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Ancient Mayan city in Chiapas, Mexico
Photo: Jacob Rus, contrast reduced by Bertrand GRONDIN → (écrire), CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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The largest of the site's 3 acropolis is the Great Acropolis, which was built in parallel to the west bank of the Usumacinta River. Anthropologists believe it was either a royal palace or a residential structure for the city's elite. Two other acropolises are atop the south and the west hill.
Built by King Shield Jaguar I, a series of lintels portrays the king's various military adventures and victories.
Built by King Bird Jaguar IV, a central lintel portrays the king while adjacent lintels portray his captains and priests.
A stone piling in the Usumacinta River is thought to have been either the base for a dock, or for a bridge that crossed the river.
Structure 19 has a series of underground corridors beneath it, most leading to various small basement rooms, but one of the corridors remains sealed and unexplored. There are bats and some pretty cool bugs living inside.
Clean, modern open air restaurant serving traditional Mexican cuisine.
Traditional Mexican cuisine.
The low budget option, located in town within easy walking distance of the boat launch. Very basic, but better than average value for money as low-end inns in Mexico go.
Convenient location near the beach where boatmen keep their boats. Rustic, but comfortable lodging in a cabana. Mosquito netting provided. Restaurant on site.
Basic, riverfront cabana. Bunks with mosquito netting, fan but no air conditioning. Next to beach where you meet the boatmen to take you to Yaxchilán.
By boat from Guatemala
Boats can take you across the river from Guatemala to Frontera Corozal. This is normally an official border crossing, but see the above notice about current issues.
At the ruins
Once you arrive, there's no way around but walking, and it's not wheelchair accessible. There are lots of stairs.
Within Frontera Corozal
In the town of Frontera Corozal, you can get around by foot pretty well, though mototaxis (tuk-tuk) are common, cheap, and the preferred way to buzz around.
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San Benito · Regional · FRS
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