ECOTOURISM AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Escudo Jaguar (Jaguar Shield): Reached by the road from Palenque to Ocosingo up to the Chancalá exit, from there take the road to the Southern Frontier Highway (carretera fronteriza del sur) to Frontera Corozal, a trip approximately 162 km (100 miles). It is a tourism center on the left bank of the Usumacinta River, in the town of Frontera de Corozal, on the border between Mexico and Guatemala. It is the best place from which to depart towards the archeological site of Yaxchilan, since it is the last place that can be reached by car from Palenque. From there it is a 25 km (15.6 miles) boat ride on the Usumacinta River up to the archaeological site. The center has cabins, a restaurant, boat and hammock rentals, telephone and parking lot. Common activities at this site are hiking and boat tours.

Las Guacamayas: Reached by the Southern Frontier Highway (carretera fronteriza del sur) up to Benemérito de las Americas, there turning off on an unpaved road of approximately 36 km (22.5 miles). This tourist center is located within the community of Reforma Agraria. It was created to preserve this species of Red Guacamaya (scarlet macaw) birds. It is ideal for bird watchers and nature lovers since many species of animals, especially birds, and the natural vegetation can be observed while hiking through the rain forest. This center ensconced in the mountains of eastern Chiapas, in the part known as the Lacandona Jungle, will attract those who not only seek adventure but also anyone interested in the study, conservation and knowledge about the reproduction of the scarlet macaw, a species in danger of extinction. Las Guacamayas is situated at the edge of one of the areas with the greatest biodiversity in Mexico: Natural Reserve of the Biosphere Montes Azules. The region has a humid warm climate with abundant rains in summer and is inhabited by the ethnic group "Chinanteco". The center is ideal for the observation of flora and fauna, boat rides, trekking, nature observation. As tourist services the center offers: Restaurant, cabins; camping area with services, parking, wharf, two observatories, aviary, orchidiarium and nature paths. The center offers the possibilities of having boat tours to the Natural Reserve of the Biosphere Montes Azules.

Centro Ecoturístico Causas Verdes Las Nubes (The Clouds) - Wharf of Jerusalem: Located in the municipality of Maravilla Tenejapa, at 50 km from the Guacamayas and only three hours from Comitan. The Nubes is part of the swift Santo Domingo River where there are many turquoise-colored waterfalls and in many sections rapid currents for rafting. The Santo Domingo river is one of the greater branches of the river Jataté. Throughout his course form several waterfalls, one of which is of the most spectacular beauty in the Southeastern part of Mexico. A journalist pointed that this was "without doubt a wonderful place, and after you see it once, its image never leaves your mind." The river in part of its passage diminishes several times its normal width to pass by a small strait and to fall later in a high waterfall, an image able to leave any traveler astonished. The zone has a humid warm climate with abundant rains in summer. The center is ideal for trekking, swimming, nature observation and observation of flora and fauna. Also it offers tourist services such as: Restaurant, cabins, palapas for families, camping area with services, public bathrooms, hammock area and parking. It is possible to visit the Causas Verdes waterfall, the Selva Loma Bonita path, and the Santa Margarita lookout, the latter a favorite of rock-climbers.

Lacanjá Chansayab: Community Lacandona located in the margins of the Natural Reserve of the Biosphere Montes Azules and near by the archaeological zone of Bonampak. This it is a natural site, with cascades and rivers, inhabited by ethnic group "Lacandones," Mayan descendants, who still conserve their traditions and culture and are faithful guardians of the vestiges of the great Mayan culture. The zone has a humid warm climate with rains all the year. The community is located in the municipality of Ocosingo, in the Region Forest of the state and is ideal for camping, trekking, swimming, rafting, observation of flora and fauna. The offered tourist services are: 11 Cabins with three rooms each one, rustic cabins, restaurants, Center of Environmental Interpretation and Services, nature paths, stores for food and crafts and a small landing strip for twin-engine airplanes.

Colem-Ha: It is located about 70 km (43.7 miles) from Palenque and 10 km (6.25 miles) from Salto de Agua. Reached via Highway 199 from Palenque to Ocosingo and San Cristobal de las Casas; at km 59 take the exit to Salto de Agua. Colem-Ha is an Eco-tourism center that in the Cho'l language means Big River, and it is an ideal place to swimming. The center offer services such as: cabins, a restaurant and parking lot.

Cascadas El Chiflón (Windy Waterfalls): These falls are located half an hour away from downtown Comitan, in the municipality of Tzimol, arriving via the Comitan-Tzimol state road. The Chiflón Falls are surrounded by sugar cane fields, mountains and jungle. They are a chain of waterfalls formed by the river San Vicente that thunders through several falls, the greater one of 70m of height. Through its way, natural pools of intense turquoise blue color water are formed; in addition to these cascades, the area has deep vegetation that surrounds the landscapes forming a curtain of palms and sugar cane plantations. In addition, there is a hill in where it is presumed to be an unexplored archaeological site. The zone has sub-humid warm climate with rains in the summer; its temperature average is of 24.5° C. The Bride’s Veil (Velo de Novia), the most impressive waterfall at the site, is a curtain of water formed by the tumbling San Vicente River. This flows into turquoise pools ideal for swimming. There is a 1.28 km (3/4 mile) hike on walkways, stairs and paths to get to the breathtaking view of the 120 m (400 ft) waterfall that flows into the San Vicente River. Next to the waterfalls, there are Mayan ruins. This is also a perfect spot for taking photographs. In the surrounding area, there are two smaller waterfalls with natural swimming pools and the opportunity to see ancient petroglyph art. There are basic services offered by the inhabitants of the area. It is also possible to practice rappel from the cave or dive into the water from the first ledge of the waterfall - if one has the aptitude to do this, and always following the advice of the guides. One can hike in the forest, surrounded by nature, take pictures, go swimming and have a very pleasant picnic. The center offers cabins, barbeque areas, shops, meeting room with a capacity of 100 persons, restaurant, parking lot, cafeteria, camping site with services and activities like Tyrolese, mountain bikes, wall climbing and nature paths. The falls are open Monday through Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00

Estación Ixcán: Site of a great biotical wealth and a jungle environment, immersed in the Natural Reserve of the Biosphere Montes Azules, in the union of the rivers Jataté and Ixcán that form the Lacantún river. The zone has a humid warm climate with abundant rains in summer; temperature average annual of 24.5° C and this located in the ejido Ixcán, municipality of Maravilla Tenejapa, in the jungle region of the state. The Ixcán Station is ideal for swimming, boat tours, trekking, observation of flora and fauna, nature observation and camping. The station has services such as: Restaurant, cabins and wharf.

ARCHEOLOGY
YAXCHILÁN ARCHEOLOGICAL ZONE:
This zone is reached following the Palenque-Ocosingo Road to the Chancalá exit, then taking the Southern Frontier Highway (carretera Fronteriza del Sur) to Corozal, where the Escudo Jaguar Tourist Center is located, providing cabins for lodging. From there, a boat traverses along the waters of the sacred Usumacinta River, the most voluminous in Mexico and longest in Central America. This Mayan city located on the left bank of the Usumacinta River developed between the years 350 and 810 A.D. Yaxchilán is the prototype of a lost city in the rainforest in a central part of the rainforest Lacandona. Its origin is 2000 years ago, when a group of people established a village that over the centuries became a powerful and beauty city near to the river Usumacinta. The city had its splendor in 550-800 A.C. in the corresponding late classic period. It is notable for the large quantity of sculptures in stone including steles and lintels. The most important structures are the Great Acropolis, the Small Acropolis and the South Acropolis, and Buildings 12 and 22. Within the great Acropolis is Building 33, which has a notable roof comb, a stairway full of glyphs, carved lintels, and in its interior, a headless sculpture representing one of the most important kings, Bird Jaguar IV. A Lacandon legend says that when the head of the Bird-Jaguar come to its place the world will be devastated by the celestial jaguars. The surface in the city is very large, but the visit is limited to the big square, known as “el laberinto” (Labyrinth,) because the complicated distribution of this rooms in various buildings you can see lintels about the dynastic history of the city; the big acropolis, the little acropolis and the southern acropolis.

BONAMPAK ARCHEOLOGICAL ZONE:
Is reached following the Palenque-Ocosingo to the Chancalá exit, then taking the Southern Frontier Highway (carretera Fronteriza del Sur) to Corozal; at 147 km (92 miles) is the cutoff towards the site, about 13 km (8 miles) distant. It is an important Mayan city famous for its mural paintings for which the site was given the name Bonampak, meaning "painted walls". Bonampak was a Mayan city from the classic period that flourished in 650 - 900 A.C. Its apogee occurred during the reign of Knotted-Eye Jaguar, who ascended the throne in 743 A.D. In the Great Plaza by the stairway that leads to the Acropolis there are several steles with richly dressed dignitaries - probably its rulers. Among the buildings of this ancient city is the prominent building "I", which is divided in three sections and walls of which are adorned with the mural paintings, the best-preserved and most important of the classic Maya.

TONINÁ ARCHEOLOGICAL ZONE:
Near San Cristobal de las Casas you will find one of the most important and best-preserved Mayan archaeological zones. It is reached by the Palenque-Ocosingo road, then continuing on a paved road for 11 km (7 miles) up to the site. Tonina means "House of Big Stones." It was a ceremonial center of the Mayan culture and reached its peak between the years 600 to 900 A.D. During the late classic, it had great military importance, testified by the abundant representation of prisoners in stucco and stone relief. Its most important governor was Tzots Choj, "Bat-Tiger." The Acropolis was built over natural rises of the land at the base of which is located a large plaza with an adjoining ball court, several temples, altars and steles over seven platforms. Among the most important edifices are: El Palacio de las Grecas (Palace of the Fretworks), El Palacio de la Guerra (Palace of War), El Templo de los Prisioneros (Temple of Prisoners) and El Templo del Espejo Humeante (Temple of the Smoking Mirror). There is also the Mural of the Four Suns, an impressive stucco relief representing four distinct eras of history. The visit is completed with the fabulous site museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 5:00.
 

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