Typically combined with a stop at nearby Bonampak, Yaxchilán is best visited during a guided tour due to it’s tricky-to-reach location. Opt for shared or private tours—including those which allow time to visit the wider Lacandón jungle region or nearby attractions such as the Misol-Ha Waterfall—and make the most of your journey to this remote corner of Chiapas. There are even multi-day trips which include a stop at Yaxchilán, ideal for first-time visitors.
Yaxchilán is the ideal day-trip destination for travelers in both Mexico and Guatemala.
There’s a small fee to enter Yaxchilán and Spanish-speaking guides on hand for tours.
Look out for howler monkeys, crocodiles, and birds during the boat ride to Yaxchilán.
You can use the restroom and pick up water from the vendors at the entrance to the ruins—take cash to buy your ticket and pay for any snacks, tours, and souvenirs.
Dress appropriately for the hot and humid weather at Yaxchilán, by wearing light layers, sturdy shoes, and bug spray.
Yaxchilán is not wheelchair or stroller accessible, due to uneven and unpaved ground.
The ruins of Yaxchilán are situated on the Mexico-Guatemala border, 100 miles (164 kilometers) from Palenque. Given the relatively remote location of Yaxchilán and the challenges of driving in Chiapas, it’s best to visit them as part of a guided tour that includes round-trip transportation. From the drop-off point in Frontera Corozal, it’s just a short boat ride to the ruins.
Yaxchilán is open daily from the early morning until the late afternoon and is at its coolest and quietest in the morning. If you’re visiting in the afternoon, prepare for very hot and humid weather and come midweek if you want to escape the larger weekend crowds.
Chiapas is one of Mexico’s most diverse and nature-rich states, with numerous waterfalls, national parks, and archaeological ruins to explore. Combine a stop at Yaxchilán with an exploration of Bonampak or take time to visit the impressive Agua Azul or Misol-Ha Waterfalls, before sightseeing in the charming town of San Cristóbal de las Casas.
