We rank these on four things: time at the ruins, what is included (fees, meals, the boat), value for money, and what travellers say afterwards. Ratings and review counts come straight from GetYourGuide and are checked regularly. Yaxchilán tours naturally have fewer reviews than beach excursions — that reflects how remote the site is, not their quality.
We earn a commission if you book through the links below, at no cost to you — which is why the ranking is what it is rather than what a supplier would like it to be.
- Best overall
Palenque: Yaxchilán and Bonampak Archaeological Area Tour
The most-reviewed Yaxchilán tour on GetYourGuide, with a solid 4.5 average and one of the lowest prices. Boat on the Usumacinta, both sites, hotel pickup — the proven classic.
Most travellers — the proven classic
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- Best all-inclusive day
Palenque: Yaxchilán & Bonampak Day Trip with Boat Transfer
Transport, boat, entrance fees and breakfast are bundled in, so there are no surprises on the day. A long itinerary that leaves time at both sites.
Travellers who want fees and breakfast sorted in advance
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- Best for the jungle
Yaxchilán & Bonampak Ruins and Lacandon Jungle from Palenque
A long-running tour with dozens of reviews that makes as much of the Lacandon rainforest as of the ruins.
Travellers who want the jungle as much as the ruins
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- Best budget day
From Palenque: Archaeological Zones Yaxchilán & Bonampak
The classic route at one of the lowest starting prices, with good reviews. Check what is included and bring cash for any fees.
Budget travellers doing the classic day
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- Best backup date
From Palenque: Yaxchilán and Bonampak Tour
A highly rated alternative operator if the most popular departures are full on your date.
A backup date with a well-reviewed operator
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- Best for a quieter Yaxchilán
From Palenque: Bonampak & Yaxchilán
Reverses the usual order — Bonampak in the morning, Yaxchilán later in the day — so you may share the site with fewer people.
Travellers who prefer a quieter Yaxchilán
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- Best two-day tour
From Palenque: Yaxchilán, Bonampak & Lacandon Jungle, 2 Days with Cabin
A night in a jungle cabin at Lacanjá Chansayab and a guided hike with a Lacandon Maya guide turn the marathon day into a real rainforest experience. Excellent early reviews.
Anyone with an extra day — our pick of the multi-day tours
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- Best with waterfalls
Palenque: 2-Day Yaxchilán, Bonampak & Jungle Cabin Tour
Two days, a cabin night and a hike to jungle waterfalls, with boat transport and selected meals included.
Nature lovers and families with older children
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- Best from San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal: 4-Day Lacandon Jungle & Maya Ruins Tour
Four days that loop from the highlands through Agua Azul, Misol-Ha, Palenque, the Lacandon jungle, Yaxchilán and Bonampak, with accommodation included.
Travellers based in San Cristóbal who want it all arranged
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- Best Palenque tour
Palenque: Archaeological Zone Guided Tour
A focused guided visit of Palenque’s ruins with excellent reviews — the ideal first day before Yaxchilán.
Your first day in Palenque
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- Best second day
Palenque: Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul Waterfalls and Misol-Ha
Palenque’s ruins plus Misol-Ha and Agua Azul, with close to a hundred reviews. Everything else northern Chiapas is famous for, in one day.
The perfect second day in Palenque
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- Best waterfalls only
From Palenque: Misol-Ha and Agua Azul Waterfalls
Misol-Ha and Agua Azul for a low price — perfect if you visit Palenque’s ruins independently.
Budget travellers and swimmers
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- Best lazy afternoon
From Palenque: Roberto Barrios Waterfalls
The quieter Roberto Barrios pools on a short, cheap half-day trip — a good way to recover from an early Yaxchilán start.
A relaxed half day on a budget
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- Best way to the highlands
Palenque to San Cristóbal Transfer: Falls & Daylight Arrival
A private car from Palenque to San Cristóbal with swims at Misol-Ha and Agua Azul, arriving in daylight. Priced per vehicle, so good value for three.
Couples and small groups heading to the highlands
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- Best onward to Tikal
Shuttle Palenque to Flores (Guatemala)
The practical way to continue from Palenque into Guatemala and on to Flores, the base for Tikal.
Travellers continuing to Tikal
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- Best in San Cristóbal
From San Cristóbal: Chamula and Zinacantán Guided Tour
Hundreds of reviews and a very low price for a guided visit to the Tzotzil villages of Chamula and Zinacantán.
Anyone spending a day or two in San Cristóbal
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- Best nature day in the highlands
From San Cristóbal: Sumidero Canyon & Chiapa de Corzo Tour
The boat trip through the Sumidero Canyon with a stop in Chiapa de Corzo — more than a hundred reviews at 4.6.
A classic day from the highlands
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How we rank these tours
We look at four things, in this order:
- Time at the ruins. A tour that gives you an hour at Yaxchilán after three hours on the road has short-changed you.
- What is included. Entrance fees, the community fee, Lacandon transport at Bonampak and meals can add up.
- Value. Not the lowest price — the most experience per dollar.
- What reviewers say afterwards. We read the critical reviews, not only the glowing ones.
Still not sure?
Browse everything currently bookable on our full tours page — or read our guide to the ruins first to see what you will be visiting.
