The Lacandones are one of the most remote ethnic groups that come fro the Maya Culture still remaining. They call themselves “hach winic” which means “real man”.  Some things that stand out from the Lacandones is their handmade work with fabric, ceramic, flutes and a kind of boat called “piraguas” which are boats that only fit 1 to 2 persons.

The name “Lacandon” comes from their very beginnings when they used to live in an island in the Lacantun River, so they were known as “the Lacantun”, with time the name changed to Lacandones.

This group of people has tried to keep their origins and way of living as they learned to live since the beginning by fishing, hunting, plans tinting and harvesting.  Now days they still do al these things even though there are now only a few hundreds of them in the state.

The religious beliefs of this group is rich in their traditions and keeps them till this day following their rituals and myths from Palenque, Yaxchilan and Piedras Negras.

The Best way to remember the Lacandones is by their clothing, which is usually a white tunic and the how they wear their long hair.

Learning about this ethnic group will teach you more about the culture in Chiapas so when you visit us donít forget to visit the Lacandona Jungle National Park and enjoy!

HOW TO GET THERE: From Palenque take the Federal highway 199 to Ocosingo.  You will see a sign to the federal highway 307 or Fronteriza del Sur at about 10 kilometers.  Little bit after 100 meters in the San Javier exit turn left (south) to get to Lacanja. The Lacandones live in the communities of  Naha, Metzabok, Lacanja Chansayab y San Quintin.

WHAT TO DO: Enjoy handcrafted items, walks, kayak, photography, archaeology sites and nature.

WE RECOMMEND YOU TO: Get a guide or map of the region, bring along a mosquito repellent, comfortable clothing and shoes and lots of water.