NORTH CHIAPAS

Travel Information for Chiapas Mexico

Cities & Villages

Introduction
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Destinations
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Things To Know

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The ethnic communities of Chiapas have various systems of social and administrative power. There are stewards [Mayordomos] who are the decision making leaders of groups.
The Chole have a traditional form of government under the care of elders, while the Lacandons recognize the oldest member of the caribal [traditional cluster of huts] as their sole authority.
Among the Zolques for example there are albaceas, who take care of images, and fiscales, who are in charge of rites, chants and prayers.

NORTH CHIAPAS

PALENQUE

Palenque city is the first major city you find after entering Chiapas from the north. With a population of 24,400 people this bustling city plays host to travelers entering Chiapas. Palenque ruins is the poplar attraction that is close by, however day trips to Bonampak, Yaxchilan and other interesting things can be taken from Palenque making it an excellent location for a home base. Many travelers never venture further into Chiapas than Palenque.

If you are traveling to Palenque by bus and staying at Mayabell or El natural or any other site on the strip then exit the bus station. You will see this wall across the street [See Photo]. Stand on the street and wait for a collectivo that has a sign, usually florescent orange that says RUINAS [See Photo]. Get into this collectivo and mention where you are going or look for a sign. Every hotel/campsite has a sign on the road that is visible. The cost of the collectivo is $7 pesos, no matter how far you ride.

Most everything that would interest a traveler, from fresh vegetables to BBQ chicken can be found between the ADO bus station and the main plaza. If you walk right as soon as you exit the bus station you will hit a fork in the road, either way will take you to the main plaza but the left side is better.

Things To Do

Palenque ruins are beautifully set against the lush mountain backdrop. They are a must visit for the Mayan enthusiast.

Palenque ruins museum is a good museum with many interesting artifacts from Palenque ruins. It is located right outside the ruins exit down the road a bit.

Agua Azule is a beautiful waterfall with restaurants, hotels, camping and swimming. Spending a night there under a full moon is exhilarating.

Misol-Ha is a combination of waterfalls, one with a cave. There are nice cabins to stay in at this location.

Agua Clara is 8km from Palenque and is a nice place to spend the day and swim. There is a clean hotel there and restaurant.

Nututun - rapids is 10 minutes outside Palenque and is an okay place to swim.

Bonampak ruins are located within a short bus ride. Most people take a tour, as getting there is not that easy.

Yaxchilan is another ruin site located within a couple hours drive from Palenque. You can go there on a day trip and visit Bonampak at the same time or stay near Yaxchilan.

Hotels
There are two hotel zones in Palenque. There is Palenque city and the "strip" which is the road that takes you to Palenque ruins. This strip has a number of hotels and campsites. It is a lively area!

Near Palenque Ruins

On the road to Palenque ruins is a strip of hotels and campsites that are definitely the place to stay when visiting Palenque. You have your choice, as there are several sites to choose from.

El Panchon
El Panchon meditation retreat hosts a large site with different restaurants and campsites. Inexpensive this interesting location offers a number of various room configuration and camping. This is the place for "new age" people.

El Natural Youth Hostel
El Natural is a cheap place to camp but they let the cows graze on the site and there is lots of cow shit and piss. On a real hot day you can smell the ammonia which is gross. This place is loosing popularity but it is quiet and cheap because the bongo players are no longer staying here.

El Michol
El Michol was just an old farmhouse until recently. It is now a campsite populated by the bongo playing crowed. It is noisy but a fun place to stay and meet people.

Hotel Mayabell
Probably the most popular spot on the strip, Mayabell offers clean rooms and camping. Although expensive there is a pool and it is real close to the ruins. Mayabell also has a restaurant. Rooms run at $300+ pesos a night. If you camp, don't expect to get any sleep, the bongo-players party all night!

Chan-Kah Resort
The only top-end hotel on the strip is Chan-Kah which is quite nice but expensive. They have a swimming pool and restaurant. Tel: 5-11-00 fax: 5-08-20

In Palenque

Cabeza Maya 529-345-0780 Carretera a las Ruinas

Calinda Nututun Palenque529-345-0100
Carretera Palenque-Ocosingo

Casa De Pakal 529-345-0393
Juarez # 10 Tel +

Chan-Kah Resort Village 529-345-1134
Carretera a las Ruinas

Ciudad Real Palenque 529-345-1343
Carretera Palenque-Pakal-Na

Hotel D'Marco 529-345-0098
Carretera Pakal-Na - Palenque
Location Located in the center of mulitple archeological zones

Kashlan 529-345-0297
Avenida 5 de Mayo # 105

La Cañada 529-345-0102
Calle Merle Green # 13

La Posada 529-345-0437
Avenida Prolongacion Nicolas Bravo

Los Leones 529-345-1110
Carretera a las Ruinas

Maya Tucan 529-345-0290
Boulevard Pakal

Maya Tulipanes 529-345-0201
Cañada # 6

Misión Palenque Park Plaza 529-345-0241
Rancho San Martín de Porres

Palenque 529-345-0188
Avenida 5 de Mayo # 15

Plaza Palenque 529-345-0555
Km 27 Carretera Catzajá-Palenque

Tulija Days Inn Palenque 529-345-0104
Km 27½ Carretera Zona Arqueológica

Villas Kin-Ha 529-345-0533
Carretera a las Ruinas

Xibalba 529-345-0411
Merle Green # 9

Bus
Palenque has one main bus station where you catch ADO and Colon buses. It is located on Juarez, which is the main road into and out of town. This road also leads to highway 199 and Palenque ruins. Many second class terminals are also located on Juarez near the ADO station. There are also third class bus stations all over the place. Just look for minivans parked on the road.

Bank Machines
There are two bank machines on Juarez in between the main plaza and the bus station [it is a short walk].

OCOSINGO

Ocosingo rests on the edge of the Lacandon rainforest. Halfway between Palenque and San Cristobal. Tonina ruins lay nearby and it was the natives of this once great metropolis that ruled the area as far away as Palenque. Many of the descendents of this culture live in Ocosingo, which remains to this day a hotbed of political activity for the region.

The downtown market is extremely colorful and you will be surprised at the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city considering where it is.

NOTE: You may have a problem cashing travelers checks in Ocosingo.

Things To Do

Tonina ruins are located 14km east of the city. You need to take a taxi or collectivo. We caught a collectivo at the market downtown.

Tonina Museum has a good collection of artifacts and is one of the best museums outside of Mexico City. Everything is in Spanish and there is a store selling books and CDs. There is no food or water sold at the site.

Lacandon Jungle This is one way to get into the Lacandon Jungle.

Hotels

Hotel Central 673-00-24
Avenida Central 1

Hotel Margarita 673-02-80
Calle 1 Pte Norte

Hospedaje Las Palmas
Calle 2 Pte and Avenida 1 Norte Pte

Hotel San Jose 673-00-39
Calle 1 Ote 6

Bus
The ADO bus station is located on the outskirts of town on highway 199. You can catch a taxi there. Second class busses are located further down the highway within walking distance.

Bank Machines
The Banamex at the main plaza has a bank machine.

Destinations

Among the earliest cities founded in Chiapas was Chiapa de Corzo which offers the tourist a glimpse of the beautifully ornate Moorish colonial style.
The Mudejar fountain, known to the locals as La Pila is a refined Arabic structure with cut-diamond masonry work. It was the meeting point and water rationing center for the people of Chiapa de Corzo.
Tradition has also made historical treasures of the churches and buildings. Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of the town, keeps watch from his ruined temple and during local celebrations, the temple is traditionally adorned in edilian fashion, as in colonial times.
Architectural expression through monuments was achieved with the expertise of the Dominican monks. The monument in Chiapas de Corzo, built entirely from bricks, was designed with respect for the basic characteristics of Moslem art which have been recreated in this city.
It is a cultural treasure which reflects the popular artistic traditions as seen in the La Laca museum, the Contemporary Art Gallery, the Collection of Chiapanecan Fossils and the Sala de Grabados Franco Lazaro Gomez, which houses the excellent monastic structure of Santo Domingo de Guzman.

Traveling to the Yuctan Peninsula visit

Travel Info for Chiapas Mexico