To know what to do in Palenque, you can search and search, but on the Blog, we give you the best suggestions of the most representative attractions of this city. Find a selection of things to do in Palenque with routes for all tastes. It’s simple, we want to make your trip easier and truly enjoyable if you’re heading to this destination. Keep in mind that these recommendations adapt to the number of days you have to visit Palenque. To organize yourself well and make the most of every second of your time, read carefully and choose your itinerary.
You’ve arrived in Palenque to enjoy a well-deserved vacation. You stop by the hotel to drop off your things and prepare to explore this beautiful city. To start, we invite you to visit the center of Palenque. There is a small and pleasant Central Plaza where locals often gather. Nearby is the Crafts Market, which offers a wide variety of textile products, silver jewelry, and ceramic items. In the same square, some afternoons there are craft stalls. Another option for shopping is Juarez Avenue, where you’ll find everything from shoes and clothes to food and other items. Don’t miss La Cañada, a neighborhood famous for its hotels, restaurants, cafes, and for one of Palenque’s most emblematic monuments: the Maya Head, a huge sculpture painted in lime color. Don’t miss the Lak Puj Kul Textile Museum (the name means “our clothing”), where you’ll find more colorful samples of Chiapanecan artisans’ production.
In Palenque, you can enjoy some of the typical dishes of Chiapas, such as traditional corn or chipilín tamales wrapped in banana leaves or shote with momo, a delicious pre-Hispanic stew prepared with river snails, hierba santa, and nixtamal dough. You can accompany them with a coffee de olla, a frothy chocolate de molinillo, or a cup of tascalate, a typical drink prepared with water, corn dough, chocolate, and annatto. Café de Yara is a good place in downtown Palenque to drink excellent quality organic coffee. Most restaurants offer typical Mexican food, so you won’t have trouble finding it.
It’s your third day in Palenque. Although it’s a quiet city, it attracts visitors in all seasons, so we suggest you enjoy a bit of nightlife. Visit the Karaoke Bar at the Maya Tulipanes hotel. El Tapanco, a classic rock bar located on the second floor of Juarez Avenue, is also very lively. If you’re lucky or plan your trip for that date, don’t miss the Fiesta de Santo Domingo, which takes place every year during the first fortnight of August. It’s a religious festival dedicated to Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the most important one in Palenque. The celebration includes traditional regional dances, marimba music, and fireworks
