Palizada
Palizada is a small town in western Campeche near the border of Tabasco, Mexico. It's a town that historically harvested brazilwood, but that tourists will find more interesting for its rivers and jungles around the Laguna Terminos, as well as for a small Mayan archaeological site, El Cuyo.
Understand
The area surrounding Palizada was originally home to Nahuatl and Chontal groups, though they did not build any significant permanent settlements here.
Palizada was first established as a Spanish settlement in 1772, though logging began as early as 1668 when stands of brazilwood were found in the local area. The trees were mostly wiped out by the eruption of Volcan Santa Maria in 1818, and with it, the lucrative logging business. A few small stands of brazilwood can still be found in the area.
The town's Centro Historico provides an interesting architectural perspective with its masonry buildings and French tile roofs (the tile was bartered by France in exchange for hardwoods from the nearby jungles).
Get in
From Villahermosa, Autobuses TRT operates daily direct second-class buses to Palizada. Buses leave at 13:30 for the 3-hour 45-minute trip to Palizada. The buses are comfortable and air-conditioned and a ticket costs as little as M$100.
- 1 Terminal Autobuses del Sur, Calle Ignacio Ramírez 63-70, Centro. Small station
Get around
Palizada is a very small town (really little more than a village). It is easily navigated by walking or by bicycle. Taxis are available at a sitio near the Zocalo (Parque Benito Juarez).
See
- 1 Casa del Rio. Distinctive 2-story historic building that shows elements of Renaissance and Neoclassical architecture. It was owned by a local doctor. The house is a popular landmark, located directly across the river from the Malecon.
- 2 Parque Benito Juarez, Benito Juarez 5, Centro. Peaceful town square (zocalo) with brick walkways, concrete planters, and a [[Sculpture}statue]] of Benito Juarez. Borders the main church (San Joaquin) and the portales.
- 3 Embarcadero Palizada. riverfront park with boats that can take you across the river to the Casa del Rio, there is a pleasant riverfront walkway (malecon) and the colorful letters spelling out the town name (popular selfie spot). Monumento a la Madre is a sculpture created by the Calderon brothers from Merida in 1931. There is also a 4-meter high replica of New York's Statue of Liberty.
- 4 Parrowuia de San Joaquin, Calle Ignacio Ramírez 4, Centro. Simple colonial era church with a single belfry and a rustic feel from rough wooden pews and exposed wooden rafters in the peaked nave. Airy and bright.
- El Cuyo, Carr. Palizada-Santa Isabel. Small Mayan archaeological ruins built by the Chontal Maya to protect monuments to the gods from periodic flooding.
Do
- Laguna Terminos - the large lagoon is a magnet for naturalists, especially birdwatchers who can spot over 250 avian species in the wetlands and adjacent jungles. Manatees live in the brownish waters but are rather reclusive. You can rent kayaks to explore the waterways or an hire a guide in town. The lagoon is the mouth of the Rio Palizada.
Buy
- 1 Mercado Eduardo Lavalle Urbina. Daily 05:30 - 20:00. Town's traditional marketplace with local farmers selling fresh produce and vendors with a wide variety of handmade crafts, household items, and of course, street food vendors with the most authentic regional cuisine.
Eat
- 1 El Grillo Marinero, Miguel Hidalgo 17, Centro, ☏ +52 913 365 0296. Daily 08:00 - 20:00. Traditional Mexican restaurant. M$150.
- 2 Mi Viejo Palizada, ☏ +52 913 365 0586. M-Sa 09:00 - 17:00 (closed Su). Clean, modern restaurant with basic Mexican cuisine. M$150.
Drink
You may find hot chocolate made the old-fashioned Maya way, with handground cacao and without a lot of sweetners or milk.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Castivazal, Calle Ignacio Ramírez, Centro, ☏ +52 913 365 0316. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Basic budget lodging with air conditioning, WiFi and TV. Parking available.
- 2 Hotel Ayala, Calle Ignacio Zaragoza, Centro, ☏ +52 913 365 0168. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Simple, basic hotel with low rates and location in city center, 1 block to market.