Palenque

Palenque enjoyed the peak of its power from 500–700AD, at which point its influence extended throughout the Usumacinta River basin. The site demonstrates some intelligent urban planning from the Mayans, with residential areas, monumental edifices and an administrative centre. The creativity of Palanque's Mayan creators is further demonstrated through the intricate bas-reliefs that adorn the pyramids, telling tales of Mayan mythology. After the fall of the city, Palenque was overtaken by vegetation, which protected the site from both looting, and weathering.

If travelling to Palenque from San Cristobal, we'd suggest a visit to the ancient city of Toniná, which is much less visited than Palenque. Ironically, it was Toniná that caused the demise of Palenque, with the capture of ruler K'an Joy Chitam II, but this Mayan powerhouse is nowhere near as infamous as Palenque today. Toniná has over 100 carved monuments, mostly dating from the 6th century.