Mayabell

Maya bell is a great place for anyone who would like to combine a visit to the wonderful archeological site of Palenque with a unique experience of staying over night in the jungle. I stayed for 2 nights in a newish double cabana with an air condition. With the high level of humidity this is a must in Palenque. The bungalow had basic amenities – a comfortable bed and a basic shower bathroom combo. There are no screens on the windows, which are not sealed either, so bug repellant over night is recommended. The room can also use a safe (to prevent cash and passport theft) and a basic small fridge to cool off water bottles. Please note, that the tap water are not drinkable nor can be used for teeth brushing. The hotel provides 2 small water bottle a day and you can purchase large ones at the restaurant. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. The pool is great but need some maintenance and cleaning. The hotel offers good a la carte breakfast for a reasonable price and great dinner and excellent pizza and burgers. Don’t skip the margaritas, they are awesome. All in all it is a great place to experience the jungle – you will see and hear howler monkeys, numerous birds and be close to the archeological site. Coupled with the great restaurant and attentive service, this hotel is highly recommended.

No more Palapas with hammocks, no camping, no RV park. The magic of The Hippies and backpacker campers with guitars and trinkets for sale- all gone. I stayed in the rooms and camped here for 35 years, and it was amazing. No more. Everything has changed. Same owners, but radical Management change for the worse. Establishment seems to now cater to single men. Restaurant and bar, once lively with song, dance, and fun travelers, is now ghosty. They do have nice clean restrooms now, so that is the only plus. I bet they either sell out or lose the business on the current track with the new management structure. So disappointing after many years of loyalty here.

I must say: great location. It’s 1,5km from the ticket office for the site. You buy your tickets here and then drive another 1 km to the actual site. Parking is 50 pesos and arranged by locals. It’s not a scam, they do a good service, right in front of the site. But the hotel…… We have a nice room, they call it deluxe. The room is newer then the rest of the facility. Nice, big, good ac. But the rest is desperate in need for a major upgrade. The pool is rundown and could seriously need some new paint and plaster. The “restaurant” has proper food , as far as you could imagine in a place like this. Breakfast is kot included and everything you do you have to pay directly, you cannot put it on a room. The staff in the restaurant needs to be replaced. They don’t speak English and do not have any sence about what to do or how to act in a restaurant. It makes you feel unwelcome. And your first cocktail has more alcohol in it then the second one ;) , they do not taste the same. Taking everything into account; Restaurant food; 7 Staff; 3 Hotel; 3 Hotel location; 8 Hotel