Bonampak & Yaxchilan: Hidden Maya Ruins in the Chiapas Jungle

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English, Spanish
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch (in the selected option)
Breakfast
Local guide on archeological sites (in the selected option)
Entrance fee
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Gratuties
Drinks

Overview

Visit Bonampak with its fascinating murals and high-quality ancient Maya frescoes as the main attractions. The pyramids are surrounded by the colors and sounds of the Jungle of Chiapas called also the Lacandon Forest. Yaxchilán is a splendid setting of an evergreen forest blanketing a magnificent archaeological site famous for its statuary art, stelae, and lintels. The Maya took to building the terrain of a peninsula surrounded by a meandering river.

Itinerary

Zona Arqueologica de Yaxchilan

Your adventure begins with pickup at your hotel with destination to the Corozal Border where you will hop on a boat that will take you to Yaxchilán, known for its large number of architectural structures and inscriptions. There are texts everywhere: on stelae, on altars, on door finials, and on lintels. For the construction of the complex, the Mayans took advantage of the characteristics of the terrain of a peninsula surrounded by a meander of the Usumacinta River.

2 hours
Zona Arqueologica de Bonampak

Is the modern Mayan word for “painted walls,” which perfectly describes this rare, ancient ruin in the rainforest of Chiapas. Three rooms within the main structure at the archaeological site are covered with colorful, vivid murals from top to bottom, including on the arched ceilings.

1 hour

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Free Cancellation

April 27100% refund

April 28No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.3

31 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

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We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 19 reviews with 5 stars

One of the best things to do in Mexico

Published on Oct, 2024

It was one of the most interesting experience during our trip to mexico. Nit only for the Mayan ruins, but also for the nature, the monkeys, travelling between mexico and Guatemala, the different communities you pass through on the way. Basically everything! Highly recommended. Xol, the guide is very experienced with deep knowledge, very friendly as well. Top!

Not to be missed - a truly unique trip

Published on May, 2024

The most amazing trip I did in 3 very busy weeks in Mexico. The very early start and hours of travel were absolutely worth it. The boat ride from Frontera Corazol to Yaxchilan along the Rio Usumacinta (which is the border between Mexico and Guatemala) was fabulous, and arriving at Yaxchilan, in the jungle, by boat as it cannot be reached by road, was incredibly special. It is a fabulous site, and the only sadness was that we could only have 2 hours there as we had such a lot of road (and water!) to cover. Then Bonampak - wow! A Mexican traveller in the group said he had heard it was like Michelangelo had been to Mexico - well, it was certainly as amazing, in my eyes at least. Unbelievable that we can see such well preserved wall painting in situ, right up close. The van was comfortable, and we ate an excellent breakfast and lunch en route. I can’t fault this unique trip. Worth every peso, and every hour of the long day.

Moral-Reforma & Pomoná Archaeological Sites & Cascada "El Salto"

Published on Jan, 2024

I had a wonderful experience with Joyce and Gabriella! In the weeks leading up to my trip, I heard from the tour operator that the archaeological zone of Yaxchilan was closed and the very night before they called me to inform me that the Bonampak site was also closed. I was really disappointed at first, as those sites were certainly a draw to the area, however I was so glad I did not cancel the tour! We ended up going to the archaeological zone of Moral-Reforma, archaeological zone of Pomoná as well as El Salto. We were the only visitors at all three of the places we visited, which is shocking given how incredible the day was. After summiting pyramids in the hot sun and hiking in the jungle, the swim at the waterfall was much needed. Joyce was extremely knowledgeable, and I can’t wait to return to see him again! Note: they are building a museum at Moral-Reforma, which tells me this will be a fixture for future tours. Pomoná is a bit smaller of a site, but the museum complimented it well. El Salto was a hidden gem and far better than Misol Há or Agua Azul in my opinion.

Amazing tour

Published on Mar, 2023

Amazing tour, the local guide was brilliant and had excellent English. The sites are stunning and the boat ride was great fun. Veggie food was available.

A highlight of our trip to Mexico

Published on Feb, 2023

After seeing a number of different archeological sites around Mexico, Yaxchilan and Bonampak remain our favourites! Situated in the jungle along the border with Guatemala, Yaxchilan is only accessible via a scenic boat ride. The ruins themselves are within the jungle and it feels like you are discovering them for the first time ‐ a very different experience to the crowds of Chitzen Itza! The murals of Bonampak are stunning and well worth viewing for a greater understanding of Mayan art and culture. The stories behind these sites were brought to life by our excellent guide Jesús who shared his wealth of knowledge about their Mayan inhabitants. This tour was a highlight of our trip to Mexico ‐ we highly recommend it!