Taking a Tour of Palenque from Villahermosa: What to Expect
About My Palenque Tour from Villahermosa
During a December 2021 trip to southern Mexico, I took a guided tour of the Mayan Ruins of Palenque from Villahermosa. Ever since visiting Chichén Itzá, I’ve been fascinated by the Mayan civilization and how advanced it was for its time—particularly in astronomy, engineering, and urban planning.
Rather than visiting Palenque independently, I chose to book a guided tour, which turned out to be the right decision. I booked through Jungla Experience, a local tour company led by Ramon Rodriguez, an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Ramon picked me up at the designated meeting point in Villahermosa and drove me, along with two British travelers, directly to Palenque.
Starting from Villahermosa made the day far more efficient, allowing us to spend meaningful time at the ruins rather than sitting in a vehicle for most of the day.
Taking a Tour of Palenque from Villahermosa: What to Expect - Table of Contents
- About My Palenque Tour
- Why Take a Guided Tour of Palenque?
- Getting to Palenque from Villahermosa
- What You See on a Palenque Tour
- The Temple of the Skill and the Tomb of the Red Queen
- Temple of the Inscriptions
- The Palace
- The Group of the Cross
- Ball Court
- North Group and the Temple of the Court
- The Aqueduct and Mayan Engineering
- Is a Palenque Tour Worth It?
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Why Take a Guided Tour of Palenque?
Palenque is not just a collection of ruins—it was once a large, complex Mayan city with political, religious, and residential zones spread throughout the jungle.
Having a guide:
Helped connect specific temples to the rulers who built them
Explained how the city functioned socially and politically
Added cultural meaning to carvings, layouts, and symbolism that would be easy to overlook
Ramon’s explanations turned Palenque from a scenic archaeological site into a story-driven experience.
Getting to Palenque from Villahermosa
The drive from Villahermosa to Palenque took approximately two and a half hours. Even though we arrived fairly early, the main parking lot near the ruins was already full. We parked along the road and walked about 200 meters to the entrance.
While we used the restrooms, Ramon quickly purchased our tickets. Within about 15 minutes of arriving, we were inside the archaeological site and beginning our guided tour.
What You See on a Palenque Tour
A guided tour of Palenque follows a logical route through the former city, stopping at its most important ceremonial, political, and residential structures.
The Temple of the Skull and the Tomb of the Red Queen
One of the first stops on our Palenque tour was the Temple of the Skull, a structure dating to the 8th century. The building is popularly known by this name because of a skull-like relief carved on one of its pillars. At the top of the structure is a doorway topped by a triangular arch.
Adjacent to this temple is the Tomb of the Red Queen, officially known as Temple XIII. Discovered in 1994, the tomb dates to between 600 and 700 CE. Inside, archaeologists found the remains of a powerful woman covered in bright red cinnabar powder, which led to her being nicknamed the “Red Queen.”
Two additional individuals—believed to have been attendants or servants—were also buried in the tomb, likely as sacrificial offerings. The Red Queen’s true identity remains unknown. DNA testing ruled out the theory that she was Pakal the Great’s mother. After extensive study and testing, her remains were eventually returned to Palenque and reburied at a different location.
Temple of the Inscriptions: Tomb of Pakal the Great
Next to the Temple of the Skull is the Temple of the Inscriptions, one of Palenque’s most significant structures. Inside is the tomb of Pakal the Great, one of the most influential rulers in Mayan history.
Archaeological excavations at Palenque began in 1949, and Pakal’s tomb was uncovered and entered in 1952 by Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier, making him the first person to enter the burial chamber in more than 1,000 years.
Also found within the temple are three hieroglyphic tablets that record important events from Pakal’s life and name his successor. In front of the temple is a stone altar, which our guide Ramon explained was used for ritual activities, including sacrifice—an act considered an honor in Mayan culture.
The Palace: Political and Residential Center of Palenque
The Palace is one of the highlights of any Palenque tour. Although parts of the complex date back as early as 250 CE, most of what stands today was constructed under Pakal the Great and his sons during the 600s CE.
The Palace served multiple functions:
Royal residence
Political and administrative center
Lodging for visiting elites
The Palace includes twelve rooms, many designed with ventilation holes that allowed cool air to circulate while warm air escaped through ceiling openings. It was also supplied with freshwater via an aqueduct and featured steam baths, saunas, and even a functioning latrine.
One of the most recognizable features is the four-story observation tower. According to our guide, the architect responsible for restoring the tower was later criticized—and reportedly dismissed—because the structure resembled a Japanese pagoda more than traditional Mayan architecture.
Sacrificial tablets are found throughout the complex. Visitors should be respectful and avoid posing for photos in areas associated with ritual use.
The Group of the Cross
The Group of the Cross consists of three temples built by Chan Bahlum II, the son of Pakal the Great, following his father’s death. The temples differ in height and symbolically represent the three levels of the Mayan universe: the underworld, the Earth, and the heavens.
Temple of the Sun
The lowest of the three temples, associated with a solar deity connected to warfare and the underworld.
Temple of the Foliated Cross
The middle temple, associated with the surface of the Earth and decorated with imagery related to water and vegetation.
Temple of the Cross
The tallest temple, representing the sky and heavens, built to honor royal ancestry and the rising sun.
The Ball Court
The ballcourt at Palenque is smaller than the well-known ballcourt at Chichén Itzá. According to our guide, the ballgame sometimes symbolized conflict or rivalry between Mayan cities—a theory discussed by some historians.
The objective of the game was to send a rubber ball through stone rings without using hands or feet, typically using the hips. The rings at Palenque are positioned lower than those at Chichén Itzá. The ballcourt is located between the Palace and the North Group.
North Group and Temple of the Court
Across from the ballcourt is the North Group, a cluster of five interconnected temples. Stone carvings are displayed beneath a protective awning along one side of the complex.
Nearby is the Temple of the Court, one of Palenque’s older structures, dating to around 640 CE. In the early 19th century, artist Jean-Frédéric Maximilien de Waldeck lived in Palenque for roughly two years and produced exaggerated drawings that suggested Egyptian influence on Mayan culture. While these theories were later debunked, his work helped draw international attention to Palenque.
Mayan Engineering and the Aqueduct
One of the most impressive aspects of Palenque is its aqueduct system. The Mayans redirected springs and streams through the city, and some archaeologists believe they understood basic water pressure, possibly creating fountains that projected water several meters into the air.
Vendors selling souvenirs are scattered throughout the site, particularly near the bridge that crosses the aqueduct.
Is a Palenque Tour from Villahermosa Worth It?
Beginning your visit to Palenque from Villahermosa is far more efficient than starting in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, as it significantly reduces travel time and allows more time at the ruins.
Only a small fraction of the ancient city has been excavated, with many structures still buried beneath the surrounding jungle. Many tours also include stops at waterfalls in Chiapas, making this a well-rounded day trip.
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