Visit Palenque, ruined Mayan city

Take a guided tour of one of the most impressive and atmospheric of all Mayan sites, reclaimed from the grip of the jungle.

Perhaps the most magical of all Mayan sites, Palenque lies resplendent in a tranquil clearing in the rainforest-carpeted foothills of the Chiapas mountains. Once the heart of a vast city-state, the settlement was deserted by 1200 AD, succumbing to the irrepressible embrace of jungle foliage, vines and creepers. The towers and pyramids – some of the finest examples of architecture and artistry ever produced by the Mayans – have now re-emerged to enchant visitors.

The most famous structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions, a mausoleum for the ruler Pakal. There are a number of extraordinary bas-reliefs and jade masks displayed in the site museum, which houses a collection of astonishing artefacts excavated from the ruins, while the stunning natural surroundings and wildlife provide a further dimension to your visit.