While we have a soft spot in our hearts for the town of Palenque, and the Pollo al Carbon sold in town, many travelers that we’ve met consider staying in El Panchan as much of a necessity as visiting the ruins while in Palenque. And we admit, there is something pretty magical about sleeping in the forest. El Panchan reminds us of San Marcos in Guatemala. Paths cut through the forest leading to restaurants and lodging sites, largely removed from the rest of civilization. Some come to party, others to relax and be away from buses and traffic and bustling streets and noise. Whatever the reasons, it’s worth considering. Scroll to the bottom of the page for info on El Panchan. For the in town options, read below:
La Canada (Tourist Zone):
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Yaxkin Hostel
A newer option in town, Yaxkin is the back-packer hostel in Palenque (as far as in town options go). It’s not centrally located, but cross a bridge and you’re in town… close to small markets where you can buy all your basic foods, close to a few local eateries and bars, and just one street off of the main tourist street (Av Juarez). The place is large, and feels a little like a resort for the young and restless (how else to describe the back-packing crowd?) There is a restaurant, cafe, TV lounge, BBQ area, and even a ping-pong table. However, unlike all other places we’ve visited in town, there is a kitchen as well. There are three dorms, with 8 beds, and one dorm is for females-only. Private rooms here are pricier, but no different than others in town, and you still have the use of a kitchen. Bathrooms are shared in the more basic private rooms. WIFI is available in the lobby, and there is a computer for use as well. For the same price as other hotels, Yaxkin offers all you’ll need, including a steady flow of guests coming and going. Tours can be arranged from here as well.
RATES:
Dorm: P$135
Single, simple bed: P$200
Matrimonial (1 or 2 people): P$250
CONTACT:
Prolongacion Av. Hidalgo, Esquina 5ta Poniente Norte #1
Zona Ecotouristica La Canada
Phone: 01 916 345 0102
In Town Options:
We’d say that you need not look any further than Yaxkin, but if you want something a little more central, or if being in town and staying somewhere local is part of the appeal of traveling for you, than you can check out the following options. Prices here are for low-season, unless stated otherwise. As in other places, during Semana Santa, Christmas, and New Years, and sometimes July and August, prices go up. Also here, for one person it’s harder to stick to a budget, but with two or more it’s a lot easier…
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Hotel Canek
When we were walking up to this place, we nearly did an about face because Xavi was sure it would be out of our budget. But after inquiring through the locked gate, the price was the same as the others, $250 pesos for a double. So we asked to see a room, and it was love at first sight. The rooms were large with huge windows letting in lots of natural light. There was a bathroom, a desk with a chair, a television, a fan and all of it was remarkably clean. The internet signal was the best we had encountered in days too — another bonus of this lovely hotel. And we can’t forget to mention the rooftop terrace with hammocks and a table and chairs covered by a palapa — it was the perfect place for a homemade lunch on a rainy afternoon. Also, the owners are very kind, and Rafael speaks perfect English, which for non-Spanish speakers can be a great and helpful find.
RATES
Room without AC, 1 or 2 people:P$250-P$350
Room with AC, 1 or 2 people: P$350-P$450
3 people:: P$300-P$450
Prices vary for low/high seasons. However, it’s always worth stopping in and asking about prices or possible discounts, especially for one person.
CONTACT:
20 de Noviembre #43
Phone: 01 916 34 50150
Email: hotel-canek@hotmail.com
Hostal San Miguel
Located in between the bus stations and the main Zocolo, the double rooms are enormous, with a fan, a television and a private balcony that’s perfect for drinking some beer and watching the street scene — if you can snag up a few chairs. The staff here has always been very helpful with any requests or issues we’ve had. We stayed here in 2009 and again this time around, and it was equally pleasant on both accounts. 2013 update: WIFI is not currently available, and rates have gone up. Though the dorm prices are the cheapest we’ve seen, there is no hot water, and no kitchen. However, the room is large and there are only three beds in the dorm, so it’s certainly not going to be crowded. The beds here are rougher than in the private rooms, but again it’s one of the cheapest beds we’ve seen.
RATES
Dorm: P$120/ person, no hot water
1 or 2 people: P$300 for room with 2 beds, no AC
1 or 2 people: P$400 for room with AC
Extra Person: P$50
CONTACT:
Avvenida Hidalgo No. 43
Telefono: 01 916 345 0152
Email: hostalsanmiguel1@hotmail.com
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Hotel Regional
This hotel is also located on the main street, again between the bus stations and park, and offers just about everything you could want or need from a hotel for the going rate in town. There is WIFI available, and drinking water in the lobby. Still no kitchen. The rooms wrap around a small indoor shopping center with restaurants and kiosks. The place was clean and the staff was friendly, and there is a patio area in the back with a few chairs for relaxing. Check out several rooms here, as there was a lot of variation in beds. Rooms with AC, of course, seem to be the nicest.
RATES
2 people: P$250 with fan, P$300 with AC
3 people: P$300 with fan, P$350 with AC
4 people: P$500
CONTACT:
Av Juarez No. 119 (Frente a MONTEMEX)
Phone: 01 916 345 0183
Email: ross2364@hotmail.com and
hotelregionalplazaross@gmail.com
Posada Shalom
Shalom has two locations: the first is on the main square, between the buses and Zocolo, and the other is a little further away. In Shalom 1, the rooms are clean and the beds are large. There is WIFI available, but no kitchen and no free drinking water. However, all the rooms are comfortable and have private baths with hot water. Here, with a group of four, you can get a room for P$100/person.
RATES
Matrimonial (1 or 2 people, one bed): P$250
2 people, 2 beds: P$300
3 people: P$350
4 people: P$400
CONTACT:
Av Juarez No. 156
Phone: 01 916 34 5 09 44
Sleeping: El Panchan (on the road to the Ruins…)
Below are your three options in El Panchan. Jungle is the place we hear talked about most. It offers a nice atmosphere, and is affordable. Margarita and Ed’s is a quieter option, and Jaguar is the most affordable of the three, if all you need is place to pitch a tent. None have kitchen access for guests, but we know someone who packs a camp stove and converts a corner of her cabana into a mini-kitchen for the week. Even if you aren’t going that far, bringing some food with you helps cut costs. And getting food before you arrive saves you a ride back into town.
Oh and for those who can’t live without it, there is now internet access at El Panchan, available at one of the restaurants. Price= P$25/hour.
Margarita and Ed’s Cabañas
Here, large private rooms are offered, as well as cabanas. While the rooms may be larger and more conducive to warmer temperatures, the cabanas at Margarita’s and Ed’s were the more comfortable that we checked out. Thus, they are a little pricier as well. All have private bathrooms.
RATES:
Cabanas:
1 or 2 people: P$260
3 people: P$280
Rooms without AC:
1 or 2 people: P$320
3 people: P$370
Rooms with AC: P$450 and up
Cabañas El Jaguar
These cabañas are the most rustic of the three we visited. The cabanas are less private here, and don’t include much more than a bed. However, the prices are lower here also. For camping, there is a covered area where several tents can be set up. Running water and Electricity are available.
RATES:
Following prices for private bath:
1 person: P$200 ($15.40 USD)
2 people: P$250 ($19.23 USD)
3 people: P$300 ($23 USD)
4 people: P$400 ($30.75 USD)
Camping spot: P$30/person ($2.30 USD)
The Jungle
Out of the three, The Jungle has the most unique and artistic cabañas — which enhances the appeal of staying here. It was also a top pick among many of the travelers that we met. Hot water and Electricity are available.
RATES:
Shared Bathroom:
1 person: P$100
2 people: P$150
Private Bath:
1 person: P$200
2 people: P$250-P$300
GETTING // GOING • SLEEPING • EATING • DOING • MAP
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