Explore Palenque: A Majestic Maya Archaeological Wonder
The magic of southern Mexico
Palenque is one of the first references that comes to mind when talking about the Mayan culture and its many vestiges, which we can still visit in southern Mexico. Before planning your adventure in the archaeological zone, let’s talk about the city that is home to it.
Palenque, Chiapas, is a Pueblo Mágico (Magical Town) about six hours driving from Tuxtla Gutiérrez, four and a half from Campeche and a couple of hours from Villahermosa, Tabasco’s capital. It is right in the tropical jungle so the first thing that will catch your eye is the vegetation’s deep green that invades the landscape and the always floating humidity.
How is the weather in Palenque?
The climate in Palenque is hot and humid almost all year round; its average temperature is 26°C (79°F), although it can reach almost 40 °C (104°F) in spring. In summer the rain is constant so prepare your raincoat if you decide to travel there that season.
Although Palenque wrote its history since prehispanic times, the city that houses the archaeological zone was founded in 1567 as Santo Domingo de Palenque by Friar Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada, a Dominican missionary who decided to unify the “Choles” families that inhabited the Lacandon Jungle. Priest Antonio Solís discovered the Zona Arqueológica de Palenque (archaeological zone of Palenque) in 1740.
Explore the colonial past of Chiapas
Palenque is a small city in which some vestiges of that Colonial past are preserved. Before discovering its charms, let its gastronomy conquer you when you try the traditional Chiapas chipilín or chaya tamales, the shote with momo (traditional soup) and penchuques of chicharrón shis; cool the heat with a refreshing corn-cocoa-achiote-sugar-cinnamon drink called “tascalate” or a “pozol”.
Of course, if any honey product crosses your path, give yourself the opportunity to try it because in southern Mexico you can find some of the best beekeepers. Amber is one of the materials that artisans work a lot and you can see it in beautiful pieces of jewelry. The color and precision of their embroidery is another of the crafts that you shouldn’t miss.
