Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak 2-Day Tour Review: Is It Actually Worth It?

Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak 2-Day Tour Review: Is It Actually Worth It?

Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak 2-Day Tour Review: Is It Actually Worth It?

Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak 2-Day Tour Review: Is It Actually Worth It?

Thinking about taking that 2-day tour to Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak? It’s quite the common question for those sniffing around southern Mexico. I mean, that is, these Mayan sites aren’t just piles of rocks. Too, they’re brimming with history, and are set deep in the jungle, and it can be a little hard to get to them by yourself. In some respects, if you go for an organized tour, you won’t need to stress about figuring all that out on your own.

But, then, that’s always the question, right? Are those group tours really that great, or do they just rush you around and make you spend a pile of money on top of it all? This review will tell you all about my experiences on that tour, and might just assist you in figuring out if that’s something you’d be wanting to spend your money on.

What You Can Expect On a Palenque, Yaxchilan, and Bonampak Adventure

Yaxchilan Ruins Mexico

Basically, that is, this particular two-day outing focuses on immersing yourself in the mysterious Mayan cities hidden among the rainforests in Chiapas. Typically, tour outfits gather people from places such as Palenque, Villahermosa, or Tuxtla Gutiérrez, yet do confirm the pickup spots. And basically, it is important because these tours fill up surprisingly quickly!

Palenque: On day one, Palenque stands as the initial destination. That spot right there, it’s famed for pretty cool architecture and is known as the home of some totally awesome Mayan art. You’re likely to walk amongst incredibly structured temples and hear from the people directing your group all regarding the history behind notable rulers such as Pakal the Great.

Yaxchilan: Early morning of the second day finds one driving off to the borders, pretty much. It includes a riverboat trip over the Usumacinta into the fairly thick jungle that is home to Yaxchilan. That Mayan spot is something only truly achieved through waterways which simply adds an aspect that few additional ruins can likely provide.

Bonampak: Immediately afterward you’re heading off to Bonampak that does not take terribly long to reach following Yaxchilan and this, even with a smaller site, contains quite incredible Mayan murals still vibrant although time goes by. Such vibrant walls portray historic life scenes; this just allows one deeper understanding what life would seem during historic times.

My Actual Experience: More or Less How the Days Played Out

Bonampak Murals

As a matter of fact, my trip went sort of like this: the first thing that occurred was they picked me up right at my hotel early. Honestly, those bus rides did feel a little bit lengthy, anyway you get there and start gazing at those Mayan ruins pretty quickly! Plus, really, listening to the leader talk that understands stuff is just pretty cool.

The visit to Palenque, for example, stood out because it really showed just how skilled those old Mayans truly were at coming up with building methods. Very cool. So, seeing Yaxchilan and cruising up the river certainly got your attention right away, it definitely is like moving backwards to other times – quite special overall, really!

What seriously got my attention about Bonampak could just possibly happen to be seeing old paintings! Absolutely cool!

The Positives About the Palenque/Yaxchilan/Bonampak Expedition

Mayan Archaeological Site in Palenque

Actually, going along as a group for this type adventure possesses its strong factors as I picked on:

  • Comforts: You won’t be wanting to bother about finding any ways anywhere or locating translators.
  • Information Learned: Your speaker truly tells the whole thing.
  • Safe Aspects: Exploring the backwoods through local people proves usually safer than setting off solo mission.

For my situation, I valued the handiness as well as the insight which, basically, I could gain via our leader that does these quite often! Trying these specific locations alone probably will prove pretty stressful on you!

Here’s what may give pause with this 2-Day Trip

Tourist crowd mayan ruins

Now it is not every little thing just sparkles and shines here. There exist quite negatives to imagine. This might impact ones call.

Tight Schedules: Every now and then visits appear swift considering group agendas demand stickiness.
Price Considerations: A guided adventure would equal inexpensive by any probability compare that self led voyages might display though.
Mass Crowdings: In case crowdedness seriously messes stuff up then that could easily make adventures way tougher being with others compared touring unguided or free will trips etcetera!

During several areas during particular moments like on the second site exploration, the pace felt too rushed! Possibly being left alone for something slower/ self exploration turns appealing though for many that won’t necessarily matter that much.

Figuring out who this travel package seriously fits

Travel style

Figuring a tour like the trips around Palenque with Bonampak in Yaxchilán most probably gets right if you’re seriously into stuff that happened way before now plus would also go along simply enough minus worrying related logistical junk – however being more flexible over itineraries tends a bonus.

Probably you would benefit more by trying to plan personally designed routes by doing each portion if indeed feeling super snug crafting trips or needing greater say about timings throughout explorations here.

Costs Considerations for the Multiday Mayan Spot Expedition

how to budget travel

The two-day trips around famous locations similar by going among old ruins generally run somewhat steeply relying regarding exactly the provider alongside which extras, similar meals could occur etcetera – more likely expect shelling within anything right at around, usually $150 up toward perhaps approximately $300 more depending!

Specifically for checking up price factors then weighing everything inside specific trip descriptions would allow making informed purchasing judgment whether what being gained equates towards asked amounts therefore weighing that option seriously comes across key, and that stuff like where people would be sleeping would influence costs too. If what’s paid proves worthwhile comes into view though by seeing added value!

Extra Tips & “Need-To-Knows” Ahead Trip Start Times

travel tips

Oh yeah, that’s also important too, so a handful small guidelines here to turn this out simply fantastic adventure that these happen during:

  • Put sturdy shoes so it easier traverse around jungle.
  • Carry liquids always. Weather gets dry then really humid making really vital remain filled via wet type fluids regularly
  • Try learning numerous necessary vocab terms from Spanish people- people there like when travelers strive mingling plus it boosts contact which feels so cool!

Always look up regarding particular instructions alongside certain guides as something might shift with those sites on sudden – in some respects!