Things to Do in Palenque

A slim cascade tumbling 35 meters from the cliff edge into the turquoise waters below, the Misol-Ha waterfall makes an arresting sight, set against a backdrop of lush jungle in the Chol tribe area of Chiapas.Often visited en-route to the Mayan ruins of Palenque, Misol-Ha and the nearby Agua Azul falls are two of the region’s most popular natural landmarks.

While the scenery is undeniably photogenic, the main highlight of a visit to Misol-Ha is the chance to swim beneath the falls and the deep, cool waters offer welcome relief from the muggy heat of the rainforest. A walkway also passes behind the falls, revealing a series of hidden caves that can be explored with the services of a local guide.

The Pomona Ruins are a lesser-known archaeological site in the far eastern part of Tabasco. Set into the fertile plain along the Usumacinta River, the ancient settlement was at its peak from around 600 to 900 AD. And while the entire site occupies roughly a square mile, only a handful of structures have been uncovered. Standing atop the stacked-stone pyramids, visitors can look out at the surrounding jungle covered hills to imagine what must lie beneath them. Temple IV is the most spectacular built for the sun god Kin. An on-site museum contains artifacts recovered from the site, including stelae and sculpted panels from the temple.

An important Mayan city between 681 and 800 AD, Yaxchilán is an impressive site, with more than 120 structures dotted around the sprawling plot. The ruins are grouped into three main areas—the Great Plaza, the Grand Acropolis and the Small Acropolis—and are renowned for their unique architectural design, featuring monolithic limestone columns, elaborate stucco facades, decorative lintels and ornamental roof combs.

At the foot of the falls, a series of pools and bathing holes make an ideal spot for swimming and during the weekends the area is filled with both locals and tourists, picnicking by the waterside, buying food and handicrafts from the cluster of market stalls set up nearby and cooling off in the shallow waters. 

The undeniable highlight of Bonampak is its remarkably preserved murals, which rank among the most important of all Mayan artworks, dating back to 800 AD. The series of colorful frescos inside the Templo de las Pinturas are the most famous, featuring detailed depictions of court rituals, ceremonies and human sacrifice previously unseen by archeologists.