The top cities between Granada and Guadalajara are Mexico City, Puebla, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro City, Veracruz, San Cristobal de las Casas, Morelia, and Leon. Mexico City is the most popular city on the route. It's 27 hours from Granada and 6 hours from Guadalajara.
León, situated in the western part of Nicaragua, boasts a blend of baroque and neoclassical architecture at its massive cathedral. The Center for Art Fundación Ortiz-Gurdián is located nearby, showcasing an impressive collection of contemporary art from Europe and Latin America. At the base of Momotombo Volcano lies the ruins of León Viejo - a medieval city. Other volcanoes such as Cerro Negro are also present in the area.
2% as popular as Mexico City
4 minutes off the main route, 6% of way to Guadalajara
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a picturesque town located in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. It boasts well-preserved colonial architecture, including the San Cristóbal Cathedral and Los Altos Museum housed in a former convent. Visitors can explore regional history and textile exhibits at the museum or shop for colorful weavings and handicrafts at nearby markets. The town's charm attracts tourists from around the world who enjoy strolling its streets and viewing its historic buildings.
3% as popular as Mexico City
15 minutes off the main route, 54% of way to Guadalajara
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Heroica Veracruz, also known as Veracruz, is a historic Mexican port city located on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Founded in the 16th century by Spanish settlers, it boasts San Juan de Ulúa, a colonial fortress turned museum. The region is famous for its May thunder flowers that signal the start of the rainy season and its abundant coffee, vanilla, and honey production.
4% as popular as Mexico City
11 minutes off the main route, 71% of way to Guadalajara
Puebla, situated in the eastern-central region of Mexico and positioned southeast of Mexico City, is a city renowned for its culinary heritage, colonial-style architecture and pottery. The city's buildings are adorned with locally produced Talavera tiles that boast vibrant colors and intricate designs. Puebla Cathedral, a historic structure from the Renaissance era, stands tall with its bell towers overlooking the central square or Zócalo.
11% as popular as Mexico City
9 minutes off the main route, 77% of way to Guadalajara
Mexico City is a highly populated capital located at a high altitude in Mexico. It boasts several famous landmarks, such as the Templo Mayor, an ancient Aztec temple from the 13th century. There is also the Catedral Metropolitana de México with its baroque architecture built by Spanish conquerors and the Palacio Nacional which displays historic murals created by Diego Rivera.
Most popular city on this route
13 minutes off the main route, 82% of way to Guadalajara
I'll never travel to Guadalajara without this trip planner again
San Miguel de Allende is a Mexican city situated in the central highlands, renowned for its remarkable baroque-style Spanish architecture, energetic arts scene, and cultural festivals. The center of the city boasts an awe-inspiring neo-Gothic church called Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel that overlooks El Jardín, the main plaza. Another nearby attraction is Templo de San Francisco church with an 18th-century churrigueresque facade.
8% as popular as Mexico City
28 minutes off the main route, 88% of way to Guadalajara
Santiago de Querétaro, commonly known as Queretaro, is a charming colonial city located in central Mexico. The city boasts well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, including the striking pink stone aqueduct and notable baroque buildings such as the Santa Rosa de Viterbo church and the ochre San Francisco church in Zenea Garden. The Querétaro Regional Museum, housed in an old church convent, showcases pre-Hispanic, colonial, and republican artifacts.
5% as popular as Mexico City
10 minutes off the main route, 88% of way to Guadalajara
Morelia is the main city of Michoacán, located in central Mexico. Its historic center is characterized by narrow streets bordered by well-preserved buildings made of pink stone, constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the remarkable structures in this area is Morelia Cathedral which features a baroque architectural style and dominates Plaza de Armas. The cathedral's twin towers are elegantly designed and serve as one of the highlights that attracts visitors' attention to the city center.
2% as popular as Mexico City
25 minutes off the main route, 90% of way to Guadalajara
Morelia is the main city of Michoacán, located in central Mexico. Its historic center is characterized by narrow streets bordered by well-preserved buildings made of pink stone, constructed during the 17th and 18th centuries. One of the remarkable structures in this area is Morelia Cathedral which features a baroque architectural style and dominates Plaza de Armas. The cathedral's twin towers are elegantly designed and serve as one of the highlights that attracts visitors' attention to the city center.
2% as popular as Mexico City
25 minutes off the main route, 90% of way to Guadalajara
Guanajuato is a city located in central Mexico, renowned for its rich history of silver mining and colonial architecture. The city's streets are narrow and winding, with the Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) being a notable attraction due to its balconies that allow couples to kiss across them. Moreover, Guanajuato boasts the Alhóndiga de Granaditas museum, which showcases local history along with pre-Columbian exhibits.
11% as popular as Mexico City
11 minutes off the main route, 91% of way to Guadalajara
Best stops along Granada to Guadalajara drive
The top stops along the way from Granada to Guadalajara (with short detours) are Palacio de Bellas Artes, Frida Kahlo Museum, and Zona Arqueológica Palenque. Other popular stops include West Bay Beach, Agua Azul Waterfalls, and Zócalo de Puebla.
Puerto Salvador Allende is a picturesque avenue adjacent to a lakefront that culminates at the eponymous pier. The thoroughfare features various dining establishments and watering holes along its length, making it an ideal spot for tourists and locals alike.
Cerro Negro is an active volcano in Leon that offers moderate to challenging hikes and a unique activity known as volcano boarding. This involves sitting on a board and sliding down the summit of the volcano after climbing it on foot. Other activities in Leon include sandboarding, surfing at Poneloya, or visiting the Natural Reserve of the Islands Juan Venado for those seeking more extreme adventures.
The youngest active volcano in Central America! I'm glad to have experienced volcano boarding here, it was exhilarating! Went here with a local guide, who is an independent contractor with a group tour that I booked. It's great that we went early in the morning so we had the whole volcano to ourselves and avoided the scorching sun. The hike up to the peak is about 45 mins, rewarding you with cool breeze and amazing view. Descending down the slope with the board takes a few seconds to few minutes. An experience of a lifetime that is worth doing again! :)
Arlene Sadcopen — Google review
Beautiful volcano, red iron, white manganese and yellow sulfur deposits. The hike is a medium difficultly up. Heavy winds and can take an hour. The actual boarding itself is 300 meters up and takes less than a minute to get down.
When I went down it was like two hills. The first was slow and meh but the second was more inclined and I ended up toppling over. All good though. Tours can be $25-30 and require minimum of 2 people. I went with "Via a Via." A guy took pictures the whole time because it's hard to record as you're going down. It also included free pickup from hotel, free shirt, and free drink. I even bought a bandana for 70Lempiras or $2USD. You must bring a bandana!
Other than that. Have fun and enjoy the adrenaline.
Leonard — Google review
The trek up is not difficult and took more than half an hour. Great view at the top of the volcano. Extremely windy at the top. Waiting for sunset was the icing on the cake. Beautiful panoramic view. Going down the volcano was a totally new experience, it took about 10-15 minutes to glide down the moving, sliding volcanic pebbles. It was not easy and some really enjoyed the descent
CK Cheong — Google review
Was beautiful out there, though we thought the slide would be more extreme:)
Julie74 24 — Google review
Great place and unforgettable experience.
Eva Z?hrobsk? — Google review
Trail was a challenge for me, but I am out of shape. The experience and view was worth the effort.
Karisa Stinson — Google review
Awesome. Had so much fun with our group. The views are beautiful.
denver denver — Google review
A few of us went volcano boarding a few years ago, and even if had just gone for the hike and views, it would have been spectacular. Boarding itself was great fun, but make sure you cover up as much skin as you can... and bring water!
jorge garcia rey — Google review
Don’t miss this adventure! We had a great time enjoying the beautiful views! The hike up is fairly easy and takes about +/- 30 minutes. Coming down is much quicker;)
Nelson and Megan Garcete — Google review
It is worth the drive to head up to and to check out. We had a guide to help us go up to the volcano. It’s a scary experience, because the higher you go, the windier it gets, and the trail gets alittle steep, but one you are on top of the volcano it’s all good.
I did not realize it was still active (I’m ignorant...);because some steam was coming out from the volcano, and it felt hot too.
Once on top you get a great view all around Nicaragua. And we got to watch the sunset, and sled down afterwards!
Great experience!
Jay H — Google review
Volcano boarding is of course the main reason people come and I did it too but volcano itself is much more attractive than volcano boarding. Hiking up isn't hard even with the board. On the top, the view is amazing and you can feel the heat if you touch the surface. Try to dig just a little bit. You can see steam coming out of it.
Jun Yokoyama — Google review
4.7
(269)
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4.5
(1151)
Nicaragua
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Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Cathedral-Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also known as the Cathedral of Leon, is a massive baroque/neoclassical structure that offers guided tours and stunning rooftop views. For a small fee and after removing your shoes, visitors can walk on the cathedral's rooftop to enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding volcanoes. Unlike other church towers, this experience allows you to witness the cathedral's architecture from a unique angle.
This review is for the roof! It’s 105C per person and if you get lucky, you can get up during sunrise (5.10-5.50). We enjoyed the beautiful views over Leon and the volcanoes around. It’s a really interesting place with all the white colours and the sunrise made it just so pretty!
Tanja Swinkels — Google review
Going to the rooftop of the church and being able to walk amongst the snow colored domes was such a treat. You have to remove your shoes but you are treated to a beautiful view of Leon from the walls of the church. By the way, if you join the Free walking tour of Leon, this is part of the tour and you get to view the sunset on the top. Bring some cash to enter the roof. Definitely a special place and memory.
Esther Huang — Google review
Extremely beautiful cathedral. Going to the cúpulas was the highlight. I was able to take some beautiful pictures. I am no photographer by any means, but just for my memories, and I’m happy with them. Friendly people up top, but not at the entrance. That could use some work.
Kyle Fields — Google review
We were blessed with a slightly overcast day in December, which makes much better photos. I think they might pressure-wash the top of the church every now and then, because photos I've seen look much whiter. However, the dark spots on the roof just added to the photogenic quality. The inside is very beautiful too, with several large oil paintings and a pretty altar. We paid USD $2, I think, to go to the roof.
Elizabeth Maw — Google review
Beautiful church offering amazing views of the surrounding by walking on its rooftop!
Expect to pay $3 (you can pay in cordoba as well) per person
Maxime Lovric — Google review
Perfect place for sunset. Arrive at 450 and buy your tix at the rear of the church. The entry is right hand side of church to climb the belltower. What a view! Didn’t get to watch sunset due to nice storm
Daniel Jones — Google review
Cost me $2 USD to enter the top. Hours are 8:30 - 12pm, 2pm - 5pm
Leo Guy — Google review
Unique experience, walking along the rooftop of this ancient cathedral. Having walked the roof of the Vatican (Rome) or Duomo De Milano (Milan), I am not going to compare. But the peace and solitude of this very locale, cuddled by a very mellow and serene village surrounded by ancient volcanoes can be quite unique! After removing your shoes, you are allowed to survey the vast countryside via the most prominent local in Leon. Nicaragua is a humble, straightened country, and this is a peaceable local.
William Wright — Google review
It costs 107C to enter, and you can walk to the roof. It’s very white out there and it looks nice. You can see the volcanos from here.
Leona van Diest — Google review
The rooftop of this place is really really beautiful, I definitely recommend going to catch the sunset, you can go up like at 4:40 and spend an hour there.
You can take really nice photos with all the white domes
The ticket shall be bought at the back of the cathedral
Emiliano Bernabé Navarro — Google review
Very beautiful church to visit and a must see while in Leon. Go to the rear corner outside to purchase tickets to visit the top. Cost is $3usd pp and walk on the same side around the corner towards the front to enter the narrow hallway up stairs. You must take your shoes off once up top to enter the roof areas. Very quiet early in the morning and pretty much had the top to ourselves.
Jet setter — Google review
Nice place to visit. You have 20 minutes up and you have to take out your shoes. You can see about 8 volcanoes and the view is nice. If you pass by Leon, it’s a good stop!
clau — Google review
While I think it’s a beautiful place, I really didn’t like the treatment of the employees. Nobody told us there was a time limit for the visit, so after spending some 20 minutes on the roof, an employee came and asked us to go down. In this case 3$ is too high price.
Also, they demand to remove shoes but employees themselves walk with shoes. This doesn’t make any sense to me. The rules must be same for everyone.
M D — Google review
Beautiful church! For $3 USD you can walk on the room. They have you remove your shoes (unsure why) and you are limited to 25 minutes.
Mariel Steel — Google review
It costs $3 for foreigners to go up. You have to buy the tickets from behind and then go back to the cathedral so you can go up the roof. It’s a must visit in Leon
Tony G — Google review
Beautiful piece of history. If you are into old churches, architecture, you will love this place!
Ryan Rodriguez — Google review
Tickets to get to the roof are cheap, you can buy them in the back of the church (only cash) and access via a lateral entrance. You’re asked to remove your shoes before accessing the white surface.
Nati Rugm — Google review
4.8
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4.5
(812)
Calle Rubén Darìo, Av. Central Nte., León, Nicaragua
West Bay Beach is a popular destination in Roatan, known for its stunning white sandy beach, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters. The area offers excellent snorkeling opportunities with vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. Despite its popularity, the beach doesn't feel overcrowded and offers a relaxing atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Additionally, West Bay Beach provides easy access to water taxis that can transport visitors to other nearby attractions such as West End.
Incredible golden sand, clear turquoise waters, amazing sea life, and an overall calm beach. We fell in love with it.
I think we might have gotten lucky, as we didn't really experience being hassled by sales people on the beach. However, we did go super early, I think about 8am. We also went to the very end of the beach. The more we walked towards the middle section, the more sellers and people you would encounter.
Ia Rivero — Google review
Overall the beaches nice. Golden sand, not a whole lot of seashells or debris in it. Plenty restaurants nearby, but they are generally all overpriced. Main downside is all the locals hassling you while you’re trying to relax.
Sean — Google review
Beatiful sea, sand and very nice people. It was windy and red flags were on, so we took a bath on the pool.
Milos Grujic — Google review
Amazing beach, Amazing snorkeling, only downside is the people on the beach trying relentlessly to sell you things to the point it's annoyingly distracting. They'll ask you every single time you come in and out of the water.
BLITZFIRE911 — Google review
The beach itself is beautiful. Lots of water sports are available. I paid a water taxi $25 to take me to the corals to snorkel. He had the equipment. The only problem was all the vendors who don't let you relax. They continuously ask to braid your hair, massage you, or try selling you things. They are very persistent, and once one of them move on, the next one comes. Also, you need to keep an eye on your things. If they could get this under control, it would be a great beach.
Wendy S — Google review
We were on the Carnival Vista and this was our first port, Roatan, Honduras, May 9th, 2023. We booked the Tabanya Beach Excursion thru Carnival. Tabanya Beach has lots of palm trees, plastic lounge chairs, The beach and ocean are beautiful. The water is so blue, turquoise, and clear. I have cruised the Caribbean many times and this is still the prettiest setting I have been. This is a great place to snorkel. I had heard that vendors were a problem but there were only 2 the day we were there and they didn’t bother us at all. We were going to buy a necklace but they were gone by the time we came out of the ocean. They also have security guards to watch your stuff on your chairs when you go anywhere. We made sure to tip him before we left. I will be going back!!
Ron DeWeese — Google review
The beach is gorgeous. The sand is clear, white and clear. You can see your feet at the bottom. It is super smooth. There are lots of restaurants and things to do on the beach. It’s very clean. A must see!!!
Lee Stat — Google review
It’s a nice Caribbean beach. We went through a tour company, Victor Boden Tours. They took us to a resort at the beach. We had some chairs shaded by palm trees on the beach which was nice. The sand was soft and the waves were calm. The beach itself is a 15 to 20 minute walk from end to end. There are resorts and restaurants along the beach. Vendors are there to sell you souvenirs, coconut water from coconuts, pineapples, and cotton candy. They were all polite. The beach was nice, and there was plenty of security as well. Nice island! I’d come back.
Dan Thomas — Google review
Incredible sea life experience off the beach.
Short swim away is absolutely incredible and healthy coral reef with caves and drops. Hundreds of marine species right around you. YOU MUST BOOK NIGHT DIVE OR NIGHT SNORKLE WITH INFINITY DIVERS!!! MUST DO TO SEE Bioluminescence!!!
This 20-acre eco-adventure and history park is located on the beachfront of West Bay. It offers walking trails where you see more of Roatans natural views, as well as interactive animal attractions such as a swimming pool, gardens, and kids' play areas. The experience was wonderful, and the guides were very informative. The park was a great excursion for all ages!
What an unbelievable time we had at Gumbalimba Park! We stopped in Roatan, Honduras and made shore excursion reservations with ship, so glad we listened to them!
The pickup location was right off of the boat and was a quick drive around the island. We did the zip lining first, there were quite a bit of zip lines. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed that, I did as well. I tweaked my shoulder a little bit so missed the last two lines, but that was okay. It was a lot of fun!
Next we walked through the park, we got to see iguanas, parrots and monkeys! That was so unbelievably cool. I was hanging out on one of the benches and a mama monkey and her baby came over and sat next to me. Definitely a memory I will always remember. The grounds were pretty, they had a variety of flowers, trees to see.
We swam at the beach for a little while and did a quick stop in the gift shop before taking the shuttle back to the boat. It was a full day and definitely worth the money!🐒🌸🏖️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Terri Becker — Google review
We loved going to this park to experience the birds and monkeys! We loved how they were free to come and go as they pleased. They all looked very healthy and happy. There were some of the biggest iguanas I have ever seen in my life!. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable of the history of the island and also the plants. We enjoyed learning about the origins of the indigenous people and thier culture.
Joshua Nichols — Google review
Beautiful park with tons of interesting plants and wildlife. Had an awesome time experiencing the trek and information provided by our tour guide. Great nature experience.
Dylan Henline — Google review
This is a marvelous place to visit. We did this as a cruise excursion while we were in Roatan. Getting to be with the iguanas, macaws, and monkeys was amazing. Our guide was Christopher (in the first picture), and his knowledge was superb and his English was fantastic. His laugh made everyone laugh. You can ride the air swings from the village to the beach (about 10 min) for $15 a person for as many rides as you would like. The water is crystal clear, and the beaches are superbly maintained. Highly recommended!
Scott McClanahan — Google review
This was incredible! We had so much fun and the guides were very informative. We went there as part of a carnival cruise excersion. If you have a chance to experience this It. Is well worth it!
Allan besner — Google review
Great time. Very informative. Our guide (Alan) was funny and knowledgeable. There is a short ride from the ship. Lots of photo opportunities. You will hold macaws, and have monkeys climb on you (if you like)
william morey — Google review
We visited Gumbalimba Park through a shore excursion on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and it was the highlight of our vacation. The park is beautiful with a nice, private beach, a pool, and showers. There was a fun mccaw encounter that we all enjoyed, and iguanas all over the place. However, the highlight of the tour was the encounter with the capuchin monkeys. They were adorable and friendly, and it was extremely enjoyable.
I must also mention that our guide, Amos, was very informative, funny, and kind. He really made the tour great.
Case Wade — Google review
Great park! There is much to do with the family like pool, beach and the park. They have lockers for $5 you can rent and get the key at the souvenirs shop. Small shop with souvenirs and snacks. Prices are reasonable. Employees speak fluid English and Spanish. Nice and friendly staff!
Eduardo Melendez — Google review
Fun experience! The scenery is beautiful and the trails are well kept. We got to hold a parrots and meet a monkey. Lots of wildlife to see and many exhibits to look at. Definitely worth the trip!
Brian Babcock — Google review
Ryan was an awesome guide. We learned a lot about the vegetation and animals on the island! Wonderful experience great excursion! The kids loved it too!
Sarah Van Kirk — Google review
Great escape form the beach. We visited the park and enjoyed the zip line… they will pick you up, and drop you off. Animals and not caged, parrots and monkeys are a charm… staff is great, speak fluent English and Spanish. Your can also enjoy their beach…
Chef Leo Sanchez Coello — Google review
This place was magical and so much fun! Please remember the temperature and the humidity are something you need to take into account when you visit. Make sure to bring something to replenish your fluids.
Alma Martineau — Google review
The history and culture of Roatan, mixed with the nature and wildlife was a big hit for the kids and adults. Holding the birds, and then the monkeys was quite the experience. The animals seem very happy, and free to roam as they please which was refreshing to see. Amazing location and the staff was very friendly and knowledge. I am certain we will go back on our next trip to Roatan. I highly recommend.
Jason Butterworth — Google review
We visited Roatan on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and spent a fantastic day at Gumbalimba Park.
- It was a short shuttle bus ride to the park which was comfortable. Brian, our guide for the day, provided some history and insights along the way.
- Once at the park, we spent time with the Iguanas, Macaws, and Monkeys. The Macaws and Monkeys were very interactive and a lot of fun. It was one of the highlights of the cruise.
- The tour of the park included a man-made cave that provided more information on Roatan, the Mayan civilization, and a brief overview of the pirating that occurred. There was a fun suspension bridge to cross and a large insect collection on display.
- We ended our day relaxing in the ocean before catching a shuttle return to the ship.
If you like Macaws and Monkeys, and who doesn't, we highly recommend visiting the park.
bill kutz — Google review
Gorgeous park & excellent guide, Michael! Our guide and our trainer were very personable & knowledgeable about the history of the island and the wildlife on the park. I really appreciated the fact that all the iguana, monkeys, agouti, and macaws are allowed to roam freely, and the monkeys aren’t caged nor macaws have their wings clipped. They also have all their head & chest feathers which is a sign of good health, contentment, and low stress. Beautiful happy animals = Awesome experience!
Lisa Brown — Google review
Take your time to visit the place. It is a beautiful day to meet the monkeys and the parrots. The tour guide answers all your questions and talks in Spanish and English too. You can't bring things to the monkey area because they stole it. They're lockers available for a purchase. I think it was like $5 and you can stack your backpack and your family. They are big.
Johan Colon — Google review
This place was so great. Everyone got to hold and take photos with parrots and monkeys. You got a fun small-group tour and did not feel rushed. If you have difficulty walking distances, walking un-even terrain, with stairs, or across bouncing suspension bridge, they offer a golf-cart tour for an additional $10pp. My grandfather used this option and enjoyed the visit much more than another gentleman in our walking group who should have opted for the golf cart.
Madison Murphy — Google review
We went here through an excursion from our cruise. We had the best time holding the Monkeys and McCaws. The suspension bridge was also so fun, and there is beautiful scenery when crossing over it. Iguanas are everywhere, and that was also very cool.
Jennifer Stephens — Google review
Lots of fun stuff at this nature park. Loved the macaws which live in the wild but are sheltered at night. Also, loved the capuchin monkeys which are quite friendly and will sit on your shoulders. There is beach access, a fantastic insect museum and a history cave. We had loads of fun!
David Sherwood — Google review
This was my favorite excursion on our cruise! They let you take pictures with birds and monkeys, with trainer assistance. The employees were all kind and professional. Would highly recommend!
Alexis Laub — Google review
The monkeys and macaws are the highlights, the informative tour was well put together along with a nice trail to see the monkeys.
Gravel roads — Google review
Fun place. Tour guide was great! Would be helpful for those with mobility issues to have other options for stairs around the cave. Enjoyed interacting with the animals though! Well cared for!
Copán Ruinas is a town located in the Copán Department of Honduras, close to the Guatemalan border. It is an important tourist destination due to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Copán Archaeological site, which belongs to the ancient Mayan civilization. The town features charming colonial-style streets lined with numerous restaurants that offer tasty local cuisine. Despite being a small town, it is considered safe for solo travelers at night.
The Belize Zoo, established in 1983, serves as a sanctuary for native animals that are orphaned or have been rehabilitated. Unlike traditional zoos which operate as maximum-security prisons for wildlife, the Belize Zoo provides natural habitats to its many rare species such as tapirs, coatimundi and pumas along with other exotic animals.
Excellent experience, very friendly staff. It wasn't to busy when we're there, the majority of animals there are rescue ones, I think this is something amazing, well done to everyone who works at this Zoo, they do a very good job, the place is very clean and the animals are very look after. All are so happy to assist you if you need, its free wifi around the place.
Restaurant its a good option for a bite after the walk. The place is small but had a very good variety of animals.
Hoggustina Hoop — Google review
We really enjoyed our visit to the Belize Zoo!
It was our first day in Belize, journeying from the Airport to San Ignacio, and what a way to begin our adventure. You can clearly tell that the people of the zoo truly care about their animals from everything from the enclosures to their sweet signs.
It is a great way to get a taste of Belizean wildlife as all of the animals have been found within Belize and being rehabilitated.
Highly recommend!
Megan Swilley — Google review
The animals are well looked after here. They have huge enclosures and are given the opportunity to have some privacy from people. The staff at the zoo were also really informative and friendly. If you want to do something extra special you can volunteer to look after the animals giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with them. I think this is probably the best zoo I've been to where the welfare of the animal is first and foremost. I highly recommend visiting this zoo.
Vanessa B — Google review
Fairly small but in the right ways 1.5-2.5 hours is sufficient. Very intimate. Loved the Jaguar bridge above the walkway! Admission would have been worth it just for seeing the Tapir during feeding.
Brady Franklin — Google review
We LOVED it. All the animals are being rehabilitated, which is so great. Unlike other zoos, this setting truly is jungle. Down to the bugs (wear bug spray). There are amazing animals all around. Of course you'll love the leopard, toucan, and the snakes. But you'll be surprised and delighted be the other birds, like the Harpy Eagle, and the ocelots (listen to them grunt!), Owls (they'll hoot), and the pelicans (flapping to their wings like crazy in the water). Do take the time to read the signs, they are both funny and informative.
Mini Rag — Google review
A very cool little zoo. We went from opening time til about noon. We got to see the tapirs eat. We paid for a meet and greet with one of the jaguar and it was 1000% worth it. It was awesome being able to read about each animal's story and how the zoo rescued them. The signs were also funny as heck.
Loan Chung (Pikaloan) — Google review
If this is on your way somewhere it’s a nice stop; but I would not go out of your way. It’s $15 USD per person. $5 for kids under 12.
It’s more of a refugee center than a normal zoo. Your admission goes towards feeding the animals which is nice. A few jaguars, lots of birds and lots of tapirs. Bring so much bug spray. There’s a gift shop that’s a bit overpriced and a small cafe with ice cream and drinks that are very affordable. Clean bathrooms.
Alessandra Camargo — Google review
Small zoo showcasing native Belize fauna in naturalistic settings. Needs better signage. Good food and drink. Has a gift shop.
Glen Jacobsen — Google review
We had a lovely morning at the zoo. It is packed with animals. It is much better if you get there for feeding time (10am-11am for us) as a lot of the animals are easier to see when they are being fed. We had lunch there. They have a good variety of local foods and cold drinks. Bring big spray as the zoo is like walking through a rainforest.
Matthew Henderson — Google review
This zoo is so cool, we came here to check out all the local wildlife and it did not disappoint, the gift shop is great, they've got a refreshments area and the zoo itself is built around the animals in their natural habitats. There's plenty of experiences to feed the animals and some get up close and personal. I had a great time and can't wait to go back.
Isabel Mastrangelo — Google review
Beautiful wildlife rescue and education centre. Very affordable activities like feeding the tapir and red macaws. Incredible animals, well looked after. Highly was seeing the Jaguar and harpy eagle - just amazing.
E R — Google review
Quite nice. Bring your water and cool wet towels. In addition to the animals, we loved the zoos down to earth and witty signage that made you laugh 😃! Can you find the "kitty kitty " in the photos with green foliage??
Thomas Reeber — Google review
Delightful! We loved that all the animals are rescued, not stolen from the wild, and you can often get great views of them. The clever signage explains more about each animal and how it came to the zoo. We were glad we had a guided tour; our guide was able to find and point out the shy animals, and he knew his way around the zoo's winding paths.
Linnea Crowther — Google review
Small but nice zoo for rescued animals. Paths between enclosures are well laid out, lush and beautiful to walk through. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. There's a restaurant and gift store on site. We didn't do a tour or animal encounter but there are some available. We spent about an hour here but it was hot and we were using the location as a rest stop
Donella Held — Google review
They call this the best little zoo. It really is. The animal habitats were very nice and represented their environment well. It was great seeing animals that I had never seen before.
Spacey J. — Google review
The Belize Zoo has always been an amazing place to visit ..even more so for young minds. Our children had a great time, and after a great walk about the grounds , the little restaurant serves affordable and delicious foods.
Absolutely worth the drive to see the animals of Belize .
stanley gideon — Google review
The zoo is absolutely incredible! Such an amazing origin story! You get to see animals all native to Belize, all of them are there because they were rescued and unable to be returned to the wild, so they get to live happy healthy lives and represent their species and bring awareness to the detrimental effects of deforestation and poaching.
The zoo was easy to get to on the local bus system, and there is a small cafe where you can get some food and drink.
Moriah Wilbur — Google review
All the animals are from Belize and have been relocated to the zoo due to extenuating circumstances. The enclosure are native to the animals environment and mostly large enough to hide from visitors if desired. For an extra fee we were given the opportunity to feed Edgar the jaguar chicken provided by his keeper at the zoo. He had lost his eye to cancer, but they have been able to save his life and provide the necessary care he requires. Looked healthy and had a beautiful fur pattern coat.
S Sorrick — Google review
We stayed in a pond house and did the night time tour. Amazing doesn’t even describe the whole experience. The night tour was 100% worth it. Everyone was so knowledgeable. It was great to hear the history of the zoo and of all the animals we saw. A definite must do when in Belize!
Christina Biggs — Google review
A must-do in Belize. Literally the best zoo I have ever been to. Very walkable and easy to fit in, only took a couple hours. The jaguar experience was my favorite part, reasonably priced to have a very up close experience that contributes directly to the animals. They care deeply about conservation and all animals were in large enclosures that seemed very natural and comfortable for them. Also they are all rescues/rehabilitated that couldn’t survive in the wild on their own making the zoo an opportunity for them to live in peace.
Kennedy Combs — Google review
The zoo was wonderful. It's like stepping into the jungle, without the risks. It's well worth paying extra to arrange the guided tour. The guide knows all the animal's favorite hiding places and where you can get the best views of them. He made sure we got to see everything. He also had a lot of insights to the animal's history and behaviors. I would absolutely do it again. I recommend bringing water, as the only place to get any is at the souvenir and restraunt area at the end. Also wear sturdy shoes as there is a lot of walking and a few uneven paths.
Samantha Coty — Google review
We stayed one night in Casita and did the nocturnal tour at the zoo. Everything was amazing and I wish we had planned more time here! The grounds are beautiful, the food was excellent, and our guest house was spacious and quiet. Juan Carlos was very helpful and a great birder. We were surrounded by wildlife and jungle sounds. I would have loved more time to explore the trails and relax in the hammock.
Sarah M — Google review
We enjoyed visiting a zoo that felt more 'natural' in the space and environment afforded to its animals. Not a huge area, but well worth a 1-2 walk. Especially appreciate that the animals here are either rehabilitated by the zoo, or are for some other reason unable to live in the wild
Campbell MacLean — Google review
The Belize Zoo was the highlight of our trip! We stayed at TEC which is just down the road from the Zoo and has a shuttle to bring you back and forth. They arranged our transportation from the airport and to our next destination. The staff members were very friendly and our 1-night stay included dinner and breakfast. They were able to accommodate a gluten allergy for someone in our group and the dessert with dinner was a hit! Our room had AC, our own bathroom, and no bugs. I would highly recommend both the VIP morning tour & night tour. You get unique and up-close experiences with animals you can’t get anywhere else. Everyone who works there is very knowledgeable and clearly cares about the animals.
Lily G — Google review
On our trip to Belize, we visited the Zoo. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife native to the region. Also, it was wonderful to read the stories of the many rescues of animals they had made throughout the years.
Jude Tegen — Google review
Coolest zoo I've ever been to. Read up about the history and mission of the zoo, it's definitely not your run of the mill zoo. It's quite small, but in the best way. Also, very affordable. Ask about the Jaguar experiences when you're purchasing your ticket!
Amanda Stanek — Google review
I stayed in a Forest Cabana, which is no A/C (but has a strong fan) and "shared" bathroom - it's 4 showers, 4 toilets, and 4 sinks for 10 cabanas. When I was there only other cabana was occupied, so it was fine!
Nadine, Carlos, Melvin and the rest of the TEC staff were all so kind and helpful. You ARE in the tropics - there are scorpions, etc but if you ask at the office, they will remove - no charge (haha!!). Dinner and breakfast were incredible, and they do make accommodations for veg/vegan, gluten, anything you need.
It was wonderful to take the night tour of the zoo (and I got to help feel Indy and the porcupine!) and then come back the next day to see all of the daytime friends as well.
Lisa Feinman — Google review
All rescued animals with great stories, you can get a GPS map on your phone to make sure to see everyone. We went in the hottest part of the day so everyone was sleeping and still but it was lunchtime too so got to see crocodiles eat!
ATM Cave, also known as Actun Tunichil Muknal, is an underground archaeological site located in Belize. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the extensive cave system which contains human sacrificial remains and other ancient artifacts belonging to the Mayan civilization. Cameras are not allowed in the cave after a tourist dropped one on an ancient skull. The full-day tour involves swimming, hiking, climbing and squeezing through tight spaces with all necessary equipment provided.
A lifetime experience, worth every single penny. Guide was excellent and helpful, the cave is huge. Lots of climbing, swimming and squeezing through tight places. The tour provides all the equipment. Don't miss it!
Suzy — Google review
A fun activity to do in Belize! We booked our tour with Yute Expeditions (guide Philip). Their tour starts early, so you are the first ones in the cave! Which means that it’s still quiet and not much traffic. I would recommend visiting the caves during your travels in Belize and go early! Lunch is included in the tour and vegan/vegetarian is possible.
Stefanie Vandeweyer — Google review
ATM Cave, also known as Skeleton Cave Belize because of the 14 skeletons found in its main chamber. ATM cave is considered a World Heritage Site and is known for its unusual sizs chambers. This tour offers mild challenge and can be done by most age groups. It's best to book with a tour company in advance because only a limited number of visitors are allowed in a single day.
Mara Burgess — Google review
Wow! What an experience. I have never done anything as exhilarating as this tour yet in my life. We went with Maya Walk out of San Ignacio. Jamir aka JamJam was our tour guide and he was excellent. He told us all kinds of history and information the entire tour. He didn’t rush us though and really let us experience this amazing place. There were other tour companies but some seemed to be in big hurries and their people were moving quickly. I was grateful for JamJam and his pace. I really wanted to enjoy the whole experience and he accommodated.
This tour is not one for anyone claustrophobic or faint of heart. That being said, if you are committed you can do it. We had a beautiful 1.5 mile forest hike to get to the cave where JamJam filled us in on a wealth of history. You have to cross three rivers with only one getting to shoulder level.
From the moment you enter the cave you know you are in for quite the experience. There was rock climbing, shimmying through tight spaces and swimming at times. Ending at the beautiful Crystal Maiden remains. The ambiance and historic beauty of this place is not to be missed if you are in the area. Fantastic fabulous trip ending with a delicious lunch back at the car park area.
We have a place on Caye Caulker so we came in for the day and spent the night in San Ignacio. Maya Walk did a wonderful job of arranging our transportation from Belize City water taxi to ATM, then to our Airbnb and return transportation to Belize City the next day. Great way to see some countryside.
Would highly recommend Maya Walk and Jamir aka JamJam.
Anne Kinley — Google review
ATM Cave isn't for the faint at heart, instead it's a place made for only the fit and adventurous. Before venturing off into the cave, you must know that the place is very sacred and it contributes a key factor for Belize's history; especially for the Mayan heritage. Do note that nothing of artifacts should be moved or touched and always listen to your guide. Hence, NO CAMERAS are ALLOWED! Commencing into the half hour hike, you will find yourself crossing 3 rivers, only one will require swimming. At the cave you will enter an extreme environment made of darkness and constant walking in water. Watch your foot steps and never stray away from the group. There will be a few parts where you will engage in rock climbing. Take a small snack, and sufficient water. On a personal note, use a black socks throughout the tour. All in all, you will have such an amazing time and you will definitely be traveling back in an ancient Maya world. The cave is intriguing and by the time you come out, you will certainly have a great story to tell. Have a terrific time out there folks.
Chief Witz — Google review
This was one of the coolest experiences of our week long trip to Belize. From the very beginning of the trip it's an adventure. River crossings, swimming in to the cave, climbing, crawling, etc. Then once you're in the cave chambers the artifacts and calcified human remains out in the open are incredibly cool.
You don't have to be an athlete or in incredible shape to do this, but it's also no walk in the park. Just bring proper shoes because you'll be walking in water for 80% of the cave
10/10 would recommend and would do this again
Cody — Google review
Wow what a tour! We had an amazing time but this is was no joke physically. We are in good shape but there was significant rock climbing and ankle breaking potential on the slippery rocks. All went well for us but we were exhausted by the end. Definitely a once in a lifetime excursion with Mayan ruins and stalagmites galore!
Gemma Hobbs — Google review
Amazing historic experience - MAKE SURE TO BOOK A GUIDE IN ADVANCE. You cannot enter the cave without one of the 20 something local guides.
Patrick Bradley (Belize Caves and Limpkin Tours) was amazing and had a wealth of knowledge about the caves, history and other fun facts. YOU WILL GET SOAKING WET AND MUST BRING SOCKS. Shorts or pants, long or short sleeve doesn’t matter but would recommend tevas/chacos as the shoe. If you don’t have them, running shoes are okay, don’t go out of your way to buy them. This is a long day and is physically taxing, climbing in the caves and swimming. Wear a life jacket if you are afraid of water or swimming - the guide will provide. No mosquitos to worry about and you cannot bring anything into the caves at all (no water, phones, cameras, literally anything).
Our group was small (5 people) and it took about 7 hours round trip. Very nice having a smaller group!
Would 1000 percent recommend if you are in San Ignacio!
Brina Moh — Google review
I've been caving and spelunking in many cave systems and this one is by far the coolest all around adventure. The walk though the jungle, swimming through the mouth of the cave, boulder climbing, and all of the artifacts make this place a real life Indiana Jones situation. You can't take cameras in side which is great. Ypu would spend 2 hours just taking pics and not enjoying the experience. You'd honestly either lose them or ruin them in many of the spots where you have to swim. Easy enough that the 9 year old and 70 year old both killed it yet both had fun.
Derek — Google review
Lots written elsewhere so succinctly:
Go before it gets closed to visitors. It was an intense experience which made me feel closer to understanding Mayan culture. The very end of the tour where you see the sacrifice of a young woman is moving. You can feel the desperation of the Mayan people as climatic and other changes ended their way of life in the region.
Bring trainer shoes or similar, towel (showers available) and dry clothes. Socks are useful as you walk without shoes in the archaeological site. You will get wet to your neck at least. No cameras allowed. Some scrambling, it's not slippery. Most difficult part was getting up the ladder right at the end. One bit of the cave on the way out is a bit of a squeeze but the guide went around it and I'm sure it's an alternative route for anyone not willing to squeeze through getting very wet!
Enjoy!
Aaron Corp — Google review
Definitely worth a visit when you're in Belize! You'll walk, swim, climb and squeeze through the cave - so better not be claustrophobic. You should wear clothes, socks and shoes (e.g., sporty sneakers, trekking sandals) that you can walk / climb well in and that can get wet. At the end of the tour inside the cave, you'll only walk in your socks. Also bring dry clothes and some water, to leave at the tour operator's van. There are restrooms and changing rooms at the parking lot. No sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses or hats needed; no phones, cameras or gopros allowed inside the cave. So you'll only come in what you wear and make photos with your mind :)
Jana M — Google review
We can Luis as our guide on the tour recently and it was amazing.
We were somewhat anxious about claustrophobia before we went in, and while there are parts that definitely get the adrenaline going, you never feel like you are in danger.
There's a short swim at the start into the cave of maybe 20metres, this was the only time I was out of my depth. There are parts of the cave where you need to be able to haul yourself up, maybe equivalent to climbing a ladder. I recommend good running shoes to make sure you get good grip.
Luis was great, we were being overtaken by other tours constantly who were rushing through to get you in and out of the cave, where Luis spent most of the day explaining the local flora and fauna, as well as more detail than I could ever imagine on the archaeology. The pace was slow and easy, we were the second group into the cave and the last out, which goes to show how much value you get compared to other tours
D L — Google review
Absolutely loved this place! The caves are beautiful and traversing then is incredible. The tour's are a bit pricey, but well worth it! Definitely a highlight of travelling Belize and Central America.
Hayden Pitman — Google review
Luis and Johnny are a dynamic duo. They are punctual and clear on expectations to ensure a safe and respectful trip to and from the tour (listen to their instructions!).
Luis is extremely knowledgeable of the rituals within the cave. If you are an ancient history buff, I highly recommend going with Luis and Johnny as the information they provide are much more in-depth than any other tour groups seemed to have attained. Luis also provides an objective perspective on what was happening within the Mayan civilizations at the time, and specifically points out the more sensational theories that others may spin to appease the imaginations of tourists.
His wife’s cooking is also delicious as that’s what’s for lunch!
hc92123 — Google review
Amazing place, went in 2008, from what I remember there's quite a walk and a few river crossings before you reach the cave. Once at the cave there are a couple of times that you have to swim before you reach the bones and the pottery. I went barefoot and my feet were really hurting on the walk back from the cave as the river crossings are quite rocky and stoney, I would recommend a pair of crocs or similar plastic sandals.
Lee Vally — Google review
Cool hiking through the cave up/through the river. Great cultural experience also. The human remains from history are incredible, not many places you can get within inches of archeological artifacts and skeletons.
Moderate+ physical activity. Have to do some climbing and water is deep enough in places we had to swim. Great Time!
Nozslo — Google review
Definitely a must see if you are in the area. It is a guided tour that you aren’t allowed to take photos and you will get completely wet, as you will have to cross the river multiple times. and after entering the cave you will have to swim in some areas and climb rocks. It was really spectacular but if you have bad knees or can’t balance it might be hard for you. The reasons cameras aren’t allowed was due to three incidents that damaged the artifacts caused by fallen cameras. We did really enjoy it and would do it again if I visited the area.
Ahmed Said — Google review
We booked this trip through our resort. By luck or design we got a great guide, Luis. He's like Indiana Jones crossed with Neil deGrasse Tyson. The more attentive you are the more in detail he will go. We wore sneakers with socks, swimsuit and swim shirts. You will get fully wet and maybe cold by the end. No photos allowed past the parking lot
pooch punter — Google review
Very cool cave and ability to get very close to artifacts. Be ready to hike a bit, go in and out of water and through a couple tight spots. It was a highlight of our trip to Belize.
Brady Franklin — Google review
The most intense caving experience I’ve ever done. It’s sad that you cannot bring any cameras or electronic with you on the tour but tour company email you some pictures. I enjoyed the adventure so much! Swimming, crawling, climbing are needed. The difficulty level was measured as 6 out of 10, but our group had two 70+ ladies who made through! Our guide was taking us to the more difficult routes where at one point we had to fit our neck through a rock gap. If you have time and chance, do not miss out on this!
Emma — Google review
Mind blown!! I feel honored to have seen and done this! We went with Maya Walk tours. Great group! comfortable transport. Very fun!!!!! and lunch was both tasty and plentiful.
Carla Coberly — Google review
The ATM cave tour was one of the top highlights of my trip through the Yucatan peninsula. This was an incredible experience and one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had. If you have any sense of adventure, you will love this cave tour. Before starting the tour, my two main concerns were footwear and temperature. I ended up wearing socks with Teva sports sandals. This combination worked well for me. I found it was important to have good foot support and grip on the wet rocks in the cave and for the moderate walk up to the cave entrance. I moved my feet very carefully in the cave while walking through the water. There are some sharp rocks and you can't see them under the water. If you move slowly and carefully, you should be fine. The water was a refreshing temperature and for someone who gets cold easily, I was OK with a long sleeve rash guard and shorts. The life jacket provides some warmth. If you worry about getting cold, I'd add leggings.
Helen Ting — Google review
One of the best things you can ever do!!! Go here - you will not regret it. Seriously one of the best experiences of my life and in my travels. I have never seen anything like it!
You hike and then swim into a cavern. Then you spelunk (but it's pretty open - not claustrophobic). Eventually you climb up a ladder unto a perfectly preserved Mayan ritual chamber.
You will not regret doing this experience!!!
Lamanai Archaeological Reserve is a site of ancient Mayan ruins, including temples and scenic vistas. The reserve is situated on the west bank of a breathtaking 28-mile-long lagoon, one of only two Mayan sites accessible by water. Visitors can explore the partially open city with the help of knowledgeable guides and even climb to the top of one temple using modern stairs.
Very interesting tour. We had a great guide who told us plenty about the ruins. We were able to climb to the top of one of the temples on modern stairs around the back. It’s a big city that hasn’t been fully explored and is only partially open to tourism. We reached it by water, but I’m not sure if that’s the only way to get there. We even saw howler monkeys resting in the heat.
Robert Schremmer — Google review
Historically rich Mayan site. There are 3 large ruins that really impressed our family. One round is about 150 feet high. You are able to climb the ruins but when we arrived the largest ruins public access broke and we were sadly unable to climb it. Although it took an hour shuttle ride and an hour boat ride from Belize City one way, it was hands down totally worth visiting!
Janet Couch Vong — Google review
We booked an excursion through St George Caye with Colin of Eco Tours. He was educational, informative, friendly, generous with his time, and kept us rapt amongst the ruins as he told us about them. He even got the howler monkeys going! And grabbed a tarantula for us. Best of all- he provided an authentic Belizean lunch. Colin was great!
As was Cornell from St George Caye.
The ruins are magnificent & the boat ride too!
Angie Kinsey — Google review
Absolutely fantastic time on our tour, we did the Lamanai adventure from Belize city and it was well worth the effort. The riverboat cruise down was super fun and we spotted tons of animals including crocodiles, toucans, various birds, huge iguanas and more. At lamanai we climbed the temples and got to observe a family of howler monkeys. It was capped off by a delicious lunch. The guides were extremely professional and kind. I would recommend it for sure!
Joe L. — Google review
The site is a must see when visiting the area! We took a riverboat tour with a guided tour of the Lamanai. upon arrival, we could hear howler monkeys, but unfortunately we were not fortunate enough to see in person. It was so impressive to learn more about the history and be able to climb a handful of the sites themselves. Truly amazing, we feel so fortunate to have been able to visit and experience.
Caitlin Moriarty — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking site. Long drive on dirt road but totally worth it. You can go by boat if you have no car. Had the site for myself, very clean and well kept as all the other sites in Belize. Totally worth it.
Suzy — Google review
Beautiful experience. EFTours in conjunction with Lamanai River Boat Tours. Maracus bar and Restaurant was very good too. Very very polite people and extremely professional.
Dean Myslivecek — Google review
This was an amazing, probably once in a lifetime visit to some fantastic Mayan ruins! We hood Lamanai Belize Tours for the day, and we’re very pleased with their service and knowledge of the grounds.
Amanda Kenyon — Google review
Boat ride through the jungle with many birds and animals along the way, then you arrive at Lamanai to see the amazing ruins. Walking the trails, you see many different plants and animals. You see and hear the howler monkeys up in the trees. Finished our visit with a Belizean lunch prepared by our tour guides wife and visited the shops of local Belize products. You don't want to miss this tour.
James McCabe — Google review
Booked tour via carnival cruise which included transportation and tour guides. Initial bus ride was about 1 hour with guides sharing culture and information about country of Belize. Made one stop to disembark, use bathrooms, purchase snacks or beverages before getting on boat to reach Mayan site. Boat ride was pretty cool with great lake views. Tour guide was very knowledgeable on Mayan culture and temple ruins. If you are up for an adventure I recommend booking this tour.
Nolvin Jimenez — Google review
Other than the on and off rain, which can and does regularly happen on any day of the year, this was a very cool Carnival excursion. The ruins are quite impressive and the tour guides very knowledgeable about Belize's history & culture.
ChrisPandHisFlyingV — Google review
Hot and humid, make sure to carry water and wear toe covered comfortable walking shoes. Amazed at what has been built by the people years back and only 5% of the ruins have been excavated up until now. Would certainly come back in couple of years.
Vinu Samuel — Google review
This was a nice group of ruins, very informative and immersive. There are several different pyramids and ruins with a little bit of walking in-between. Some of the pyramids you can climb to the top or partially. The high temple is closed for climbing at the moment but it is still great to look at. The view from the top of the Jaguar Temple is great and you can see for miles over the tops of the trees. It is a moderate climb but my husband and I were able to make it even with our bad knees. The ball court and Mask Temple still have amazing detail. There is also a short hike to an old sugar mill.
Spacey J. — Google review
First, the drive here from Orange Walk was easy, despite a couple locals warning us the road was bad. It's not great, but it's not terrible.
You'll drive through Mennonite country; be sure to slow down as you pass the horse and carriages.
Lamanai itself was decent. There's a good museum that summarizes the history of the area to help put into context what you'll see.
As for the ruins, there's not a lot to see here. The Mask Temple can be climbed, but the High Temple (one of the largest Mayan buildings) cannot.
Expect to do aot of walking. We spent probably 80 min walking around the site and 45 min in the museum (we read all the panels).
At $10 for the visit, you'll get your money's worth. We heard that there were howler monkeys in the area; we didn't see them, but we did see a Mexican Red Rumped Tarantula!
Michael Greer — Google review
It takes a bit of travel and effort to get here but well worth it. Awesome and knowledgeable guides. Was able to climb to the top of one of the Temples. Not allowed on the others.
Mike Flood — Google review
This is not just a place, it's an adve ture! Getting here in a fast river boat is half the fun. The ruins are magnificent! You can still climb on many of them. Very informative museum, restrooms and lovely affordable gift kiosks. We were lucky enough to see a few howler monkeys as well. Highly recommended!
Leigh Bowie — Google review
Amazing!!! The boat ride in was fabulous. The guide taught us about the wildlife and history of Belize. He maneuvered the boat to ensure we were able to see marine life when they appeared. The walk through the ruins was breathtaking. The guide had the ability to transport back in history with his storytelling. We had free time to explore and climb the ruins. In our trip, lunch was provided. Yummy! There were shops there you should make time for. The bathrooms were clean.
Kelly Christian — Google review
Great experience the staff is very welcoming. Having the opportunity to see a part of history definitely made the trip worthwhile.. However I would not recommend driving in to get there, roads are very bad. If I ever visited again, I would take the tour boat in..
Clayton Wilks — Google review
We enjoyed visiting the ancient Mayan ruins! Hearing the howler monkeys in the background really gave it a Jurassic park feel and wish I would’ve captured that part on video. Amazing what they were able to build so long ago. Wow! It takes a bus ride and boat ride to get there, but it was a great day altogether.
Heather McCray — Google review
We went with Exotic Cruises. Our guides were Jay, Liz and Alex. They were all excellent, very knowledgeable and keeping the group on track.
You can see from the photos that it is a fascinating place and very well maintained.
The cruise up the Belize River is very fast (about 40 mph or more). So that adds a lot of fun in each direction.
The food was good for lunch with an overall Creole theme
We loved it!
Thank you to everyone including our bus driver.
Kevin Pope — Google review
Wow. I have never had the pleasure of seeing Mayan ruins prior to my visit to Lamanai. The history is truly fascinating and the setting is the most beautiful lush jungle I’ve ever seen. Also my first time seeing monkeys in the wild. Sooooo cool.
The Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve is a historical site with ancient Mayan temples and scenic views, dating back to 1200 BCE. Although smaller than nearby Xunantunich, the unexcavated parts of the reserve hold much promise. The excavated areas are well-preserved and tell compelling stories of the past. Visitors are advised to take note of significant structures such as the priest's area, children's quarters, and other notable features in the back of the reserve.
We drove from Placencia to San Ignacio for the day to see the city and visit the ruins. These were a great option because we had a 3 year old with us. We had the whole site to ourselves on a Thursday morning. The staff were friendly and doing a great job of maintaining the property. The ruins are gorgeous and so much fun to walk around in and climb up. My son enjoyed playing hide and seek. It was $5 USD per person and well worth it! This is a great alternative to the ruins that are a little bit farther away and less safe for younger children. They were stunning!
Sonja Miranda — Google review
Oh wow, this place is really impressive. A huge sports complex 1200's style. You can really feel the presence of a special energy here. Thousands upon thousands of people over all the years have left an impression on this place. I'm no hippie, but this place feels incredible. For 10 US and some exercise, you can really have an opportunity to experience something pretty special. Run around, play all over stuff and be respectful. Just take a min to feel the special sauce flowing from this place. 😌
Lucas Hebert — Google review
This site is Compact, easy to reach and a very manageable walk to see these fantastic ruins. It is super cool with many complete chambers that enable you to visualize how they lived. Fascinating and well worth the $5US per person entry fee. I say this site should not be missed and we have been to 4 ruins recently.
J P — Google review
This is a gem of a place, with far fewer visitors than the big Maya sites in the region. Apart from a couple of others we encountered, we had it pretty much to ourselves for an hour, which was not really long enough to enjoy all that was on offer. If it lacks some of the enormous buildings of the main sites, plenty has been excavated and it is a delightfully atmospheric place to explore, well worth the effort to visit.
Phil Bradford — Google review
This is wonderfully accessible sight, even if you don't have a vehicle. It is up the hill in San Ignacio and easily accessible by cab. It is well worth the time to wander around this amazing site. There are no artifacts to be seen in the structures themselves but the history outlined in the small museum you pass through gives you a good insight into what you are seeing when you arrive to the ruins. This is a site that is hands on accessible and very interesting to imagine what life might have been like there some 3000 years ago.
Glenn Baum — Google review
A short walk from town and 10 Belize dollars for foreigners to enter, 5 for locals. A beautiful site right outside the city. The ruins are perfect for exploring. Our kids loved being able to walk into and through most of the ruins which are very well maintained. The people working there are super kind, the grounds are beautiful and mostly shaded and the restrooms were very clean too. A must visit for anyone in the area.
Jacqueline Lemaire — Google review
Another day. Another Mayan ruin. Yet I can’t get enough of them. Having spent previous trips to South America and Mexico I thought I’d have had enough of them but no, each ruin has a story, a history and that many people lived here as a community once upon a time.
This set up is very good. Plenty of parking. Nice entrance, small fee to get in, rooms with descriptions of the site with maps, ceramic pots and artefacts. Toilets are located in this building. Then a short paved walk to the site itself. It’s not large but there was something magical here. Perhaps it was the lack of people. Or maybe the silence except for cicadas and birds. Or maybe even the symmetrical nature of the ruins which with courtyards that feel like a backyard.
I sat on my own for some time listening to the wildlife. Feeling the cool breeze rising as the sun went down. The waft of that rainy smell on its way.
Perhaps I like this ruin more than others because it’s so peaceful and I felt a humble connection with Cahal Pech.
Highly recommend.
Debi Slinger — Google review
Spectacular. If you want a very easy Mayan Ruin to climb, this is definitely your best choice. It is easy to get around, and it's very beautiful and unique . It is great for visitors with children.
Jashua Navas — Google review
Way bigger than we expected and well worth the time to visit.
This is the third largest Mayan site in Belize and is so accessible being right in San Ignacio. We visited in the afternoon and almost had the entire place to ourselves.
The ruins are fantastic and we also saw howler monkeys and toucans in the beautiful vegetation surrounding the site.
Chad Thomas — Google review
A smaller site than the nearby Xunantunich, but one worth visiting. Most of the site is unexcavated, from the parts you do see you can imagine how much more goodness lays buried. The parts that are excavated are in amazing condition, and contain great stories. After you enter on the left you'll see a half excavated home, standing there and reflecting is recommended.
Remember to checkout the kids quarters, the priest's area, and other notables in the back part. Your visit will be memorable if you are with a guide, they can make the stories come alive.
Mini Rag — Google review
Small ruin above San Ignacio, costs the same as Xunantunich even though it's much smaller. The museum on site has good information texts. Definitely a worthy stroll if you have time in the town.
Petr Vasicek — Google review
Very quiet and few people here. We walked from city center by walk about 20 mins, met nice people who wished luck!
Inside the ruins there are different zones to explore, about 30 mins is ok for everything. We saw big snake and bird toucan with colourful beak so it's half like mini zoo as well!
Tripi Me AroundTheWorldTrip — Google review
Sehr schöne Tempelanlage mit kleinem Vistor Center mit vielen Informationen. Es sind schöne Wege angelegt und man kann mit etwas Glück viele Tiere beobachten. Wir haben Tukane zwischen den Bäumen entdeckt. Man kann die Tempelanlagen gut begehen.
(Translated by Google)
Very nice temple complex with a small Vistor Center with lots of information. There are beautiful paths and, with a bit of luck, you can observe many animals. We spotted toucans between the trees. The temple complex is easy to walk around.
Isabel — Google review
Cool place. There's a small indoor museum and then you walk up a path to the ruins, which are surrounded by huge trees. We saw an aguti here!
This site is quite small and you can definitely expect to be through it in under an hour.
Ry Book Suraski — Google review
We just had to visit. We are stay at Lost Compass Cabin as, directly behind the National Park.
My first Mayan Ruins. I was slightly disappointed. I expected big blocks like they make the Pyramids in Egypt out of. Or Olaytantambo(sp?)
Still, it's an impressive "collection" of stones pilled up in a pretty good set set of buildings. That's an usual way to "👍"
James Goodwin — Google review
Very first Mayan archaeological site we visited in Belize and definitely was the smallest but still incredibly impressive. It was raining the day we went but it didn't pour on us and we had the entire site to ourselves. It was a very special experience and easily accessible for small kids (we have a toddler so these things are important to us)
Brielle Soper — Google review
Amazing archeological site that actually lets you walk inside and observe the ruins.
Fascinating views and interesting historical objects all around. Very beautiful entrance with lots of botanical beauty. Definitely want to come back and spend more time.
nathan lunday — Google review
Cahal Pech is the little brother to Xunantunich but is so much closer to San Ignacio. So if you are pressed for time, or don't have transportation out to Benque, or the ferry to Xunantunich is closed due to high river levels, this is a decent second option. Sure, it's not as grandiose nor impressive but it does have some qualities of its own. There is a small little museum in the house where you pay your admission, there is a nice trail, there is a pyramid of average size, some bats in the little rooms and alcoves, a couple of excavations, and some other mounds of rock. 60 - 90 minutes ought to do it. 4 stars.
Note: Google Maps is incorrect... do not follow it either by car or by foot... it will send you astray. From the roundabout go up the road toward Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel, 50 m in at the fork in the road (just before the hostel) stay to the right and continue up that road to the parking lot. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT turn left at any point in time.
Wong Family — Google review
This site is impressive, more for its age and its place in the span of Mayan history than for its size. Its more rugged, less developed nature is also appealing. An easy stop in San Ignacio, a steep walk up the hill from the traffic circle, or there's reasonable parking if you rented a car. Enjoy the butterfly garden, and if you're luck like we were, you might see (or maybe hear) a howler monkey!
Mike B — Google review
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4WWG+9CJ, W. Ford Young Drive, C.A., San Ignacio, Belize
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, located on a leveled hilltop and accessible by a hand-cranked cable ferry across the Mopan River in Belize, is an impressive archaeological site characterized by pyramid-shaped stone structures. The site may have been occupied as early as 1000 BC, but the large architecture seen today began to be built in the 7th century AD. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from atop the pyramids and explore remnants of Mayan civilization.
Highly recommend this site. It's a quick bus ride from San Ignacio (20 minutes 2 Belize dollars per person). From the bus stop there's a free ferry to cross the river and then a mile walk to the site which is mostly shaded. The setting is beautiful. I recommend going early in the morning as it'll be cooler and you'll get better light for pictures. One of the top Mayan ruins we've seen especially due to the setting and the lack of tourists.
Jacqueline Lemaire — Google review
Not a far driving from San Ignacio and totally worth it. Make sure to give yourself a good 2 hours to explore as there is so much to see. To get there you need to take a hand crank ferry which closes at 430. On top of the Xunantunich ruins you can see stunning mountains all around. Next time I would maybe book a tour guide to get more historical information about the site.
Jennifer Bernard — Google review
What a cool experience. We joined via excursion from a cruise and it was a 2 hour ride to the site. We spent 3 hours at the site and had an incredible lunch. I didn’t even make it all the way up the ruins cuz of fear but my family had a blast.
Mindy B — Google review
A Journey Through Time at Xunantunich: A Must-See Mayan Marvel in Belize
My recent visit to Xunantunich, one of Belize's most prominent Mayan ruins, was nothing short of breathtaking. Nestled in the lush Belizean countryside near San Ignacio, this ancient site offers a fascinating glimpse into the Mayan civilization.
The journey began with a unique hand-cranked ferry ride across the Mopan River, adding an adventurous touch to the experience. The short trek to the site was filled with anticipation, and upon arrival, I was greeted by the majestic sight of El Castillo, the renowned pyramid that dominates the landscape. Standing at about 130 feet tall, it is one of the tallest structures in Belize and a testament to Mayan architectural ingenuity.
Climbing to the top of El Castillo was the highlight of my visit. The panoramic views from the summit were simply stunning, offering a 360-degree vista of the surrounding jungle and the distant hills of Guatemala. It's a physical climb, but every step is worth it for the breathtaking view and the feeling of history beneath your feet.
I was also impressed by the tranquility of the place. Despite its popularity, Xunantunich retains a serene atmosphere, allowing visitors to ponder the mysteries of the Mayan civilization quietly; barely anyone was there when we were on a Sunday early afternoon.
In conclusion, Xunantunich is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. It's a must-visit for anyone traveling to Belize, whether you're a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply someone in love with the beauty of ancient civilizations. The blend of natural scenery, archaeological wonders, and the rich history makes it an unforgettable experience.
bkandel — Google review
Xunantunich is one of the best in Belize! It has got such a great view for you to experience and also there are many different ways to enter the site. One in particular is through horseback, which was a fun experience in San Ignacio! Loved it so much!
Shayak Chaudhuri — Google review
Spectacular place, it's one of my favorite in Belize. The site is super clean and well kept, the site is well preserved. Saw several monkeys up close which made the trip more interesting. It's a must see place if you're in Belize.
Suzy — Google review
An excellent day. We were there on our own without a guide, early - 8am. No crowds. Buses and people started arriving about 10. We took the city bus from San Ignacio ($2 ea) and explored for about two hours. Nicely kept and you’re able to climb and roam virtually everywhere. We also heard howler monkeys which is always a treat.
Mark Duncan — Google review
Breathtaking ancient Maya archaeological site! The site is slightly more than 1.5 hours car ride west of Belize city. Walking around the site took about two hours with some uphill climb (but not strenuous) to see the El Castillo pyramid which was amazing. It is an open area, so a cap/hat or an umbrella will provide some protection against the sun.
CK Cheong — Google review
Absolutely stunning place. There are several ruins to see, and a museum. The grounds are very well taken care of. I highly recommend checking it out. Upon can drive up and you pay a small entrance fee per person.
Angie Hanchett — Google review
What a wonderful historical lesson. Thanks to our guide Selvin from Sweet Songs Jungle resort for making this an amazing adventure. Loved the historical context, the beautiful views and just the tranquility of being in these ruins.
Mohammed Yusuf — Google review
Great site, Go very early. You will want to climb and explore a lot, and the heat and humidity will be a limiting factor as the day progresses. The little ferry crossing is charming.
Mike Haykin — Google review
Xunantunich was the second archaeological site we visitited this trip to Belize and it didn't disappoint. The structures were incredible to see. You do have a relatively small hike up to the site but it's not really anything compared to the hiking up the structures themselves. Make sure you bring a hat, some bug spray, and water.
Brielle Soper — Google review
This is a beautiful site. The view on top of the ruins is wonderful.
Not too busy. Easy to get to in our rental car.
Kelly McNamara — Google review
Amazing site! Beautiful ruins with all sorts of cool wildlife. Iguanas just chilling at the top of the complex and bats in the belfry. Spider Monkeys all over the place. Worth the visit and very easy to get to. You have to take a hand cranked ferry across the river but it doesn't take long at all.
Daniel Robinette — Google review
Absolutely worth it. It's a big site with lots of things to explore. The view from the highest structure was incredible.
It's rare that you get to climb historical structures, and it was incredible to stand where ancient Mayans stood.
Jodi Sharp — Google review
Climbing to the top of the temple although difficult was invigorating! The effort put out in the climb was rewarded by the view from the very top! You can see the jungles of Guatemala looking one direction and Belize in the other. The road we traveled from the Belize City port to the Ruins was completely visible from up top.
I loved our tour guides who were very knowledgeable as well as enthusiastic about sharing the wonders of their country and the mysteries of the Maya.
Heather Hale — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking! Our guide was very knowledgeable. We went on a day with lots of cruise ship tours, so it was pretty busy, but the crowds would come and go so we were able to have the ruins all to ourselves at points throughout the day. It was nice to go at our own pace! I would definitely recommend a visit! Plus it was neat to experience the hand cranked ferry!
Alyssa Yeik — Google review
Incredible experience! If you go, don't be rushed by your driver. Take your time and wander around. We didn't line up a guide and sorta regret it. But, we eavesdropped on several other guides, sometime noticing conflicting information. Historians aren't always accurate so, it isn't surprising.
The site is huge and the structures enormous.
We stayed 3 hours and at the end walked along the edge of the ruins in the jungle. We saw howler monkeys swing through the trees. The park had almost cleared out and we felt like we had it to ourselves.
Todd Morrison — Google review
Wow. What a sight to see. Although you can see the ruins on your own I 100% recommend going with a guide, the history and knowledge they have to share makes the ruins that much more breathtaking. Also, first thing in the morning!! I went middle of the day, and I'm positive I sweat more than I have my entire life 😆 bring lots of sunscreen, cold water, and enjoy history at it's finest!
Ashley B — Google review
Very cool experience and very cheap ($5usd/person). You can climb to the top of the Castillo. We went without a guide because we have a toddler, but still gathered plenty of info from the educational stuff throughout.
Nina Santarelli — Google review
Beautiful place. Very hot wandering around early may, but it was amazing to have so few other people around. Definitely worth seeing.
Breezy Bri — Google review
My 3rd visit. Still moves me. Incredible to see what was accomplished, built between 600 and 900AD. Amazing. We hired a guide prior to getting on the ferry. Highly recommend. $50 USD
Ed Rascati — Google review
Beautiful. We hiked on our own (no tour) and we had a blast! We saw a spider monkey and lots of birds among the ruins. It is truly spectacular.
Meika Hale — Google review
Great tour and views of the area from up top. Just be mindful that cruise tour groups come periodically, so be sure to either rush ahead of them or check out another area as they are going through. They don't spend much time.
Eric Mittelmann — Google review
These ruins are just incredible! If you can find Miguel from Belize Cave Tours he does an amazing job providing fascinating information.
Ryan Smith — Google review
Booked a tour to this site through our resort. Servin our guide was awesome. Very knowledgeable about the history. The climb 134 ft was crazy and some of the steps were very steep, but the views from the very top was beautiful. You can even see the border of belize and Guatemala. Lots of walking but plenty of shaded areas. I would go early to avoid the crowds. When we left there were crowds of tours arriving and seemed a bit chaotic.
A A — Google review
We drove and picked up a guide at the car ferry. Elvin was a fantastic guide, I highly recommend a guide to visit the ruins. Very informative and fun 3 hours!
Judy Bowman — Google review
Worth the visit. We were extremely lucky to visit on a day where there were just a few people, no crowds. We saw a few spider monkeys jumping through the trees next to El Castillo.
Lisa Michelle Houston — Google review
Man, by far the most amazing experience I've had in Belize this far! From crossing the beautiful river by ferry to climbing to the top of the ruins, you must experience this!
Sherman Mc Nicolls — Google review
We chose this ruin tour because it was very close to where we were staying and it also had great reviews. Most resorts offer tours here, but we had our own rental car and you can just drive to it, get on the ferry to cross the river and get a guide right there. Important to know 2pm was the last tour offered when we were there so don't wait til later in the day to go. We loved it. We learned so much and it was amazing to see.
Semuc Champey is a lush tropical park with breathtaking jungle views, an abundance of caves, and numerous swimming holes. The limestone bridge, spanning 300m, is home to cascading pools filled with cool river water ideal for swimming. Despite its remote location and lack of luxury amenities, Semuc Champey remains one of the most beautiful natural monuments in the country. This makes it a perfect destination for adventurous travelers seeking a taste of paradise amidst rugged terrain and rugged roads.
Fantastic trip to Semuc and the caves. We went with Utopia hostel. I would recommend a tour as you cannot enter the cave without a guide, also you can walk it from hostels but it's up to an hour and more in 30+ degrees. We did the viewpoint and pools first then the cave and waterfall. It was fantastic. Make sure to do the couple of jumps by the water falls if the river is high enough. One in 5 metres and the other is 10 metres. We also tubed back to our hostel which was great fun. I think the river is low now and getting lower so tubing and diving may not be possible.
Andrew Cotter — Google review
Beautiful place, Worth the hike to the top, to see the amazing birds eye views below. About 30 mins hike to the top with small fruit shacks along the way by locals, for nibbling long the hike. Once the hike is done. Head down to the natural pools and enjoy the dip in them.
Sai S — Google review
Once in a lifetime experience! BRING CASH before entering Lanquin-Semuc. Cash only and not many locations for ATM. Enjoy the friendly Q’eqchi’ Mayan people and their culture, and the views!!! The pools offer a fun, exploratory and also lazy day on the river. Please make sure to be aware that if coming from Lake Atitlan or Antigua-Guat City, it’ll take between 7-10 hours shuttle ride each way (Guat is closest, with Atitlan being the farthest). We stayed at a private location, so we can’t attest to the Hostels. But get to Semuc early, hike the Mirador views (stunnning), then head to the other side of the mirador path, alllll the way down to the northern side of Semuc and slowly swim and chill your way down (some places offer deep enough spaces to jump and dive while others don’t so be mindful!). There’s tubing down the river, that we didn’t do. But we did the Kamba Caves (look around for Freddy, he was the best tour guide), and boy, what an experience. Follow directions carefully and bring strong water shoes. Smells a bit funky but go with the flow. Holding candles like the Mayans used to do, and go through some fun rituals (face painting). Having a waterproof phone case is great if you want pictures. Headlamps are okay but not really needed. Candle wax didn’t bother me too much but know it’ll burn on your hands and arms, so just move the candle down to let the wax melt into the water. Overall, a true one day experience is all you need here. 9-3pm is perfect amount of time. Don’t worry. You’ll get plenty of locals offering to sell you beers, drinks and food. A must experience, and worth the journey to some but not to others.
David S. — Google review
Super relaxing pools and waterfalls. Skip the guide and go yourself. The mirador is a nice uphill stair hike/climb. Bring a book, buy sliced mango once in the park and spend you’re day here. DO NOT EAT AT THE RESTAURANT AT THE YELLOW BRIDGE.
Alex — Google review
Definitely worth the visit! I would recommend going early in the morning so that you can avoid the huge crowds. I would also recommend going uphill first and then going downhill towards the lake after the hike, else you’ll be wet while hiking :).
There were 2 lovely dogs accompanying us up the hill, which was nice! At the top there were some locals selling some food/drinks if I remember correctly. The hike isn’t so challenging and the route is quite clear. Bring some food and water and you’ll be fine. Oh and make sure to bring a mosquito spray, these are terrible here..
Michael vd Berg — Google review
Beautiful place with fresh natural pools. The hike to the top is a 30mins one way uphill to see the top view of the pools. It’s nice to see the aerial view of the pools. I would not recommend this to someone not into hiking. Along the hike you will find locals selling fruit, soda and water. There are lockers for keeping the stuff safe while you swim across the pools. It’s great to chill in a pool even if you don’t want to swim.
Kavya Gorrepati — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place, if you take a tour here you'll start off by exploring the water caves with candles and you'll go about 1km inside (the total length of the caves is 11km- possibly can explore the rest if you go by yourself or arrange differently) and you'll be swimming and climbing at some points. After they'll take you to the waterfalls for a swim, lunch then a hike up to the viewpoint for an aerial view of the pools, then down to get fresh as you'll be very sweaty after the straight upward hike. The pools are very lovely to swim in and for photos, if you have a waterproof phone case/cover I'd recommend bringing it, especially for the water caves. Don't miss this place.
Sean Patterson — Google review
Very beautiful place! I like the very clear pools you can swim in. There's little fish 🐟🐠 that like to check you out😀 which I found disturbing trying to sit and relax as they are constantly nibbling at you 😎. Great experience otherwise!
Google User — Google review
It takes a long time to get here from Flores and Guatemala City - up to 12 hours by bus on very rocky roads!
When you arrive there are limited choices to stay but highly recommend Greengo’s. Semuc is a short walk up there hills.
The view is good and you are allowed in the water to swim. Take water shoes that have some grip. You can buy these from locals prior to entering.
There is a trek to a view point that is tough but rewarding.
Take plenty of water, there are locals selling coconut water and fruit on the way.
A long time travelling and I would question if it is worth it…
Cash only.
Micky Riddell — Google review
Definitely worth the visit. Super peaceful and a great way to enjoy the nature. Unfortunately it is full of tourists so it can get very busy so highly recommend getting there very early. You can enter park and go out to enjoy a buffet of great local food for lunch then Re-enter the park for the afternoon. Hike up to the top for a great view.
Laura C — Google review
Definitely a highlight of my trip to Guatemala. Stunningly beautiful from both the lookout and the pools themselves.
I did the cave tour/tubing before visiting the park and highly recommend, even if it's a little pricey at ~100Q. The only thing I'd skip is the rope swing into the river because it's not very deep and it's hard to not land awkwardly, plus there are a few other much nicer opportunities to jump into deeper water later in the tour.
The hike to the summit takes roughly an hour and has a bunch of places to stop and rest where you can buy cold drinks from the locals. Definitely do the hike before swimming because it's sweaty and you can cool off in the pools when you're done.
Joshua Varughese — Google review
This place is difficult to get to, but it's well worth it. It is a series of pools, interconnected by beautiful waterfalls. The scenery around it is beautiful, set between two high mountains. The water is crystal clear and not too cold to swim in. It's even possible to slide down some of the waterfalls into the pools on the next levels down.
There is a viewpoint that you can climb to up a long series of rock steps and wooden staircases. This takes around half an hour to climb and is really very demanding, but the views from the top are breathtaking.
At the entrance, there are vendors selling freshly prepared food, but if you want some, get it before you enter as there are none near the pools. There are toilets, changing rooms and even lockers to place your items, although it seems that you need to bring your own padlocks to lock them. Many people just leave their bags by the side of the pools though and although it's not guaranteed, it seems quite safe to do so.
Hidden Findings — Google review
It’s one of Guatemala’s top tourist destinations but quite off the beaten track so you don’t have to share it with too many. It’s pretty but in the end just a fancy river in the jungle… Excess road is rough but doable in a soccer mom 4WD SUV.
Jeroen Berghuis — Google review
Absolutely stunning! The natural pools are crystal clear and make for a lovely swim (and beautiful pictures). We went in by ourselves on day 1 and with a tour on day 2 which was perfect because it gives you the time to explore but also to combine with the caving (which was awesome) and tubing and be with a group. Tip: the shallow part right after the lockers is a great place for a natural fish spa, just put your feet in the water and the fish will come to you :)
Sanne V — Google review
Great place to visit on a sunny day. I think it is a little over hyped in the travel community. But the nature pools are really pretty and the water is clean to swim in. A steep 30 min hike to the view point. Recommend to avoid flip flops. 50Q entrance.
Sophia — Google review
Pretty cool place, would recommend going, clear waters and nice to chill in on a hot day, the hike is worth it although steep. 50 to enter per person, they are rebuilding the main road to the waterfalls so sometimes you might have to wait to enter the road
Hector Sherry — Google review
One of the best experience in Guatemala for sure! The road is very rocky, therefore I don’t recommed to go with your own car. Also, best experience with the guide. At first I was a bit sceptical, but once we started exploring caves and going to places I would never have found by myself I was absolutely over the moon. Guide Daniel is best +502 3227 4500
Ugnė Žiaukaitė — Google review
Nice Pools of Water and River to bathe. But the drive to get here is not worth the Views. It is highly over rated. Additionally please be Very Careful!! The Food Places often try to Rob Tourist! They will offer you one Price and after eating the Meal they will increase the cost on you! I suggest Do Not Participate in any of the Locals food or Dishes! Very Unsanitary and Dishonest people!! I do Not Recommend going here!!!
Visham Ramdhanie — Google review
Great place to relax where the Earth swallows the water... That's the literal translation. Walk up to the mirador and have a look. Walk down and swim in the pools. Find your way in a dark cave. Jump off the big rock at the waterfall. Tube down the river. Three days is plenty long enough to visit here. Stay at GreenGos for Internet and food. Stay at El Portal if you want to disconnect.
BJ Wallen — Google review
Wonderful place!
The road to arrive here is getting better and better, so far, it's already an easy ride!
Yuri Segalerba — Google review
Very beautiful place, a small entrance fee but well worth it. Great views from the lookout and lively spots to swim in. Really enjoyed my day here.
Carol Williams — Google review
Favorite place visited in all Guatemala! What a paradise this place is. If you go, I suggest to stay at Greengo’s which is only a 10-15min walk from Semuc Champey. We were able to visit it two days in a row which was amazing.
Visitors can climb this Mayan pyramid, built ~741 CE & the tallest of its kind, for sunrise views.
Beautiful view over the jungle with the peaks of some of the other temples visible between the sea of green!
Jakob Laurens Schroevers — Google review
It was an amazing experience; we took the 4 am tour with a guide, it was amazing be prepared to walk the terrain was rough and muddy since it rained the Night before; we saw the temples, ruins under the stars and saw the sunrise ! For the morning tour bring a small flashlight if you can, we used our phones but it's better to conserve the battery; apply lots of mosquito repellent! Lots of walking and climbing upstairs
sonia donan — Google review
Very beautiful and interesting temple complex, which is surrounded by a forrest. Here you can easily spend the whole day and immerse yourself in the life of the Maya. Chitzen Itza could be considered as the boring brother. Scenes from Star Wars: Episode IV were filmed here.
Robert Milankovic — Google review
Truly a great set of impressive Mayan ruins. Best done with a guide for the historical details. If you have time and a vehicle, also go on to Uaxactan ruins.
Keith Jonah — Google review
If you are interested in these keywords such as Maya civilization, historical sites, jungles, nature, history, and walking, I recommend you visit here. I chose an English guide because I can't speak Spanish. If you don't have enough historical knowledge, I hope you'll be with the guide. There is a way for people to walk, but walking alone is likely to risk getting lost. I went with four people, including a guide. If there is an employee you really want to see, it is recommended to tell him in advance before the guide starts explaining.
+ The view of climbing the highest temple gave me a new feeling. At that time, I can't believe and imagine that the Mayans built these buildings and climbed up to these heights using the stone steps. We, human in these days can climb up to the top through just wooden stairs…!
Eun Roh (blessingmoi) — Google review
For the morning experience you have to hire a guide guy.and be prepare to long walk and a lot of steps up, amazing...
jose solis — Google review
Sunrise tour was foggy....
But the park itself amazing.
mark reuss — Google review
Great place. You can see it from outside, from the highway. Very interesting and great ancient architecture and Mayan culture representation.
Angels Art — Google review
Such a cool place! It's absolutely worth going up all those steep stairs to see the view over the tree tops, where the temples peep out.
emmely christiansen — Google review
Tikal's Temple IV is known mostly for its height and the views from the top, people especially like to come here for the sunrise. It is one of the tallest Mayan pyramids discovered thus far and at 230 feet it is almost two and a half times taller than El Castillo at Chichen Itza. The pyramid is mostly unrestored and covered by vegetation, except for the very top, meaning the sanctuary itself, the roof comb, and part of the final terrace. If you wish to climb it, you may do so via a serpentine wooden staircase attached to the pyramid. Once you negotiate the 180+ stairs in the humid Guatemalan heat you'll be greeted by the iconic view that George Lucas liked enough to put in Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope. Sadly, there is not much shade on the terrace but the view is superb. At the bottom of Temple 4, there is a small rest area with a covered patio, a restroom, or a WC, and a vendor licensed to sell refreshments in the park.
Robert Chomicz — Google review
Wonderful beautiful view, the forest is easily spotted and it is wonderful sometimes you can see monkeys and cotimundis!
Eli Der — Google review
In the beginning of this year I visited Tikal, an impressive archaeological Maya site, located in the dense and mysterious jungle of Guatemala. 🇬🇹 It is one of Guatemala’s most famous destinations but still less visited than the Maya sites in Mexico. 📸
I loved going out with a guide of Tikal Go, as the ruins come to life and you learn about the Maya history. Besides that, you will discover the jungle environment around you so much better, with countless monkeys, coatis, butterflies and species of birds. 🐒🦋🦅
Enjoy the pictures and check out the article if you want to learn more about a trip to Tikal. Can’t wait to go on new adventures with Tikal Go to discover more Maya sites in this area. 😍
Noureddine HASSANI — Google review
Pictures from the top. But to see temple 4 from afar, climb The Talud Tablero Temple (Structure 5C-49). Great view of multiple Mayan ruins with jungle.
Agua Azul Waterfalls is a famous tourist attraction in Palenque, known for its distinctive blue water and rainforest surroundings. Visitors can swim in some parts of the falls and buy souvenirs from several stalls situated there. The water may appear green or blue due to the ongoing rain season but remains a sight to behold nonetheless.
5 stars and a Wow. Worth the horrible bus ride. There are many places to eat. You can swim in a small area of the waterfalls. There are several stalls that sell t shirts and other mementos
diana carr — Google review
Beautiful sets of waterfalls. Make sure and do the whole walk, the waterfalls get bigger at the top and that’s where we saw the monkeys. We didn’t swim as we were recovering from the intense bus ride.
Wannabe Worldschoolers — Google review
Nice waterfalls, pity there is so much stalls on the pathway which takes away from the enjoyment of the walk up to the top. The rope bridge is not in a good condition and did not use it. Otherwise worth the visit.
Eugene Moriarty — Google review
Worth the trip. It’s as beautiful as it looks. The water is incredible. Shops and restaurants took over the side of the river, but it doesn’t feel too annoying as a tourist. The site is truly beautiful and big! I was wondering why we were going to spend 2h30 there and I understand why. Nice walk with so many waterfalls, different swimming spots. I could have stayed longer!
Jérémie André — Google review
Nice waterfall surounded by way to many souvenir shop. You can walk upstream to see more of it. It's 2h from palenque, the road and landscapes are actually really nice. Don't go there for the only purpose of going there. Do a trip or stop on your way to san Cristóbal or vice vera.
Explanation: ⭐
Interest: ⭐⭐⭐
Accessibility: ⭐⭐
Price: 💰💰
Thomas L — Google review
Beautiful place. Do not worry about road, that lead to it. It is safe. But to enjoy waterfalls truly, you need to go till the very end, and take a swim in small cascades there, where mexican children will show you where to jump in cascades. All in all, walk, and swim will take you up to 2 to 3 hours. One of mexican journey highlights
Iveta Stasulane — Google review
I LOVED Agua Azul! It's incredibly beautiful! Perfectly refreshing to swim in! There are a lot of vendors, stalls, and restaurants. We enjoyed a meal, a coconut, and bought a cool tshirt as well as numerous snacks as we were approached constantly. I found the drive there (from Palenque) enjoyable as well.
Dawn Chamberland — Google review
Amazing waterfalls. Too bad the water was green/blue tough to the rainwater. (Because of the rain season) But overall a sight to behold!
Maikel Faber — Google review
The Cascadas de Agua Azul is a breathtaking site, perfect for both leisurely strolls and refreshing swims. However, visitors should be aware of restricted access areas due to the presence of indigenous communities. Friendly reminders will be given if you inadvertently cross into these restricted zones.
Getting there and ensuring safety while traveling by private vehicle from Palenque: You'll need to navigate a stretch of the famous Palenque-Ocosingo highway, known for its numerous speed bumps that slow down traffic. Here, both vendors and opportunists may attempt to solicit money. During our visit on a Sunday, we didn't encounter much criminal activity, but we did encounter a couple of speed bumps manned by young children with ropes. While the theory is that they block the road to request money, in practice, we found it best to simply close the car windows, honk the horn, and drive slowly until they move aside. This approach worked well for us, but it's important to note that this area doesn't always feel entirely secure. It's advisable to avoid driving at night or in poor weather conditions.
Toll booths: We paid for two toll booths, with each costing 40 pesos per person, although it wasn't clear if the first toll booth was "official."
Parking: Parking is free, but as soon as you step out of your car, you'll be approached by children selling fruits or crafts. It's a bit overwhelming but can be tolerated respectfully.
Walking paths: The walking paths are not long or difficult, and the viewpoints and swimming areas are well-marked. In some areas, there are additional activities that require payment, but access to swimming in the pools and beaches, as well as walking within the designated areas, is included in the entrance fee.
Food and drinks: As with all tourist sites, prices are higher than normal. The further you venture from the parking area, the more expensive everything becomes. Each can of Modelo beer was priced between 40 and 50 pesos. You can bring your own food and drinks into the entire area, which is what we would recommend. However, it's essential to be respectful of the environment and indigenous communities. For example, littering or getting drunk is unacceptable behavior.
Patricia Sanz — Google review
Stunning place. It was not a sunny day but the water was still perfectly blue. Lots and lots of waterfalls. The place goes on and on forever. If you are planning to have a swim and walk around you will need about 2 hours. The food offered on the site is in general quite mediocre.
Nikko — Google review
Once in a lifetime views. Incredible even during the rainy season. Suggested to go March/April for full blue effect. 4.5 hour private taxi ride. Paid 3000 pesos round trip from San Cris. Incredible.
Quinn C — Google review
Very cool spot and spectacular waterfalls. Defo worth visiting for a day. They have good few spots for a swim to cool down during the day, plenty of street food options, souvenirs stools and fresh coconuts :)
Kama teteryczka — Google review
Waterfalls are really beautiful, however it’s very touristy with a lot of vendors all along the pathway. First you pay 40 pesos for entrance to the area and then another 40 for the waterfalls themselfs.
Some people try to make you pay for watching your car, not really necessary, but they keep on trying…
Marle van Doorn — Google review
Really impressive waterfalls. Nicely accessible through stairs and bridges. You can even swim in some areas. Nice atmosphere. Very calming.
A lot of sellers and eating places though. Takes the charm off a little in my opinion.
Redford music — Google review
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Las casadas de agua azul, Sentro, 29920 Cascada de agua azul, Chis., Mexico
Zona Arqueológica Palenque is a renowned archaeological site and tourist attraction that features the ruins of an ancient Maya city-state. It is situated at the precise point where the first hills emerge from the Gulf coast plain, with a dense jungle serving as a striking backdrop to its exquisite Maya architecture. The site spans 15 sq km, with hundreds of ruined buildings, but only a compact central area has been excavated.
A wonderful experience! Please request a tour from Mr. Victor Hernandez, he has been working there for at least 40 years. His knowledge of the pyramids, and Mayan culture is outstanding. He describes things as if he was there when it happened. I can tell he truly cares about this park and it's history. He is a living Mexican National Treasure. Please take you time to request a tour with Mr. Hernandez.
Travis Lopez — Google review
Extremely interesting please. Great city with interesting architecture. So nice atmosphere in jungle. Really nice place to just walk around.
But suddenly all the main buildings are closed. Governance of the place is extremely poor. They hate tourists in here.
Vassiliy Kalabin — Google review
We got the colectivo to the ticket office (25 pesos) then found a guide to take us on the private jungle & ruins tour which I highly recommend. We paid 2800 pesos for this which seems pricey however it was worth it We paid another 15 pesos to then get us to the site with the guide. Ruins are amazing & we was given a lot of information & the guides offered to take our pictures & answered any questions we had.
C Smith — Google review
Pretty stunning ruins. Guides are expensive at the gate but get cheaper the more you go into the park - don’t pay more than $500 for one. If you’re on a budget a guide isn’t necessary there are lots of great info boards that describe the history. Takes about 90 mins to wander around. It’s HOT though bring some water for sure
Alex Ainsworth — Google review
Extremely beautiful and powerful experience.
We took the 2 hour tour with Rubi the local guide in English and he was FANTASTIC!
We loved every second with him and the stories and knowledge he shared with us.
Highly recommended!
(And thanks again Rubi)
Eylon Avigur — Google review
Take a colectivo from in front of the bus station in Palenque (17.508344, -91.989870) for 30 pesos. It's a 15 min ride to the building where you have to buy two tickets - one for the national park (105 pesos) and another to get into the ruins for 90 pesos.
From there, it's a 1.5 km walk to the park entrance. You will have your ticket checked along the way; make sure the stamp on the back isn't smudged or they may accuse you of trying to reuse a ticket from another day.
Expect to be offered guide services; I was quoted 300 pesos per hour as the local rate.
Expect to spend at least 2 hours exploring the ruins. Several of the ruins are climbable, and offer a great view. Be sure to notice the carvings preserved in the temples when you get to the top.
When it's time to leave, walk past the modern building (currently blocked off with a line of portable toilets outside it) and down the path. This will take you past a picturesque waterfall. Be careful on the wooden bridge, as it is very slippery (ask me how I know!). The path ends at the booth where the guy checked your ticket. It is here that you can flag a colectivo down for a 30 peso ride back into town.
From getting on the bus at the start of the day to getting off the bus at the end, my day was almost 5 hours, but I did stop to talk to people.
Note - go early in the day to beat the crowds. I wanted to also beat some of the heat, but I think that that was impossible!
Michael Greer — Google review
What a great spot to take in the archaeology. If you’re driving then you’ll purchase an entrance ticket at the first building, be sure to get a National Park bracelet at the same time so you can take the nature trail on the way up. There are big trees and waterfalls to appreciate.
Karl Gercens — Google review
One of the best Maya sights! You need one and a half hour minimum to walk around and enjoy and you should hire an official guide for about 1000.-, they know a lot of interesting stories and also the best way and places to go. Don't miss this.
Manuel Girisch — Google review
Decently nice Mayan ruins, very quick to get through, many guides will charge crazy prices for a jungle tour, make sure you understand what they're offering before going, I think anything less than 200 pesos and they just walk you through the jungle without showing you any of the hidden gems and temples in the jungle. Also admission is 105 pesos plus 90. If you're not already in Palenque, I wouldn't recommend coming here to see it, but it's a decent way to spend an afternoon if you don't mind spending the money and you're already here.
Sean Patterson — Google review
The ruins are simply amazing!
We went early in the morning around 8 by collectivo from town center (20 pesos per person).
There are two entrances for the ruins, the first one which is next to the museum/ticket centre and the main one 1,5km further up the road, where all the organised buses stops and the tours starts.
Since we went on our own, the collectivo dropped us off on the ticket centre/museum where you have to buy two types of tickets - one for entry into the national park and then another queue for the entry in the actual archeological site of Palenque. 180 pesos altogether.(as of March 2022)
After we got the tickets we returned on the main road and started walking up the road toward the first entrance. We decided to enter the site from there, instead of walking 1,5km on the road for the main entrance.
That was the right choice and we highly recommend that approach, since that part of the site is literally in the jungle, the ruins are surrounded by it, there is a cascade waterfall Sombrillas and small suspension bridge. There were no people at all, all we could hear was the jungle and the river running. It was so Indiana Jones we even got a bit scared, by the wildness and absence of people at all. There were some signs showing direction, but the overall feeling was excitement, as if you are in the jungle on your own.
There were guys providing guide services at the entrance, but we chose not to have one. The signs are in English as well, so there is some information, but if you feel you need a guide you can hire from the entrance.
After probably 30min being alone we started seeing people coming ahead, who have entered from the main entrance.
We explored all the site, there were plenty of vendors selling all kind of stuff, the prices of which were probably the cheapest we have seen in mexico. We would recommend you do your buying there (or from the market at Agua Azul), you can haggle as well. Just for info we bought a medium sized colourful skull pained on a leather piece for 700pesos in Cancun. Similar size pieces were around 200 pesos at the site (after haggling).
Another thing, there is a shop next to the ticket centre which sells legit chiapas amber at very reasonable prices. We bought a very nice piece for 85 pesos.
Ivan Kovachev — Google review
Some of the pyramids you can still climb, if you hike the first entrance you will get tired but it’s definitely worth it, because of the clear pathway in the middle of the jungle. Springs, waterfalls and rivers that are crystal clear welcome you and once you reach the summit you have made it to the ancient city.
Louie DaJet — Google review
Stunning archeological site and a must visit when coming to Palenque. To make it an unforgettable experience (and not just an expensive walk through a natural park) I recommend hiring a guide.
During off season it’s a bit more difficult to find groups but you can negotiate lower prices.
I booked a private tour with Enrique in SPANISH and I really enjoyed it (2.5 hours plus 1 hrs jungle). He was young and brought a lot of passion and genuine interest in his job. He had a lot of knowledge about the ruins, Mayan history, temples, medical plants and - belonging to an indigenous tribe - he knows the jungle very well. He answered all my questions, kept taking pictures and took me to the less touristy areas.
I recommend you arrive between 8-9 am to avoid heat and crowds.
Daniela Ullmann / Healthy Lifestyle by Design — Google review
You've already seen Chichen Itza and Teotihuacan. I'd still recommend you to see Palenque as well, it's just so beautiful. I'd also recommend you a guided tour, that takes you into the jungle, it's worth it. Don't forget to bargain a good price, maybe wait a bit outside and team up with other tourists.
Jana R. Reinel — Google review
Most stunning Mayan site I’ve visited. You don’t have to book a tour. You can easily get there by colectivo from ADO station. You might have to leave a few of them since there is limited capacity.
Buy your tickets at the gate and you are good to go. If you want you can book a guide at the site. The prices do vary and are negotiable.
Park entrance 109 MX$ and visit the Mayan site 95 MX$.
Jeroen Geurtsen — Google review
The best ruins we've visited in Mexico so far. Very pleased they are not over crowded with tourists. You can fully appreciate the place and listen to the jungle noises. I had always wanted to visit this place. It was a dream that came true for me.
Nikko — Google review
My favorite site for ruins so far. One of the few places where you can actually climb the steps of the temples to see things up close. Most of the other big sites like Chichen Itza and Coba no longer allow you to climb the steps of the temples. The atmosphere is relaxed and the vendors selling arts and crafts within the ruins area are very low key and not aggressive with their sales. There is, however, a gauntlet of very aggressive tour guides trying to get you to pay a lot of money for guided tours right when you enter the park headquarters. We just paid the park fee(105 pesos) and the ticket to enter the ruins(95 pesos), found a free parking spot near the entrance to the ruins and enjoyed several hours of stunning architecture.
Jim Birchfield — Google review
One of the most impressive archaeological sites in all of Mesoamerica... And the world. The site is extremely large and the amount of structure open to the public is only the point of the iceberg of everything that is really there. That said the size and beauty of Palenques pyramids and temples is second to none. It is a good idea to get in to the site as early as possible (at 8 when it opens) to avoid the clouds and get your best shot at seeing spider and howler monkeys as well as several species of birds. Make sure to wear good shoes as many of the jungle paths can get very slippery. Unfortunately the site museum is closed for remodelations at the moment.
Carlos Rosado — Google review
One of the key Maya temple complex sites to visit. Easily accessed from Palenque town - get a collectivo (shared minivan, MXN 25 per person) from directly outside the ADO Bus Station for a 10 minute ride to the entrance of the Zona. Pay MXN 90 entrance + MXN 105 tax to enter. Toilets, gift shop and currently closed museum are by the ticket office. Continue on down the tarmac road for 300 m until you see a path on the left climbing up into the foliage - there is a ticket check here. Make your own way up steps and a winding climb for 10 minutes until you reach the temple complex. A stunning site in a stunning forest setting, with its elevation affording good views across the Chiapas Plateau. You could easily spend an hour to take it all in, allowing for rests in the shade of the spreading trees.
Sri Ayilavan Moorthy — Google review
If you're anywhere close you must visit this place. I definitely recommend checking Wikipedia or some other website with proper explanations if that's your thing, because their panels are not very thorough, and the history of this city is amazing and very deep.
Sergio Lázaro Martínez — Google review
Really good site, the ruins are well kept, very accessible and very interesting. Wasn’t very busy when we went at 9am which was nice. You will be mobbed by tour guides when you arrive and on your way there but you can just go without them, there’s nothing complicated about it. After buying your tickets from the entrance building the best way to do is to walk up the road about 50 meters until you reach the ‘group of bats’ entrance and go up there. It’s also best to come back this way as the other exit is a longish road that you have to walk down. Else you can drive all the way up and enter from the car park. The tickets cost about 150 pesos per person.
Hayden Hinson — Google review
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Carretera a Palenque- Zona Archaeologica Km. 8, 29960 Palenque, Chis., Mexico
This museum features a collection of brightly colored traditional textiles from throughout Mexico and Central America. There is much more to see here than meets the eye, as the exhibits are very detailed and comprehensive. The museum is located inside an old convent, which makes it a lovely place to visit. The staff is friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have about the artifacts on display.
Beautiful building, and free entrance! The permanent collection is worth spending some time there.
R?my Baudet — Google review
The ratings are not as accurate because some areas were closed due to covid and parts of the building were under construction. The parts where we got to see the textiles were very nice only behind glass. The drawers where they store more designs are closed due to covid, which is the sad part.
It is free for locals only, about 60 Mexican pesos for tourists.
Van Dien — Google review
Incredible experience! One of the highlights of my trip to San Cristóbal! It’s fabulous to see the talent the pattern makers possess and it’s free! Don’t miss it 🤩🕺🏻
DAVID M. Moreno — Google review
The best textile museum I've been to in Mexico, absolutely top quality. Free to get in. Excellent ancient relics. Do not miss out.
Toby Spendiff — Google review
Must see if you want to understand more of the people you meet on the street, understand how they dress and value what you see/buy locally. Very professional setup in a beautiful renovated building.
Jacinta Creten — Google review
The "Centro de Textiles del Mundo Maya" was an amazing experience. We came on a Sunday so the admission fee was free (0$ only on Sundays).
It was a beautiful collection of textiles and artifacts from Guatemala and Mexico, I spent hours looking through their amazing collection of fabrics and weavings and quilts.
Eli Der — Google review
I don't work in textiles, I am not an artisan or a seamstress and I don't knit or embroider. But I found this an excellent museum to visit for two main reasons: I learned a little about the whole topic by watching the three very good, short videos at the beginning (only in Spanish) that talk about the project of restoration of the ex-convent where the museum is housed, the nature of textiles across history and the region, and finally the making of textiles by hand. The other aspect I appreciate is how small it is, mainly consisting of one large room with plenty of samples of different colors, techniques and traditions. All the information was in Spanish though.
It's an incredibly well funded venture, encompassing more than just a museum. They have restored the ex-convent to house the museum and several other expositions. Through workshops and education, they seek to not only preserve traditional methods of weaving and tinting, but also to teach local indigenous people groups alternative techniques.
Visiting this museum was time well spent (and it's free entry), and I can certainly now appreciate the incredible skill and time that goes into each hand made item of clothing.
Vanessa Allbutt — Google review
FANTASTIC museum! One of the best museums dedicated to textiles I have ever been to (and I have been to many in many countries). Huge collection, wonderful service by the staff; you can see the reverence the Mayan textiles and its history are treated with. A favorite place in SanCris, and in México. GRACIAS for allowing us to witness the talent of such a marvelous culture.
Natalia Martinez Sagan — Google review
If you want to learn about San Cristobal's history this is a good place to start. They have in exhibition ceramic sculptures of the first civilization in the state also they have artifacts from the Spanish Conquest, but the best and my favourite part is the Textile exhibition, it's not a big exhibition but it has a lot of different textiles from Chiapas and from Guatemala.
Phasis — Google review
Well worth a visit. The exhibits of textiles and customs in Mexico and Hispanic regions are very detailed and comprehensive. The building entrance is behind the market so might be hard to find. Rather few visitors which is nice. Building itself is lovely too with a beautiful square and old well. The guard inside is a lovely guy who does knitting in spare time for sales.
Molly Wang — Google review
A beautiful collection of Mayan textiles in a nicely renovated building. I really enjoyed the museum, the videos (in Spanish) are really informative and it's fascinating to see the work and skill that goes into making the garments.
Helen Wragg — Google review
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Av 20 de Noviembre s/n, Barrio del Cerrillo, 29200 San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chis., Mexico
Sumidero Canyon National Park is home to an impressive natural wonder known as Canon del Sumidero. This deep and narrow gorge was formed by the Rio Grijalva over 36 million years ago. Visitors can take a boat tour down the river and witness stunning sights such as crosses and monkeys, though some may have tracking devices on their necks. However, the canyon's beauty is tainted by tons of plastic trash covering the water.
Canyon is very nice, and it’s a great change to see a crocodile and birds. But take a warm clothes and eyeglasses with you, even if it’s +30 degree, it can be cold because of the wind (when you are on the speed boat it’s super windy 😄) 🙌🏻
Vasylyna L — Google review
Amazing scenery, worth a visit!
Éva Simonyi — Google review
Lovely boat cruise down the river. Saw cross and monkeys, though the monkey had a tracking device on its neck so unsure if they are all tracked. It would be 5 stars but the water is covered in TONS of plastic trash, which is sad. If they don't make efforts to clean the garbage, tourism will likely die down.
Lindsay Milligan — Google review
Really good place in Chiapas.
This place has a lot of years and all the things that you can see are incredible.
Oscar Rodríguez Morales — Google review
A Mexican friend of mine recommended me it’s the best tourist attraction in Mexico and so I visited with colleagues.
We saw three wild crocodiles.
The cliff look like a Christmas tree was fantastic with plenty of negative ions.
Ayako Maeda — Google review
Amazing place, all the nature we saw was incredible and we were on a boat seeing and enjoying everything. We had a great time there.
Cristina Mu?oz — Google review
This is such a beautiful place to visit when you’re in Mexico. I’m so glad I didn’t skip this during my stay here in Mexico. Recommend!!
Lorena C. — Google review
What an incredible place! We visited here as a day trip from San Cristobal and it was truly stunning. We visited 2 viewpoints first and then into the canyon itself. The boat tour was 2 hours and stunning for every part of it. The boat operators don't speak English but their Spanish is very clear so you can pick up most of what they say even if you only have a little Spanish. We saw 6 crocodiles, some monkeys, an iguana and so many birds, including pelicans. I saw previous reviews commented on the rubbish floating in the river - we learned that this is due to the heavy rainfall and they are working hard to clear this. We had a fantastic day here and very highly recommend it.
Sinéad Browne — Google review
Had a fantastic time on this tour. The history of the canyons are amazing. A lot of wildlife to see I recommend this tour.
Raymond Campbell — Google review
I think it’s a must go location in Chiapas. The boat ride is about 2,5 hours, and the whole route is very beautiful. The view, air, wild nature, all comes together, and creates that magic vibe. Absolutely recommend!
Nelia Kalakhan — Google review
Amazing! We had a day trip with stops at the viewpoints in the morning and a boat trip in the first hours of the afternoon! We had quite luck as we managed to see both crocodiles and monkey! One star less only for the huge amount of rubbish floating in the canyon
Gaetano Vivirito — Google review
It’s a beautiful canyon there is no doubt - but more needs to be done about the amount of trash in the river. I know they remove a lot already but with all the tourist trips and cash, there needs to be more done.
I loved seeing the crocodiles, birds etc but my overwhelming feeling was sadness that they were living in an ecosystem filled with plastic - hopefully no humans eat the fish from this river because they will be toxiiiic.
Also we couldn’t visit one of the caves because the driver said there was so much inside plastic it might block the boat engine!!!
Chloe Hall — Google review
A very nice and natural tour in the river. Great for photography. I do admit there is a point where is a lot of trash, however there is a group that cleans the canyon daily except for Sundays. You can also go up to special points in the mountains which giv3 amazing views.
Parque Museo La Venta is an intriguing outdoor museum situated in western Tabasco. It was established in 1958 to protect the ancient Olmec settlement of La Venta from petroleum exploration, and houses several significant artifacts including giant stone heads and carvings salvaged from the oil fields. The park exudes a jungle-like atmosphere within the city, making it a fascinating destination for both history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
A beautiful place if you love nature and history. I recommend you to pay for a guide. It's not expensive and it will be very useful and add a plus for your trip there. Use repellent like off! cause there's a lot of mosquitos. You can find here the olmeca head so prepare for some good photos 💜👌 a must to visit if you are in Villahermosa.
Cristina Razo — Google review
Nice park with small zoo and Olmec archeological monuments. Like a jungle in the city.
Carlos Gershenson — Google review
I loved the arquelogic site, not much the zoo. Without the zoo it would be alright already a nice place worth the visit
Dante Cerron — Google review
Enjoyable and really cultural short walking
Abraham C. — Google review
I was visiting from the US and my friends wanted to take me here. It’s beautiful, for sure. I really like that it has the combination of being a museum AND a zoo! Mostly common zoo animals, but it’s still neat. I really enjoyed the bird area that you can walk into. The big head statues are awesome. The ONLY downfall is the amount of mosquitoes is torturous! Be prepared for that, bring plenty of bug spray/repellent because you will for sure be eaten alive by mosquitoes if not. We had bug spray and were still getting attacked haha.
Chris Perkins — Google review
DO NOT GO IN THAT PARK !
i went there because of the famous statues but I wasn’t aware that there will be animals. It was a HORRIFYING experience… Animal’s spaces are mostly made of concrete or dry dirt, without grass and the LACK OF (CLEAN) WATER is unbelievable. Every animals seem really SAD/depressed and most of them are ALONE in their space. I mean I saw a jaguar eating grass…. I highly regret going there. I don’t know where their money goes, there are many ABANDONED infrastructure. I didn’t see anyone around animals, do they even have qualified people taking care of them ??????
For god sake please do not go in that park, seeing few statues is not worth seeing a bunch of depressed and bad treated animals….
idriss goulam — Google review
Nice place to stroll around and enjoy the nature.
Marco de la Torre — Google review
Nice experience but the animal enclosures were not very well kept. My animal lover kids were very concerned. We were not aware of the zoo and we were just fine without the zoo part. Very hot and humid but fun to see the archeological monuments.
Ericka Cabrera — Google review
It’s great, bring mosquito repellent
Jorge Díaz — Google review
Super excellent little history museum. As others have mentioned, skip the zoo. :( if you go up to the left you can just do the archeology part, the Olmec heads are of course very famous!
Acuario de Veracruz is a vast and impressive aquarium situated in Veracruz, which boasts breathtaking habitats for various marine creatures such as sharks, penguins, and jellyfish. The aquarium features an extraordinary tank that houses 2,000 species of indigenous marine life from Latin America. Unfortunately, the dolphin show is currently unavailable due to the pandemic. Visitors can purchase souvenirs at the gift shop; however, it's quite expensive compared to street vendors selling similar merchandise at more affordable prices.
Excellent experience with my children. We enjoyed it very much
Edgar Adalberto Avenda?o — Google review
Terrible place, the animals look sad and many of them look sick. We were present when a fish jumped out of the tank and died. There are no labels explaining what kind of fish are in the tanks, so not really didactic for children. They are remodeling and making a lot of noise so the fish are stressed. This place should be closed.
Gabriela Teran Malo — Google review
Pretty place. I think it needs maintenance tho. It would definitely be better if they let you go back and observe at your own pace
Lilly Giadans — Google review
What we managed to see was rather cool, but It was too crowded, it's definitely not made to handle the crowd that came for the Easter break. Also, we were unlucky and it was under reparations, so no dolphins, octopuses or medusas for us 😢.
Rafael Falcon — Google review
A nice experience, I'm glad there were no dancing dolphins when we visited. The fish, sharks and jellyfish section is great and very impressive. I felt quite sad for the penguins, otter, turtles and manatees as there areas were quite small. We spent a couple of hours walking round.
Chilli_Smoke — Google review
It's a nice trip overall, not that long but with a lot of species to see. Ranging from birds, turtles, reef fish, open water fish, sharks, rays, corals, penguins, manatees, jellyfish, etc. If you have questions, staff is happy to answer them they are very knowledgeable. When I visited, the dolphin section was under maintenance, just bear that in mind. Also, the facilities are wheelchair friendly!
Frederick Sky — Google review
Nice aquarium for the most part. Loved the penguin stand and display. No dolphin show available now most likely due to pandemic. The souvenir shop is very expensive, so won’t bother buying anything there. You can find same merchandise on the street for half the price. Overall, a good place to visit while visiting Veracruz .
Ariel C — Google review
Its a bit expensive but its worth it if you want to see big sharks! I liked the section with the free birds (tucan and parrots) but in general its a bit small. Recomended for families with children! There are various places where you can take a professional photoshot and if you want you can buy your photos at the exit.
Champis Michael — Google review
It's an interesting experience because you meet some strange, curious and beautiful animals
Some of them are enormous!
I recommend visiting it, It's an opportunity to know a part of Mexico's biodiversity.
Mariana González — Google review
It’s unfortunately really not worth the money nor the time. Extremely disappointed about the experience and concerned about the care given to the fishes.
The whole tour took us in total only 30 minutes — to show you how small it was with poor/inexistant descriptions!
The aquarium was packed with people and there is no regulation of the flow of people at the entrance. As a result, it resonated a lot in the building and throughout the visit, making it stressful and extremely noisy.
All the plaques and explanations look really old and are poor. Very little ventilation and it felt very hot and suffocating.
On top of that, tanks look old, small and not well-maintained as it should to offer fishes a reasonable place to live and swim outside their natural elements.
Not recommended at all!
PS: apparently the place lost funding from before. It definitely lacks investments to make it a great experience for the fishes and the people.
Jonathan Verschaeve — Google review
It was smaller than expected. Very clean. Reasonably priced. Good for something to do for a little while. No shows. if your looking for a large showing of sea stuff don't go. U will be disappointed
Susan Innarelli — Google review
Beautiful Aquarium! We had a great time at the place, it was very budget friendly, costumer service was good, and had a great variety of sea animals! Also had a few land animals as well, at the entrance! Very family friendly environment. The place does not come with it's own parking area, which will require you to park in the streets near it. Depending on how busy it may be, will determine how far you may have to park, and walk. But it's worth it! I definitely reccomend the place! They do take credit/debit cards here as well! I will say, do use the bathroom before entering because it's a bit of a walk to go, once you're inside.
Museum at El Tajín ancient city site, dedicated to local archaeology finds & pre-Hispanic culture.
One of the most important sites of the region and the biggest. It was home to the Tarascos. If you like archeological sites its a must. Especially attractive during the solstice in March.
Roberto Madrigal — Google review
Amazing site to see pyramids.
The style that the "Totonacs used is completely different than anything else in Mexico.
Absolutely beautiful. In the jungle, not too many people around. It is 20 pesos to park, but you do have to go through a muddy road to get to the parking, and then 90 pesos a person to enter.
You also have the flying hanging dancers, but I will warn you, they charge 50 pesos to watch a 5 minute show. But it was pretty cool to watch and record on my phone.
Chad Ernspiker — Google review
This place was so cool. I have never seen anything like this before.
Todd Coello — Google review
Much larger than I anticipated. Take sunscreen and umbrella, you will be in direct sun. Of course you need to go through a wave of vendors before entering. Once inside, take time to learn the history and culture significance of this area.
¡Gotcha! Brands — Google review
A very fascinating and unique ancient city. I would highly suggest those visiting to read up on its history so you can appreciate what makes these particular ruins unique. I hope they can secure some funding in the future to uncover more of the buildings.
Rex Miller — Google review
The scenery is amazing, so many pyramids to go around. A must see place if you are in the Gulf of Mexico, Veracruz has many hidden gems.
Lupita Islas — Google review
We had a great visit. The ingenuity and hard work needed to build this place is definitely noteworthy. Unfortunately, the museum was closed, and the tour guides, though friendly and knowledgeable, catered to large groups with talk about culture, not archeology or history. I would've enjoyed learning more about the language, history, and geoglogy of the site.
The market here was the best place we saw for buying from local artisans. There is a small alcove in Papantla (closest town) for similar items, directly across from the main plaza, but it's more expensive and has less variety.
Maritza Quintero — Google review
Amazing ancient well-preserved Totonac city with unusual pyramids that have niches and carvings. Within its tropical setting of green grass and trees, I could actually feel what it must have been like to be there when it was a thriving city. Highly recommend visiting!
Cheri Anderson — Google review
Amazing place to visit. Choose a cool day if you are not used to the heat. Amazing archeological site. Very affordable souvenirs.
Ricardo Crespo García — Google review
Visited in 2004, not sure what has changed since then. When we went, we were essentially free to wander as we pleased. No guides, no gift shop, no roped off areas.
Was on a trip from Tlaxcala to Veracruz with my parents and we stopped, as they knew it was a very interesting site. The Pyramid of the Niches is such an odd duck, haven't seen anything else quite like it in all the other sites I have seen. Most pre-Columbian sites have the standard pyramids, plazas, ball courts, temples and homes. But each seems to have it's own special building. Like the oval pyramid in Uxmal or the Observatory in Chichen Itza. El Tajin has the Pirámide de los Nichos.
Such a strange sense of history you get wandering around these places. Who were they, what were they like, why did they build what they did and where they did? All we can do is make guesses... And all we see are the macro elements of their lives. No clothes or food or wooden items. Just the bare bones of their constructions, with only our imaginations left to fill in the blanks.
Laurin Jeffrey — Google review
Lovely site. Easy to access from Papantla and worth a visit. Not much information available on site though, so best to do your research ahead of time if you don't be doing a guided visit.
Staying for the Voladores is an absolute must. Currently 50 pesos per person. And a beautiful sight.
Anne Cayer — Google review
Ver Voloradores de Papantla aquí! Saw the Papantla Flyers perform their worship ceremony to the rain God just outside of El Tajin. The archaeological site is full of ancient Mayan Ruins, many of which are still covered in jungle. One of the cradles of humanity is this archaeological area. Vendors greet you on your way in to visit the ruins selling noise makers that sound like local birds and jaguars, the big cat native to these areas. The ruins feature carved stones devoted to Mayan culture and the incorporation of snakes into their worship. The ruins have to be seen to be believed. There is also an affordable restaurant near the entrance to the site offering tasty affordable food. Beautiful people, in a beautiful ancient place. Highly recommend visiting this site. If I didn't have a motorcycle I would have left with a car full of souvenirs. This area isn't far from the community of Papantla de Olarte.
WildCard Adventures — Google review
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Zona Arqueológica de El, Tajin, 93479 Papantla, Ver., Mexico
Africam Safari is a safari park and wildlife refuge in Puebla, Mexico that recreates African habitats as closely as possible. The attraction aims to recreate African habitats as closely as possible, allowing you to watch the animals from your own car or on a guided bus. The park is open 9AM - 5PM daily, and is closed on Sundays.
I'm at a loss for words to describe this experience.. This place is incredible. Jaw dropping surprises at every turn.
If you're a wildlife photographer this is a must see.
I've been to other self drive safari venues. Nothing in the States compares.
Perfectly Lonely — Google review
It was really great to visit here!
There were a lot of animals and we can see them very well in the car or near by 😊👍
This place is huge and well-made!
Laia Laia — Google review
Very well kept! So many different animals. The staff were helpful and friendly. So many lions they had! We'll probably do an experience next time we're there!
Abdalla Abdel-Rahman — Google review
It is what it is. Don’t expect (say) UK levels of animal welfare but I understand that many animals (ie the majority of the carnivores) were rescued from private owners so they’re likely much better off here. My four year old enjoyed herself but then the experience of the human visitors seems to come first (eg the wolf/tiger/lion enclosures are pretty small so rangers can feed them bits of meat for our enjoyment - of course such animals would roam/gorge in the wild). I was confused as to why the rabbits had artificial grass in the petting zoo - not their natural environment - and the park is very reliant on the herbivores (giraffes, camels, oxen, zebras) not biting the fingers of/off kids feeding them. Fortunately, these animals have come up with methods of being fed without injuring us (like opening their mouths for us to pour feed in) but it feels like a disaster looking for someone to happen to. On the other hand the herbivores did have acres of space. The human food is pretty limited/very Mexican (who knew?) so you may want to bring your own. We were made to wait 20-30 mins for the safari ride because they were hoping to get in more visitors before they gave up as the park was pretty empty (it was Dec 31) and their animal pellets markup is pretty larcenous. Signage is also poor. There are no elephants if the elephant in their logo raises your expectation. You always exit through the gift shop of course, even with airport style ropes to ensure you pass by everything. If I go again I’ll wear greenscreen coloured clothes to fight against the incessant photo-taking and hawking (we paid for a package that meant they binned one photo rather than just giving it to us).
Ed Wiles — Google review
It's a great Safari and a great experience lots of animals to see and a good bird show I recommend visiting Africam Safari
kevin d — Google review
An amazing experience, I recommend everyone who visits Puebla to come to Africam Safari. A really incredible zoo experience, most of the zoo is one huge enclosure & you drive around to see all the animals, such a fresh way of visiting such beautiful animals. All the animals are very lively & you can see are really happy and well treated. Rest rooms and convenient stores are located all over the zoo & 3 main restaurant to visit. If you don’t have a car, they do have tour buses available as well.
Ashton Harrison — Google review
One of the best zoo's I have ever seen. You can drive your own car or take a tour bus.
Esteban Bautista — Google review
An amazing safari park. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly recommend visiting!
Steven Hebington — Google review
Great place to come with a family for fun. Children will be thrilled seeing all the animals up close. There are a lot to see, plan for several hours. Very fair prices in the gift shops, unlike the price gouging you typically see in such venues. The restaurant also provided good food and decent service. Overall a great experience.
John — Google review
I enjoyed this zoo more than the San Diego Zoo! I wish there was more information available during the visit, like a digital map for the walking part everything was in Spanish so me and the kids didn’t understand a lot but it was still great, just a minor inconvenience. Maybe more information on their website so you know what to expect. I wore flip flops which is not a good choice but I thought it was all drive through. Overall, I was still very impressed and it’s a great value for you money.
Ish R — Google review
Such a variety of animals. I had a really great time. I suggest bringing your own car so you can drive at your own speed.
Kaila — Google review
Best zoo-like experience ever! Clean places, understading staff and accesible prices for all family to enjoy.
Arturo Reyna — Google review
Africam safari was such a wonderful experience!
It was $850 pesos ($55 Canadian) for their tour plus entry tickets which was 1.5 hours where they drive you through all the animals and talk about the animals. It was an open roof concept and well worth the money! Then you would switch to a jeep for the lions and some other animals. Absolutely worth doing instead of the $350 pesos tickets to just drive through yourself.
Half the park is drive through (either with your car or their tour), other half was a walk through the park on your own.
Recommend going Monday Tuesday as that is the slowest days for them, less people which means better photos and better view of the animals.
Pets: They do NOT allow pets but they do have an area for individual spaces for dogs so you can leave them there with food and water for the day. However, I do not know how many spaces there are so I do not know if they would run out of the individual spaces for dogs if it is a busy day.
Highlights:
- They had an area where you could feed the birds seeds on a stick, and they would all fly on your hand and stick to eat.
- The butterfly 🦋 area, the butterflies would also fly on you frequently which was absolutely amazing.
- They had a jeep built into the lions enclosure with a glass wall in between (front of jeep was in their enclosure and the wheel/seats/back of jeep was on the other side) you could take photos in the jeep while the lions were laying on the front of the jeep. It was really cool to see a lions face right in front of me through the glass wall.
- The elephants were so amazing. They had 18 of them when we went.
- You can pay for an experience of feeding the giraffes from the open concept car tour they had (we didn't do this, but saw it happen and it looked really fun, they would eat out of your hand, makes some great photo opportunities and close up experience with the giraffes).
It was clean, well taken care of, and great people.
Thereysa — Google review
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4.5
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Oasis, Carretera al Oasis 17302-22, Blvd. Capitán Carlos Camacho Espíritu Km 16.5, Oasis, 72960 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue., Mexico
The Zocalo is a vibrant public square with a fountain and benches, surrounded by eateries, shops, and a historic church. It's the heart of Puebla and is easily found whether speaking Spanish or reading articles. The Zocalo is home to the cathedral and City Hall, on three sides of which are colonial-style houses and municipal buildings with arcades. Most private properties are restaurants.
I have been here during the day and the view was good. But i went during the night and the view and atmosphere was even better.
The zocalo was full with coffee shops and eatery places, so you would never run out of choice. Highly recommend to pay visit at night.
M Razali Paimin — Google review
A large central plaza that contains a small but a very nice park and is surrounded by colonial buildings on all sides. The park inside the plaza provides lots of shade and there are many benches to sit on. There is a nice fountain in the middle as well as a gazebo typical of Mexican central squares. Architecture surrounding the plaza feels very European. Some restaurants and shops around but also government offices and the usual church.
Robert Chomicz — Google review
So great to see families out together enjoying just sitting and talking and kids playing and people singing... Any night of the week.... Far from the picture painted of Mexico life by the folks north of the Mexico border...
Charlie Davenport — Google review
Love this town. Wish we had more time here.
Corinne Gerken — Google review
Beautiful during the day and at night. We went here a couple of times. Wonderful atmosphere and fun to see at various times during the day.
Vikki Johnson — Google review
It seems that every Latin American town has a central square that signifies the epicentre of that community... the genesis, the cultural hub, and spiritual home. And this is Puebla's version. It has the big cathedral beside it, many food stalls and vendors of various items surrounding it, the requisite colourful name of it's namesake in big letters in the centre of it, an impressive fountain, many benches to sit and relax, numerous trees and plants to offer shade... and it all seems to work as the local citizenry certainly flock here along with many tourists such as myself. There is a civic pride in this plaza and it shows. There are volunteers who help hapless tourists, families with kids playing in the nearby playground... it feels safe and homey. I liked it here.
Wong Family — Google review
Stunning! If you are an english speaker, take the green tour bus. They have an English translation tour. Puebla has so much history! You'll get an hour tour of the city, and see a panoramic view of the city overlooked by Don Goyo, the volcano in close proximity! Great restaurants and shops very close to the park.
Tamzin Gonzales — Google review
This place has a unique atmosphere and particularly during the ‘día de los muertos’. The city makes a huge effort to provide an excellent experience.
I loved the attention to detail and the art exhibition
Hendrik — Google review
I loved this Zocalo
Somehow I felt I was in Europe, it's buildings and the roads or just dazzling, but among all I loved the food. There are several restaurants and colorful handcrafts . The locals are beautiful and welcoming people who truly represent the best of the Mexican culture.
Alexander Lobo — Google review
Amazing place in the center of Puebla. It and its surroundings are happening especially on the weekends. Recommend the bus tours to orient yourself. 80 pesos and multiple languages. Poblan@s are friendly and helpful
Carlos Ramirez — Google review
Such a beautiful park in the center of the historic district. If you come in April the jacaranda trees are in bloom and smell wonderful as well as have purple flowers that fall like cherry blossoms.
Rebecca Orford — Google review
What a amazing place, everywhere is a perfect shoot for your camera, the people is so kind, you have to go inside the church and listen the big piano meanwhile the Catholic ceremony..visit the restaurant Fonda de santa clara all is so beautiful.
RUTA Y AVENTURA — Google review
Really picturesque town square with restaurants, churches, lots of shops selling local or special hand crafted items. There are benches and a pretty water fountain. Make sure to get churros.
LYVICK PEREZ — Google review
Now is a great time to visit. They have it decorated for Dia de Los Muertos and they have several exhibits that are great photo ops for social media. It's just a beautiful place to visit if you're here in Puebla. Lots of huge trees that provide ample shade and plenty of seating
You'll find a variety of restaurants all around. The kiddos really love playing in the water features.
Amy Lea — Google review
I hadn't been back to Puebla since I was a kid. I LOVED it!! We stayed downtown and got to enjoy the architecture and the culture.
Aurora Serrano — Google review
The lively heart of Puebla. A beautiful park surrounded by impressive churches and buildings. Streets lined with restaurants and shops. Some interesting and talented street performers, too.
Geordie McManus — Google review
Beautiful trees and cathedral here. Take photo with Puebla sign. You can hop on a tour bus from here too. We went Christmas time and the place was lit up everywhere.
Yuki Garc — Google review
Had an amazing time with all the cool things to see. The plaza lit up for the September festivities and the safe family atmosphere lots of walking tours available and food and drinks along the way. With atms available and good weather.
rory mcbride — Google review
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Av. Don Juan de Palafox y. Mendoza, Centro histórico de Puebla, 72000 Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Pue., Mexico
The Archaeological Zone Tepozteco is home to the ruins of a small Aztec temple dedicated to Tepoztecatl, the god of harvest, fertility and pulque. The 10m-high pyramid is located at the end of a steep paved path and offers panoramic views of the valley below. Although closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic, visitors can still enjoy the natural beauty surrounding the site.
When are in the area you should not miss visiting this place. Less for it’s archeological aspect, but more as a fabulous hike that results in an amazing view. You need some level of fitness as you cover almost 400 meters in height on a short distance. They tell you it takes 20 minutes, but unless you are a mountain marathon person, this is a lie. Take water and take your time. You will be joined by passionate Mexican. Enjoy the hike!
Kiki Kuery — Google review
Beautiful!! But **heads up**you can't get to the very top. Enjoy the exercise, greenery, birds and lovely nature but don't expect the vistas seen in older pics back when things were open. Steps turn into stones but it isn't terribly strenuous. Take it easy on the way down. We went at dusk on a weekday and it was nearly empty!
Jess Ramsey — Google review
It's very good place to hike. From the entrance, the distance is 1.2km to the top but it would feel like 100km...because the road is very tough and climed. [Tips] The ticket booth is on the top and only cash available. The current price is 95pesos. And you should be careful when you go down, It is very slippery. The total round trip of time is 2 and half hours.
STERDAM — Google review
Crazy long hike to the top. It's a jungle so bring hiking gear food and water. But it's worth it once you get to the top. And try some ice cream in the little town. This town has lots to do. And plan on arriving early and leaving late. This is not a good hike for kids that are young. Bring lots of water and snacks. Remember to only drink bottle water as well. Check the weather because rain can cause flooding on the mountain. Also bring a portable charger.
Charlie A. — Google review
This is a tough walk which I believe a mile from bottom to top and with a 400M incline. It is well sign posted and it is steps all the way with some areas to stop and sit.
It can get busy so the earlier the better.
There is a 85 pesos charge which you pay right at the very top so don’t forget the cash.
Tough but once at the top the view is worth it.
I’m a good walker and reasonably fit and this took me 2.5 hours with around 20-30 minutes at the top.
james young — Google review
A beautiful place for a hike.
It takes 50 minutes or more to reach the top, the pyramid area.
Check the schedule to make sure you get there while still open. If you are planning on going by the end of the day, make sure you have enough time for the hike, resting time along the way and time to enjoy the view.
Visit the pyramid (right side) and also take time to explore the area to the left.
There is a fee you have to pay at the top, make sure you bring cash with you.
Arturo Garcia - Yoga — Google review
BEWARE the pyramid is closed since March 2020 due the pandemic. Some people were really disappointed when they got almost up. The walk is nice and the nature around beautiful.
Oldrich Studynka — Google review
Do not take easy on the distance of 400m on map. It will take you about an hour to reach the site. There is a small pyramid (like some kind of ritual place) on top of mountant with beautiful view down to the town. Bring water with you.
Quang Trinh Pham — Google review
It's a beautiful place for spending time, walking or anything if you like nature and aventure,
The way it's approximate 1 hour to up and 1 hour to donw, the sendero is closed at 4pm, take your precautions
Jacqueline Pteromys — Google review
It is incredible!! 😍 The INAH closes the access to the mountain at 4pm for the safety of the people, it is a shaded area and gets dark really fast. The rocks can be slippery when wet, but it is beautiful! Unfortunately I arrived a little after 4pm and wasn't able to climb to the top and take picture of the pyramid, but was lucky enough to take a picture of it from the town. Another day I'll climb that mountain!
Angie Torres — Google review
Very beautiful hike! It was definitely a tough climb up. It took us about 50 minutes to get to the top.
Be very careful on the rocks coming down, especially after it has rained. I slipped and fell down hard on my back. But otherwise, it was beautiful and worth it!
Berkeley Bryant — Google review
Hard level hike with awesome views. If you take it slow anyone can do it. It took us 1.5 to 2hrs to get to the top. Bring water. There are some people selling water/gaterorade, popsicles and small snacks at different points of the hike. Lots of shade and rocks. Enjoy!
Veder Garcia — Google review
Wow. Superb. I've found a hike that puts "the incline" in Manitou springs to the test. This is a tough hike! Absolutely beautiful though and completely worth getting to the temple at the top. Keep going! Bring a good amount of water and a hat. You will need 90 pesos per person to get up on the temple site itself (cash). There are not a lot of trash stations along the way so pack it in and out. There is a small bottle recycle by the pyramid. Make sure you crush your bottles before you discard them. The temple itself is small and has an interesting history. There was a live guide there for us. There is also a small archaeology site opposite the temple where some homes and buildings used to be. You can access that with the same fee you get for access to the temple. The hike will take a couple of hours up and down, plus however much time you need to explore and rest. There are A LOT of stairs. You've been warned. I don't recommend trying this without proper footwear and good traction.
Tyler Dixon — Google review
If all you are interested in is the hike, then be sure to visit, just not on a Sunday, as it is free and therefore very crowded.
If you are here for the ruins, first, don't visit on a Monday or Tuesday, as it's closed. Second, don't visit at all - after the arduous hike, the ruins were a bit of a disappointment. There are other, better, ruins to visit. Tula, Tajin, Cantona and Teotihuacan are a few off the top of my head that are far more interesting to visit.
Michael Greer — Google review
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Carretera Federal libre, Cuernavaca - Tepoztlan, 62520 Tepoztlán, Mor., Mexico
Narrow ravine lined by basalt columns, with waterfalls & a rope bridge, plus low-key restaurants.
What a beautiful place. This is so amazing i have never seen anything like this. Beautiful walk around beautiful everything. Went closer to closing time so that was nice because there was less people. Pictures come out so nice so take many.
Ash Ley — Google review
You can spend the whole day here. Beautiful views, great playground for children, there is food and drink, you can also grill, plenty of space to relax.
Kiki Juhuski — Google review
Magical view, it was beautiful to see the natural rocks in the shape of prisms, enjoyed the falls. simple and quick trip would be great.
prriya js — Google review
Super nice place for the whole family. Entry price is acceptable as there are many things to do. I recommend to come early as there might be many people. There is also a possibility to do BBQ. Just bring your own coal and food and let's go. The big slack line costs additional but there is a pick up transfer.
Thomas Scheiling — Google review
ABOUT THE BASALT PRISMS
The Basaltic Prisms are geometric basalt columns that decorate the walls of the impressive Santa María Regla ravine, which are bathed by the four waterfalls that feed the San Antonio Regla dam.
In the magical town of Huasca de Ocampo , Hidalgo, just an hour and a half from Mexico City and 38 km northwest of the city of Pachuca, along federal highway No. 105. Huasca in its entirety has a temperate semi-cold climate, an annual temperature of 15 C.
You will be able to admire the natural wonders of the Basaltic Prisms, accompanied by their waterfalls. The ticket includes access to: Parking, green areas, grills, bathrooms, playgrounds, sports fields, pools (except Easter), showers, suspension bridge, viewpoints, walkways.
Jesus Bermea — Google review
Don’t miss this fantastic natural wonder to explore!
Chris Samples — Google review
Great family oriented site ($100 pesos general admission/ with pkg)Clean bathrooms available at various locations within the site. Parking was empty (Tuesday) and most of the businesses were closed. Not many people touring either so we were able to take our time looking around and taking pictures. Spite the rain, water in the prisms was not running much. Also, lots of invasive vegetation is growing in the pond which diminished the beauty of this place. I hope they invest in preserving all the features of this place. Overall, I enjoyed the trip, the walk, the solitude of a rainy Tuesday, and the brain workout trying to explain (you can google it 😀 ). The making of these geometric rocks. One piece of rock was loose and I tried to lifted just to find out it was extremely HEAVY so I respect the powerful force of nature and its artistic way
Gloria Camacho (Goya) — Google review
Nice to visit but not amazing. The water is not clean and smells not good.
STERDAM — Google review
The place is great, but we paid for justbto see the primary, swimming pool not working. Bathroom need to pay for 1 meter of toilet paper....just bring your own.
Holga Martinez — Google review
Surrounded by forests and lake, the place is ideal for sightseeing, relaxing, camping, hiking, horseback riding, buying souvenirs, and many more outdoor activities.
There are a football field and children playground so everyone got something to do. Area is clean and well maintained and parking /toilet facilities are aplenty.
M Razali Paimin — Google review
Beautiful and extensive place. It's worth a day's visit. Taking a boat ride around the dam is a nice experience. The extreme zip line very safe in that place with double rope harnesses. I hope soon to visit this site again
Ramon Mireles — Google review
Entrance is 100mxn per person. Not crowded but it's handy do drive in your car/taxi otherwise it's harder to get there. Nice place!
Filip Řezníček — Google review
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Carretera Federal 105 Km. 34 Huasca de Ocampo, 43500 Regla, Hgo., Mexico
The Floating Gardens of Xochimilco is a beautiful World Heritage Site in Mexico City that features an extensive lake and canal system dating back to the pre-Hispanic era. The gardens are popular with tourists for their relaxing atmosphere and beautiful surroundings, and feature over 80 km of canals.
It is a great nature and cultural experience. I am not sure why people would give negative reviews.
We booked a boat for 1 hour for two people and went solo for 600 pesos ($36 USD). We got to experience how some families live a simple life near a canal in Mexico. We experienced serenity of nature. While some groups were blasting music in a natural area, we chose a calm and quiet trip through nature. We got plenty of beautiful pictures of the landscape from the water.
I negotiated with the boatman to show us something different and a small doll house. So he offered to go further for an additional 30 minutes for 1000 pesos ($60 USD), making our trip of 1.5 hours. The boatman took us further up the canal into smaller ones, giving us plenty of picture moments. We loved it overall.
The boatman was very nice and friendly despite the language barrier as we were communicating using Google translate. The boatman was young, he didn't go to the college. I asked him how much he makes from the 600 pesos per hour boat run? He mentioned that he only receives 100 pesos for his work, while the rest goes to the administration that owns the boats and maintains it. So I gave him a tip for his hard and honest work, which made him happy.
We didn't wait for any food boats or anything, as we were more interested in experiencing the nature.
Umer Ansari — Google review
It’s good to go for 1 hour ride or 2 hour ride. They charge 600 pesos (Mexican currency) fixed flat price per boat for per hour. They don’t accept credit card, if u carry USA dollar, the boat guy will take that usd for a very low exchange rate, i would recommend you to do a money exchange and take local currency for paying. It’s good to go as a group to enjoy this ride.
Ravi Kumar — Google review
What an amazing experience! Try to go with more friends so you each pay less per person. Bring a portable speaker if you can. Lots of food and beverages to buy at dock.
Natalia Zamparini — Google review
Very different aspect in touring Mexico City. Yes, some call it a tourist trap attraction but it really isn't. It is a much calming respite from the busy life of Mexico City, be it the Historical Center or Coyoacán crowds.
One doesn't need more than one hour and the different boats peddling their souvenir wares or offering Mariachi entertainment are not a nuisance at all.
Please bear in mind that before the Conquista by Hernán Cortés, his troops and his Amerindian allies, the old capital of the Aztec Empire Tenochtilan was an island in the middle of a lake crisscrossed by many a water causeway. The Floating Gardens of Xochimilko can give you a very abstract idea what the place looked like prior to 1521.
RGSOUNDF — Google review
My boyfriend and I went for the first time and honestly, we were bored. This is definitely only a good experience with a group. Not much to see when riding the boat, very limited food/beverage options (everybody sells the same 4 things, basically). But like I said, if you’re in a group, it seems like a real good time! You can get a mariachi band on your boat or you can BYO food and speaker!
Annie Lee — Google review
Many have said that it's a tourist trap and in a way, that's true, but that's what you get when you go to any tourist attraction. They had a flyer with a clear price listed of 600 pesos per hour, and that's what we chose. I hear you can try to bargain. We had a very nice boat operator who did try to upsell us along the way to stop at what looked like a very makeshift altar of the Holy madonna. We did say no thank you, and he wasn't pushy. He didn't speak much English, so that's something to consider, and I think if you really don't speak Spanish, then they might leave you alone with all the upsale. I think this destination is worth it if you're doing other things nearby, like visiting Coyoacan.
Anka M — Google review
We went on a Tuesday late afternoon and the celebrations you see on the pics are for Saturdays and Sundays only. It was drizzling and there was nobody else on the tour boats but the person selling the boats assured us that the vendors are further into the river. We only saw one vendor where we got a pack of beer but there was no other vendors opened at all. If he had just been frank from the start, we would have still taken the ride with a completely different set of expectations
Aimee Cha — Google review
We had a blast! Great experience! Great bands, def recommend to pay for one to play on your boat. We danced and had so much fun!
Maribel Lara — Google review
Pier Fernando Celada / Embarcadero Fernando Celada is the name with more reviews. Even before you arrive at the floating gardens there will be people knocking on your Uber/taxi window trying to sell you on a tour of Xochimilco. None of them were on the side of the floating gardens, they must not be allowed to cross the street. Just walk to the boat area and ignore everyone else trying to sell to you. We went to the ticket window and were directed to a gentlemen with red hat and red shirt that briefly gave us information, asked how long of a tour we wanted, 1 hour (500 pesos), 2 hours (1000 pesos) etc. He called over one of the boat guys and that gentlemen led us down to the boat and was very nice. We didn’t have to pay anything until we got back. Along the way a boat pulled up besides us that was selling Corona for $40 pesos, delicious chicken and cheese quesadillas for $35 each, and waters for $30. Our “guide” kept pushing both boats along as they cooked the food right in front of us. My only regret was not ordering more food. The boat goes along somewhat slow, but it’s very quiet along the way with just nosies from animals and the occasional backyard stereo system. We did not have pesos after buying food, but we ended up just paying/tipping a little extra in USD for the ride and it was around 750 pesos with food for 3 people and the 1 hour tour.
Pros: Food along the way, very peaceful, lots of wildlife.
Cons: Very little English spoken here, they just need some sort of official information /ticket booth somewhere near to make things a little more comfortable, the water/some houses along the waterway were a little dirty.
DJ — Google review
100% a tourist trap. The sign says 2 hours for $1200 pesos. They charged us that much but then took us around for 1hour and sat near the dock for 20 minutes. Then eventually finally docked the boat after stalling. Then had the nerve to ask for a tip
Sabrina Ezzeddine — Google review
They are pretty, vendors are pushy and try to get your $$, all kinds of vendors in other boats get close to you to get a buck, water is dirty and smells. You must negotiate price before getting in them, forget the doll island that is a scam.
Bry Spider — Google review
It’s an experience. Fun hour to relax floating listening to music eating and drinking. You can get your own boat for $25 USD per hour. Food is cooked on another boat that comes up and hooks on. $5-10 for enchiladas or tacos.
Christopher Clark — Google review
It is a money making entertainment. You need to pay for drinks and food extra, nor it was said that will be included. Good entertainment for party - take friends snacks & drinks, but not as a cultural or romantic ride
Gabriele N — Google review
3.7
(49)
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4.0
(1270)
Laguna del Toro, San Juan, Xochimilco, 16038 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
27
Zona Arqueológica Tzacualli YancuicTletl
Archaeological site
Sights & Landmarks
Ancient Ruins
Points of Interest & Landmarks
This is open - just so everyone knows - Jan 25, 2022. Its a nice walk up. Good views. There are no fees.
Suriyan Ramasami — Google review
Perfect for nature lovers and people looking for something different and keen on trekking or just having fun going up the pyramid. You'll need good cardio though, so take your time and enjoy your climb up.
Fernando Lopez — Google review
Archeological finds at the Cerro de la Estrella archeological site relate to the Teotihuacan, Toltec, Chichimeca and Culhua-Mexica cultures and range from 1500 BCE to 1521. Excavations have found the Temple of the New Fire, the Sanctuary, the Villa Estrellas, 144 caves, the remains of walls and evidence of terracing. The most important of these is the former plaza and temple of the New Fire Ceremony, which is on the top of the hill. This archeological site can be visited through a guided tour.
However, early archeological remains can be found in many parts of the park, including those which have since been covered over by urban sprawl.
Ceramic and stone sculpture materials were discovered in the west side of Huizachtecatl that apparently was made within the 100 to 500 years CE; these resemble other similar pieces found in Zacatenco, north of Mexico City. The constructions here were built between the year 100 and 650 AD and are located in the north side, the remains consist of foundations and walls of palaces that show Teotihuacan influence. Another area was housing zone at the middle of the hill, built during the late Classic period 600 to 900 CE. In 2003, specialists from the Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia INAH worked to document petroglyphs found in various areas of the park, registering 210 in eleven groups, but they believe there are still more. Some of the petroglyphs are aligned with certain annual solar events.
The most recent find was in 2006, when a pyramid base was discovered in what is called Calvary at the top of the mountain. This base dates to the Teotihuacan period, about 1300 years ago. INAH has decided not to excavate the base.
The last New Fire ceremony took place in 1507. Today, the hill remains important culturally, as the scene of Iztapalapa’s annual Passion Play.
AR Paderanga — Google review
A great place to contemplate the city from above, celebrating the spirit of the New Fire. It may need more care from local authorities, despite the fact, the Aztec building remains.
Jorge Luis Rimbaud — Google review
Beautiful place, ruins are well preserved
Paco Flores — Google review
Ok
Jorge Vivas — Google review
(Translated by Google) It's really a great place to run and exercise in general.
If on Saturdays you realize that it is very windy 90%, I am sure that on Sunday you will be able to see the entire city of Mexico.
They also sell food that is nothing ostentatious.
We all wear masks, I only take them off occasionally for the photo.
(Original)
Es realmente un excelente lugar para correr y hacer ejercicio en general.
Si los días sábados te das cuenta de que hace mucho viento 90% seguro que el día domingo podrás ver toda la ciudad de México.
También venden alimentos nada ostentoso.
Todos usamos cubre bocas, solo me lo quito en ocasiones para la foto.
efrain peralta — Google review
(Translated by Google) The place itself is incredible and wonderful to climb up to this place.
Getting to the Mexica basement makes it even better.
You can visit almost every archaeological area, its caves and grottoes.
The view from the top is simply impressive.
Well worth visiting with family or friends.
The thing is that there are no bathrooms, nor where to throw the garbage and some people are very filthy and leave a lot of garbage.
Surveillance is almost non-existent in the place, I recommend being alive.
(Original)
El lugar en sí es increíble y maravilloso subir hasta este lugar.
llegar al basamento mexica lo hace aun mejor.
se puede recorrer casi toda zona arqueológica, sus cuevas y sus grutas.
la vista desde la cúspide es sencillamente impresionante.
bien vale la pena para visitar en familia, o con amigos.
lo que si es que no hay ni baños, ni donde tirar la basura y algunas personas son muy cochinas y dejan mucha basura.
la vigilancia es casi nula en el lugar les recomiendo estar a las vivas.
Roberto Ramírez — Google review
4.7
(648)
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5.0
(8920)
Cam. Cerro de la Estrella, Parque Nacional Cerro de la Estrella, Iztapalapa, 09860 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
Coyoacán, a bohemian neighborhood in Mexico City, is home to the leafy Jardín Centenario park and features cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. The neighborhood is known for its vibrant art scene, with numerous galleries showcasing traditional Mexican handcrafted products. Visitors can explore the Museo de Frida Kahlo or the former home of Leon Trotsky, both well-preserved landmarks that offer insight into Mexican history and culture.
The Frida Kahlo Museum is a renowned museum dedicated to the life and works of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The museum is located at her former home in Coyoacan district, Mexico City. The museum is filled with vibrant artwork by Frida Kahlo, including self portraits and colorful paintings of her relationships with famous artists such as Diego Rivera and Leon Trotsky. If you are visiting Mexico City, be sure to visit the Frida Kahlo Museum!
Its clean, organized, popular and overall it's good.
I didn't like that i had troubles at the front desk due to the were asking me if I was re-entering to the museum cause as i bought my tickets online, they said that they were already used and, well, all my info was correct, so they have an issue with their system.
I couldn't buy and extra ticket while on the line, so i recommend buy the tickets online.
Alejandro Sandoval — Google review
Be sure to get tickets in advance; they're pretty good with the schedules and keep the line moving. If you want to take pictures inside the museum, you'll need to buy a permit at the front desk to avoid an awkward moment with the staff during your tour :)
The exhibition is very well kept and you're able to experience a little bit of the life of this amazing woman
Elisa Taymes — Google review
I turned up 11.30 and their were tickets available by qr code for 3.45. It looked like a tourist nightmare so decided not to do as is small place. For those not on a tour (which is basically the problem of it being booked out) there is a Trotsky museum in the next street aswell. Fan or not it’s a beautiful house and garden and no fee for pictures with a garden for coffee. Also quick bus ride away Diego Rivera ‘museum’ - impressive place made by frank Lloyd right. The stuff in it is a bit of a mix of meso America and modern which not really worth seeing if you already been to the big museums but the house and garden are unusual. Plus you can have a beer and tamales.
Citywealth Magazine — Google review
This place is an outstanding experience. If you're in CDMX, bring this to the top of your list of destinations. I recommend getting your tickets at least a week in advance as they sell out quickly. It's nice because there are never too many people in the museum at any one time which makes it feel like you get to see everything you want to.
Caroline Giegerich — Google review
GET A TICKET BEFOREHAND! It can be sold out for days and it’s far away from the city center so don’t take a chance! It’s a cool place though, seeing actual garments from paintings was very cool. Not a lot of self portraits though. Be sure to check out other places in the area, there’s great restaurants in the area, the Leon Trotsky Museum is also a highlight.
Petter Nyman — Google review
Oh the blue house! Can't be missed! It really depicts the essence of Frida, colorful, artistic, yet tough & painful. It is monumental, regarding her huge personality, but also the period of time she lived! The garden is so cozy to grab a cup of coffee!
Katerina Papathanasi — Google review
A must see in Mexico City. Really enjoyed it. You need to book your ticket online and there will be a queue so do arrive like 15min before. Wasn’t expecting to be so far away in the city. Really nice museum, but was expecting to see more art by Frida. It’s 30 pesos if you want to take photos.
Anca Sticlaru — Google review
A must stop if you are in Mexico City. Humanizes Frida and allows for an intimate, private view of her entire life. This museum is located in the house she was born, raised and passed in. Has a lovely temporary exhibit with objects that have never been seen before.
Hilary Hughes — Google review
Beautiful house and the landscape was also very beautiful, the tour was great, get to experience the life of Frida from birth to her death. Tickets need to be purchased ahead of time or else if you wait til you get there there won't be any available.
Gerald Campos — Google review
Pretty interesting experience. It was kind of annoying that they don’t sell tickets there (you have to buy online in advance). However, it was still worth the visit. Pro tip: show up at the very last time slot so you can take your sweet time and avoid the crowds.
Rainier Nanquil — Google review
What an experience going through this museum. I do love how they set up each room to tell her life story. Her courtyard was gorgeous. Would definitely recommend checking this place out when coming to Mexico city
Nicole Asaraf — Google review
We loved this museum. It really did an amazing job having you understand Frida’s life and what made her so incredibly special as an artist and member of Mexican and global society.
Buy tickets in advance and head to the Coyuchan market after!
Stacey Furtado — Google review
Not a large museum but a good one. If you enjoy Frida Kahlo then is an absolute must. Enchanting and delightful. We visited through a tour so I am not familiar with how to purchase tickets ahead of time. Was a once in a lifetime experience seeing some of her works and home for the first time. Everything was displayed beautifully. Glad that everything was easy to access and closed off so items are not disturbed by guests. We were able to see the museum in about an hour.
N'Dozie Matingou — Google review
Such an amazing experience to get to see where Frida and Diego lived. You get to explore the garden, and all of the rooms within the house. It was cool to see the bed where she painted, her easel, and all of her dresses. The garden is beautiful and the gift shop has some nice gifts to take back home.
Shazad Beharry — Google review
Beautiful museum, Frida is a legend and to see her beautiful home is a must to see.
Highly recommend to visit this museum if you’re visiting CDMX.
Buy your tickets weeks ahead of time and also spend the extra $30 pesos to take pictures.
The staff speaks English and Spanish and once you’re in you can see the whole museum for about 2 hours.
Ash — Google review
Buy your ticket online!!! No exceptions. The staff is super kind, and friendly, Ale one of their staff was super helpful. You cannot buy tickets there and you must confirm that your tour includes a ticket or if you have to buy it separately. The entire house takes around 1 hour to get through, and is beautifully kept. Staff are knowledgeable of its history, so you can ask them. Also, you can only take pictures, no video, and you must purchase that pass when you buy your ticket.
Ana Mosqueda — Google review
It is unlike any museum I have ever been to. Like being invited into someone’s home, posthumously, to bask in all the art and their personal collection and artefacts. It’s like coming to know someone, their innermost thoughts (e.g., the corset that held her up, how she saw herself, how much she loved Diego), and it’s a beautiful, wonderful experience.
Buy tickets online and in advance. Be early to line up and expect there to always be a crowd. They’ll say the whole museum will take you 45 minutes. Unless you’re prepared to rush through, plan for 1.5-2 hours. Take in Freda’s indomitable spirit and be inspired.
Amanda Cooke — Google review
I didn't knew much about Frida Khalo and after visiting La Casa Azul I learned a lot. A must visit place if you are in CDMX. Make sure you buy your tickets online in advance.
Francisco D. — Google review
Plan on buying your tickets a week ahead of time if you plan on just visiting the museum as they do sell out. I tried to book tickets for a Friday on a Thursday morning and the only option was to buy a bundled tour for Xochimilco, Coyacan, and the Frida Kahlo Museum ($100). The museum itself if beautiful, peaceful, and worth the visit.
Freddy Hernandez — Google review
an impressive collection of beautiful art, the overall experience falls short of expectations. The venue is often overcrowded to the point where it becomes a challenge to navigate through the space. On my visit, the presence of large school groups, combined with the usual influx of tourists, made it nearly impossible to appreciate the art fully. The sheer number of visitors, easily in the upwards of 60, created an environment that was more chaotic than contemplative. While the artwork itself might be a draw, the overcrowded conditions significantly detract from the experience, making it difficult to recommend a visit.
Mauricio Gomez Franco — Google review
4.5
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4.5
(9885)
Londres 247, Del Carmen, Coyoacán, 04100 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico
The Palacio de Bellas Artes is a renowned cultural center in Mexico City with stunning, eye-catching art murals painted by some of the most famous artists in history. The building is vast and contains several galleries, as well as a museum dedicated to architecture. It has been the scene of some of Mexico's most significant events in music, dance, theatre and literature, and it remains an iconic place for visitors to explore.
This was one of the most memorable experience in my visit to Mexico City.
We visited the Palacio de Bellas Artes during the weekend and saw a Ballet Folklorico de México show. It was a very emotional performance and the venue completely immersed you. The building’s architecture is stunning.
The shows are almost always sold out, so you should either purchase your tickets in advance or arrive at least two hours before the show.
Juanjo Arg?ello — Google review
Splendid place to visit, for around $4 dollars you can go into the museum I went on Monday, The building itself is gorgeous. Inside it's like a museum and a theater all in one. I can't speak to the acoustics of the theater because we didn't see a show there, but we did see two different exhibits, as well as the huge murals on the walls, remember museums are closed on Mondays. Fantastic venue. Amazing folkloric dance performance! Don't bother buying tickets online just walk in prior to performance and buy...much easier and cheaper. We would go again and again. Without doubt, there's a pretty place to visit in CDMX
Gabe Does — Google review
Located in the heart of Mexico City, this project stands as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of human minds. The historical site was transformed into a masterpiece by a team of skilled architects and artists, resulting in a building that is truly awe-inspiring. The attention to detail and innovative design elements are beyond compare, making it one of the most impressive and interesting projects in the city. It is a true reflection of the limitless potential of human imagination and serves as a source of inspiration for generations to come.
N C — Google review
Such a beautiful building! The architecture is truly phenomenal.
The exhibits inside did not move me much and you can get thru it rather quickly. 1.5 hours and you are good to go.
Tony del pino — Google review
This place was amazing. My wife and I had a wonderful time. Such a rich history and the 65 year old folklore dance was top notch! The staff was friendly the seating was perfect. Try to get there early and don't sit too close or you'll be looking up. 😉
Sonny Contreras — Google review
This church is so beautiful. Was built in the 1500s and is a must see! The detail, the architecture, the historical significance makes it a must. We had the pleasure of seeing a wedding. Just make sure you don't take pics of any events going on; I got yelled at 😂
Julian Romero II — Google review
Beautiful art deco interior. It's free to go in and look around and take photos. The museum was a great experience. They also have a box office inside to purchase tickets for up coming events/ shows.
Manny Macias — Google review
The murals are breath taking. If you want to experience this unique art form then here is the place. The building itself is a jaw dropping architecture grandor both in day and night time. The park around is always crowded, full of activities and is a fun place to walk around or simply sit and watch people. Oh, make sure you scan the QR code to read the description of the murals in English to appreciate each panels. Otherwise, all descriptions are in Spanish, no English.
Chau Do Beaverton — Google review
This is obviously a beautiful museum. You'd be crazy to think otherwise. It's even free to all guests in Sunday! There are three floors. The first two have mostly mural paintings with wings that have photography exhibits. The top floor also currently (March 2024) has a photography exhibit. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours here. There is also a performance hall inside where you can watch orchestra and dancing. Check the calendar for those events and prices.
Michael Barton — Google review
Excellent museum inside out. So beautiful marbles all around and massive dome. They need to have the description in English for tourists. Apart from dat, great spot to visit , cheap entry and only accept pesos like all other govt institutions 😊
N M — Google review
A must visit if you are in Mexico City. The architecture is beautiful and if you can go to the sears cafe across the street, I would definitely recommend that. The view of the palacio from the sears cafe is unreal. Go here while the sun is setting for an even better experience
Darshan Shetty — Google review
This is an excellent example of Art Deco design. On the top level there is about 10 murals with at least two by Diego Rivera. There is also an exhibit by an important Mexico artist. Some paintings but mainly sculpture. Tourists will pay 90 pesos at the time of this writing, but Mexican citizens and residents will be free on Sundays.
The performance hall is also supposed to be gorgeous, but you will need to arrange to buy tickets to see a performance.
This venue can be done in one to two hours
Bjorn Bouwmeester — Google review
Really cool architecture. Tickets are reasonably priced. Murals by known Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera, are giant and cool to see. Unfortunately when we went a lot of exhibits were closed.
Joe Saturnino — Google review
Can't miss the iconic grandeur of this architectural world class beauty. We saw Amalia Hernandez' Ballet Folklorico. Pictures cannot do this performance justice. Incomparable. The costumes, beauty, choreography, music, and dance evoke cultural emotion like no other. I've seen many performances all over the world. I would come back to CDMX just to see this show again. Thank you Amalia.
Martin Martinez — Google review
We visited Mexico City between 3rd May to 6th May 2023 and visited so many places and saw this place but from a distance and had a aerial view of this place as visiting hour was over. Looks beautiful. Wonderful historical place. Sharing Photo/video taken from a nearby high-rise building. Aerial view of nearby places are visible in the video.
Sk Khare — Google review
You have to see the National Mexican Folkloric Show. It's a blast. The show is about 2 hrs long. But it worth every second of it. The stage is very deep, with the great sound and lights. The maximum quantity of artists on the stage is about 50 people at a time. It's really very impressive. The costumes are gorgeous.
It's guaranteed that you'll have long lasting memories about your trip to the CDMX.
Vyacheslav Latushko — Google review
This is an iconic place for Mexico City, but almost all visitors are only able to come to the museum of Palacio. Unfortunately, I must admit that the place is extremely overrated.
You may visit three floors there, two of them are the photos exhibition. The one on the first doesn’t even worth a glance, the one on the third floor is pretty good.
Other thing to see is murals on the wall, and they are pretty nice as well.
Alex Klénin — Google review
Wonderful art deco building with museum inside. The architecture is amazing. There is no entry fee and the building is more than overcrowded, the staff even make you going clockwise, without exceptions. Murals are quite ok.
Daniel Opat — Google review
It's a beautiful and majestic specimen of architecture. The neighbourhood is nice- lots of street food, and good ones. The best spot to enjoy this palace is the coffee shop which is right opposite to the main entrance of the palace. If you want to beat the crowd- be there by 11am in the morning for your late morning coffee :) Enjoy, and safe travels!
Farhan M. — Google review
The architecture of the place is astonishing. The inside prevails with an art-deco atmosphere clearly taking you back to the 1930s with its marble floors and walls. The murals are spectacular. It also has a wholesome library inside packed with interesting books and classics.
Carlos Argueta — Google review
A stunning piece of architecture in the heart of the city. This is a great meeting place for people and there is a lively feel in the grounds surrounding this place in both the day and the night. The iconic rooftop really stands out and it is well worth a visit to explore the many beautiful sculptures that surround the grounds.
Matthew Harwood — Google review
Good exhibits, and very interesting stories. Please visit this website before you enter. Internet is not great inside so the website doesn’t work.
https://museopalaciodebellasartes.inba.gob.mx/permanent-collection-of-murals/
These are all the Murals you will see inside. Happy reading and viewing. Please take a guided tour if you can find time.
Deepali Kulkarni — Google review
4.8
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4.5
(11069)
Av. Juarez S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06050 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico