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.



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


}}
 * {{see
 * name=Parque Benito Juarez
 * address=Benito Juarez 5, Centro | lat=18.253939872661178 | long=-92.0888722193273
 * content=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.







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.

Drink
You may find hot chocolate made the old-fashioned Maya way, with handground cacao and without a lot of sweetners or milk.

Go next

 * Villahermosa
 * Ciudad del Carmen
 * Tenosique
 * Tabasco