Town in Chiapas, Mexico
Palenque for solo travelers
Is Palenque good for solo travel?
Small jungle town beside one of the finest Maya sites, with waterfalls and river trips to Yaxchilán. Cheap and easy for 2–3 days; hot, humid, and road blockades or highway risks need planning.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 3/5 · Good, with some effort |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Limited |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable in town and on tours, with some staring. Avoid empty jungle paths and night buses alone. |
How to meet people in Palenque
Hostel common rooms and jungle lodges, shared tours to Misol-Ha, Agua Azul and Yaxchilán, and communal dinners near the Zócalo.
Good things to do alone
- See Palenque ruins at opening time
- Swim at Misol-Ha waterfall
- Day trip to Agua Azul cascades
- Boat to Yaxchilán in the Lacandon jungle
- Visit the Alberto Ruz site museum
Where to stay in Palenque
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro (ZĂłcalo and Avenida Hidalgo) | Hostels, restaurants, bus stations and colectivos to the ruins |
| La Cañada | Jungle lodges and bars near the ruins road |
Solo travel across Mexico
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San CristĂłbal de las Casas | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Guanajuato | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazunte | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tulum | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Playa del Carmen | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Vallarta | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Oaxaca | 4/5 | Limited |
| Guadalajara | 4/5 | Limited |
| MĂ©rida | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Puerto Escondido | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Cozumel | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sayulita | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Holbox | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bacalar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Mazatlán | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Valladolid | 4/5 | Limited |
| La Paz | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puebla | 4/5 | Limited |
| Querétaro | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| CancĂşn | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Monterrey | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Tijuana | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Palenque | 3/5 | Limited |
| Acapulco | 2/5 | Limited |
Quick answers
Is Palenque good for solo travelers?
Good, with some effort (3/5). Small jungle town beside one of the finest Maya sites, with waterfalls and river trips to Yaxchilán.
How do you meet people in Palenque?
Hostel common rooms and jungle lodges, shared tours to Misol-Ha, Agua Azul and Yaxchilán, and communal dinners near the Zócalo. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Palenque?
Limited.
Is Palenque safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable in town and on tours, with some staring. Avoid empty jungle paths and night buses alone.
More about Palenque
Going to Palenque solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Palenque meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- INAH (Instituto Nacional de AntropologĂa e Historia)
- Tren Maya
- ADO
- US State Department: Mexico Travel Advisory
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.