Day 20: Tour to Yaxchilán and Bonampak from Palenque
Today we are going to do the Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour from Palenque, as far as we can tell, even before starting that this will be an incredible day and that is that both visits are two of the places to visit in Mexico.
The day starts very soon, much more than usual on this trip to Mexico for free, so being so early, it's time to get ready soon, have an instant coffee and go down to reception where at 5:45 in the morning they come to look for us to start the Yaxchilan and Bonampak Tour.
This tour can be done with any of the Palenque agencies, but we have chosen to contract it directly with the Hotel Chablis Palenque, our accommodation in Palenque these days, for 1100 pesos per person, which includes transportation, tickets, boat transportation to Yaxchilán In addition to breakfast and food.
How to get to Yaxchilán and Bonampak from Palenque
Although there are two visits that could be done for free, in case you have your own transport, after our experience we advise you to book a Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour from Palenque, to go more calm and above all, take advantage of the time, since to make both visits you should leave very soon and the roads are not very well signposted, in addition to that 95% of the route passes between the jungle and there is no mobile coverage .
This tour to Yaxchilán and Bonampak can be contracted with most Palenque agencies and it is also an excursion that hotels usually offer as intermediaries. Another option is to book it here in advance online.
The price is usually 1000-1200 pesos per person and includes:
- Transportation to Yaxhilan and Bonampak from Palenque.
- Boat to Yaxchilán
- Breakfast and lunch
- Entrances to both archaeological sites.
- The guide service in the ruins is not included and can be hired in the same place for 150 pesos per person.
The first section of the route from Palenque to Yaxchilán, of little more than an hour, passes practically in the dark, until the sun begins to rise and gives us an incredible sunrise surrounded by the incredible jungle. It is in these moments like these when we are even more aware of how lucky we are and how important it is for us to travel.
The first stop of Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour It is when we take an hour's journey, in a small roadside restaurant, where we have a buffet breakfast prepared, which charges us with energy to continue the day, especially the incredibly charged coffee that we cannot resist, even repeating.
At 7:45 we return to resume the road, arriving at 9 in the morning to the Corozal border, bounded by the Usamacinta river and marking the border between Mexico and Guatemala, to catch a boat that takes us through 40 minutes from the river to Yaxchilan.
Corozal border
It is at this point when the guide tells us several things about the tour to Yaxchilan and Bonampak, which include the possibility of hiring a guide at the sites, for 150 pesos per person in each of the ruins, which we decided not to take In addition to asking about the menu item that we want to eat around Yaxchilán, which has 3 options: 2 meat, plus a vegetarian that are quesadillas.
Boats to start the Tour to Yaxchilán and Bonampak from Palenque
At this point of the tour we are divided into groups of 10 people, who have come in two vans, and we ride a small brand that, as we said before, will take us 40 minutes along the Usumacinta River, passing between the border of Guatemala with the border of Mexico.
It is at this time when we can avoid remembering the incredible trip to Guatemala in 18 days that we made a couple of years ago and that so many memories bring us, staying there part of our traveling heart.
Road to Yaxchilán by the Usumacinta River
Road to Yaxchilán by the Usumacinta River
In less than 40 minutes along the river, enjoying some infarct views, we arrive at the access pier to the archaeological site of Yaxchilan, from where after climbing some stairs we reach the visitor center, a small booth where we checked in, and where the visit begins directly this site.
As we said at the beginning, the Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour It does not include a guide in the two enclosures, so it is at this time when they offer us the service for an additional 150 pesos per person. Taking into account that we have enough information from both places and that our idea is to make the visit with tranquility and to be able to take photographs, we choose to refuse the service, getting ahead of the rest of the group about 10 minutes, something that allows us to always go ahead and be Alone in the archaeological site of Yaxchilan, something that really as we said before, is an added value to a place as incredible as this.
Tips to visit Yaxchilán
- The most advisable to visit Yaxchilán is to come first thing in the morning, since the temperature is lower and you will be able to do the tour with more tranquility.
- Keep in mind that in this area of Mexico it is usually quite hot, so it is advisable to bring water or some soda. Right at the entrance you will probably find a vendor, but it may be that if you arrive too early they are not there, so we recommend you bring them just in case.
- To climb to structure 33, the most important of the enclosure, keep in mind that you have to climb some irregular stairs, in which there is enough humidity, they are usually slippery. It is best to climb calmly and taking your time, as it is the best way to not get any unpleasant surprises in the form of stumbling.
- If you get here with a Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour, the most normal thing is that they leave you about an hour and a half to make the visit. Although the time is enough, we recommend you start the visit in the logical order of entry, although at the moment you arrive at the Grand Plaza, it is best to go directly to structure 33, the most important and the one that you will spend more time . By doing this you will probably avoid the rest of the people who go in your group and after going down you can continue the visit through all the structures.
- As we always say, please be respectful. We believe that this is essential when we travel and more in a place like this, in which the tranquility and the incredible sounds of the jungle are essential to know and feel the place.
Yaxchilan and Bonampak Tour
What to see in Yaxchilán
Surrounded by an incredible jungle and with access only through a meander of the Usumacinta River, on the border between Guatemala and Mexico, the Yaxchilán site is one of the most impressive places in the country.
In addition to some of the spectacular structures that can be seen, the location in which it is located and the state, make this visit one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip.
The entrance to the archaeological site is made through a path, surrounded by vegetation, which after a few meters, we discover one of the most iconic structures of the site and that is none other than The Labyrinth.
Yaxchilan main path
The labyrinth
Known for being the access point to Yaxchilán, this unusual structure is a two-storey building with 5 doors at the bottom, of which only 2 have access to the site. Although the route that is made through the interior is quite short, it is not a bad idea to carry the mobile in your hand to light up a bit and choose the right path, especially if we take into account that the walls of the Labyrinth serve as accommodation for bats .
The labyrinth
The labyrinth
The large square
We could say that it is at the center of the archaeological site, where the most important structures or buildings are located. As we mentioned before, we advise you to go directly to Building 33, the largest and most important, to be able to dedicate some more time and in case you enter with an organized group, advance it and thus make the visit with more tranquility.
Great Plaza of Yaxchilán
Building 17
According to studies, it is believed that this structure was a kind of steam bath. Right in front of this building is Stela 1, where on the sides you can see two animal figures, one of a crocodile and one of a jaguar.
Yaxchilan
20 building
Building 20 is another of Yaxchilán's most important structures, which along with 21, 73 and 89 are located in the southwest area of the Grand Plaza, which are accessed through stairs, being able to visit them on a kind of terrace .
The upper part of the building is currently in the Museum of Mexico City.
Yaxchilan
Building 33
This is the most important building in Yaxchilán, besides being the best preserved. Access is made through steep and slippery stairs, especially on wet days, which we advise you to take with ease, since although accessible to anyone with a minimum of physical form, the unevenness of the steps makes it somewhat dangerous.
Building 33. Tour to Yaxchilán and Bonampak
Once you are reaching the end of the stairs, we advise you to stand and look straight ahead, since that is when you will have in front of you one of the postcard images and more features of this archaeological site, where you can see the spectacular structure lintels from a unique perspective.
Yaxchilan and Bonampak Tour
Buildings 39,40 and 41
In the art after Building 33 are these three buildings, located on the top of a hill, which can also be accessed from the Central Square, through stairs.
Yaxchilan
After the experience, we can only say that this has been really impressive. Although the entire site is incredible, the location and structure 33, we can say that it is one of the most spectacular we have ever seen.
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In addition, the environment makes you feel very special, since normally there are not many people and being able to see such a place, where virtually the restoration has not arrived, surrounded by jungle, is a real privilege. Without a doubt, despite the hours spent on the journey, it is very worthwhile.
Yaxchilan
Yaxchilan Tour
And so, with a big smile, when there are a few minutes to 12 noon, we start our way back, but not before turning our heads one last time in an attempt to say goodbye to this incredible place while maintaining this image in our retinas.
We arrive at the meeting point where we have met the rest of the group that have gone with a guide and although we have met at 12:05 it is 12:30 when they show up, so we take this time to review the photos that we have done, in addition to resting in a shadow that we find, enjoying a bottle of cold water that we buy at the entrance of the site.
With almost half an hour of delay we went up to the boats with which we go back to the river, now again in the direction of the Corozal border, where we return to ride in our vans to go directly to the restaurant where we are going to eat.
We have 45 minutes to quench our stomach and without coffee, since they only have coffee pot, when it is 2:20 p.m. we leave Bonampak, the next and last visit of the day.
We arrive at the entrance when it is 3 o'clock in the afternoon, to make a change of van, riding in a private one of the own deposit, which in 15 minutes leaves us at the entrance door of the archaeological site of Bonampak.
This is due to the fact that private vehicles are prohibited from the Bonampak Cruise, and the vehicles that the community manages to access the site must be taken.
In this case we have not hired the extra guide services, so we do the same as in Yaxchilán, getting ahead of the group a little so that we can have that time frame and go seeing the site with some more tranquility.
Tips for visiting Bonampak
- If your visit is included in the Yaxchilan and Bonampak tour from Palenque, you will make this visit early in the afternoon, so the sun will not squeeze so much, but it should be taken into account and bring water and hat.
- If, as we do not have a guide, it is best to go ahead and go first to the “chapel", Since you can only enter three in three people to do the rest of the tour of the archaeological site.
- Normally you will have 1 hour to make the visit. Although initially it may seem little, it is enough time to see it.
- The ascent to Buildings 2 and 6 is done through stairs in which the last section is quite uneven and slippery. It should be taken into account at the time of the rise and fall.
- Within the enclosure there is no sale of water or snacks, so it is convenient to take them.
What to see in Bonampak
Discovered relatively recently, in 1946 this archaeological site saw the light after a Lacandon took Charles Frey and John Bourne here. Hidden in a wide expanse of jungle, Bonampak is known for the Temple of Paintings, from which it receives its name and which has become the main attraction of the place.
Bonampak
Stelae
Mention necessary in the visit to Bonampak are the stelae that can be found in the Grand Plaza, such as Stela 1 or Stelae 2 and 3 that can be seen in the Acropolis area.
Bonampak Stelae
Temple of the Paintings
Perhaps one of the most impressive places in this area of the country. Also known as Building 1, it is here that you can see impressive paintings on its walls and ceilings, which are considered the best preserved in Pre-Hispanic America.
Bonampak On the right the Temple of Paintings
Building 1 or Temple of the Paintings has 3 rooms that can be accessed only a few minutes and only 3 in 3 people, in addition to leaving backpacks and bags outside. It may seem excessive, but we assure you that when you enter and see what they hide, any preventive measure that prevents their deterioration is more than correct.
Murals of Building 1
Stunning paintings in Bonampak
Building 2 and 6
Right next to Building 1 are structures 2 and 6, which we recommend you visit after the previous one, looking especially at the top of 6, where you can see one of the best preserved lintels of the site.
Bonampak
Before going down we recommend you sit in this area, on one of the shaded steps and spend a few minutes only to be aware of the incredible location of Bonampak, surrounded by jungle.
It is 4:30 in the afternoon when we finish the visit to Yaxchilán and Bonampak, returning to the van, to return to make the change of vehicle again in a few kilometers and in 3 hours and twenty minutes to reach Palenque, after An incredible day and some visits that after the experience, we can only recommend.
It's 8 o'clock and today is Christmas Eve, we have been told that some restaurants close a little earlier, so we do not go to the hotel directly approaching Café Jade, where we were yesterday, after visiting the archaeological site of Palenque and where we had dinner couple of burgers plus melon waters and coffees for 300 pesos with which after a table, we go straight to rest at the Hotel Chablis Palenque.
Tomorrow begins a new stage of the trip.
Day 21: Palenque - Visit the tourist places of Campeche
