Palizada

Palizada enjoys a tropical climate characterized by warm temperatures year-round. The rainy season typically runs from June to October, bringing heavy showers and high humidity. This lush environment supports the town’s rich flora and fauna, making it vibrant and green.

The dry season, from November to May, offers more comfortable weather with lower humidity and pleasant temperatures. This period is ideal for exploring Palizada’s natural beauty and enjoying outdoor activities like fishing, river tours, and bird watching.

The best time to visit Palizada

The best time to visit Palizada is during the dry months when skies are clear and conditions are perfect for ecotourism. Travelers can fully appreciate the town’s charming streets, riverside views, and surrounding landscapes without the interruption of frequent rain.

Palizada’s name comes from its historical importance as a center for harvesting logwood, a valuable hardwood used for dyeing. Logs were transported via river to the lagoon for shipment to nearby towns and beyond, highlighting the town’s role in regional trade.

Founded on May 18, 1772, under the name San Joaquín de la Palizada, the town owes its identity to the abundance of palo de Campeche, also known as palo de Brasil or palo de tinte. This rich natural resource shaped Palizada’s early economy and cultural heritage.

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area now known as Palizada was inhabited by Nahuatl and Chontal indigenous groups linked to the Acalán Tixchel chiefdom. Unlike most of Campeche, where the Maya dominated, this region had a distinct cultural and linguistic heritage.

Spanish explorers reached the area around 1668, discovering the Laguna de Términos and nearby rivers like the Grijalva and Usumacinta. Palizada soon became a key center for logging valuable tropical hardwoods, which were transported by river to Ciudad del Carmen for export.

After Mexico’s independence, Palizada belonged to the state of Yucatán, though border conflicts with Tabasco arose due to undefined boundaries. It was briefly part of the federal territory of Isla del Carmen and was officially integrated into Campeche in 1857.

Palizada was granted the title of villa on May 21, 1850. It became a municipality on January 1, 1916, and was elevated to city status by decree of Campeche’s governor, Alberto Trueba Urbina, on August 16, 1959 – marking its importance in the region’s historical and economic life.

The Historic Center of Palizada reflects the region’s cultural richness and colonial splendor. Its colorful houses, made of masonry with French tile roofs, originated from trade during the logwood boom. Wide windows and carved doors reveal the town’s colonial roots.

The Municipal Palace stands out with two masonry levels, a modest atrium framed by columns, and a row of semicircular arches. Its sober façade and French tile roof evoke elegance. Since 1858, it has served as the seat of Palizada’s local government.

On the opposite bank of the river, facing the old boardwalk, stands Casa del Río, built by Dr. Enrique Cuevas. Its French architectural style contrasts with Palizada’s colonial houses, blending Renaissance and neoclassical elements across two elegant floors.

Inside Casa del Río, the first level includes three rooms, a French-style kitchen, a bathroom, and an entrance hall. Upstairs, you’ll find two more rooms, a living area, another bathroom, and a balcony. Its roof tiles still bear the word “Marseille.”

In the heart of town, the Monument to the Mother rises in Pablo García y Montilla Square. It was inaugurated on May 10, 1931, and sculpted by the Calderón brothers from Mérida, Yucatán. It stands across from the municipal palace, honoring maternal love.

Another notable landmark is Palizada’s own Statue of Liberty, inaugurated on August 15, 1949. Located in Liberty Park, it commemorates the town’s patriotic and liberal spirit, recognized in 1868 for its service in the fight against imperial forces.

Palizada’s religious architecture is equally rich. The Parish of San Joaquín, built in 1773, features a single nave, a spiral staircase bell tower, a choir window, and a façade clock. The altar houses the patron saint of the town, San Joaquín.

Along the riverbank stands the Chapel of the Lord of Tila. Built with community support under Bishop Joaquín Cerna y Cerna and finished by Father José Dolores Muñoz Olmos, the chapel houses the image of Christ of Tila and saints offered in gratitude.

Just 1 km from the town lies El Cuyo, Palizada’s most significant Chontal Maya settlement. Reached via the Palizada–Santa Isabel road, this site was part of the Acalán region – “Place of Canoes” in Nahuatl – and features unique mound-style architecture.

The mounds, or “cuyos,” were created by placing circular rows of logwood and filling the center with earth, then sealing the surface with bricks to resist erosion. These sacred sites served as temples, observatories, and communication hubs in flood-prone areas.

Other important mound sites have been identified in Paraíso, San Salvador, Maríche, and Ocotlán. Together, they form a vital archaeological legacy, revealing how the Chontal Maya adapted spiritually and architecturally to the lush river landscape.

Archaeological sites

Just 1 km from Palizada lies El Cuyo, the largest known settlement of the Chontal Maya in the region. Part of the Acalán area—meaning “Place of Canoes” in Nahuatl—it’s accessible via the Palizada–Santa Isabel road and reveals unique pre-Hispanic construction methods.

The Maya placed logwood poles in a circular base, filled the core with earth, and covered it with baked bricks to prevent erosion. These mounds served as temples, ceremonial centers, observatories, and communication hubs between river communities.

Other sites include Paraíso, San Salvador, Maríche, and Ocotlán.

Natural attractions

The Palizada River, a 120 km branch of the Usumacinta, flows into the Laguna de Términos. Since the late 17th century, it has been a key trade route for logwood, known as palo de tinte or palo de Campeche, which Europeans once exploited for dye production.

Today, the river invites ecotourism activities such as birdwatching, spotting manatees, kayaking, sport fishing, and swimming. It empties into the Laguna de Términos, Mexico’s largest estuarine reserve, protected since 1994 and spanning over 705,000 hectares.

Palizada also offers several recreational spaces for visitors and locals alike. Juárez Park, Liberty Park, the scenic riverfront promenade (malecón), and El Playón—a small natural beach formed by the Palizada and Viejo rivers—are all relaxing spots to enjoy.

Carnaval

Each year on January 20, Palizada kicks off its vibrant Carnaval. Young people and children take part in costume contests, comparsas, floats, and parades, culminating on Martes de Carnaval with the burning of a “Juan Carnaval” effigy in the main plaza, followed by a town-wide dance.

Señor de San Joaquín

The most significant festival runs from August 15 to 31 in honor of the Señor de San Joaquín.

This festival begins with the “Elección de la Flor del Mango”, continues with agricultural and livestock exhibitions, traditional dances, sports competitions, river races, and a grand evening parade ending with a river procession of the saint’s image.

The Elección de la Flor del Mango is a traditional beauty and cultural contest held as part of Palizada’s festivities in honor of San Joaquín, the town’s patron saint. This event typically takes place in mid-August and marks the start of the celebrations.

During the contest, local young women compete for the title of “Mango Flower” – a symbol of beauty, grace, and regional identity. The winner represents Palizada during the festival and in other local events, often participating in parades, dances, and religious processions.

The title is both an honor and a cultural role, celebrating the charm and heritage of the town.

Charreadas (rodeo competitions)

In August, Palizada hosts charreadas, traditional rodeo competitions featuring skilled horsemen from nearby towns. These events showcase horseback skills and the elegance of local women in the Escaramuza Charra group “Perlitas de Palizada.”

Feria del Corpus Christi

The Feria del Corpus Christi honors the Señor de Tila in the community of Tila, about 5 km from Palizada’s center. Lasting two days, the festival combines religious ceremonies, popular dances, and other cultural attractions, similar to celebrations in Tila, Chiapas.

Day of the Dead

On November 1 and 2, Palizada celebrates the Day of the Dead with home altars decorated with sweets, coffee, cigars, fruits, and bread – offering what the deceased enjoyed in life. Schools, businesses, and civil groups also organize exhibits in the main park to honor departed loved ones.

Palizada is a remote town with limited access due to its location in a riverine region. The most common route is through the nearby town of Jonuta in Tabasco. From there, travelers can continue by road or boat along the river to reach Palizada.

Due to its river setting, some travelers arrive by boat along the Palizada River.

From Villahermosa:

• Buses or colectivos depart from Villahermosa to Jonuta.
• From Jonuta, you can take local transport or continue by road or boat.