Three small rooms inside Structure 1 hold the most complete Maya wall paintings that survive anywhere, a full-colour sequence of a battle, an arraignment of prisoners and a court celebration. Photography inside the rooms is permitted without flash and without a tripod, both of which are prohibited to protect the pigment; only a few people are admitted at a time and each group has a limited window in the chamber, so exposure settings should be decided before entering. The site opens 08:00 to 17:00 and INAH charges about 100 MXN (approx USD 6). The final 12 km from the San Javier junction is Lacandon community land and private vehicles are not allowed through: transfer is by community van from the San Javier crossroads for about 120 MXN (approx USD 7) per person round trip, run by the Lacandon community of Lacanja Chansayab.
Three small rooms inside Structure 1 hold the most complete surviving Maya wall paintings, a full-colour sequence of a battle, an arraignment of prisoners and a court celebration, photographed handheld in low, indirect light since flash and tripods are both prohibited to protect the pigment. Only a few visitors are admitted to the chamber at a time and each group has a limited window inside, so exposure and composition should be decided before entering rather than worked out on the spot. Early arrival, 08:00 to 09:30, means fewer groups have built up and the chamber doorways still take low, indirect light rather than the harsher light of midday. January to April is the driest period on the Carretera Fronteriza, the access road, which matters because the final 12 km from the San Javier junction crosses Lacandon community land where private vehicles are not permitted; transfer is by community van from the San Javier crossroads, run by the Lacandon community of Lacanja Chansayab, for about 120 MXN (approx USD 7) per person round trip. The site opens 08:00 to 17:00 and INAH charges about 100 MXN (approx USD 6). There is no drone use appropriate given the mural rooms are enclosed structures, and the prohibition on flash and tripods applies specifically to protect the fragile pigment rather than as a general site rule.
Shooting notes
- Equipment
- Fast prime of f/1.4 to f/1.8, since flash and tripods are banned in the mural rooms, A body that performs well at ISO 6400, Lens hood to control the doorway flare, Silica gel and a cloth for the jungle humidity, Cash in pesos for the INAH ticket and the community transfer
Location
Zona Arqueologica de Bonampak, 12 km off the Carretera Fronteriza del Sur at San Javier, 29950 Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico
16.7042, -91.0653 View on map
Highlights
- Full-colour Maya battle and court-celebration murals inside Structure 1
- Arraignment-of-prisoners scene, among the best-preserved Maya paintings known
- Jungle approach through Lacandon community land
- Structure 1's mural chamber doorways in low, indirect light
Tips for visiting
- Use a fast prime of f/1.4 to f/1.8, since flash and tripods are banned in the mural rooms
- Decide exposure and composition before entering, as each group's time in the chamber is limited
- Arrive 08:00-09:30 before groups build up
- Bring silica gel and a cloth for the jungle humidity
- Carry cash in pesos for the INAH ticket and the community van transfer
When to visit
08:00-09:30, before groups build up and while the chamber doorways still take low, indirect light.
Frequently asked questions
Can the murals be photographed with a tripod?
No, both flash and tripods are prohibited in the mural rooms to protect the fragile pigment; handheld photography is allowed.
How is the final stretch of road reached?
The final 12 km from the San Javier junction is Lacandon community land; private vehicles are not allowed, so transfer is by community van for about 120 MXN (approx USD 7) round trip.
What does entry cost?
INAH charges about 100 MXN (approx USD 6) at the site.
Is there a time limit inside the mural chamber?
Yes, only a few visitors are admitted at a time and each group has a limited window inside.