Palenque

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Mayan Ruins of Palenque

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COwanderer
COwanderer
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5 out of 5
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2
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Mayan Ruins of Palenque

  • May 22, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by ArnyZona from Venlo, Netherlands
Mayan Ruins of Palenque

Palenque is next to Chitzen Itza, one of the most famous Maya Ruins of Mexico. But it is more related to the ruins found in Belize and Guatemala than the ones in Yucatan. The scenery is breathtaking; deep thick rainforest, hiking paths climbing up hills covered in jungle. And of course Palenque's unique architectural style. The first remains dated back to 100 BC and the city had it's high time between 300-900 AD. Every travelguide has info of the past and the discovery of the site, so I won't go into that here.

So how to get some descent photos without smiling tourist in every corner of your frame? The answer is really easy: come early and plan your route through the site thorough!

Let me help you a bit. Make sure you arrive half an hour before the opening of the park at the parking. Ignore the little kids that offer carwashes and guarding your car. Before you get to the main entrance, find the ticket office, it is right across the parking, on the other site of the street. Mostly it is open before the gate opens. Don't forget the free map, you'll need it. Or better, bring a travelguide like the Rough Guide that had a complete chapter about the site.

Try to get in as soon as the park opens and go right to the palacio. Ignore the grave tomb on your left in the pyramid, you have time enough for that later. If you are lucky the light will be a bit diffuse from the morning fog that will still be visible on the hills on the background. Perfect for photographing the Palacio, because this kind of light keeps the contrasts between the dark niches and the highlighted ruins small! And the green hills with fog clouds will give the background a ferrytail look!

After that rush over the little bridge by the stream and than up the hill to the South Acropolis. From that hill you have a beautiful view down on the Palacio and with a medium tele you can frame some details without getting to much people in your shot. Take your time to photograph the buildings on and around the hill. You should be the first there, because everyone is standing in line to visit the tomb (see above) and is crawling over the palacio! Well aren't you glad that you didn't visit the tomb first?

Looking down from the hill, you will see the crowds infesting the site like little ants. Now head for path to the Templo del Jaguar and other ruins in the jungle. You can explore lots of more ruins in the jungle that are not excavated. At this time you will be almost alone in the jungle and with a bit of luck you'll spot some monkeys. At least you will hear the roars from the jungle. Now follow the path to the waterfall and beyond...continue to the museum review in this journal for continuation!

From journal Palenque; and How to Avoid the Crowds...

Mayan Site

  • July 16, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by COwanderer from fort collins, Colorado
Mayan Site

If you staying in town, go to Allende Street for a ride to the Ruinas in a collective van for 10 pesos. If you are in El Panchan, flag down a van on the main road for 5 pesos. All people entering the area of the ruins have to pay a 10-peso mandatory fee for beautification of the area. Wear good walking shoes and bring water.

The museum is free and the exhibits are worth the time for a history of the area. Only a small fraction of the site has been excavated, but there are many temples and buildings with hundreds of steps to climb to reach the top, which you must do for the panoramic view.

The most impressive feature of Palenque is the carvings in stone of Mayan gods. Retreat to the cool jungle surrounding the waterfalls and down the winding path. This is a wonderful Mayan site, with descriptions at the base of building explaining the art and Mayan inscriptions telling the story of the picture. Pack a lunch and plan for a full day with walking and steep stairs.

From journal Palenque - Jungle and Ruins

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