Day 9      1/19/2024

Palenque, MX

Frank's Trip

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Palenque - In town...

There isn't much 'spectacular' to see in Palenque, so far as I could determine.

However, the Santo Domingo Church (below) is a piece of history from 1573 - though one would never guess it from exploring the church inside and out.

Santo Domingo Church - Parroquia Santo Domingo de Guzmán

On one side of the Main Square is quiet, simple and small, the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. It has an austere interior but its main altar is dedicated to Santo Domingo , patron of the town since Palenque returned to Catholicism, after the Spanish conquest.

On the coastal plains of the Gulf of Mexico, in a large territory of the seabed where the northern mountain range of the state of Chiapas rose, on a long sea dune the construction of the Catholic Cathedral of Santo Domingo de Guzmán was raised, a work that was It was planned by its founder Fray Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada, a character who arrived in Santo Domingo de Guzmán accompanied by Choles and Tzeltales in the year 1567, began the construction of the temple and finished it in the year 1573, the year in which the three bells tolled. That Fray Pedro had received from Spain for the legalization of the town of Santo Domingo, was August 4, 1573, on the bells you could see the inscription 1573 and the coat of arms of the Dominican order.

Hotel Museo Xibaila

This is a really unique hotel - like nowhere I have ever been. Happily for me, my stay was only 1 night and 2 days - leaving late on the 2nd day for Merida. Still, I did really appreciate the hotel for its concept and unique offering.

The hotel must have some age on it, but is extremely well maintained and has a very newish and modernish feel about it. It is located in an area of tourist hotels and restaurants and the occasional gift shop. Foot traffic flows until late evening among the restaurants and hotels and the hotel bars. It is a lovely and super safe location. My prime motivation in getting a hotel in this area was the proximity to the ADO bus station since I was arriving and leaving by bus. Just a brief walk to the station!

So, what makes this hotel UNIQUE? It is an 'open air' hotel - rather like camping in a tent with solid walls and the conveniences of a hotel room. Each room has openings to the fresh air from outside and between rooms and to corridors - so the air can just flow through. Since this area is one of pleasant temperatures, that's not bad. There is an A/C in the room - but no heat. It was cool enough that I didn't need any A/C and doubt it would have done much anyway what with the outside air flow-through. I could have appreciated just a bit of heat through the night, though the high humidity made the air seem warmer than it was anyway.

Aside from the rooms, the corridors are all open-ended to the outside. All fresh air, all the time! I really prefer closed rooms with air temperature control and at least some control of humidity.

The bathroom is a good size - don't forget to pull the curtain over the open-to-air 'window'.

BELOW: The vents between rooms, from the bathroom, and to the corridor.