National parks near Simón Sarlat, Tabasco
Palenque National Park is the closest national park to Simón Sarlat, Tabasco — 125 km (77.5 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 17 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 and Cañón del Sumidero National Park make a full day trip — leave early. Lagunas de Montebello National Park and Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Simón Sarlat has a population of about 3,044.
Palenque National Park
Cañón del Sumidero National Park
Lagunas de Montebello National Park
Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park
Benito Juárez National Park
Dzibilchaltún National Park
Best time to visit Palenque National Park. Getting to Palenque National Park.
National parks near Simón Sarlat
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palenque National Park | 125 km (77.5 mi) | 2 hr 17 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Cañón del Sumidero National Park | 171 km (106 mi) | 2 hr 58 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Lagunas de Montebello National Park | 274 km (170 mi) | 4 hr 29 min | Best as a weekend |
| Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Park | 328 km (204 mi) | 5 hr 16 min | Best as a weekend |
| Benito Juárez National Park | 436 km (271 mi) | 6 hr 52 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Dzibilchaltún National Park | 455 km (283 mi) | 7 hr 8 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cañón del Río Blanco National Park | 463 km (288 mi) | 7 hr 16 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Huatulco National Park | 464 km (288 mi) | 7 hr 16 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cofre de Perote National Park | 474 km (295 mi) | 7 hr 26 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pico de Orizaba National Park | 476 km (296 mi) | 7 hr 27 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 Simón Sarlat 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 |
| Cañón del Sumidero → Lagunas de Montebello | 169 km (105 mi) | 2 hr 56 min |
Planning a trip from Simón Sarlat
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 Centla
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Simón Sarlat?
Palenque National Park. It is about 125 km (77.5 mi) from Simón Sarlat, roughly 2 hr 17 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Simón Sarlat?
Yes — Palenque National Park and Cañón del Sumidero National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Simón Sarlat?
10 parks are within reach of Simón Sarlat, and 2 of them are close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Simón Sarlat?
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.