Maya temples rising from the jungle
Palenque is among the most atmospheric of all Maya sites, its pale stone temples emerging from thick jungle alive with the calls of howler monkeys. The Temple of the Inscriptions holds the tomb of the ruler Pakal the Great, whose carved sarcophagus lid is one of the masterpieces of Maya art, and the Palace has an unusual four-storey tower. Trails lead through the forest to more temples and waterfalls. On the way from San Cristóbal, the cascades of Agua Azul and Misol-Ha are popular stops.