Na Bolom

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  • 10:00 - 17:00

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Lonely Planet review

Na Bolom means 'Jaguar House' in the Tzotzil language (as well as being a play on its former owners' name). It's full of photographs, archaeological and anthropological relics and books. The house tour provides a revealing insight into the lives of the former owners and the Chiapas of half a century and more ago.

For many years, Na Bolom was the home of Swiss anthropologist and photographer Gertrude Duby-Blom who, with her Danish archaeologist husband Frans Blom, bought the 19th-century house in 1950. While Frans explored ancient Maya sites all over Chiapas, Trudy studied, photographed and fought to protect the scattered Lacandón people of eastern Chiapas and their jungle environment.

Since Trudy's death, Na Bolom has continued Bloms' work, operating the house as a museum, research center and center for community and environmental programs in indigenous areas.

Na Bolom also offers guest rooms and meals, and accepts volunteers for work on some of its programs.