Because of the fact that it is to be found in a heavily forested area, Yaxchilan is a destiny exclusive for those travellers that look for adventure, being the only way in on board of a ship -that starts from the borderline Echecarria or Corozal and after sailing for an hour on the Usumacinta River- or taking a trip on a small plane -there are some private flights that take off from Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas or Tuxtla Gutierrez- to sightsee the Complex.
- The Escudo Jaguar Shield is an attractive tourist
centre located in the community Frontera Carozal (on the limits
between Mexico and Guatemala) at a distance of 160 kilometres from
Palenque. It works as a starting point to the adventurers
that head towards the
Zona Arqueologica de Yaxchilan Archaeological
Zone, because from there weigh anchors the boats that go
to this ancient Maya City, 25 kilometres away.
This Tourist Centre includes cabins, restaurants, boat rental and hammocks, among other facilities.
-
Zona Arqueologica de Bonampak - Archaeological Area,
In the heart of the Lacandona Jungle, the people of the Maya Culture
constructed a notable city, and on several of its walls they designed
colourful wall paintings depicting scenes relative to their ceremonial
rites, battles, festivities and dances. These images have been like
an open book to the scholars as a means to learn and understand
the customs of this Pre-Hispanic people.
Inside this archaeological area, situated into the Reserva de Biosfera
de los Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, there has only been researched
the zones known as the
Gran Plaza and the
Acropolis,
which has shown us, in the grounds of the former and on the access
road to the latter, a number of magnificent obelisks depicting some
very richly outfitted characters.
Furthermore, in the Acropolis are found the best-preserved and most important wall paintings from all of the Maya civilization. A true spellbinder to the eyes of the visitor. Bonampak, discovered in the decade of the forties during the past century, would have had its days of splendour in the year 743 A.D., during the kingdom of Jaguar-Ojo Anudado. The name Bonampak is a Maya expression, which means "painted walls".
This stronghold of the history of the Mayas is located at 140 kilometres
to the Northwest of Palenque, near the borderline between Mexico
and Guatemala. The access way on the land is very strenuous, especially
during the last stage of the journey. It can also be reached by
air, thanks to private flights that depart from Tuxtla Gutierrez
or from
Palenque itself.
- The Zona Arqueologica de Tonina - Archaeological Area
is a Ceremonial Center of the Mayas, which took over a thousand
years to build. It resembles some kind of tower which on its different
levels comprises temples and palaces connected one to another by
staircases, being a notable one the third platform or Palacio de
Inframundo which means the Underworld Palace, the fourth or
Palacio
de las Grecas y la Guerra, meaning Palace of the Fretworks
and of War, and the seventh, comprising the Temple of the Prisoners
and the Temple of the Smoking Mirror, among others.
The scholars believe that this architectonic Complex, named by the
Mayas themselves as the
Casa de las Grandes Piedras or
the House of the Large Stones, was indeed a military facility, in
view of the great amounts of stucco and stone paintings depicting
prisoners that exist in its interiors.
Tonina can be found in the vicinity of Ocosingo, a town located at 103 kilometres from Palenque, halfway to the town of San Cristobal de las Casas.
- The Cascada de Misol-Ha Waterfall, by its paradisiacal
aspect resembles a postcard from some tropical jungle, in which
can be seen very tall mahogany trees,
chicozapotes and
palos de agua. The cascade is formed by the Tzaconeja River
and reaches a height of almost 30 metres. At the foot of the water
veil the strength of the fall over the years has produced an ample
pool in which the visitors can take a refreshing bath.
The cascade, which name in the Chol tongue means "water swept",
is located 21 kilometres from
Palenque driving
by the Road 199, in the municipality of Salto de Agua. The area
is a tourist park that offers cabins, restaurants and other services
for enjoying a pleasant visit.
- The Cascada de Agua Azul - the Blue Water Waterfall
is a set of superb turquoise coloured cascades, owing to its limestone
bed. It is formed by the impetuous currents of the Agua Azul or
Yax-Ha River and its striking beauty is a magnificent asset to the
generous greenery of the jungle.
It can be found at 64 kilometres from
Palenque,
by the route that goes to Ocosingo and San Cristobal de las Casas.
There are some rustic cabins, restaurants, crafts stores and other
facilities nearby.
-Las Guacamayas is an eco-tourist centre of some
1200 hectares, managed by the Community Reforma Agraria of the municipality
of Ocosingo. It was created in view of the necessity of preserving
the life of the red macaw, a parrot-like bird that, as endangered
specie, is facing extinction. Also to offer sanctuary to the mono
saraguato monkey, the white tailed deer and the wild boar, among
other species decimated by mankind.
There are organized long hikes through the jungle, not to mention visits to watch birds in its natural habitat and trips on boats. All of these activities give the traveller an opportunity to enjoy an attractive variety of plant and animal wildlife.
Las Guacamayas is located 252 kilometres away from
Palenque
by the Carretera Fronteriza del Sur road.
