Travel advisory · MexicoPalenque is in or near an area where governments advise against all but essential travel: Chiapas, Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Colima · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, UK
- Guerrero · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Sinaloa · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France
- Chihuahua · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Federal Highway 199 San Cristóbal de las Casas–Palenque · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Guanajuato, south of Highways 43D and 45D · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Guatemala border region, Chiapas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France, New Zealand
- Lagunas de Zempoala National Park · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Michoacán · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, New Zealand, UK
- Nayarit, within 20 km of Sinaloa and Durango border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Nuevo León, except Monterrey · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Piedras Negras · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Route 85 Monterrey–Nuevo Laredo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Sonora · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Tamaulipas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France, UK
- Tecate · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- Tijuana · avoid non-essential travel · France, UK
- US border region · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, France
- Zacatecas · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, UK
Also named by one government: Celaya–Irapuato–Salamanca triangle, Guanajuato (France), Culiacán and surrounding area (France), North of Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas (Germany), Route 129 Martinez de la Torre–Teziutlán (France), Route 131 Tapacoyan–Perote (France), Route 180 Martinez de la Torre–Papantla secondary roads (France), Route 40 Monterrey–Reynosa (France), Southern Michoacán from Uruapán to the coast (France), Acapulco (France), Baja California, except Tijuana and Tecate (France), Ciudad Acuña (Spain), Ciudad Juárez and surrounding area (Spain), Ciudad Obregón (France), Coahuila, except southern part (New Zealand), Coatzacoalcos (France), Colonias north and north-east of the Zócalo, Mexico City (France), Durango (France), East Nuevo León, bordering Tamaulipas (France), Guanajuato (Spain), Guanajuato, Highway 45 between León and Irapuato (New Zealand), Guanajuato, south-west of Highway 45D (UK), Jalisco, within 50 km of Michoacán border (Canada), Monclova (Spain), Morelos (France), Nayarit (France), Nogales (France), Non-tourist rural areas of Baja California (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Chihuahua (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Coahuila (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Durango (Spain), Non-tourist rural areas of Sonora (Spain), Northern municipalities of Jalisco (UK), Northern Tamaulipas from San Fernando to US border (Spain), Northern Veracruz bordering Tamaulipas (Spain), Northern Veracruz from Martinez de la Torre (France), Route 150D Puebla–Orizaba (France), Route 190 Oaxaca–Santo Domingo Tehuantepec (France), Route 85 and 83 Monterrey–Ciudad Victoria–Tampico (France), Route 95 Mexico City–Cuernavaca (France), Selva Lacandona (France), South and south-west of Lake Chapala, Jalisco (UK), South-west Jalisco and Los Altos, except Puerto Vallarta (France), South-west Michoacán (France), South-west Tamaulipas (France), Southern Guanajuato state (France), Southern Michoacán south of Morelia (Spain), Strip within 40 km of Guatemalan border, Chiapas (UK), Tepic (New Zealand), Toluca (France), Veracruz city (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | May 29, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen (Sicherheitslage) (regional advisories) | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée pour le reste du pays (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Palenque
Travelers come for the Temple of the Inscriptions, a Classic Maya ruin in the rainforest, with waterfalls and howler monkeys nearby.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Palenque is a town in Chiapas, southern Mexico, and the site of a Classic Maya city. The ruins lie at the edge of the rainforest, on the foothills of the Sierra Madre. The city was at its height around the 7th century CE. The Temple of the Inscriptions holds the tomb of the ruler K'inich Janaab' Pakal, and the carved texts on and around it record much of what is known about the city's rulers.
Go for history and for jungle time in one trip. Arrive at the ruins early, when it is cooler and before tour groups. The waterfalls at Agua Azul and Misol-Ha are a half day or a full day away, where you can cool off. The more remote Maya sites of Bonampak and Yaxchilán lie deeper in the Lacandon jungle, and Palenque is a base for reaching them. The drier months, roughly November to April, suit visits best. Plan two days for the ruins and one waterfall stop, and add days if you want the farther sites.
Palenque in five
- Reach the ruins at openingThe site sits in humid rainforest, so early light is cooler and tour groups arrive later. Wear light layers, repellent and shoes with grip for the stone steps.
- Use colectivos for the ruins roadShared vans run between the town and the archaeological site along the jungle road, about 8 km. Fares are low and paid in cash.
- Combine Agua Azul and Misol-HaBoth waterfalls lie south of town on the road toward San Cristóbal. Tours often stop at both, and in the rainy season the water can turn brown, so ask about conditions before you book.
- Plan Bonampak and Yaxchilán separatelyThese remote Maya sites are a long guided day by road and river. Book with an operator in town, and ask about the road and the river before you pay.
- Check the road before you leave townRoad blockades and protests can affect routes in Chiapas. Ask your hotel before an early departure, and follow your government's current travel advice.Plan transport in Mexico
Things to do in Palenque
See all attractions in Palenque
Need to know
- Airport
- Villahermosa (VSA), about 2 hours; Palenque's own airport has limited flights
- Getting there
- ADO bus from Villahermosa, San Cristóbal, Campeche and Mérida; Tren Maya
- Getting around
- Colectivos, taxis and guided tours; ruins about 8 km from town
- Best base
- Jungle cabins near the ruins or the town for restaurants
- Time needed
- 1–2 days; 3 with Bonampak and Yaxchilán
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Dry, coolerJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- FebruaryClear8 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry, warmFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Hot, dryMarchClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AprilClear8 rainy daysHigh35°Low22°Very hotAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- MayClear10 rainy daysHigh36°Low24°Very hotMayClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JuneRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Rainy seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 311 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy season
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low22°Rain, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 162 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rain, humid
- AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Rain, humidAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 227 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, humid
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Heavy rainSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 390 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Heavy rainOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 393 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Drier, greenNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 216 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, green
- DecemberRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Dry, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 150 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Palenque, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Palenque
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 36°
- Humidity
- 65%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 67%
Palenque
04:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°23°67%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Tue32°23°37%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Wed32°22°56%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Thu31°23°55%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri32°23°57%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sat30°22°51%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 51%.
- Sun31°23°69%Sunday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
Updated 12:15 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Agua Azulabout 1.5 hours by roadTiered turquoise waterfalls; swimming is limited and the water can run brown.
- Misol-Haabout 45 min by roadA single waterfall you can walk behind, often paired with Agua Azul.
- Bonampak and Yaxchilánabout 4–5 hours by road and riverRemote Maya sites for a long guided day or an overnight.
Before you go to Palenque
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Palenque, checked
- Visa rules depend on your nationality. Immigration issues a tourist permit (FMM) on arrival; check entry rules at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with Mexican customs (SAT) before you travel.
- The Palenque ruins are run by INAH. Check its current rules on photography, tripods and drones before you visit.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
- Tipping waiters and taxi drivers is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Plan around Palenque
Entry, money, safety and the regions on one page
Read the guideChiapasThe state's highlands, jungle and Maya sites
Read the guideSan Cristóbal de las CasasThe highland town about 5 hours south
Read the guideCampecheWalled Gulf-coast city toward the Yucatán
Read the guidePlan transport in MexicoLong-distance buses, rental cars and the Tren Maya
Read the guideInsurance for MexicoWhy cover matters on remote roads
Read the guidePalenque FAQ
How many days do you need in Palenque?
One full day covers the ruins and a quick museum stop. Two days lets you add Agua Azul and Misol-Ha without rushing. Add a third for Bonampak and Yaxchilán.
Is Palenque worth visiting?
Yes if you like Maya ruins in the jungle. It is more atmospheric than crowded, and it makes a good link between the Yucatán and the highlands of Chiapas.
How do you get to Palenque from San Cristóbal?
By ADO bus or shuttle, roughly 5 hours on a winding mountain road. Check that the road is open before you travel, especially if there are protests.
Can you swim at Agua Azul?
Some pools are open for swimming, but currents can be strong and the water turns brown in the rainy season. Follow the signs and ask local guides about conditions.
When is the best time to visit Palenque?
November to April is drier and cooler, though April is hot. June to October is rainy and humid, with brown waterfalls and muddy trails, but the jungle is at its greenest.