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Palenque Travel Blogs

Background: The site of advanced Amerindian civilizations, Mexico came under Spanish rule for three centuries before achieving independence early in the 19th century. A devaluation of the peso in late 1994 threw Mexico into economic turmoil, triggering the worst recession in over half a century. The nation continues to make an impressive recovery. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, underemployment for a large segment of the population, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely Amerindian population in the impoverished southern states. Elections held in July 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that the opposition defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) was sworn in on 1 December 2000 as the first chief executive elected in free and fair elections.

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By Joe and Rocio
June 22nd 2006

Palenque, Chiapas

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Ruinas de Palenque

... [View Full Entry]

By der Bub
June 11th 2006

An Early Start

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Palenque
Palacio at sunrise. You better appreciate this picture since I had no "special permit" to take it...

The best possibility for some pictures in gentle light are in the early moring hours. With the pleasing coolness of the night still present the ruins of Palenque would be more enjoyable than in the hot sun of noon. Thinking that I was at the entrance of the archeological site at six in the morning just to find out that some stupid regulation says you need a "special permit" to enter at this early time and the regular opening time is at eight o'clock. Not for you, my friend, I thought and vanished into the bushes... after about half an hour [View Full Entry]

By Campbells
May 28th 2006

Leaving Jungle

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Feeling un-inspired for things to say. So just going to give you all some brief news and fill you in for the last few days fo travels. We lazily booked ourselves onto a full day tour from Palenque that took in three sights, being bussed between and left us in San Cristobal at the end of the day. Hassle free. Or that was the plan, Isla's bag was very nearly lost by the tour group though, so we add some heated Spanish arguments in the middle of the day, but all was later resolved. Palenque ruins are beautifully kept. The lawn [View Full Entry]

By KevoAlex
April 24th 2006

The Jungle Palace.

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Palenque Ruins

The ruins at Palenque were very cool. Situated deep in the jungle, we had to fight off all sorts of crazy animals just to get into the place.... howler monkeys, giant iguanas and lots of unknown jungle beasties that scared the heebie-jeebies out of Kev. Bless him. The following day was also great - we visited three different waterfalls. The first, Misol Ha (featured in the movie Predator apparently) was huge and we discovered a hidden cave behind the waterfall which we adventured into. Inside there was another secret waterfall and lots of friendly bats. We sung the Indiana Jones theme [View Full Entry]

By Webbs
April 8th 2006

Back to the Jungle

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Agua Azul
The beuatiful clear waters near Palenque

The bus journey from Merida to Palenque was long. We set off at 8.30am, and arrived in Palenque at 6pm. We then got a taxi from the bus station to our lodgings, the Don Mucho cabins. The site is made up of cabins which is pretty much in the jungle. Its a really cool place, and the cabins are extremely comfortable. We checked in, and then had a meal in the restaurant, where there was a live band, and flame throwers for entertainment, and was very good. We sat and chatted to the other travellers that were there ( which there [View Full Entry]

By MexBelGua2006
March 21st 2006

Palenque: ses ruines, sa jungle

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Palenque : les ruines

Apres une nuit mouvementee dans le bus (heureusement 1ere classe), arrivee tout aussi mouvementee a Palenque: deja il fait 30 degres a 7h du mat, alors qu'il faisait 15 en quittant San Cristobal, et je me retrouve comme qui dirait sans le sous, avec des banques francaises tres lentes a reagir et un jour ferie au Mexique! Heureusement, grace a la magie de Western Union et a la gentillesse et la disponibilite de parents geniaux, me voila sorti d'affaire! La dessus je tombe sur deux francaises qui se demandaient ou elles allaient bien pouvoir loger, et du coup nous partons bras [View Full Entry]

Ces demoiselles perdues dans la vegetation luxuriante

By t m s
February 12th 2006

Tuomas viidakosta moi

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Jep, ei vielakaan ole onnistunut meksikon polyjen pudistaminen kenganpohjista, san cristobalista matkasin marcoksen ja kolmen norjalaistyton kanssa palenqueen torstaina. Marcos siis oli san cristobalin hostellissa toissa ja lahti meidan mukaan tanne. Toissapaivana tarkastettiin palenquen mayarauniot, joka on melkos suosittu turistikohde. Nyt sunnuntai-iltana taalla olisi pitanyt olla fiesta de luna, koska on taysikuu, mutta koko yon ja paivan on satanut, joten taitaa melko hiljaiset juhlat olla jos mitaan edes tulee tapahtumaan. Eilisillalla iski ensimmainen pienimuotoinen ripuli, ei mitaan [View Full Entry]

By Coffeecat
February 2nd 2006

Continuation of the Mexican Mad Dash

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Me in bright sun at Monte Alban
Yes, the dimples are still there

So a massive blog catch up time seems to be the only routine I've maintained over the last 9 months! But at least I eventually catch up. Procrastinating until the final deadline is a characteristic I've always had, so why change now? I signed up for a day trip to the surrounding sights of Oaxaca (pronounced Wah-hawk-a). It's definitely not possible to see everything without a car as there are markets, ruins and even a 2000 year old tree on the list of things to see. So, joining another clan of tourists it is. Our first stop was to Monte Alban, [View Full Entry]

By Travels 4 2
January 24th 2006

Margaritas & Fajitas

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Colourful pinatas stall
These pinatas can come in any form. They are made out of paper mache, are hollow and filed with sweets. The children beat them with sticks until they break and release the treats. As well as the t... [more]

Or it’s a long way to go to avoid turkey! Our transition to Mexico began the first night; we camped at Nogales, USA side and immediately sensed a difference There was a Mexican Christmas fiesta in progress, hey Macerena was playing loudly, Kids were kicking up the autumn leaves in 70 F sunshine. Santa was handing out gifts, a very loud disco (Mexican norm we soon realised) commenced; we began to feel almost festive. The most reoccurring piece of advice we kept reading for Mexico was, do not travel in the dark, so with this in mind, we started early so [View Full Entry]

By aroundtheworldin240days
December 11th 2005

Day 7 - Palenque, the ruins

North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque

Tomb of Pakal, Palenque ruins

According to Louisa's journal (or what she can be bothered to tell me) all I have to say is..."We went out to the Mayan ruins and they were really impressive". [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » North America » Mexico » Chiapas » Palenque