Jock! Start the Engine!

Yachitlan Ruins, a real life Indiana Jones moment!

We learned of Yachitlan from a fellow traveler while in Baja. Mayan ruins, jungle, monkeys, a boat ride in…we had to check it out.

So, a few hundred miles of topes, mountain roads, topes, heat, topes, jungle, and more topes, we arrived in Frontera Corozal on the river border between Mexico and Guatemala. We set up camp in the heat and humidity and hired a boat and guide to take us the 20km down river to Yachitlan early the next morning.

After several swims in the pool and a very hot night, we boarded the boat at dawn and went zipping up the river enjoying the scenery and cool breezes. 45 minutes later, one ruin peaked out of the jungle just as we neared the dock. From there we wound our way up into the jungle exploring ruin after ruin with Juan, our English speaking guide. For two hours we had the entire site to ourselves.

An ancient site, a labyrinth, the jungle, crocodiles sleeping on the river bank, howler monkeys howling, spider monkeys swinging from tree to tree, and bats dozing in the shadows of the stone structures.

Amazing!

We felt like Indiana Jones!

Dawn on the river. Not another boat in sight.
Ahhhhhh…cool breeze. That is Guatemala in the background.
Definitely no swimming in this river!!
Our first glimpse of the ruins hidden in the jungle.
The crowning glory, the Acropolis.
Up close after climbing alllllllll of those stairs.
Inside is a statue of the king in one room…
And his head in another. The Mayans believe if you put his head back on the world will end. Both of these statues were behind locked doors. They aren’t taking any chances.
Back into the jungle behind the Acropolis.
Amazing detail that has withstood time.
The passing of the crown. The royal family had modified skulls to show their status. When they were babies, boards were attched to their skulls to elongate the skull.
The elusive Spider Monkey.
They were my favorite…I could have watched them swing in the trees all day.
Only a small part of the ruins have been excavated. Most is still deeply wrapped in the jungle’s firm embrace.
Indiana Jones must have been filmed here…amazing! How lucky we were!

It’s Hot!!!!

The trip south to Yachitlan was a drive into the very hot and humid jungle along the border between Guatemala and Mexico.

Did I say it’s Hot!

To make the long trip down more manageable we planned to camp along the way. We found a small village spot, Cascadas Welib-Ha, that let us camp in the parking lot, rather than rent one of the few cabanas. The falls were beautiful and the cool water was perfect after a long hot day of traveling. And the little family restaurant had delicious pescado (fish).

It was so nice, we stayed on the way back north as well!

Serene, gorgeous and nice cool water.
Palapas in the kiddo pool area. We were here in the ‘off season’. It must get busy in the summer…I can’t imagine the heat!
We swim in our clothes…laundry done!!