Lacandona Jungle, Yaxchilan and Bonampak Day Trip from Palenque
Overview
Available languages
13 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy nature in the Lacandona Jungle and explore the ruins of Bonampak and Yaxchilan. This is an experience in middle of the jungle that you will not forget. Visit the ruins of Yaxchilán (2 hours) , take a boat through the impressive Usumacinta River (50 minutes) and visit Bonampak (2 hours), admiring the whole past of the Maya
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Infant meals not included
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code is smart casual
The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or partial refund
What To Expect
Zona Arqueologica de Bonampak
Explore Bonampak archeological zone located in the hear of the Lacandonian Jungle, which had their apogee during the govern of Jaguar-ojo, even though he ascended to throne of Bonampak in 743 A.D. The portrait of the last governor Chaan Muan II whom mandate started in 776 A.D. stayed potraited in the stelaes, lintels and painted murals that are still conserved.
Zona Arqueologica de Yaxchilan
Explore the Yaxchilan archaelogical site that was an important city during the classic Mayan period, and they were a dominant power controlling the Usumacinta basin. They dominated other smaller cities such as Bonampak and were ally with Piedras Negras (Black Stones), and during a period Tikal. Know more about this Culture and its history and the Mayan Legacy.
Options
Spanish Version
It includes a Spanish Speaking Guide or monitor given some explanatios about each place. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Local guide for archaeological site of Bonampak
Hotel pickup and drop-off
National Park fees
Driver
Breakfast
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Fluvial Transportation (Boat ride to Yaxchilan)
Food and drinks, unless specified
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
It was nice trip to see the ruins but it was a very long day and I wouldn’t do it again.
H6224KRwilliamj,Aug 6, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The trip was good but the night before we were told we would be picked up at 530 instead of 6. We payed extra for the English tour but that was just for the ruins. You would think they could have had the bus driver hand out a translation of the gist of what he was saying. Paying extra was definitely not worth the expense. The guide spoke more in Spanish to the group than English. And the driver must have problems with night driving because he kept using his high beams on even though the trucks would flash at him. So they kept their high beams on. It was very bright so I wore my sunglasses. Several times the driver would be talking to friends or conducting business when we were all on the bus waiting to go. It was a long day and it was frustrating
Good but not great
Aiden T,Aug 4, 2023
- Review from Viator
3.00A little misleading this trip as there isn’t really any visit to the jungle, just visiting the sites which happen to be there, but no specific jungle time. The sites themselves are worth a look but be warned it takes a long time to get between sites. The food provided is not the best but then that’s Mexico for you. Boat trip to get to the first site was pleasant. The guide was pleasent and well informed and they do their best to accommodate. 6/10
Beautiful Ruins!
Allison S,Jun 25, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Beautiful Mayan ruins, great boat ride to Yaxchilan. We stopped for a buffet breakfast before the first ruins. Ordered lunch before the boat ride so it was ready when we returned. Super hot and humid in the jungle! Bonampak was after lunch. The paintings were gorgeous and so well preserved. There wasn’t dinner, but we stopped for five minutes to use the bathroom and were told we could have coffee. It was the same place we had breakfast. The guide that came with us was really great. Spoke multiple languages and took his time explaining the ruins. Our driver was intense, he drove really fast and hit a lot of things on the road. We had to stop multiple times so he could check to see if something was wrong. It was a very long day, but wonderful to see the ruins, the Bonampak painting especially.
Magic tour
heikeviaje,Mar 31, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Long tour with experienced driver. Magic to visit two Mayan sites. Good guide. Well organized. Pickup from hotel. Breakfast and lunch good quality.
Would return
Sheri,Feb 21, 2020
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved our tour. They were on time, the driver was wonderful. And our guide was informative and funny. It was a long day. I would consider staying overnight with the Lacandona I believe the experience would be even better spread over two days.
The good, the bad & the eccentric
Greg C,Apr 24, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00This tour includes a lot and, as you'd expect, means it's a long day. Very early morning pick up times from Palenque, swapping buses part way through which meant my wife was stuck at the front of the bus for the first few hours while I was stuck at the very back. Luckily, when we stopped at a roadside cafe for 'breakfast' the family at the back of the bus took pity on us as it was our honeymoon and swapped places so my wife could join me at the back. The ride in the back was painful, the road surfaces are dreadful but at least we were together. The breakfast cafe place has a good thing going with the tour groups and runs very smoothly. There's not much selection and, being vegetarian, we weren't terribly impressed but others seemed fine with it. A few painful hours on board the bus finally got us to the river. Here you walk across wooden planks (makeshift bridges) to your waiting long boats. The journey along the river between Mexico and Guatamala was beautiful. We saw locals washing their clothes and fishing, then further up the river we saw a crocodile! The scenery was just fantastic. We paid extra to have an English speaking guide who took us around Yaxchilan and then, later, Bonampak ruins. He was eccentric and very knowledgable. At Yaxchilan, as well as climbing and walking amongst the ruins, we saw howler monkeys shouting over each other's territories. The ruins are fascinating and one has even been claimed by some gorgeous fruit bats. Bonampak saw us head back down the beautiful river, back on the bus for another painful journey. A brief stop at another roadside eatery for a three course meal (soup, cheese wrap for us vegetarians and a lemon cake/ tart for desert) which was pleasant before arriving at a settlement owned by the Laconda people. Only the Laconda people can take people into the sacred site of Bonampak so we had to swap to their bus for the even bumpier ride through the jungle to Bonampak. Bonampak is well preserved and has some of the best art work of its kind that still exists. If not for the muggy conditions and the swarms of mosquitos and numerous other bitey bugs, it would have been a fascinating end to the days ruins. The insects just wouldn't leave everyone alone, regardless of what insect repellent we wore. Such a shame but something that can't be helped. Some of our group had opted to stay with local Laconda family's for the night so we dropped them off and headed back to Palenque, making a stop at the roadside cafe again for 'supplies' and to pick up rowdy tourists heading in the same direction as us. We arrived back at our hotel in darkness, absolutely knackered and very grateful to get off the awfully uncomfortable minibus! All in all, a very mixed day. Yaxchilan and the boat ride were fantastic. Our English speaking guide was helpful. Bonampak would have been fascinating if we could have relaxed and absorbed the information. The food was mixed. The transport was dreadfully uncomfortable, painful even if you're near the back, and seemed to last forever. We are glad we did it but wouldn't rush to do it again!
Mixed: attraction excellent, tour very problematic
Larry A,Mar 15, 2019
- Review from Viator
3.00The sites were great, the history informative, events confirming, and scenes beautiful. The guide was knowledgable, helpful, and good, but took us 2 hours out of our schedule and tour for his personal and next day tour advantage, ending our trip with very unpleasant and negative experiences and chain of events.
Bonampak paintings are some of the best Mayan frescos open to public
tornillo2015,Jan 24, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Its several hours drive from Palenque to this site and then must leave vehicle to then go with the Lacondonia people who oversees this area. The paintings are wonderful but its a rough drive in places, 3 seperate fees apply, and the people care taking this place are offered zero info....they also were not on time with our vehicle transfer and seemed to care less. Someother Mexican government entity needs to supervise this place
Don't miss this trip
amblinon,May 25, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yaxchetmal is everything I imagined, a short river trip, ruins in the sense jungle. Bonampec was a big surprise. The frescos are magnificent.
BEST TOUR W/ ANTHONY. We had a...
Tiffany M,Feb 12, 2018
- Review from Viator
5.00BEST TOUR W/ ANTHONY. We had a private tour because we were the only English speaking of that day. Anthony is so knowledgeable and a wonderful teacher. He made the ruins come to life for us and his passion for Mayan ruins is so prevalent. Make sure to bring extra pesos to tip along the way!
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