Yaxchilan & Bonampak Mayan Ruins Tour from Palenque

Summary

Jungle River Journey & Painted Walls with Local Guide

Step into Chiapas’ Lacandon jungle for a day trip that takes you by boat to Yaxchilan’s riverside ruins and onward to Bonampak’s vivid Mayan murals. With local guides sharing stories (and laughs), included meals, and time among ancient stones and rainforest sounds, you’ll come away with memories that linger long after you’ve washed off the mud.

What’s the experience like?

The day didn’t start exactly as planned — I’d forgotten my rain jacket in the van, and the air by the Usumacinta River was heavier than I expected, thick with that green smell you only get in real jungle. Our guide, Juan, just grinned and handed me a poncho. “It always feels like this here,” he said, and honestly, I kind of liked it. The boat ride to Yaxchilan was louder than I thought it’d be — the motor echoing off the water, birds shouting somewhere overhead. There were moments when we drifted past trees so tangled they looked like they might swallow the river whole.

When we finally stepped onto Yaxchilan’s stone steps (slippery from last night’s rain), Juan started pointing out carvings on the stelae — stories about rulers and rituals, some of them chipped but still sharp after all these centuries. He told us how the Mayans built this city right on a bend in the river for protection. I tried tracing one of the glyphs with my finger (gently — probably not allowed), feeling how deep those lines went. There was this sudden hush when we walked under one of the old lintels; even the cicadas seemed to pause for a second.

After a quick breakfast (eggs, tortillas, coffee that tasted faintly smoky), we bumped along deeper into the Lacandon jungle toward Bonampak. The murals there are wild — not just old paintings but whole scenes: warriors in feathered headdresses, musicians with shell trumpets, faces caught mid-shout or prayer. A Lacandon man named Manuel explained some of what we were seeing; his white tunic almost glowed in that dim light inside Room 1. He laughed when I tried to pronounce “Bonampak” like he did — I definitely messed it up. The air inside smelled like damp stone and something sweet from outside, maybe wildflowers? Hard to say.

I still think about those colors — blue-green and rusty red against gray walls — and how quiet everyone got looking at them. It’s strange how you can feel so far away from everything else out there, but also weirdly close to people who lived a thousand years ago. We left muddy but happy, and honestly I didn’t even care about my soggy shoes by then.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Yaxchilan and Bonampak Tour

• Explore Yaxchilan archaeological site by boat
• Visit Bonampak murals and meet Lacandones

Top questions

How do you get to Yaxchilan from Palenque?

You travel by van to the Usumacinta River and then take a 1-hour boat ride to reach Yaxchilan archaeological site.

Are meals included on this Yaxchilan & Bonampak tour?

Yes, both breakfast and lunch are included during your day trip.

Is there a local guide during the visit?

Yes, a local guide accompanies you throughout both Yaxchilan and Bonampak sites.

How well preserved are the Bonampak murals?

The murals at Bonampak are among the best preserved Mayan wall paintings known today.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What is special about Yaxchilan's location?

Yaxchilan is built on a peninsula surrounded by a river bend in dense jungle, accessible only by boat.

Will I meet any Lacandon people during this tour?

You may have contact with Lacandon locals at Bonampak who share insights about their culture and history.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, entry fees for both archaeological zones, guided visits with locals at each site, plus breakfast and lunch before returning in comfort late afternoon.