National parks near Río Jordán, Chiapas
Palenque National Park is the closest national park to Río Jordán, Chiapas — 29.1 km (18.1 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 43 min behind the wheel.
Classic Maya ruins in the lowland rainforest of Chiapas. Temples, jungle trails, and waterfalls near the Usumacinta basin.
Palenque National Park is close enough to visit on an ordinary afternoon. Lagunas de Montebello National Park and Cañón del Sumidero National Park make a full day trip — leave early.
Río Jordán has a population of about 1,197.
Palenque National Park
Lagunas de Montebello National Park
Cañón del Sumidero National Park
Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park
Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park
Huatulco National Park
Best time to visit Palenque National Park. Getting to Palenque National Park.
National parks near Río Jordán
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palenque National Park | 29.1 km (18.1 mi) | 43 min | Right on your doorstep |
| Lagunas de Montebello National Park | 128 km (79.5 mi) | 2 hr 20 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Cañón del Sumidero National Park | 132 km (81.9 mi) | 2 hr 23 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park | 449 km (279 mi) | 7 hr 3 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park | 461 km (286 mi) | 7 hr 13 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Huatulco National Park | 485 km (302 mi) | 7 hr 35 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Dzibilchaltún National Park | 493 km (306 mi) | 7 hr 42 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Benito Juárez National Park | 511 km (317 mi) | 7 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Tulum National Park | 578 km (359 mi) | 8 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cañón del Río Blanco National Park | 581 km (361 mi) | 8 hr 59 min | Worth a longer road trip |
When to make this trip
Palenque National Park is generally best December through April, the drier and less humid stretch, with May and November as the quieter shoulder either side.
June to November is the wet and hurricane season — heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional storm closures.
Heat and humidity are constant. Plan activity for early morning and carry more water than feels necessary.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Río Jordán are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Palenque → Cañón del Sumidero | 133 km (82.6 mi) | 2 hr 24 min |
| Palenque → Lagunas de Montebello | 156 km (97.2 mi) | 2 hr 45 min |
| Lagunas de Montebello → Cañón del Sumidero | 169 km (105 mi) | 2 hr 56 min |
Planning a trip from Río Jordán
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Salto de Agua
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Río Jordán?
Palenque National Park. It is about 29.1 km (18.1 mi) from Río Jordán, roughly 43 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Río Jordán?
Yes — Palenque National Park, Lagunas de Montebello National Park, and Cañón del Sumidero National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Río Jordán?
10 parks are within reach of Río Jordán, and 3 of them are close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Río Jordán?
For Palenque National Park, the closest one, generally December through April, the drier and less humid stretch. Either side of that, May and November stays quieter.