One of the main reasons go through San Cristobal is the nearby Mayan ruin site of Palenque. It is just over 100 kms but the trip takes 4 to 5 hours on a speed bump riddled road.

This was our first ruin hit and it was breathtaking. 15 kms worth of ruins spread throughout the jungle - totally Indiana Jones. Large enough so that tourists were limited to one or two in the distance. Bright blue sky, stunning green jungle, grey stone temples... Some well preserved, others no more than crumbling blocks.