East of the North Group, on the main path that crosses the Otulum river, and 70 meters beyond the stream making a path to the right will take you into Group C. A set of buildings built around plazas on different levels is where the elite lived, from about 750 to 800 AD. The neighbourhood, throughout the complex, has large trees now growing from these buildings. But strong ancestor rituals took place here, with several bone remains found under several of the structures in this place. There is evidence of domestic activity collected by archaeologists at the site. There we may get an idea of what the whole site must have looked like before it was reconstructed. If you stay on the main path you will find it keeps going down to a group of low, elongated buildings, thought to have been occupaied residetially a little later, around 770 AD until around 850. The river now tumbles down a series of bathing pools, known as the Bano de la Reina or the Queen's BAths.

The Path continues to yet another residential quarter, the Bat Group, then crosses the Bat Bridge, which is a suspension footbridge across the Otulum stream, which becomes a series of cascading falls and pools... Across the bridge and a bit further down a path goes west to Groups 1 and 2, a short walk uphill. These ruins only partly uncovered , are in a beautiful jungle setting. The main path continues downriver to the road, where the museum is along to the right, a short distance away.

The whole city was disposed as an extended complex of recincts and platforms distributed around patios and our tour of the site ends here, to form ourselves an idea of an area covering 17 square kilometers, which was a residential complex around the city, where the people lived...

It is interesting to note how well preserved the bas reliefs you may appreciate in the interior of Temple 14 are. From the back of this temple there is also a beautiful view of the Cross Group. The inside panel, depicting ruler Serpent-Jaguar II (also known as K'inich Kan Balam II) and his mother, Lady Apho-Hel (or Lady Tz'akb'u Ahau) a character named Lady Ah Po Hel, has an offering related to God K, who appears dancing. The scene takes place 260 days after the from K'inich Kan Balam II's death and 30 days after his mother's death. The panel narrates a mythical past, and the scene takes place in the Underworld. Lady Ah Po Hew is beautifully dressed with an elegant huipil (or blouse) and a headdress... On the panel you will see He danced and she sat and gave him a God K figure

K'inich Kan Balam II ruled Palenque betweem 684 and 702 AD. The building itself and the tablet come from the first period, on which brother K'inich K'an Joy Chitam II (also know under Precious/Yellow Tied Peccary) ruled. He was in power between 702 and 711 AD. From here you have a beautiful view of the Cross Group.

Again there are some steps going up into the jungle… ( There are the same you mentioned above) Usually you should be able to walk up to Temple XX but it is now under works by the INAH so it may be closed off.

Not really well preserved, very old part of the City. Temple X, made with large stone blocks, The temple of the cult??? Temple X is next to the temple of the Count. The stairway is made from large stone blocks. The floor is plain, quite rare at the site. The Temple has 5 entrances but only a little part of the upper wall stands. From some characteristic it is concluded that the Temple was built during the early days in Palenque.

Ball Court

Group C

Going the other way is probably a better idea and it is surely not off limits! Going back, to the ownstream the river cascades through the forest and flows over beautiful limestone curtains and terraces into a series of gorgeous pools. The aptly named Baths of the Queen is the most exquisite. The path leading down the river, past more recently buidlings, and accross the river over a suspension bridge, eventually comes out on the main road opposite the museum and is the official exit. You can enter here if you already have a ticket, though you'll have to buy it from the main entrance. There is also a ticket office now on the foot of the path. On the path down you also comes to the Grupo Murcielagos, Grupo C and Grupo I+II.

Group B

Otulum River

More recent excavations in the south acropolis have reveled a painted tomb and a stone throne inscribed with over 200 glyphs, among other rich grave goods. Although, neither of these tombs are available for viewing at the time of writing, preparations are under way to open them to the public in the near future. However, you can see a repica of a panel in Temple XVII and another in Temple XVIII.

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