Sendero Río Cedro

For a more challenging excursion, Sendero Río Cedro (Cedar River Trail) connects Nueva Palestina [1] to the Lacandón village of Lacanjá Chansayab [2], a 6-to-8-hour hike that ranges from cornfields to the pristine rainforest of the Montes Azules biosphere reserve, passes waterfalls and massive ceiba trees, and crosses numerous waterways.

Camping is possible at Campamento Río Cedro, a small Lacandón settlement about two hours from Nueva Palestina, where local guides can lead short side trips into the forest and to nearby lagoons. From there to Lacanjá Chansayab is another 4–6 hours, mostly through dense rainforest, and across the namesake Río Cedro.

The trail splits and fades in numerous places, making a private guide or organized tour all but essential. One option is Latitud 16 (www.latitud16.com [3]), which offers a five-day/four-night trip including a night at Campamento Río Cedro and visiting Plan de Ayutla ruins [4].