Chiapas Archeological Tour from Palenque: Yaxchilan and Bonampak by Land and Water
Palenque, Mexico
Rating: 
Trip Type: Archaeology Tours
Duration: 13 hours
Visit two of Chiapas’ Mayan archeological sites on this day trip from Palenque. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore Yaxchilan, one of the Mayan world’s most important cities, and Bonampak, a smaller site known for its well-preserved murals. Your tour includes two boat rides on the Usumacinta River, a scenic drive through the lush Lacandon Jungle, breakfast and lunch, and round-trip hotel transport.
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Visit two of Chiapas’ Mayan archeological sites on this day trip from Palenque. With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll explore Yaxchilan, one of the Mayan world’s most important cities, and Bonampak, a smaller site known for its well-preserved murals. Your tour includes two boat rides on the Usumacinta River, a scenic drive through the lush Lacandon Jungle, breakfast and lunch, and round-trip hotel transport.
After hotel pickup in Palenque, head with your local guide south of the city through the Lacandon Jungle, one of the largest montane rainforests in North America and home to 1,500 different tree species.
During the 3-hour drive by comfortable van, your guide will tell you about the jungle’s native wildlife, such as jaguars, macaws, spider monkeys, crocodiles and tapirs, and its famous Mayan archeological sites that you’ll be visiting — Yaxchilan and Bonampak. Stop along the way for a buffet breakfast of typical Mexican fare, and then reach the banks of the Usumacinta River, where you’ll board a boat for the 1-hour ride to Yaxchilan, which is only accessible via the river.
At Yaxchilan, follow your guide on a 2-hour tour, learning about the site's history during the Late Classic Period and its role as one of the most important cities in the Mayan world. As you explore impressive structures like the Central Acropolis, labyrinth and main plaza, examine the many well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions and stone lintels for which the ruins are famous.
Leave Yaxchilan the way you came — by boat — for the 1-hour return trip along the Usumacinta, during which your guide will tell you more interesting historical tidbits about Mayan civilization. When you arrive back in the town of Frontera Corozal, sit down and relax over lunch (typically includes a chicken, fish or beef dish).
After lunch, head with your guide to your second archeological site, Bonampak, about an hour from Frontera Corozal. When you arrive, take a 1-hour tour with your guide to see the well-preserved murals that make this particular Mayan site popular. Learn about the stories that the murals depict, including Mayan rituals like human sacrifice.
From Bonampak, make the 2.5-hour return drive to Palenque, where your tour ends with hotel drop-off.
During the 3-hour drive by comfortable van, your guide will tell you about the jungle’s native wildlife, such as jaguars, macaws, spider monkeys, crocodiles and tapirs, and its famous Mayan archeological sites that you’ll be visiting — Yaxchilan and Bonampak. Stop along the way for a buffet breakfast of typical Mexican fare, and then reach the banks of the Usumacinta River, where you’ll board a boat for the 1-hour ride to Yaxchilan, which is only accessible via the river.
At Yaxchilan, follow your guide on a 2-hour tour, learning about the site's history during the Late Classic Period and its role as one of the most important cities in the Mayan world. As you explore impressive structures like the Central Acropolis, labyrinth and main plaza, examine the many well-preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions and stone lintels for which the ruins are famous.
Leave Yaxchilan the way you came — by boat — for the 1-hour return trip along the Usumacinta, during which your guide will tell you more interesting historical tidbits about Mayan civilization. When you arrive back in the town of Frontera Corozal, sit down and relax over lunch (typically includes a chicken, fish or beef dish).
After lunch, head with your guide to your second archeological site, Bonampak, about an hour from Frontera Corozal. When you arrive, take a 1-hour tour with your guide to see the well-preserved murals that make this particular Mayan site popular. Learn about the stories that the murals depict, including Mayan rituals like human sacrifice.
From Bonampak, make the 2.5-hour return drive to Palenque, where your tour ends with hotel drop-off.
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