotel (Night 3) and Gran Real Yucatan or Los Aluxes Hotel (Night 4), All admissions to the archaeological sites, All activities, Driver/guide, Guaranteed departure with at least 2 passengers booked.
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Meals during the trip are NOT included but our staff will surely recommend some great places where to eat along the way., Gratuities
Reviewed By Bettybetty714
I dealt with Pepe for the reservation piece and he was very professional. I traveled with a party of 7 family members. We decided to go with private tours to go at our own pace and have the flexibility of customizing. We took a private tour to Chichen Itza one day and a private tour to Coba and Tulum another day. Manuel was our guide and Jose was the driver and both a pleasure to have. Manuel was extremely knowledgeable.
5. Bonampak and Yaxchilán from Palenque
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 7 reviews
Visit Bonampak with its fascinating murals and high quality ancient Mayan frescoes as the main attractions. The pyramids are surrounded by the colors and sounds of the Jungle of Chiapas called also the Lacandon Forest. Yaxchilán is an splendid setting of an evergreen forest blanketing a magnificent archaeological site famous for its statuary art, stelae and lintels. The Maya took to building the terrain of a peninsula surrounded by a meandering river. This is a shared service.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Local Breakfast, Lunch
Exclusions: Drinks
Reviewed By The6marbles
Agua Azul is fabulous. It’s waterfall after waterfall and so expansive. There are multiple places to swim as well as a rope swing that we used to jump in. Lots of vendors and food. You can easily spend the day at the falls.
6. Palenque and Jungle Waterfalls from Tuxtla Gutierrez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Enjoy a wonderful combo tour as you visit magical places filled with beauty. You'll see the turquoise waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-Há plus the incredible archaeological site of Palenque (Named by Unesco as World Heritage Site). The time spent at the archaeological site is approximately 2.30 hours, Misolha is 45 minutes and Agua Azul is 1.5 hours. Your tour includes transport and a professional guide.
Inclusions: National Park fees, Breakfast, Driver, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Box Lunch
Exclusions: Additional food and drink
Reviewed By lfreede
So beautiful, an amazing experience and a perfect day! Almost didn't see it because of the wind, so it is not always a guaranteed excursion. The government can close it, even if it is a beautiful day, but the winds are higher. They opened after we thought we would miss it. Don't miss it!
7. Day Trip to Agua Azul Waterfalls and Palenque from San Cristobal
Overall Ratings
3.8 based on 20 reviews
This day let yourself be impressed by the beautiful natural beauties of the waterfalls of Agua Azul and the wonderful Mayan constructions in the archaeological site of Palenque.
Inclusions: National Park fees, Hotel pickup, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Spanish driver
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel drop-off, Guide
Reviewed By Tigerlileeee
My only regret in all my time in Mexico. Was told I’d be picked uo at my hostel at 8 AM and dropped off at my hostel at 8 PM. Was told to bring a swimsuit. First half of day was fine, driving then enjoying El Chiflon (although the tour description says that the lakes come first and the waterfall after). The nature itself is incredible but DO NOT take this tour from this company. My advice - if at all possible take a collectivo, go on your own & camp there!! After the waterfall, it was more driving and then our driver says we are going to stop for lunch. He pulled over on the side of the highway where there are a lineup of five eateries that literally have photocopied the exact same menu on their wall. Which means you have the option of one. This photocopied menu had only four options. Meat, meat, meat, or cheese. I bought a beer and since I didn’t have smaller change, handed the lady a 50 pesos bill. She cracked open the beer for me, took my money, walked away, I took a sip and she never came back. 50 pesos for a beer. I was expecting 20 tops! Truly highway robbery. Incidentally, only about half a kilometer further down the highway there are numerous restaurants with vegan, vegetarian, meat, and seafood options available to please everyone’s pallet but this was not offered as an option. WHY? We continued on our way driving until eventually coming to the Montebello Lakes. We were told ahead of time that there would be an option to rent a small wooden boat to take you around the lake. We arrived at the lakes at 4:10 PM. This can be confirmed by the timestamp on the first photograph I took there which was the first thing I did upon arrival. You get out of the bus and are funneled down a staircase which leads to a concrete platform that ends in water with all the wooden boats lined up against it. No beach, no sand, no water access. We were told we had one hour. One hour to choose to pay the additional for the boat or sit on our butts on the concrete platform and do nothing. No swimming allowed. In order to swim, you have to pay the additional for one of the boats who then will take you to a beach where they permit you to swim. It is a monopoly. Everyone was under the impression that after sitting in a hot bus sweating for 8 hours minus the 2 hrs @ the waterfall in order to reach the lakes, of course we would be able to swim in the “crystal waters”! This is not the case. 7 persons in our group, after being really upset by this, eventually decided to give in and just rent the boat. That meant they were a couple minutes late returning. But only a couple. Meanwhile, Antonio the driver loads the rest of us into the van and drives away. Since I was the only one on the tour who didn’t speak a word of Spanish, I was not in a position to stop him. He drove up the highway a ways and told people they could get out and take a photo before coming back approximately 20 minutes later. The group of 7 were ranging between furious and about to bawl. They were absolutely freaking out because they thought that they had been altogether abandoned near the Guatemala border. Antonio laughed. We then left around 5:30 to drive back to San Cris where we arrived at 8:40 PM. Antonio at that time then Merli parked the van somewhere in the city and told us to get out. When I protested that I had paid to be dropped off at my hostile he extremely sarcastically said, “Finished!” & told me to get out of the van. Interesting that he knew this word since the entire day I hadn’t a clue what was going on as he made no effort to tell me even through sign language where we were, where to go, how long we would be there or anything. I had to ask for interpretation from fellow guests. At this point, having taken multitude of photos throughout the day, the battery on my phone was at 4%. I rely on my phone for directions. If my phone had of been dead I would’ve had no way to message anyone or find my way back to my hostile that night. Thankfully, it held out to 2% battery power by the time I found walked back to my hostel. I followed up this tour with a visit to their office and spoke with who I presume to be the manager. He listened to me and then he called Antonio. He came back and told me that “Antonio said” we were at the lakes for four hours, that drop off to the hostel was not included, and that no one ever told me I could swim at the lakes. Clearly Antonio knows he can lie and say whatever he wants about what happens on the trips and that his boss will believe him over any customer. Even when faced with proof of my photographs timestamp. The manager couldn’t care less that his driver was rude to me, he couldn’t care less about the suggestion of having more options to eat that would please more people would make his business better, he couldn’t care less that his trip description is misleading and has no intention of changing it, and he couldn’t care less that Antonio left seven people behind to think that they were stranded. Lagunas de Montebello is absolutely stunning. El Chiflon waterfall is the prettiest I’ve seen in my life. That’s Gods work. This review is for the company and the men. They deserve zero stars. Please don’t support such bad business.
8. 8-Day Best of Mexico Tour: Mexico City to Cancun
Overall Ratings
3.6 based on 14 reviews
Why fly from Mexico City straight to Cancun when you can make your way there on this convenient eight-day tour, stopping at some of Mexico’s most important historical and cultural sites? From Mexico City, you'll make your way to the famous Mayan ruins of the Yucatán Peninsula, stopping along the way in fascinating places like the ancient city of Palenque and the pretty town of Campeche. End your tour relaxing on the breathtaking Caribbean beaches of Cancun or the Mayan Riviera.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, 2 nights accommodation in Mexico City, 1 night accommodation in Palenque, 1 night accommodation in Campeche, 1 night accommodation in Mérida, 2 night accommodation in Cancun, Local flight CDMX-Villahermosa, Airport transfers in Mexico City (arrival) and Cancun (departure), Bilingual English/Spanish-speaking guide, Lodging taxes
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities
Reviewed By Ksksksksks
Festive weekend atmosphere, plenty of artisanal shops inside this monetary bazaar. Fresh tacos Made in the courtyard, beer, live music.
9. Lacandona Jungle, Yaxchilan and Bonampak Day Trip from Palenque
Overall Ratings
3.6 based on 12 reviews
Enjoy nature in the Lacandona Jungle and explore the ruins of Bonampak and Yaxchilan. This is an experience in middle of the jungle that you will not forget. Visit the ruins of Yaxchilán (2 hours) , take a boat through the impressive Usumacinta River (50 minutes) and visit Bonampak (2 hours), admiring the whole past of the Maya
Inclusions: National Park fees, Breakfast, Lunch, Driver, Local guide for archaeological site of Bonampak and Yaxchilan, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Fluvial Transportation (Boat ride to Yaxchilan)
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By lfreede
So beautiful, an amazing experience and a perfect day! Almost didn't see it because of the wind, so it is not always a guaranteed excursion. The government can close it, even if it is a beautiful day, but the winds are higher. They opened after we thought we would miss it. Don't miss it!
10. Palenque Archaeological Site from Palenque
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 3 reviews
Visit the archaeological site of Palenque, declared as a World Heritage list by UNESCO. Your full-day tour includes guided visits to the Temple of the Inscriptions, the Temple of the Foliated Cross, and the palace belonging to Maya royalty. Round-trip hotel transport and admission fees are included.
Inclusions: Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Entrance Fee
Exclusions: Food and drinks
Reviewed By 503zbyn_kk
It was great experience in Yaxchilán, Bonampak and Lacandon Jungle, many thanks our guide and driver!
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