Puerta Calakmul is perfectly positioned at the entrance to the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Calakmul is on the World Heritage Site list of protected places. The Calakmul ruins are a must see if you are traveling to and from Palenque, or if you have the flexibility to spend a night or two exploring the numerous Maya ruins at the base of the Yucatan peninsula.
The bungalows and restaurant are down a gravel road inside the Biosphere, which is the first left, almost next to the Calakmul Biosphere check-in gate. This is still 50 kilometers from the Calakmul ruins and the closest accommodation there is to the ruins. A short drive to the hotel ends at their parking lot with the lodge and entrance to your left.
Inside the lodge is the restaurant and reception deck. The entire area is a wireless Internet zone, a nice convenience if you're traveling with a laptop. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; open from 7am-11pm, and the breakfast and dinner we had were delicious. They can prepare box lunches for the ruins.
The bungalows are down a gravel path leading from the restaurant into the forest. Little off-shoot paths go to each bungalow and the pool is down at the end. Each bungalow has one or two full sized beds, bathroom with shower, hot and cold water, ceiling fan, sink, mirror, table with drawers, closet space, security safe, etc. We found the rooms perfectly comfortable, with a nice "cabin in the forest" ambiance, and the restaurant was excellent. The manager and staff were terrific.
There's more to see in this area that can justify a trip south. As mentioned above, for those who have the time to do it, Puerta Calakmul can be an excellent stopping point on the road to nearby Chiapas and the ruins of Palenque, Bonampak, Yaxchilan, etc., not to mention natural wonders like Agua Azul and Misol Ha. And don't forget the colonial city of San Cristobal de las Casas. There is a lot to see down here and always something left for next time.
