Bonampak

The Basics

Trips to Bonampak are usually combined with visits to the much larger ruins of nearby Yaxchilán during tours which depart from Palenque. If you’re keen to explore beyond the ruins, some excursions also build in time to visit the wider Lacandón jungle. Meanwhile, multi-day trips are ideal for first-time visitors who also want to see more of Chiapas with ease, including the Misol-Ha waterfall. At Bonampak, don’t miss the Temple of the Murals, which houses the famed Maya frescoes.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Use light layers, bug spray, and sturdy shoes to explore the hot and humid Bonampak ruins.

• Only a few people are allowed into the Temple of the Murals at a time.

• There are restrooms and vendors at the entrance to the ruins.

• Take cash as there is a small fee to enter the site.

• Bonampak is not fully wheelchair or stroller accessible due to uneven and unpaved ground.

How to Get There

Bonampak is situated in the Chiapas rainforest, approximately 90 miles (146 kilometers) from Palenque. While you can get to the ruins independently, their remote location means that visiting as part of a guided tour is the safest and easiest way to visit. There is on-site parking.

When to Get There

Bonampak is open daily from the early morning until the late afternoon. It’s best to arrive early to enjoy the site at its quietest and you should avoid visiting at midday, when the ruins are often oppressively hot and humid.

Ruins in Chiapas

Still a heavily indigenous state, Chiapas has several impressive Mesoamerican ruins for curious visitors to explore. Combine your trip to Bonampak with a stop at nearby Yaxchilán or stay closer to Palenque to visit the eponymous Palenque Ruins. The latter are set in lush jungle and offer a rugged alternative to the popular Chichen Itzá in Yucatán.