National park · Mexico
Bonampak Archaeological SiteSitio arqueológico Bonampak
Visit Bonampak for a quick mural tour: pay MXN 400 entry, drive 150 km (93 mi) from Palenque (≈2 h) and explore the main trail in 1–2 h; skip if heavy rain.Visit Bonampak for a quick mural tour: pay MXN 400 entry, drive 93 mi (150 km) from Palenque (≈2 h) and explore the main trail in 1–2 h; skip if heavy rain.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Area limited to the central ceremonial zone; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Palenque
Bonampak is a small Maya archaeological site deep in the Lacandon jungle of Chiapas, Mexico. Its main attraction is Temple 1, the Temple of Murals, which houses three rooms of exceptionally well‑preserved Maya wall and ceiling paintings. The site is remote, reachable by a 150 km drive from Palenque, and sees few visitors, making it a quiet spot for viewing the murals and exploring surrounding jungle structures.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 2000
Area limited to the central ceremonial zone; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Palenque.
Why go
- See the best‑preserved Maya murals in Temple 1.
- Explore a remote jungle site with few crowds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler
- FebDry, cooler
- MarDry, pleasant
- AprDry, warm
- MayRain increases
- JunRainy, hot
- JulHeavy rain, road issues
- AugHeavy rain, road issues
- SepRain tapering
- OctDry, comfortable
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, cooler
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguars (rare sightings)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys, parrots, snakesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Palenque
Drive SE on MEX 307 to Lacanja village, then 10 km (6.2 mi) dirt road to the siteDrive SE on MEX 307 to Lacanja village, then 6.2 mi (10 km) dirt road to the site
≈2 h (150 km (93 mi))≈2 h (93 mi (150 km))
Open the page →
From Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Rent a car or hire a 4WD; 4 h drive via MEX 307
≈4 h
From Palenque (van tour)
Day‑trip van that also visits Yaxchilan
≈6 h round‑trip
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main archaeological zone | Temple 1, stelae, Queen statue, Frey Group, Grupo Quemado | Open to visitors with entry fee |
| Lacanja village area | Lodges, food, water supply | Public |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are the central point of the archaeological zone; village point approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site entry (ejido fee) | MXN 400 (≈ US$25) | person | Paid at the entrance kiosk |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Site entry permit or guide
Park rules
- No litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins not provided
- Stay on marked paths
- Protect the fragile jungle and murals
- No removal of artifacts
- Strictly prohibited; fines apply
- No open fires
- Fire bans in the forest area
Where to stay
Near the park
Campamento Río Lacanjá
Rustic lodge and campsite 13 km (8.1 mi) from the siteRustic lodge and campsite 8.1 mi (13 km) from the site
Near the park
Campamento Chanaj – Margarito
Basic lodging on the access road
Safety
Heat and insects medium
Remote location, limited cell coverage medium
Road conditions (potholes, mud) low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Site entrance reachable by car; short walk to main structures.
- Uneven terrain makes wheelchair access difficult.
Visiting lightly
- Buy food and services in Lacanja to support the local community.
- Do not hire unofficial guides promising close-up mural views.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bonampak?
MXN 400 per person, paid at the entrance gate.
What are the best hikes in Bonampak?
The main trail to Temple 1 (1–2 h) and the peripheral jungle walk to the Frey Group (≈1 h).
When is the best time to visit Bonampak?
Dry months November to April offer the most comfortable conditions and clearer trails.
How do I get to Bonampak from Palenque?
Drive 150 km southeast on MEX 307 to Lacanja, then follow the 10 km dirt road to the site (≈2 h).
Where can I stay near Bonampak?
Lodges and campsites in Lacanja village such as Campamento Río Lacanjá.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Bonampak
- secondaryWikivoyage: Bonampak, revision 5337154 (CC BY-SA 4.0)