Journeying from San Cristobal to Agua Azul, Misol-Ha and Palenque

Palenque ruins.
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After chatting with some fellow travellers on a day out to Chamula village near San Cristobal we cancelled our dreaded second overnight bus trip and our joined in with a day trip from San Cristobal to Palenque via Agua Azul and Misol-Ha. The mini bus picked us up at about 6.30am and with our packed breakfast in our backpacks and our large bags loaded on the roof of the bus (under tarps) we headed off.  We have had so little rain on this trip, but on the day when we were to be swimming in the waterfalls, it started raining as soon as we reached the jungle heights.

After dining on the best Pizza ever at Don Muchos, El Panchen.
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The trip was long and windy and the driver a little bit crazy, so most of us on board closed our eyes for the first few hours.We had also taken motion sickness tablets which left us feeling drowsy. Between San Cristobal and Palenque there are 280 speed bumps... Mexicos answer to road accidents, so the trip was bumpy too. But we were very glad not to be travelling this route on a large touring bus. It would have been awful.

The trip was long and windy and the driver a little bit crazy, so most of us on board closed our eyes for the first few hours.

Our first stop after the breakfast stop is at Agua Azul, absolutely beautiful river that is resembles pale turquoise in colour due to the limestone of the mountains. On a warm, sunny day this 1 1/2 hr stop would be paradise. Today it is cold and wet so we elect not to swim...Something we regret afterwards. The area is incredibly tropical with lots of banana trees around and local girls selling hands of bananas for 10 pesos.

Next stop is close by at Misol-Ha, stunning waterfalls which you can walk behind and get the full spray effect. The temperature here is colder again, but a brave few from our group jump in and swim in the waterfall. They are of course 3 young Aussie guys...the first Australians we have come across in our travels since Cusco and we catch up on stories that night at El Panchen, where they are also staying.

Palenque is our final destination and though it is raining (and this is probably not unusual as this area has the highest rainfall in Mexico) the ruins and grounds evoke a serenity and sense of place, not unlike Macchu Pichu in Peru. The main palace is enormous and commanding in its site and you are able to access various levels, including tunnels which the boys love. Again we are astounded at how well preserved he ruins are and some of the frescoes and engraved sections are clearly discernable.

There is acres of grassy land surrounding the various buildings and we seek shelter from the rain under one of the big trees and soak the atmosphere in. On a sunny day this place would be fantastic.

We are so glad that we made this change to our plans and staying at El Panchen, which is just at the gate to Palenque, is really memorable, if somewhat muddy.