Guide To Yaxchilan Archaeological Park

About Yaxchilan

Yaxchilán is the only well trodden archaeological center in Mexico that cannot be reached by car or bus: you have to take a boat trip on Rio Usumacinta (the river that divides Mexico from Guatemala) or much less commonly, fly in from nearby Palenque or Ocosingo landing on the nearby airstrip. The boat trip is the best bet - more exciting and less expensive too.

During its hey day, which lasted around 400 years, Yaxchilán developed into a very powerful and influential urban and trade center on the banks of the Usumacinta River. Over 120 structures made up this city, grouped into 3 main areas: The Great Plaza, The Grand Acropolis and the Small Acropolis.

The site is best known structurally for its detailed facades and large ornamented roof combs and its lintels, unusually carved on BOTH sides.

By researching the architecture, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and ceramic materials, archaeologists believe that this site was occupied from around 250BC, peaking between AD680 and 800 under the leadership of Escudo Jaguar I, Pájaro Jaguar I and Escudo Juguar II, before being abandoned by AD900.

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Key Attractions

As you disembark at the site's pier, you walk up a ramp and into the jungle that stops short on the bank of the river. The entrance to the site takes you through a tunnel under Edificio 19 (Edifice 19) and you break out into the north west corner of the Grand Plaza - an open space overlooking an ancient plaza, surrounded by structures in varying conditions. On the left as you look across the Plaza from Edificio 19 are a couple of buildings - making up Edificio 17, apparently used in ancient times as a sauna.

A number of Steles (stone blocks) are dotted all over this site as in nearby Bonampak; some of them are carved on both sides and you can see an example of one of these in Edificio 20. These Steles have helped archaeologists to piece together much of the history of the site as their paintings and hieroglyphic inscriptions reveal a lot of information about the life and times of the ancient Maya people who inhabited these lands.

Visit the Steles in the Grand Plaza and continue towards Edificios 5, 8 and 20 on the southwest side of the site; double back to Stele 1, where on the left you'll see an ancient stairway rising up to a building on the brow of the hill.

The best preserved building in Yaxchilán is Edificio 33, which you have to climb up to see properly and enjoy: there is an ancient stairway to it that rises up from Stele 1. This is the building featured as the main picture of our guide.

There's a trail that leads behind this building and Edificio 30, and then downhill to the Small Acropolis and Edificios 42,44 & 51; alongside these you'll also witness some unusual tree formations, where several trees have grown into one!

If you keep walking downhill from here, you'll end up back on the main trail that led you into the site - beyond the original Edificio 19 that you walked through to arrive on the edge of the Grand Plaza and your tour of Yaxchilán will be complete.

See the Mexperience Photo Gallery for Yaxchilán

Guidebooks

All of the Mainstream Guidebooks give detailed information about attractions at Yaxchilan. Find a guidebook on the Mexperience Bookshelf!

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Getting There & Around

You reach Yaxchilán by taking a boat ride from Frontera Corozal. Frontera Corozal is also an eco center; there's a good restaurant here where you can eat and drink well and you can also rent rooms for the night in what is an upscale hostel - ask locally for details.

If you arrive here by organized tour, everything will be taken care of, otherwise you will need to arrange to hire a boat. The price is the same for however many people travel in the boat, with a small (15%) surcharge for groups of people over 5 up to a maximum of 10 people or so; if you are traveling in small numbers, it may well be worthwhile finding another small group and sharing the cost.

The boat trip is pleasant and takes around 45 minutes each way. You will see plenty of wildlife and may catch a glimpse and sound of the famous howling monkeys that live here, and even see the odd crocodile or two.

Yaxchilán has a small pier where visitors disembark and reembark on the way back to Frontera Corozal.

Yaxchilán is close to Bonampak & Palenque, and tour operators offer the opportunity for people to travel from Palenque to Yaxchilán via nearby Bonampak as part of a day trip to these sites. Bonampak and Yaxchilán are off the Frontier Highway, Highway 307 in Mexico. Important! Highway 307 road must NOT be traveled on after dark. Tours begin early in the morning and return to Palenque by dusk; if you are traveling independently be sure you follow the same schedule. See Practical Information, below.

Car Rental: To experience this area at your own pace with the freedom and independence to see precisely what you want, the best advice is to rent a car locally. Public transport is very scarce around here. See the Mexperience Travel Center for Car Rental in Tuxtla Gutierrez / San Cristobal.

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Practical Information

Opening Days & Times: 7 Days a week; 8 am to 5 pm. Admission used to be free for everybody on Sundays, but this rule was changed in February 2003; now only Mexican citizens and foreign residents (with proof of residency) can enter free.   All children under 13 and those over 60 can still enter free of charge.

Photography & Video: A permit is required if you want to use a tripod to take photographs at the archaeological site. A small fee is made for the use of hand-held video equipment. Read the section on Mexperience Travel Essentials about Video & Photography at archaeological sites in Mexico.

Ideal Clothing & Footwear: You'll need a good, comfortable pair of walking shoes with a non-slip sole - Yaxchilan is an extensive archaeological site. Wear light clothes - it gets very hot and humid here. Insect repellent is also very useful as this site is located in the jungle. See Climate, below.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical cover and/or travel assistance cover when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Safety! Driving in Chiapas: If you are driving independently in this region, using a rental car or your own vehicle, its imperative that you heed some special advice.

It's best to keep off all highways after dark, unless you know them well and have good local knowledge.

The highway from San Cristobal to Palenque (Highway 199) must NOT be travelled on after dark. It is generally regarded as safe during daylight hours. This road cuts through some extremely remote territory, including in the latter stages, sweltering jungle.

The above also applies to Highway 307 between Palenque and Bonampak / Yaxchilán archaeology sites. Most travelers join others and see these places as part of an organized tour, but there are advantages to driving yourself, and if you do, you must take these additional precautions for your safety.

Military Checkpoints: Expect to pass through at least one, but probably several of these on your road trip through Chiapas. Don't be alarmed, the soldiers may or may not check your car's trunk; they are polite, respectful and can even provide local advice and directions if you need it.

Tourist Information Office: Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details of the nearest Tourist Information office in Palenque.

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Nearby Places & Attractions

Major Cities: Mexico City (Closest)

Colonial Cities: Comitan, Tuxtla Gutierrez, San Cristobal de las Casas, Villahermosa, Oaxaca

Nearest Beaches/ Resorts: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres

Other Archaeological Sites Nearby: Palenque, Tenam Puente, Bonampak, Chinkultic

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Local Climate

The Local Climate is the same as that for Palenque; which is jungle weather: extremely hot and humid. Dress with light clothes that enable your skin to breathe. Bring sun screen, insect repellent and a hat.   Carry plenty of water and stay well hydrated at all times.

Live Weather Report: (Villahermosa)

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