The Palace is built on artificial mounds, and consists of a group of buildings. Stairs into the Palace complex are on the north side, this view taken from the south. There are courtyards of various sizes, which are surrounded by double galleries. Pillars, walls and roof combs were covered with painted stucco reliefs, such as the one of Pacal ascending to the throne. The reliefs generally portray masks, hieroglyphs and religious scenes. Today most of the stucco paintings have either been removed to the museum, or are eroded by the jungle humidity.

Rising from the palace is a four story high tower that contains an inner staircase. Access to the tower is through the southwestern patio. The inner location of this patio suggests a monitored access, and the tower was probably available only to elite residents. It has been suggested that the tower functioned as an astronomical observatory for the Priest-Kings.

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