The Lost City Marathon takes place in Palenque in the state of Chiapas in Mexico. While the Maya ruin city remains the most renowned attraction, the area also captivates visitors with its lush jungle, waterfalls, rich fauna and delicious food. What's not to like?
22 FEB 2024 | Welcome to Villahermosa and Palenque, México |
Today is arrival day. For a seamless journey, the optimal route is to fly into Villahermosa in the enchanting state of Tabasco. While international flights don't land directly in Villahermosa, worry not—there are seven daily flights from the bustling hub of Mexico City.
Albatros representatives will be on standby to welcome you at Villahermosa airport, ready and available to assist you upon the arrival of each flight. Conveniently, buses await at the airport, ready to whisk you away on a picturesque 2½-hour drive to the heart of Palenque.
Please note that domestic flights are not covered in your package. To ensure a spot on the bus, kindly share your flight details—number and arrival time—with us. Your comfort is our priority!
For those opting for alternative modes of transportation to Palenque, rest assured that check-in at your chosen hotel is guaranteed from 15:00. Let the exploration begin!
Meals: No meals included this day
23 FEB 2024 | Explore the Maya ruins of Palenque - race briefing |
The day before the race, we will journey to the captivating Maya ruins of Palenque, the starting point for the upcoming adventure.
Once a thriving Maya city-state, Palenque endured for nearly a millennium, meeting its demise on the cusp of the 9th century. Despite its medium size on the grand scale of Maya cities, Palenque held immense significance, serving as a vital hub situated between the expansive Yucatan plains and the towering mountains. This unique positioning made it a central point of connection for various city-states, resulting in Palenque boasting some of the most exquisite Maya architecture.
Remarkably, only around 10% of the structures have been unearthed, leaving the remainder of the city shrouded in the embrace of the jungle.
Following a guided tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore this historic site at your own pace before the bus departs. The adventure continues as all participants convene at the Chan-Kah Jungle Resort for a hearty lunch and a comprehensive race briefing led by race officials. Here, you'll receive your race packs, the most important details about tomorrow's race will be explained and questions can be asked to the officials and medical team, addressing any queries or concerns.
Upon returning to your hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to unwind in the comfort of the hotel or take a leisurely stroll through the charming town of Palenque.
In the evening, we will indulge in a carb-loaded pasta buffet dinner served at the hotel, setting the stage for a night of excitement before the much-anticipated race day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
24 FEB 2024 | Race Day |
Today is the big day! You will enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before we take the bus to the start at 06:00 am.
Upon arrival at the Palenque Archeological Zone's parking lot, all runners will have the opportunity to drop off bags and items for the finish line, with conveniently accessible toilets at your disposal. The race unfolds in waves, commencing with marathon runners leading the charge in the initial waves, followed by half marathon runners in the latter waves.
Ten minutes before each wave kicks off, participants will be granted entry into the Archeological Zone, where they can line up at the start. It's essential to note that only items actively used during the race may be taken inside, excluding drinks, food, bags, and extra clothing not worn for at least the initial 3 kilometers.
The race officially launches with the first wave setting off at 7:00 am.
The finish line is located by the Chiapaneca restaurant where a post-race meal is included. Convenient shuttle buses will be on standby, ready to transport runners back to their hotels.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in the Finish Area & Dinner
25 FEB 2024 | Optional excursion and celebration dinner |
Following yesterday's exhilarating run, there are various options for unwinding today. For those seeking relaxation, it's the perfect day to relax by the pool, while others may opt for an exploration of the Palenque ruins.
For a more adventurous turn, consider booking an excursion with our knowledgeable Adventure guides to the breathtaking waterfalls of Agua Azul and Misol-ha, promising a day filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty.
In the evening, buses will be waiting and ensuring everyone reaches the festive celebration dinner. We will rejoice in each others accomplishments and indulge in excellent food and drinks late into the evening.
Meals: Breakfast & celebration dinner (if the excursion to Agua Azul is booked, lunch is also included)
26 FEB 2024 | Goodbye Palenque |
Our time in Palenque has come to an end. Transfers to Villahermosa airport will be arranged throughout the day, tailored to accommodate the flight times you've shared with us.
For those who arrived via alternative transportation, please note that hotel check-out is scheduled for 10:00 am. Safe travels on your onward journey!
Meals: Breakfast
If you are a fan of waterfalls you should not miss this excellent excursion to two of Mexico's best - the Misol-Ha and the Agua Azul.
The Misol-Ha is a single drop 35 meter high waterfall that plunges into a circular crystal-clear pool surrounded by lush vegetation. A boardwalk will bring you safely behind the waterfalls, giving you a spectacular and awe-inspiring view.
Agua Azul, meaning "Blue Water" consist of several smaller falls and pools. The water is famous for its very clear and turqouise blue color.
Lunch is included in the excursion.
We recommend that you bring good footwear (no flip flops) as it can be a little muddy around the falls.
All prices are per person in USD.
Standard
Shared double room: 990 USD
Single room supplement: 150 USD
Deluxe
Shared double room: 1290 USD
Single room supplement: 350 USD
See more details under Accommodation.
Marathon or Half-Marathon:
250 USD
Race entry includes:
The booking of a trip is binding for both customer and travel agency once the deposit (25% of the total trip price) has been paid at the time of booking on the booking.albatros-adventure.com website. The remaining amount must be paid 75 days prior to departure. A payment link will be sent 7 days before due date. If the deadline for the remaining payment is exceeded, there is no guarantee against otherwise unnecessary changes. Bookings made later than 75 days prior will require full payment immediately.
The email sent to the customer upon booking a trip acts as the booking confirmation. It is therefore of vital importance that the customer provides a valid email address.
The 5-day tour package starts and ends in Villahermosa airport, but does not include flights.
Villahermosa Airport (VSA) does not serve international flights, but has eight (8) domestic flights daily from/to Mexico City (MEX) with AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris.
There is a direct morning flight from Villahermosa to Cancun (CUN) on Mondays flown by Viva Aerobus, but from Cancun to Villahermosa the direct connection is only flown on Wednesday evenings and not Thursdays.
For information on visas, currency, electricity, and more, please check our Destination Guide page.
For information on weather and clothing, please check the our Climate & Weather page.
If you're curious about the destinations that we'll be visiting or other background information on Mexico, you can read all about it on our Travel Destination page.