Palenque

[Steve O]

Palenque is located in the mountains of Chiapas. It's about a 7 to 8 hour drive from Play del Carmen. I would suggest 3 to 4 days if you want to make the trip. You will travel through the states of Quintana Roo, Campeche, Tobasco, and into Chiapas. You can make the drive in one day but why hurry? There is so much to see along the way. Just head south on Hwy 307 towards Chetumal then connect with Hwy 186 to Escarcega and on to Palenque. Palenque is a good size town and the ruins are not far away. I could suggest places to stay but everyone has their own taste. The ruins are located in an actual Tarzan type jungle. I won't bother you with to many photos as you can easily do a search online and find them. What is great about the area is the other places you can also see. Agua Clara, Misol Ha, and Agua Azul. Don't forget this is magical mushroom country along with howler monkeys. Once you have heard one of those in the wild you will never forget it. Jurassic Park typ of thing.


Lots of trails and paths to take,


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/NEXTSET040palenqueswinningbridge.jpg



One of the Pyramids.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/NEXTSET012palenquepyramid.jpg



I like to sleep in the jungle.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/FEB075palenquehammock.jpg



Don't forget it is mushroom country.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/NEXTSET090Palenquemushrooms.jpg

[Steve O]

You have to see the water fall at Misol Ha. You can get a cabin looking at the falls for $280 pesos a night with hot water and a toilet seat.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE515misolhafalls.jpg


Agua Azul is also beautiful. You can hike for a day or more along the cascades. It's a sight to behold.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE534aguaazul.jpg



Then there is a little known site called Agua Clara. The suspension bridge leads to a small village.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE549aguaclara6.jpg



Once you climb up to it, you have to cross over.


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE545aguaclara4.jpg

[AdGuy]

Wow! What an incredible place!! While we won't have a chance to visit this area during our upcoming trip in December, we'll put in on "the list" for a future visit.

And you're right about howler monkey screams...you never forget them. We first encountered a troup in Costa Rica while floating down a river in a raft. The group was in the trees and contained many females (with infants). As you can imagine, the alpha male was not pleased with our crossing into his territory and, in addition to yelling loudly, started throwing branches at our boat!! :eek:

Add in the spider monkeys who try to rob you blind and the poison tree frogs and it was one wild ride. Hopefully, we'll be able to hear them (and maybe even catch a glimpse of them) when we visit the Monkey Lagoon.

[austxdan]

Awesome photos Steve.

Looks like you had quite an adventure. Thanks for sharing.



Dan

[Gale in KY]

Incredible shots! I have wanted to see Misol Ha and Agua Azul for the longest time, but could never tear myself away from the white sand and aqua water. What's the distance from Palenque to Misol..would staying at the cabins there be convenient for visiting the Palenque or would I need to move around?

[Steve O]

Gale....They are all within 45 minutes of the ruins. The cabins are rustic and set in the jungle. After Misol Ha closes for the day you get the waterfall to yourself. You can swim underneath it if you like. I've been to Palenque 6 times now and have stayed in town, at the ruins, and at Misol Ha. All the places are nice. The drive up the mountain is spectacular. You enter Zapatist territory and some of the small villages make for great side trips. As long as you are in the area you might want to continue on to San Cristobal de las Casas and then to the Lagos de Montebello on the Guatemala boarder.


Cabins at Misol Ha


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE525misolhacabanas.jpg


Zapatist territory


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/STEVE499zapatistaterritory.jpg


The market at San Cristobal


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/FEB191sancristobalmercadoroosters.jpg


Lagos de Montebello


http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b149/fypons/FEB196lagosdemontebellolake.jpg


There is always something new to see around the next corner. Hope you make it there.

[Ginger]

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

We loved Palenque...regret not making the drive to Agua Azul, but we were on a marathon drive through Mexico from Texas to Playa, having already come from BC, Canada and through Florida....don't ask. ;)

http://www.intomylens.com/images/palenque.jpg

[Gale in KY]

I read your trip report Ginger..wow..what an experience for the kids..and you survived!:D And to think I am worried about flying with my grandkids for 3 hrs. Great picture of you and your family..on a trip of a lifetime!

[Luna Caribe]

Great photos!! Years ago I heard that there are some very interesting mushrooms in Palenque in the winter. Just wondering if this is still the case and whether you enjoyed them. Wild mushrooms can be quite variable....