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View from a lancha on the Usumacinta river on the way to Yaxchilán

Yaxchilán & Chiapas Tours

Every sensible way to reach the river city — and the Chiapas classics to add before or after.

There is no single “best” Yaxchilán tour — there is the right one for how much time you have. The list below is grouped by exactly that: the classic one-day trip from Palenque with Bonampak, two-day tours with a night in the Lacandon jungle, the four-day loop from San Cristóbal, and the Palenque day trips that complete a stay.

Almost every Yaxchilán tour leaves Palenque very early, drives along the Carretera Fronteriza to Frontera Corozal, takes a lancha down the Usumacinta to the ruins and visits Bonampak on the way back. The differences are in what is included (entrance fees, meals, community transport at Bonampak), group size and pace. Everything here is booked through GetYourGuide, with live availability and, on many options, free cancellation. Prices are indicative “from” prices in US dollars — tap any card for the live price in your own currency.

Pick by how much time you have

One day: Yaxchilán and Bonampak from Palenque

The classic: highway, boat, ruins, murals and back to Palenque for dinner. Long but unforgettable.

A covered lancha speeding along the Usumacinta river towards Yaxchilán Day trip from US$111
🕒 12.5 hours 📍 From Palenque ⭐ 4.5 (98)

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
Check price & availability

Two days: add a night in the jungle

Our recommendation. Sleep in a cabin at Lacanjá Chansayab, hike to waterfalls and see both sites at a gentler pace.

Four days from San Cristóbal

The complete loop — waterfalls, Palenque, a jungle night, Yaxchilán and Bonampak — with accommodation included.

More days in Palenque and beyond

Palenque’s ruins with a guide, the Agua Azul and Misol-Ha waterfalls, and the shuttle on to Flores and Tikal.

Temple I rising above the Great Plaza of Tikal Shuttle from US$75
🕒 8 hours 📍 From Palenque ⭐ 5.0 (4)

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
Check price & availability
Live availability

Book now — real-time prices

Straight from GetYourGuide, updated continuously.

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The full list

Every tour we recommend

Seventeen experiences we would happily book ourselves — nine that include Yaxchilán, and eight Palenque, highland and onward trips.

A covered lancha speeding along the Usumacinta river towards Yaxchilán Day trip from US$111
🕒 12.5 hours 📍 From Palenque ⭐ 4.5 (98)

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
Check price & availability
Temple I rising above the Great Plaza of Tikal Shuttle from US$75
🕒 8 hours 📍 From Palenque ⭐ 5.0 (4)

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
Check price & availability
Plan your trip

Take the boat to the Maya city in the jungle

An hour down the Usumacinta, howler monkeys in the ceibas and the carved temples of the Jaguar kings — plus Bonampak’s murals on the same day. Compare Yaxchilán tours from Palenque and book in a couple of taps.

Browse Yaxchilán tours Compare all tours
Good to know

Booking questions

Frequently asked questions

Which Yaxchilán tour is best value?

The standard one-day Yaxchilán and Bonampak tours from Palenque start from roughly US$105–135 on GetYourGuide at the time of writing. Check whether entrance fees, breakfast and lunch are included — that is where the real price difference lies.

What time do Yaxchilán tours leave Palenque?

Usually around 6 a.m., with hotel pickup, returning between about 7 and 9 p.m. Exact times are shown on each listing and confirmed by the operator.

What is included in a Yaxchilán tour?

Typically transport from Palenque, the boat from Frontera Corozal, a guide and one or two meals. Some tours include the INAH tickets, the Frontera Corozal community fee and the Lacandon transport at Bonampak; others do not. Each listing spells it out.

Are the tours guided in English?

Many are offered in Spanish and English; guiding at the sites is sometimes done by local guides. Check the language options on each listing before you book.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

Many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and many let you reserve now and pay later. Multi-day tours can have stricter terms, shown on each tour page before you confirm.