We decided to let someone else drive us around today because it was going to be another long slog. We really wanted to see Palenque, it was the main reason for stopping in Villahermosa. The internet advice forums thinks it’s two hours under perfect conditions but it took us closer to three each way.
Here’s a map of the excavations.
WIKIPEDIA! “The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. 799 AD. After its decline, it was overgrown by the jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees but has since been excavated and restored.”
“Palenque is a medium-sized site, smaller than Tikal, Chichen Itza, or Copán ((wow I’ve been to all three..)), but it contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb and bas-relief carvings that the Mayas produced. Much of the history of Palenque has been reconstructed from reading the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the many monuments. …By 2005, the discovered area covered up to 2.5 km2 (1sq mi), but it is estimated that less than 10% of the total area of the city is explored, leaving more than a thousand structures still covered by jungle. Palenque received 920,470 visitors in 2017.”
A too-long telephoto of the top of one of the structures where you can see the reliefs and inscriptions.
Can you see those people climbing up the structure in about the center of the picture. We all thought climbing was against the rules, but apparently not.
While we were in this place the howler monkeys were going nuts and their cries were echoing in this clearing.
Plenty of shopping opportunities along the way.
We were there near closing with a setting sun.
Cynthia took this pano.
Some aerials from the internet.
Our driver who spoke no English but was always there with an extra hand when the paths got slippery. No Falling. I was snug and safe with two hands between Cynthia and the driver. Cynthia bought him a ticket to come in with us and at that point, much to our surprise, we learned he was born in Villahermosa, lived there his entire life, and never visited the Zona Arqueológica. He was thrilled, taking pictures and texting with his wife.
We were stalled here for a long time, road work maybe I forget, but I took this picture as a reminder.
Our driver pointed out several of these monkey crossings. You can see the rope ladder there on the right.
(self-portrait)
After a long day we had to drive for over an hour in the dark and we were especially glad to have someone else do it!