7 Ancient Ruins Tours in Chiapas That Repay the Booking

1.Agua Azul, Misol Ha & Palenque Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 186 reviews · from $69Our pick

Travel from San Cristóbal to three major Chiapas sights: the turquoise cascades of Agua Azul, the shaded 25-meter Misol Ha waterfall, and Palenque’s Maya ruins. The Spanish-speaking driver handles transport, while you explore independently. It is a very long day on winding roads, but a smart way to see these highlights for $69.

“Palenque is stunning!Tonio, our driver, is the best! He is so professional and kind, he made this long trip great! It worths the distance!”

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2.Palenque Ruins, Agua Azul Waterfalls and Misol-Ha

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 77 reviews · 11 - 14 hours · from $99

You’ll visit Palenque’s jungle-framed temples, the 50-meter Misol-Ha waterfall, and the turquoise cascades of Agua Azul on a Spanish-language small-group tour. Hotel pickup, admissions, transport, basic insurance, and hotel drop-off are included. Expect 11 to 14 hours on the road, with food and drinks at your own cost.

“pratique pour aller à San Cristobal. Les lieux où nous sommes allés valent vraiment le coup, c'est super joli. ce serait bien d'inclure le guide pour le site de Palenque.”

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3.Agua Azul and Palenque Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 75 reviews · 19 hours · from $98

Travel from San Cristóbal to Palenque by air-conditioned minivan, stopping at Agua Azul and 30-meter Misol-Ha. You get entrance fees and park fees, but no guide or meals. Spanish is the only listed tour language. You can end in Palenque or return late to San Cristóbal.

“nos encantó, el guia genial, es uno de los lugares más bonitos que hemos visto, recomendamos totalmente está excursión. es un poco cansada pero merece totalmente la pena. No puedes ir a Chiapas sin ver la selva y Palenque”

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4.Yaxchilán and Bonampak Archaeological Area Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 65 reviews · 12.5 hours · from $105

Leave Palenque around 6:00 AM for Yaxchilán and Bonampak. You’ll ride a lancha on the Usumacinta River, see jungle wildlife, explore two remote Maya sites, and meet Lacandone people. Transport, breakfast, boat fare, and entrance fees are included. Site guides cost extra, so bring cash if you want guided visits.

“It’s a long day but worth it. For me the highlights were the wall paintings at Bonampak and seeing crocodiles on the boat trip. Breakfast was a welcome stop after the 5.30am start and pre-ordering the lunch (which was substantial, good value and delicious) is a great idea. We felt in good hands with our driver, Cesar.”

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5.Yaxchilan & Bonampak Ruins and Lacandon Jungle from Palenque

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 44 reviews · 13 hours · from $210

Travel from Palenque to Bonampak and Yaxchilan in a small group of up to 14. You’ll ride the Usumacinta River, see Bonampak’s famous murals, and explore Yaxchilan’s temples. The tour is Spanish-language, though English guiding may not always be available. Bring sunscreen, sturdy comfort, and patience for a very long day.

“En raison du contexte politique, l’excursion a été modifiée : nous n’avons pas pu visiter le site de Yaxchilan, à la place de quoi nous avons visité la cité perdue de Lacanja et fait une excursion dans la forêt lacandone. Le site de Bonampak était très intéressant à visiter (même si généralement sous la pluie début fin octobre) et loin du tourisme de masse.”

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6.Palenque Ruins and waterfalls Roberto Barrios

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 38 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $93

Start with hotel pickup at 8:00 am for Palenque’s jungle-covered temples, the site museum, and a replica of King Pakal’s tomb. Then travel to Roberto Barrios for swimming in clear pools and cascades. Tickets and transfers are included, but guiding may cost extra and vehicle changes can occur.

“Trip included the promised sights, Palenque ruins and Roberto Barrios waterfalls. Both are well worth your time and money. The transport was confusing as we kept jumping from one van to another. There was no tour guide, but we paid the lady who rode the van with us 400 pesos each for a guided tour and she was pretty well informed. Overall we would do it again. Nola Lara”

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7.Waterfalls Misol-ha y Agua Azul.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $52Best value

Leave Palenque at noon for Misol-Ha and its cave behind the falling water, then spend two and a half hours at Agua Azul. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and entrance tickets are included. The drive can take about two hours each way, so expect a full day with more time on the road than at the first waterfall.

“Heel mooie dagtrip gehad met 2 prachtige watervallen. DE afstand vanuit Palenque bedraagt bijna 70 km of 2 uur maar het uitzicht onderweg is prachtig”

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