Explore the Mighty Usamacinta Magic, mystery and ancient history await down the river If you're not meek or mild; if adventuring through dense rainforest infested by monkeys and crocodiles sounds attractive; if you're not afraid of ancient Mayan magic or the shrouded secrets of a lost civilization - then canoeing down the Usamacinta River to the Mayan magical city of Yaxchilán may be your next great adventure in waiting. Deep in the southern reaches of Mexico, in Chiapas State, adventurers are discovering a little known expedition opportunity that provides greater challenges and pleasures than the more popular Mayan destinations of Palenque and Bonampak. An hour long-boat ride down the great Usamacinta River takes you to the Mayan worlds most mysterious and magical city, Yaxchilán, a site rich in Maya art and hieroglyphics history, and into the heart of Lakandon Indian territory. One one shore lies the rainforest of Southern Mexico. On the other shore stands the edge of Guatemala's Peten Rainforest, a dark and alluring country full of mystery at every turn in the river. With only 450 known tribesmen remaining, the Lakandons still use Yaxchilán for religious and ceremonial purposes; ancient rituals first practiced by King Shield Jaguar and and Queen Lady Xoc, who ruled the great city-state in its days of splendor. Discover the mysteries and majesty of this unspoiled relic of ancient history before the tourist arrive! Yaxchilán Adventures Read about the city-state, it's ancient history and ritual, and view photographs of the site on this popular Mayan destination web site. Historical Background - The Maya World Discover many of the secrets of the ancient Maya. ho were these people? Where did they go? Why did they build such huge centers of civilization only to abandon them? MAYA Sites Tour - Chiapas Ready for 5 days and 4 nights in the Mayan jungles of Southern Mexico. This Spring tour takes you to several Mayan sites and provides informed guides to keep the trip informative ind insightful. All aboard! Traveling Mexico's Mayan World Another good tour guide resource site, here you can discover more about a number of Mayan sites and get tour information to help you plan your next visit. Mundo Maya This attractive and informative site is all about the modern world of the Maya. Find cultural information, festival dates, and interesting reading about the land and the people of Central America. Yucatan Map and Cultural Information More useful information about the area in Central America referred to as the Yucatan, including the Usamacinta River which serves as a border between Mexico and Guatemala. Previous Articles