The Temple of the Inscriptions at Palenque, the usual base for visiting Yaxchilán

Where to Stay for Yaxchilán

Palenque for convenience, the river for the first boat, the rainforest for the magic. Here is where.

There is no hotel at Yaxchilán itself. Most travellers base themselves in Palenque, where every Yaxchilán tour picks up, and where you also need a night or two to see Palenque’s own ruins and waterfalls. For a slower trip, sleep on the Usumacinta at Frontera Corozal — ideal for the first boat of the morning — or in a cabin in the Lacandon rainforest at Lacanjá Chansayab, close to Bonampak.

Guest scores are from Trip.com. Rates change constantly with season and demand — every card links out for live availability and prices.

Where to stay

Staying in Palenque

Two choices: the town centre, walkable to restaurants and the bus station, or the jungle road towards the ruins (La Cañada and the “zona de hoteles”), with pools, gardens and howler monkeys at dusk.

Hotel Boutique Quinta Chanabnal

Palenque — ruins road

9.4 / 10

An elegant, Maya-inspired boutique hotel in the forest just off the ruins road, with a river running through the gardens and consistently excellent guest scores.

Top guest scores in Palenque
Jungle gardens and natural pools
Minutes from the ruins

See rates & availability

Chan-Kah Resort Village

Palenque — ruins road

8.6 / 10

A long-established resort of stone-and-wood bungalows set in rainforest between the town and the ruins, with a big stone-lined pool and a spa.

Bungalows in the jungle
Large pool and spa
Howler monkeys at dusk

See rates & availability

Hotel Villa Mercedes Palenque

Palenque — town

9.0 / 10

A comfortable, modern hotel on the edge of town with a large pool and gardens — easy for early tour pickups and close to restaurants.

Large pool
Easy early pickups
Good value for families

See rates & availability

Hotel La Aldea del Halach Huinic

Palenque — ruins road

9.0 / 10

Thatched cabins in a green garden on the road to the ruins — relaxed, good value and a favourite with travellers who want the jungle without roughing it.

Thatched cabins
Pool in the garden
On the road to the ruins

See rates & availability

Misión Palenque

Palenque — town

8.2 / 10

A large, dependable hotel set in gardens at the edge of town, with a pool and plenty of rooms — handy when smaller places are full.

Big garden and pool
Reliable standard
Often available at short notice

See rates & availability

Hotel Maya Tulipanes Palenque

Palenque — La Cañada

8.6 / 10

A friendly mid-range hotel in the leafy La Cañada district, within walking distance of the centre and the colectivos to the ruins.

Walkable to the centre
Pool and restaurant
Quiet, green neighbourhood

See rates & availability

Cabañas Kin Balam Palenque

Palenque — ruins road

8.6 / 10

Simple cabins among the trees on the ruins road — a budget-friendly way to wake up to the sounds of the rainforest.

Budget cabins in the forest
Near the ruins entrance
Laid-back atmosphere

See rates & availability

Hotel Mundo Maya Palenque

Palenque — town

9.2 / 10

A central, well-kept town hotel with high guest scores, close to the ADO bus station and the colectivos for Frontera Corozal.

Central location
Near buses and colectivos
Strong guest scores

See rates & availability

See all Palenque hotels

On the river and in the rainforest

Simple, community-run lodging at Frontera Corozal and Lacanjá Chansayab. Expect fans rather than air-conditioning, limited hot water and wonderful nights.

Escudo Jaguar

Frontera Corozal

The community-run lodge on the riverbank at Frontera Corozal, named after Yaxchilán’s great king — cabins, a restaurant and the boats to the ruins right outside. Not bookable on Trip.com: this link opens the Frontera Corozal hotel search; contact the lodge directly if it is not listed.

On the Usumacinta, by the boat jetty
First boat to Yaxchilán in the morning
Run by the Ch’ol Maya community

See rates & availability

Hotel Nueva Alianza

Frontera Corozal

8.6 / 10

A simple, friendly lodge with wooden cabins in the forest at Frontera Corozal, a short walk from the river.

Wooden cabins in the trees
Walk to the jetty
Budget-friendly

See rates & availability

Campamento Río Lacanjá

Lacanjá Chansayab

8.6 / 10

An ecotourism camp by the Lacanjá river in Lacandon territory, with cabins and guided hikes — the ideal night between Yaxchilán and Bonampak.

Riverside cabins in the rainforest
Guided jungle hikes
Close to Bonampak

See rates & availability

Search hotels at Frontera Corozal

Palenque, Frontera Corozal or Lacanjá?

Base	Good for	Less good for	Price range
Palenque (town)	Tour pickups, restaurants, buses and the Tren Maya, budgets of every size	Three hours from Yaxchilán; a busy town	Budget to mid-range
Palenque (jungle road)	Pools, gardens, rainforest atmosphere, close to Palenque’s ruins	Taxi or colectivo into town for dinner	Mid-range to upscale
Frontera Corozal	The first boat to Yaxchilán, the river, onward travel to Guatemala	Very few services, no ATMs	Budget to mid-range
Lacanjá Chansayab	Rainforest nights, jungle hikes, early Bonampak	Basic facilities; you need transport	Budget

How to choose

On a one-day tour? Stay in Palenque — the operator collects you from your hotel before dawn and brings you back in the evening.
On a two-day tour? The cabin night is included; keep your Palenque hotel booked for the nights before and after and leave your main luggage there.
Travelling independently? Sleep at Frontera Corozal the night before and take the first boat to Yaxchilán, then go on to Lacanjá and Bonampak.
Heading to Guatemala? A night in Frontera Corozal breaks the journey to Flores and Tikal.

Booking tips

Ask your Palenque hotel whether it can provide an early breakfast box for 6 a.m. pickups.
Air-conditioning is worth paying for in Palenque from March to September.
Jungle lodges often have limited electricity and Wi-Fi — charge everything before you go.
Book ahead for Christmas, Easter and the July–August holidays.

Once your bed is sorted, pick the tour: our ranked tour comparison covers the Yaxchilán tours and the Palenque trips worth adding.

Accommodation links go to Trip.com. Guest scores are indicative — check the live page for current availability and prices. We do not accept payment for inclusion in this list.

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

Where to stay: FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Is there accommodation at Yaxchilán?

No. The nearest beds are at Frontera Corozal, 40 minutes upstream by boat, with lodges such as Escudo Jaguar; most visitors stay in Palenque.

Should I stay in Palenque town or on the road to the ruins?

Town is cheaper and closer to restaurants and buses; the jungle road has more atmosphere, pools and gardens. Tour operators pick up from both.

Is it worth sleeping at Frontera Corozal?

If you travel independently, yes: you can be on the first boat and have Yaxchilán almost to yourself. It is also the natural stop on the way to Guatemala.

What is it like to stay at Lacanjá Chansayab?

Simple cabins run by Lacandon Maya families in the rainforest, with jungle walks to waterfalls. Bring repellent, a torch and cash.

How many nights should I spend in Palenque?

At least two — one day for Palenque’s ruins and waterfalls, one for Yaxchilán and Bonampak. Three is more relaxed.