Palenque

Palenque is a small town in the Chiapas lowlands of southeastern Mexico, best known for the 7th century Maya city that shares its name. The ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sit at the edge of the Lacandon rainforest, where the temperature holds near 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year and the difference between seasons is rain, not cold. This guide covers the weather, the best time to come, the archaeological zone and where to stay, with links to seven focused articles below.

Welcome to Palenque

Palenque town, officially Santo Domingo de Palenque, is a working Chiapas town of about 42,000 people that exists mainly to serve the archaeological zone 8 km away. The site was the Maya city of Lakamha, which peaked between roughly 600 and 800 AD under King Pakal and his son. Unlike the open plazas of Chichén Itzá, Palenque’s temples rise out of dense jungle, and howler monkeys call through the trees while you walk between them. Most visitors stay two to three nights, using the town as a base for the ruins and the waterfalls that surround it.

Palenque Weather at a Glance

Palenque has a tropical climate with a mean annual temperature of 27.1 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). Daytime highs average 32.6 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit), and even the coolest month, January, reaches about 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) by day. Nights are warm too, with lows averaging 21.7 degrees Celsius (71 degrees Fahrenheit).

The real variable is rain. Palenque gets 2,115 mm (83 in) a year, but it falls unevenly: April is the driest month at 55 mm over 4 days, while September is the wettest at 405 mm over 19 days. The wet season runs June through October, and the drier stretch runs December through April, though showers are possible any month. For the full monthly numbers, read our Palenque weather by month guide.

Palenque Seasonal Snapshot

• Winter (December to February): The most comfortable season, with highs of 29 to 30 degrees Celsius (84 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit) and 65 to 115 mm of rain a month. Nights can cool to 12 to 13 degrees Celsius (54 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Peak season for tourists and prices.
• Spring (March to May): The hottest and driest stretch. April averages 55 mm of rain and May highs reach 35.7 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit), with peaks over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Go early or not at all.
• Summer (June to September): The rainy season, building from 245 mm in June to 405 mm in September. Rain usually falls in the afternoon, but hurricane risk runs June to November and peaks August to October.
• Autumn (October and November): October stays wet at 285 mm, then November eases to 150 mm and temperatures drop toward a 25.6 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) mean. A good value window before the December crowds.

Palenque Travel Guides

These seven guides cover every part of planning a trip to Palenque:

1. Palenque Weather by Month – month by month temperatures, rainfall, rainy days and sunshine hours, with a comparison table.
2. Best Time to Visit Palenque – the exact date ranges for dry weather, lower prices, fewer crowds and the key events.
3. Things to Do in Palenque – the archaeological zone, the waterfalls and the jungle day trips, with hours and prices.
4. Palenque Events & Festivals – the spring equinox, Day of the Dead, the Santo Domingo fiesta and Carnaval, with dates.
5. Palenque Neighborhoods – La Cañada, El Panchán and Centro, what each offers and who it suits.
6. Where to Stay in Palenque – nine hotels across the three areas and three price tiers.
7. Palenque Travel Tips & FAQ – airports, colectivos, money, safety, packing and the most common questions.

Where Palenque Sits

Palenque is in the north of Chiapas state, about 150 km south east of Villahermosa and 200 km north east of San Cristóbal de las Casas, on the edge of the Lacandon rainforest near the Usumacinta River and the Guatemalan border. Its low elevation, roughly 60 m (200 ft) above sea level, keeps it hot and humid while the Chiapas highlands stay cool. The town is the gateway to the wider Maya route, with the waterfall sites of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha within an hour and the remote river cities of Yaxchilán and Bonampak reachable as a full day trip.

Palenque Quick Facts

• Warmest month: May, with a mean of 29.6 degrees Celsius (85 degrees Fahrenheit) and highs to 35.7 degrees Celsius (96 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Coolest month: January, with a mean of 23.9 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Wettest month: September, at 405 mm of rain over 19 days.
• Driest month: April, at 55 mm over 4 days.
• Annual rainfall: 2,115 mm (83 in).
• Sunshine: about 2,425 hours a year, peaking at 8 hours a day in February.
• Ruins entry: 210 MXN for foreign visitors, 105 MXN for nationals and residents, open 8:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00.
• Nearest airport: Palenque (PQM), about 5 km away, or Villahermosa (VSA), about 2 hours by road.

Suggested Hotels in Palenque

Hotel Boutique Quinta Chanabnal

A boutique hotel built to resemble a Maya palace, with two pools with waterfalls, a spa and air conditioned suites in tropical gardens 2.2 km along the ruins road. Best for couples who want a high end base near the ruins. Check rates and availability

Chan-Kah Resort Village

A full resort with casita style rooms, two swimming pools, a spa and a restaurant at km 3 on the road to the ruins. Best for families who want resort facilities close to the site. Check rates and availability

Hotel Maya Palenque

A budget friendly hotel with an outdoor pool, free private parking and a garden terrace, 8.2 km from the archaeological zone. Best for budget travellers and road trippers who want a pool without a premium. Check rates and availability