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Palenque is a Maya city in the jungle of Chiapas, 464 kilometres (288 miles) southwest of Merida. Its temples sit in thick rainforest, and howler monkeys usually announce themselves before you see them. Flying is the quickest way to get from Merida to Palenque, taking 3h 45m. The bus costs $64 (1,110 MXN) and takes 8h 40m - 9h if you'd rather go overland.
Distance from Merida to Palenque
Merida and Palenque are about 464 km (288 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 541 km by road. The quickest way to get from Merida to Palenque is by taking the flight, which takes around 3h 45m.
2 ways to travel from Merida to Palenque
There are two ways to travel from Merida to Palenque. The journey takes 3h 45m–8h 40m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $64 (1,110 MXN).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre→Merida Bus Terminal5m
- Merida→Palenque8h 25m
- Palenque Bus Terminal→City Centre10m
3 legs — see itinerary
- Merida→Merida25m
- Merida→Villahermosa1h 10m
- Aeropuerto Internacional Carlos Rovirosa Pérez→Palenque2h 10m
Reach out to our Community
1Merida to Palenque by Bus
Step 1: City Centre to Merida Bus Terminal
Buses from Merida to Palenque depart from the main bus station called Merida Unica Bus Station in the city centre, within walking distance of many hostels and hotels.
You can also take a taxi with fares from $4 (70 MXN).
Step 2: Merida to Palenque by Bus
Buses from Merida to Palenque depart several times a day. Because the journey takes 8h 25m - 8h 45m, we recommend taking a night bus. Note that the buses only come with reclining seats, not sleeper beds. Still comfortable, but may not be suitable for some travellers.
ADO is Mexico’s most popular bus company, offering comfortable, air-conditioned buses with reclining seats and onboard restrooms. For this route, you can book ADO Primera Clase. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types.
A bus ticket costs $56 (980 MXN).
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 3: Palenque Bus Terminal to City Centre
Once you arrive in Palenque, the bus will drop you off at Palenque Central Bus Station. From here, it's a 10-minute walk to the main square.
If you’re staying outside of town, or just don’t want to walk around with all your luggage, you can take a taxi with rates starting from $4 (70 MXN).
Merida to Palenque by Flight
When flying from Merida to Palenque, the furthest you can go by air is Villahermosa. From there, you’ll need to continue your journey to Palenque by land — it’s around 145 km southeast and takes about 2 hours by bus.
A heads-up: flights on this route only operate three times a week.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: City Centre to Merida Airport
Flights depart from Merida Airport, which is 10 km southwest of the city. To get there from the city centre, you can take a taxi, Uber, or a private transfer.
Taxi rates from the tourist area start at $18 (320 MXN), depending on the location of your hotel. Uber is a cheaper alternative at $6.30 (110 MXN).
You can also pre-book your private transfer via BookAway for $27 (460 MXN).
Step 2: Merida to Villahermosa by Flight
Direct flights from Merida to Villahermosa Airport are available only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 16:10 — with Viva Aerobus as the sole airline operating this route.
Airfares start from $61 (1,070 MXN) and the flight journey takes 1h 10m.
IMPORTANT: Fewer flights are available from May onwards. You could book an indirect one, but it’s not ideal. The journey takes over 7 hours, including a 2-hour airport wait. That’s even longer than a direct bus!
Step 3: Villahermosa Airport to Palenque by Bus
To get to Palenque from Villahermosa Airport, the cheapest option is to take a direct bus. The bus departs from the terminal right outside of the airport and takes you straight to Palenque city centre.
This bus service is provided by ADO Aeropuerto, a sub-branch of ADO that specialises in airport transfers at affordable rates. They have several departures throughout the day, but there are only three trips that you can take after an early evening flight to Villahermosa. All buses have AC, reclining seats and a toilet.
A bus ticket costs $20 (350 MXN) and you will arrive in Palenque after 2h 10m. Tickets are available for online booking via ClickBus.
Bus tickets are available on ClickBus.
Booking Tip
The bus from Villahermosa will drop you off at Palenque Central Bus Station. There are a number of accommodation options within a short walking distance from the bus station. If you'd rather take a taxi, fares start from $4 (70 MXN).
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer from Villahermosa Airport to Palenque. They’re quite expensive though, with rates from $225 (3,930 MXN) if you book via BookAway.
Our favourite places to stay in Palenque
Here are our favourite places to stay in Palenque for every budget.
Treat YourselfHotel Chan-Kah Resort Village
If you’re looking to treat yourself, Chan Kah Resort is one of the best places to do that in Palenque. You can give yourself the gift of relaxation without the expensive price tag. Plus, you can speed up the relaxation process with a delightful massage at the onsite spa facilities, or by enjoying a drink at their bar.
Possibly the best part, as you splash around in the lagoon-style pools, you’ll be able to hear the monkeys cry in the jungle trees all around you. Alternatively, you can enjoy the jungle symphony whilst enjoying dinner in one of the two restaurants.
- Bungalow-style rooms
- Situated within the jungle
- Spa facilities
- Large swimming pools
Double rooms start from $80 (1,400 MXN) per night
Mid-RangeHotel Chablis Palenque
The central courtyard of the hotel truly feels like a magical oasis, with its palm trees and thriving greenery. And you’ll find not only a swimming pool, but also a hot tub. You won’t ever want to leave, and don’t have to, with their on-site restaurant that serves both delicious international and local dishes.
Located a short walk from the bus station, you won’t need to be dragging your luggage all around town. It’s location also makes your visit to Palenque ruins easy and convenient.
- 15 minutes from Palenque ruins
- Close to the bus station
- On-site restaurant
- Outdoor swimming pool and hot tub
Double rooms between $40-$80 (700-1,400 MXN) per night
BudgetCabañas Bambután
When you think of Palenque, the ruins surrounded by jungle immediately come to mind. Staying at Cabanas Bambutan is the perfect way to experience Palenque, surrounded by nothing but nature and wildlife.
Their bamboo-style buildings help you to feel connected to nature, whilst still providing ultimate comfort and a good nights sleep. Enjoy a drink at their onsite bar or chill out in the lush gardens.
- Unique accommodation
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Onsite bar
- Surrounded by nature
Double rooms start from $15-$40 (260-700 MXN) per night
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Palenque?
Palenque is a top destination in Mexico for archaeology and Mayan history lovers. There’s really not much to see in Palenque town, but its jungles are another story. Palenque’s real attraction lies in the archaeological ruins hidden within the rainforest, just 20 minutes outside of town.
The whole complex has an Indiana Jones feel to it. Its structures are impressive, but they are unfortunately not as well-preserved as Chichen Itza. Still, some people actually prefer the ruins in Palenque because you’re able to climb on them, literally taking the experience to whole new heights.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Merida to Palenque, roughly 464 kilometres (288 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $64 (1,110 MXN). The quickest trip takes 3h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Merida to Palenque?
The distance from Merida to Palenque is 464 kilometres (288 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Merida to Palenque?
The fastest way to get from Merida to Palenque is by flight and takes 3h 45m.
What is the cheapest way to get from Merida to Palenque?
The cheapest way to get from Merida to Palenque is by bus with ticket costs starting from 1,110 MXN.
About the Authors
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
A writer and full-time mom who loves planning beach trips. London is her favourite destination.
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