Wide dusty streets and an unusually large central square make the Tzeltal Maya village of Nueva Palestina seem even sleepier than it already is. Located 11 kilometers south of the main highway by paved road, the best reason to make a detour to Nueva Palestina is to visit Plan de Ayutla Archaeological Zone, a fascinating and little-visited site that researchers believe may be the remains of a long-sought Classic-era city.

Other local sights, including a large natural swimming hole and a frothing waterfall, wouldn’t really merit a special trip themselves, but can be a nice place to cool off after visiting the ruins.

Nueva Palestina has limited services. You’ll find a handful of shops, including a minimart, pharmacy, and Internet café, around the main square and on the wide avenues leading into and away from town.

Getting to Nueva Palestina

Combis leave Palenque for Nueva Palestina (US$4, 2 hrs) at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. To return, combis leave the small terminal facing the main square at 4 a.m., 5 a.m., 6 a.m., and 2 p.m. A taxi to or from Nueva Palestina’s central square to Campamento Po’op Chan is US$3. Alternatively, take a taxi to the highway turnoff (US$5), where you can flag down a combi headed either direction.

The turnoff to Nueva Palestina is at Kilometer 107, right where a major military checkpoint is located. From there, it’s 11 kilometers into town, all paved. The road turns to dirt on the opposite side of town.