Visit Palenque, ruined Mayan city

Perhaps the most magical of all Mayan sites, Palenque lies resplendent in a tranquil clearing in the rainforest-carpeted foothills of the Chiapas mountains. Once the heart of a vast city-state, the settlement was deserted by 1200 AD, succumbing to the irrepressible embrace of jungle foliage, vines and creepers. The towers and pyramids – some of the finest examples of architecture and artistry ever produced by the Mayans – have now re-emerged to enchant visitors.

The most famous structure is the Temple of the Inscriptions, a mausoleum for the ruler Pakal. There are a number of extraordinary bas-reliefs and jade masks displayed in the site museum, which houses a collection of astonishing artefacts excavated from the ruins, while the stunning natural surroundings and wildlife provide a further dimension to your visit.