Frontera Corozal is a Ch’ol Maya community on the Usumacinta, founded in the 1970s and now the gateway to Yaxchilán. Everything here revolves around the river: long, narrow lanchas with canvas roofs line the jetty, ready to take visitors downstream to the ruins or across to Bethel and La Técnica in Guatemala.
The community runs its own tourism businesses, including the riverside Escudo Jaguar lodge and restaurant, named after Yaxchilán’s most famous king. A small community fee is collected from visitors on the way in. Stay a night and you can take the first boat of the morning to Yaxchilán, before the day-trippers arrive.
Frontera Corozal & the Usumacinta: what to see and do
Take the boat to Yaxchilán
The trip downstream takes around 40 minutes, a little more on the way back. Boats are priced per lancha and shared between passengers; ask at the cooperative office by the jetty.
Watch the river
Crocodiles, herons, kingfishers and iguanas are common along the banks. The Guatemalan shore is a few hundred metres away.
Cross into Guatemala
Boats run upstream to Bethel or across to La Técnica, from where roads lead to Flores and Tikal. Sort out your Mexican exit formalities before you leave.
Frontera Corozal & the Usumacinta: how to get there
- From Palenque: around three hours along the Carretera Fronteriza by tour, private transfer or colectivo, then a short road from the Crucero Corozal junction.
- From Lacanjá and Bonampak: roughly an hour by road.
- See the full guide: Palenque to Yaxchilán.
Insider tips
- Bring cash: there are no reliable ATMs in Frontera Corozal.
- Solo travellers can often join other visitors to share a lancha — arrive early.
- Keep your passport with you: there are immigration and military checks in the border zone.
Frontera Corozal & the Usumacinta: the best tours
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to get there:
Day trip from US$142 From Palenque: Bonampak & Yaxchilán
This version reverses the usual order: Bonampak first, then the boat ride down the Usumacinta to the lost city of Yaxchilán later in the day, when many day-trippers have already left.
- Bonampak’s murals in the morning
- About an hour on the Usumacinta to Yaxchilán
- Long day, unhurried visits
Day trip from US$111 Palenque: Yaxchilán and Bonampak Archaeological Area Tour
The most-booked way to see Yaxchilán: an early pickup in Palenque, the drive along the Frontera highway, a lancha down the Usumacinta to the river city, then Bonampak and its painted rooms on the way back. Close to a hundred reviews and one of the lowest prices.
- Boat along the Usumacinta from Frontera Corozal
- Guided visit of Yaxchilán and the Bonampak murals
- Hotel pickup in Palenque
Shuttle from US$75 Shuttle Palenque to Flores (Guatemala)
A shared shuttle from Palenque to Flores on Lake Petén Itzá, the gateway to Tikal — the practical way to continue into Guatemala after Yaxchilán. Check the current schedule and border requirements before you book.
- Palenque to Flores in one day
- Crosses the Usumacinta border region
- Base for visiting Tikal
