Tailor made Guatemala vacations and the visit of Tikal National Park
T I K A L
A name that inspires dreams for those who seek nature and adventure…
Two syllables that represent a paradise for archaeologists and Mayan world specialists…
Five letters that hide so many mysteries yet to be solved…
Yet, Tikal, the Mayan city, is beautiful and impressive and a must visit during your Guatemla tour.
Around 3.000 structures emerge from the tropical rainforest in a mystical atmosphere. The Temple of the Great Jaguar is facing the Temple of the Mask on the main plaza, the heart of the city. Highest pyramids of the site can reach up to 70m.
The site is so wide that there is usually an impression of being alone, impersonating Indiana Jones when he discovers a secret temple at a turn of a trail. Hanging over the site is the doubt of how Mayas could have developed such a big city in a dense jungle like this one.
Since 1979, Tikal is one of the fewest sites that is considered Cultural Heritage and Natural Heritage by UNESCO.
Our Guatemala and Tikal Tours
An enchanting Guatemalan nature
The fauna and flora surrounding the site is as captivating as the high pyramids, creating a unique setting.
From the first steps in the reserve, travelers are entering a whole new world. Try to look for spider monkeys, pheasants, coatis, toucans and other colorful parrots. The echoes of howler monkeys will join the visit.
40-meter high trees are desperately trying to exceed the pyramids. The smell of creepers and roots will surprise travelers.
Tikal fauna
How to visit Tikal?
Visit of Tikal with a guide:
Having a english-speaking guide specialized in the Mayan world is a real added-value to the visit of Tikal. His explanation offers a completely different vision of the site, bringing historical background and answers to some of many mysteries of the Mayan world. Guides also have fine knowledge of fauna and flora, explaining the medicinal purposes of plants, holding with bare hands a tarantula, looking for coatis in their hideouts.
Three schedules of visit are possible, each of them giving such a distinctive look of the site.
The classical visit of Tikal:
The first option is to go early in the morning, around 8am or 9am. The guided tour lasts around 4 hours; the guide will lead you through small paths that very few people use, which give the impression of being alone on the site. At the end of the visit, the most curious ones can stay longer on site.
Visit of Tikal at sunrise:
For this option, it is recommended to sleep in a lodge at the heart of the Tikal reserve. The visit starts at 4am for an extraordinary experience. Enter the site with only headlamps to climb the tallest pyramid and witness the awakening of the forest: first, hearing howler monkeys screaming kilometers away, then noticing birds crossing in the twilight. Slowly, sunlight appears on the tropical forest, revealing the pyramids surrounding it. Sometimes, the fog gives a mystical look at the scene.
The visit can be followed by a free afternoon in the charming island of Flores with a boat tour on Petén Itza lake. If that is the case, we recommend the visit of ARCAS association, working for native animals protection. The visit is interactive and give the opportunity to be close to jaguars and other felines.
Visit at sunset hour:
Meeting with the guide in the late afternoon. At the end of the visit, reach the top of the highest pyramid of the site to enjoy the sunset. The temple I seems to be covered in gold. In the morning, the region of Petén can be foggy; that’s why sunset can be more enjoyable.
Recommendations for visiting Tikal by our team:
Witnessing the rise of the jungle in Tikal is truly an unforgettable experience. It’s a magical show that the jungle organizes every morning. To maximize the chance of having clear weather, we commend this visit between November and April.
From November to April-May: night in the heart of the jungle the day before the visit. Discover the site with a english-speaking guide at sunrise. Free afternoon in Flores with a boat tour on the lake.
May-June to October: night in a charming hotel of Flores. Day tour or at sunset hour with an english-speaking guide. It is possible to combine the visit with the Uaxactún site, 18-kilometer north of Tikal.
Practical information for your visit
- Open every day of the week
- Entrance fee: 150 Quetzales (21 USD)
- Opening hours: from 6:00 to 18:00
- Museum entrance fee: 30 Quetzales (4.20 USD)
- Average time of visit: 4-5 hours, 8-10 km
- Sunset visit entrance fee: +100 Quetzales (+14 USD)
This ticket gives early access to the site, before general admission. Careful: it is mandatory to buy your ticket with anticipation in a Banrural bank. It often happens that people get denied because they didn’t buy the ticket beforehand.
Uaxactún entrance fee: +50 Quetzales (+7 USD)
The site is located 18-kilometer north of Tikal. It is recommended to have a private driver for the day to get there.
Accommodation: Usually, travelers sleep on the near-island of Tikal, 1-hour drive from Tikal. The small village of El Remate offers good accommodation options as well, closer to the Petén Itza lake. Finally, there are some lodges that allow you to sleep in the heart of Tikal national park jungle.
