Traveling across Mexico to explore the ruins, I left the western areas inhabited primarily by the Aztec (Mexica), Zapotec, Olmec, and Mixtec peoples, and came to the land of the Mayan civilization in Chiapas in central Mexico. These structures were somewhat more familiar to me, having lived in Guatemala and visited major sites in Tikal and Copan in Honduras. The Palenque Mayan ruins date from about 225 BCE to 800 CE.
After its decline, the site was overgrown by cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees. It is still surrounded by rainforest and home to wildlife, including howler monkeys and jaguars. Palenque was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. Less than ten percent of the total area of the city is estimated to have been explored, with more than a thousand structures still covered by vegetation.
A toucan greeted visitors at the entrance.
The Palenque Mayans recorded their history and times in hieroglyphic-like writing on many buildings. Lists of dynasties of rulers were found. The best known, Pakal the Great, Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, ruled from 615 to 683. The Temple of Inscriptions pyramid is his funerary monument. In 1952 a crypt was discovered under the temple, revealing jade-ornamented remains, believed to have been a ruler-priest of the seventh century.
I’ve borrowed this image from the Britannica website, showing an angle from above. Seeing the placement of the buildings, it’s easier to envision this site as an important spiritual gathering place and city.
White plaster coated their structures and interior walls, so instead of bare rock, imagine gleaming white buildings. Stucco and terra-cotta images have been found.
Paths continued through the lush rainforest.
Mexico: Mexico City, Teotehuacán, Tlahuac, Puebla, Cholula, Oaxaca, Monte Alban, Crossing Oaxaca, Sumidero Canyon, San Cristobal, Chamula, Agua Azul, Palenque, Campeche, Mérida, Uxmal, Chichen Itzá, Playa del Carmen
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Wonderful tour of Palenque, Ruth. We really enjoyed the Mayan site. It was very peaceful and has a very pretty setting, especially compared to the northern Mexica sites. Maggie
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Thanks so much, Maggie! It was quiet enough to hear birdsong, not crowded with tourists. The landscape is so different, so green and lush, in that part of the country.
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Oh it’s beautiful, and looks much less touristed than some of the bigger sites. Your waterfall pictures are also stunning.
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Thank you, Hannah! It’s not as well visited by tourists because it’s farther from the areas they tend to visit. And the rainforest is dense with vegetation and birds, so calming.
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I never get tired of seeing photos of ancient monuments and relics.
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It’s truly awe inspiring to see them in real life and walk the paths and plazas that the inhabitants did so long ago.
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I love the jungle setting of the ruins, reminding me a bit of Lamanai in Belize. The carvings are wonderful! Are the structures on top of some of the pyramids reconstructions? They look a bit out of place, a bit less ruined!
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Similar climate and landscape. I don’t believe they are reconstructions, just not as worn for some reason. They have retained the white coatings so they are more true to their original look.
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This is such a beautiful place to visit, especially for history and culture enthusiasts, and those interested in Mayan civilisation. I love how the ruins are nestled within a lush jungle, providing a visually stunning and immersive experience. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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It is fascinating to explore the worlds of ancient civilizations. It’s a challenge to uncover these structures in lush rainforests because they become totally covered by vegetation. Thanks for reading, Aiva.
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🥰🥰🥰
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What a beautiful place, with the Mayan buildings surrounded by so much greenery!
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Glad you enjoyed this post, Diana! It was covered by rainforest growth for so long, it’s amazing it has been so restored.
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Both human-made and natural beauty in this post. The rocks of that first waterfall are stunning.
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Thank you!
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I always find it fascinating to visit ancient ruins from past civilizations. The location is beautiful nestled in the rainforest. Everything looks so lush and green.
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It’s a challenge for the archaeologists for these sites to uncover the structures. The rainforest is always trying to reclaim the space and encroach.
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The ruins in Palenque look so imposing, yet so magnificent! I’ve only heard about the ruins of Chichen Itza, but it looks like Palenque is just as important in Mayan culture (if not more)! There’s so much to Mexico I’ve yet to visit, and I hope my next trip will be to visit the ruins throughout the country. Thanks for sharing, Ruth!
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Thanks for reading, Rebecca! There are a few more ruins I visited on this Mexico trip (including Chichen Itza, which is grand). Stay tuned!
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Ah – THANK YOU for the photos….. we were all set to visit Palenque a few years back but both got violently ill in Mexico City ( bad chicken mole!!!) and had to cancel it. I’d have loved it…. Maybe some day….
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I had a food episode in India once and know how that can change your plans. This Mayan site was particular interesting as it was nestled in the lush rainforest. I hope you get there another time. Thanks so much for your comment.
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