Yaxchilan & Bonampak Ruins and Lacandon Jungle from Palenque

4.285714 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.285714 out of 5 stars
42 reviews
Activity provider:EcoExperiencias México.
Yaxchilan & Bonampak Ruins and Lacandon Jungle from Palenque
4.285714 out of 5 stars
4.3
4.285714 out of 5 stars
42 reviews

Visit the ruins of 2 Mayan sites on a full-day tour of Yaxchilan and Bonampak. Cruise along the Usumacinta River and venture deep into the heart of the Lacandon Jungle.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Duration 13 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Spanish
Pickup included
Pickup from hotels in Palenque. Please confirm your pickup time one day before your date of travel.
Small group
Limited to 14 participants

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

S
Susan –

The tour driver was prompt, hard working; kept us on schedule and kept us informed about the next activity. We really enjoyed the mix of activities, including interacting with the indigenous people. Carlos, our English-speaking guide, is amazing. He knows so much about the Mayan culture and yet is able to explain it in ways that are understandable and interesting. He is great about providing the context for what you are seeing. He also provides a perspective of the region and helped us gain an appreciation for the indigenous cultures. We highly, highly recommend this tour and Carlos.

M
Maria –

Fabulous trip, long day though - pick up at 5.30am and back at hotel at 8.30 pm - the breakfast and lunch are excellent, the transport a little cramped and short of leg room but excellent driver, the boat trip on the Uscaminta and ruins at Yaxchilan aRe just stunning and the visit to Bonampak was superb. The mini bus played DVD on the way back which helped pass the journey time and had a brilliant day with an excellent guide Elias, who spoke good English and was extremely knowledgeable.

Select participants and date

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    2 pickup location options:

    Sin nombre No. 146 LB, Palenque

  • Van

    (80 minutes)

  • Local restaurant

    Breakfast (40 minutes)

  • Van

    (50 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Usumacinta River

    Visit, Boat cruise (50 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Archaeological Site of Yaxchilán

    Visit (1.5 hours)

  • River boat

    (50 minutes)

  • Van

    (40 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Bonampak

    Visit (1 hour)

  • Van

    (2 hours)

  • 2 drop-off locations:

    Palenque, Sin nombre No. 146 LB

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Explore the Mayan ruins of Yaxchilan city, built on the banks of the Usumacinta River
  • Take a 1-hour cruise along the Usumacinta River
  • Marvel at the murals of the archaeological site of Bonampak

Full description

Benefit from early morning pick-up at your hotel in Palenque, and drive to the ancient Mayan archaeological site of Bonampak, first seen by non-Mayans in 1946. Upon arrival, get 2 hours to explore the site and look at its famous murals.

Enjoy a breakfast buffet on the road, and venture into the lush green rainforest of the Lacandon Jungle. Declared a natural monument on August 21, 1992, the forest extends over some 4,357 hectares and is still inhabited by the Lacandon Maya people. Encounter refreshing streams and marvel at the endemic flora and fauna of the dense countryside.

Upon your departure from Bonampak, take a 30-minute drive towards the frontier town of Frontera Corozal. Then, take a 1-hour boat trip to the hidden ruins of Yaxchilan, also known as "The City of Green Stones.” Once one of the most powerful Maya states along the Usumacinta River, the site is known for its decorative walls and the ruins of “The Labyrinth,” a temple with rooms spread over 3 levels and linked by interior stairways.

 Get 2 hours to explore the complex and unravel some of the mysteries of its palaces, temples and public plazas. Then, journey back to Palenque and get dropped off at your hotel at the end of the tour services.

Includes

  • Hotel pick-up and drop off
  • Entrance fees to the archaeological sites and natural areas
  • Driver/guide
  • Guide (bilingual)
  • 1 meal (including 1 breakfast buffet en route)
  • Boat trip to Yaxchilan
  • Extra meals and drinks

Not suitable for

  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems
  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems
  • People with high blood pressure

Important information

What to bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable clothes

Not allowed

  • Pets

Know before you go

  •  The tour lasts approximately 13 hours
  • Please be at the correct meeting point and at the right time, otherwise the driver will continue on their route and you will not be entitled to a reimbursement
  •  The local supplier is not responsible for any weather conditions, blockades or other manifestations that prevent the service from taking place service. Any refund will be partial, depending on the kind of incident

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.3 /5

based on 42 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.3/5
  • Transportation
    4.1/5
  • Value for money
    3.9/5
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S
Susan – April 6, 2019 – Verified booking
The tour driver was prompt, hard working; kept us on schedule and kept us informed about the next activity. We really enjoyed the mix of activities, including interacting with the indigenous people. Carlos, our English-speaking guide, is amazing. He knows so much about the Mayan culture and yet is able to explain it in ways that are understandable and interesting. He is great about providing the context for what you are seeing. He also provides a perspective of the region and helped us gain an appreciation for the indigenous cultures. We highly, highly recommend this tour and Carlos.
M
Maria – January 29, 2020 – Verified booking
Fabulous trip, long day though - pick up at 5.30am and back at hotel at 8.30 pm - the breakfast and lunch are excellent, the transport a little cramped and short of leg room but excellent driver, the boat trip on the Uscaminta and ruins at Yaxchilan aRe just stunning and the visit to Bonampak was superb. The mini bus played DVD on the way back which helped pass the journey time and had a brilliant day with an excellent guide Elias, who spoke good English and was extremely knowledgeable.
G
Gary – CanadaFebruary 26, 2023 – Verified booking
I almost gave this a 2/5 (Poor) but upgraded to Good. Note that the ruins are FANTASTIC and the meals good as well. However, we were told roughly 12 hrs before our journey that we would be without an English guide. We chose to push forward with a Spanish guide and use Google translate to ask questions. NO GUIDE showed up plus we totally missed the jungle experience due to a rather confused driver. Upon return to Merida, I submitted a partial refund request through the web site, providing details of our “Most Excellent Adventure” and after about a week (they kept me updated) we received roughly 60% back! Truly amazing. Enough of this - the ruins are worth the time and effort. The murals at Bonampak are UNFORGETTABLE. The trip on the river to Yaxchilan is AMAZING! If we had the time I would rebook this tour (with English Guide!) in a heartbeat with this same company as we booked a tour the previous day and it went like clockwork. Extremely well done.

Product ID: 96264

Activity provider:EcoExperiencias México.