AboutEllen Fields Expertise I can answer questions about Merida and the state of Yucatan regarding travel and moving there to live, as well as real estate practices and conventions, computer and internet availability and communications to the US from the Yucatan.
Experience My husband and I have lived in the Yucatan for over five years. We publish the www.yucatanliving.com website.
Expert: Ellen Fields Date: 7/24/2008 Subject: travel between merida and palenque
Question Hi Ellen:
My wife and I will be in Hacienda Temozon, close to Merida, in early
December and we would take a rental car and drive to Palenque. Do you know
whether the road is good and how long it will take to get there. Are there rest
stops along the road? The travel map says it is close to 8 hours. Is this true?
Thank you for any input you may have. hok
Answer We have driven the road between Merida and Palenque (the road you would take) three or four times.
You should count on it taking about six hours, in my experience. But eight if you want to be able to stop along the way (in Campeche perhaps, or along the beach in Champoton for lunch... fresh fish!)
While you might find places to stop in Campeche, virtually the only rest stop between Campeche and Palenque is Escarcega. And all you will find there (as of a year ago...) is a Pemex station (fill up your tank) and a Burger King (sometimes, those french fries hit the spot!). Plan on driving all the way to Palenque to stay the night, because there is nowhere most people I know would want to sleep between Campeche and Palenque.
The road is in good condition, but is a two-lane highway for a long way. Be sure you are rested and keep your eyes on the road, which you will be sharing with big and little vehicles. On the other hand, you'll be passing through some very rural country and its fascinating to see. And Palenque is WELL worth the trip... a fabulous Mayan archaeological zone in the deep jungle.
