Many travelers visiting Cancun often take day trips from the city, with the world-famous Chichen Itza being a must-see. After exploring Chichen Itza, you’ll likely hear about another legendary Mayan ruin—Palenque!
Journeying west from the Yucatán Peninsula, where Cancun is located, into the state of Chiapas, you’ll find yourself in a land filled not only with stunning cenotes and water attractions but also with incredible ancient ruins scattered across the region.
Like Chichen Itza, Palenque is one of those places that leaves a lasting impression from the moment you lay eyes on it. Don’t believe me? See for yourself:
To visit the Palenque ruins, you first need to get to Palenque itself.
How to Get to Palenque:
- From Mexico City: Fly to Villahermosa. From Villahermosa Airport, it’s about a 2-hour drive to Palenque. You can take a taxi, hire a private car, or hop on a bus.
- From Cancun: You can also fly to Villahermosa and then drive, hire a private transfer, or take a bus to Palenque.
- By Land from Cancun: Another option is to take a bus or drive directly from Cancun to Palenque, but be prepared for a long 12-14 hour journey.
Summer opted for a self-drive adventure from Cancun, but let’s just say those 14 hours didn’t go as planned—it turned into a multi-day road trip, with plenty of stops along the way before finally reaching Chiapas.
They say Chiapas is a land of breathtaking mountains and rivers, and after experiencing it firsthand, I can confirm—it’s even more stunning than I imagined. No wonder Coca-Cola sources its water from here!
- Many travelers also choose to start their journey from Mérida, which itself is a popular day trip destination from Cancun. From Mérida, you can reach Palenque without backtracking—just an 8-hour bus ride, drive, or private transfer will get you there.
- You can also travel to Palenque from Oaxaca, but be prepared for a long 12-14 hour journey.
- From San Cristóbal de las Casas (that name is a mouthful—let’s just call it San Cristóbal, though that’s still pretty long!), it takes about 6 hours to reach Palenque.
What Else Can You Do on a Day Trip from Palenque?
If Chichen Itza pairs well with cenotes like Ik’ Kil or Suytun, then Palenque has its own iconic combo: Agua Azul and Misol-Ha Waterfalls.
I’ve personally scouted both spots for you—so go ahead, you’re in for a treat!
Two Day Trip Options:
Option 1: Spend the morning at the Palenque ruins, then head to Agua Azul and Misol-Ha Waterfalls in the afternoon—an epic mix of history and adventure. Return to Palenque in the evening.
Option 2: Start with the Palenque ruins in the morning, visit Agua Azul and Misol-Ha Waterfalls in the afternoon, and then continue to San Cristóbal for the night—no backtracking required!
Agua Azul: The Most Beautiful Water Ever!
No exaggeration—it’s simply the best! Not only does it captivate you at first sight, but if you send a drone up, the beauty instantly doubles!
Misol-Ha: A Cascading Wonder
That single powerful stream of water plunging down at Misol-Ha is still etched in my memory—an unforgettable sight!
Option 3: Palenque Ruins + Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
Spend your morning exploring the Palenque ruins, then head to the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls in the afternoon before returning to Palenque.
Besides Agua Azul and Misol-Ha, the Roberto Barrios Waterfalls are another perfect match for a Palenque trip! Why? Because while scouting the area, I discovered that locals absolutely love Roberto Barrios. And let’s be real—if the locals love it, it’s gotta be good!
As a hardcore water adventure enthusiast, I ended up spending an entire day there—and it was worth every moment!
Option 4: Yaxchilán & Bonampak Ruins
For those craving even more ancient Mayan wonders, set out from Palenque to Bonampak, which is about a 3-hour drive away. From there, you can also explore the remote and mystical ruins of Yaxchilán, hidden deep within the jungle!
Why Do I Highly Recommend Yaxchilán & Bonampak?
Because these ruins sit near the Mexico-Guatemala border, adding an extra layer of adventure!
Especially Yaxchilán—you can’t just drive there. Instead, you must take a boat along the river that separates Mexico and Guatemala to reach it. No roads, just the jungle and the water.
There’s something incredibly mystical about ruins that can only be accessed by boat. The feeling is on par with Calakmul, hidden deep within the forests.
When I visited, I ended up on a spontaneous cross-border adventure—my fellow boatmates insisted we stop at a small Guatemalan village on the other side for lunch. And honestly? Best detour ever.
Want More Cancun + Palenque Route Ideas?
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I’m Summer, an outdoor-loving backpacker who’s all about exploring the best hidden gems.
I bring you only the most epic travel experiences.
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