Palenque is just a few hours drive from San Cristobal. It is a mountainous drive, and can be quite the adventure in a bus or van. Travelers frequent the village of Palenque and as a result it is simple to find budget food, lodging and maybe even a few new traveling buddies. A budget hotel with a private bathroom is $200 MXN pesos ($17 US) for two people. Meals range from simple breakfast for $15 MXN pesos to a full dinner for around $50 MXN Pesos ($1.25-$4 US). Delicious tacos can always be found from street vendors for just a few pesos.
The entrance to Palenque National Park is just a quick taxi ride from the village. The admission fee for the park is $85 pesos ($7 US), slightly higher than other ruin sites due to the international popularity. The money is very well spent. About 5 hours is recommended to truly absorb everything in the park: monolithic structures, vivid relief carvings, the tomb of King Pakal, serene waterfalls, all set against a backdrop of dense jungle.
Steps for an unforgettable budget lunch: pick a pyramid, climb to the top (if you can) and have a picnic. Peanut Butter and Jelly travels well and can be found just about anywhere in Mexico.
Many vendors sell souvenirs and handmade art inside and outside the park. Keep in mind that all of the same things can be found in the village at a much cheaper rate. Palenque is another great place to look for amber and silver. Take a long walk through the city for photos, shopping and people watching.
Two overnight bus tickets back to Playa del Carmen are about $600 pesos per person ($50 US). From there we head back to the international airport in Cancun and home to the US. The budget trip took 6 weeks and $5,000 US dollars for two people. While there may be ways to do it on less, splurging on food and art and souvenirs is another great part of the travel experience.
Thank you for reading!
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