Palenque is on the edge of the Sierra de Chiapas rainforest, located in the west part of the Yucatan Peninsula about 150 kilometers southeast of Villahermosa and 10 kilometers from Santo Domingo. (which is otherwise known as Palenque Town.)
This famous archaeological site is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily. The museum is open from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and numerous bus tours take you to and from the site.
If you're renting a car, the drive from Villahermosa to Palenque is around 2 hours on good roads. Travel in the daytime, and keep the gas tank topped up in case the station down the road is out of gas.
Lacandon Indians are always situated near the entrance selling handmade crafts. There is also a refreshment area and other crafts for sale, many of which are inscribed leather or clay or plaster, and t-shirts.
There are hotels in the area, as well as a couple of campgrounds. (Maria del Sol and Mayabel Trailer Park/Cabins, located 2.2 kilometers east of the ruins.) Traveling by train to Palenque is not recommended at this time.
